Homeowner Associations: A Nightmare or a Dream Come True? [Paperback]

Joni Greenwalt (Author), Harriett Graves (Editor), Shannon Keegan (Illustrator), Ryan Shacklett (Photographer)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 096591660X | ISBN-13: 978-0965916608 | Publication Date: February 1998

Do you thrive or barely survive in a community governed by an association? With humor, philosophy, and down-to-earth facts, this book offers real-life scenarios and solutions.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Right now the Constitutional Rights of over 40 million Americans are being threatened. That number will soon double. The majority of homes being built today are in just such communities. This book throws a lifesaver to those homeowners.

From the Author

In 1990 I saw that what starts out to be a small issue (something like Christmas lights or even a birdhouse) can become a gigantic issue costing homeowners thousands of dollars. Some have even lost their homes. I learned how to put a quick stop to such tragedies in my community. That generated my commitment to caution homeowners about the possible pitfalls and how to avoid them.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Cassie Pubns Inc (February 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 096591660X
• ISBN-13: 978-0965916608
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,581,173 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

51 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Nice Ideas, But The Inherent Flaws of CID's Are Glossed Over, August 14, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Homeowner Associations: A Nightmare or a Dream Come True? (Paperback)

As a victim of HOA (CID) bureacracy, I purchased this book in the hopes that it would give me some legal advice on how to fight back. Rather, the author espouses a home-spun philosophy of working within the system. If your HOA problem is rather trivial in nature (such as a dispute over whether or not you can have a clothesline in your backyard, for example), this book could be very helpful. It's basically a collection of anecdotes and situations taken from the author's own real-life experience (she's the president of her HOA), as well as those of others involved in HOAs. One of the biggest hurdles in attempting to make any changes in the HOA scenario is that, typically, bylaws mandate that a minimum 3/4 majority of homeowners (voters) must concur for any proposals to take effect or board members to be elected (or removed.) Greenwalt gives some practical suggestions on how to galvanize support and make changes in your HOA despite this 3/4 requirement. All fine and good, but for someone like myself (who has been gouged for over $5000 in fines and legal fees over an orginal debt of $500 in overdue association dues), it's too little too late. After reading the book Privatopia, which outlines the history of HOAs, and--more significantly--exposes the reasons why they exist and proliferate, I've come to realize that there is nothing about HOAs that is designed for the benefit of the homeowner. (Even the goal of maintaining property values--ostensibly the primary reason for HOAs in the first place--is in place to satisfy the demands of the lending institutions that finance the developments, not to protect the homeowner's investment) Ironically, the author does make a brief quote from Privatopia, so one would assume that she has read it. The knowledge that HOAs are here because they maximize the profits of developers with no concern for the homeowner doesn't seem to dampen the author's enthusiam in regard to the HOA lifestyle. (Nor do the multitude of horror stories contained in her book and Privatopia) If you're resigned to living in an HOA (or even LIKE it, which perhaps some do), then I would recommend this book. Personally, I plan to sell out someday and seek residence outside of what is essentially a privatized enclave of socialism.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great, useful book!, March 20, 2002

By 

tamkam (Littleton, Colorado) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Homeowner Associations: A Nightmare or a Dream Come True? (Paperback)

Joni's book is great for new Board of Directors of HOA's. Her book is fun to read. But her book also taught me a lot about being a good Board member, searching for a new management (service) company, and establishing good policy for the community as a whole but also for the individuals who live here. Her book is also good for anyone who lives in a covenant-controlled community. Many thanks to Joni for taking time to write her book!!!

15 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Required Reading, March 31, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Homeowner Associations: A Nightmare or a Dream Come True? (Paperback)

Did you ever wonder if you're alone in your feeling toward the Homeowners Association? Did you ever wonder what kind of people LOVE to run one? Did you ever wonder what you could do to make it better? One answer BUY THE BOOK. I live in an HOA that is run by people who have absolutely no regard for their neighbor's rights.
This book lets you know what CAN and HAS happen with an HOA. Some of the stories in the book are exactly what is happening in ours now. You should read this book while sitting down, this way you won't have to far to fall when you hit the floor. This is what happens when your neighbors nose doesn't end at their fence. The most freighting part is HOA's are getting bigger,stronger and growing fast. Lawyers and management companies love HOA's and the author tells you why. The author understands what many people don't, the HOA is a mini-government.
To see what CAN happen to YOU and HAS happened to OTHERS I think this book isn't a purchase, it's an investment.