Customer Reviews

Homeowner Associations: A Nightmare or a Dream Come True?

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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!!!

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.

Replacing the board is a good idea and can be helpful in some cases, however, in many cases and particularly with a well entrenched board and its allied management company, it is only a bandaid fix for the deep wounds of CID living.

In addition to reading this book, it would be good to follow up with, Villa Appalling! Destroying the Myth of Affordable Community Living, written by Donie Vanitzian and Stephen Glassman.

Finally we have a book about homeowners associations viewed from the inside - how homeowners experience living in common-interest communities. A major theme of the author is that a widespread feature of this form of housing, which is founded on binding covenants, is rigid and intrusive regulation of homeowners' use of their property - for which she provides abundant and lively case material. In equal measure, she offers both broad principles and specific methods which association boards of directors can apply to foster civility and fairness in these communities. A natural audience for this book are the people who live in or plan to buy homes in homeowners associations; but the practitioners who provide services to associations would do well to read this book to learn about association life from the vantage point of homeowners who live in them.

Samuel Pratt, Ph.D and Lois Pratt, Ph.D; President of Common-Interest Homeowners Coalition of New Jersey

This book is a good source for general stories about homeowner association nightmares. If you haven't already purchased a home having a homeowner's association this would be a good book.

The commentary supplementing these stories are mainly exhortations for developers, lawyers, and boards to be reasonable. This theme too often repeats itself throughout the book rather than offering more insight into how to handle the specifics of solving these problems.

I am currently having some difficulties with my homeowners association, and found that this book has a lot of truth. I have passed the name of the book along to a friend. She and some of her neighbors are having some serious nightmares with their home owners association. Ernie Martinez

I found this book very informative in many areas. It is an easy-read yet covers well the situations encountered in Covenanted Communities. I will recommend it to our Board members (who need it!) and the developer staff who attempt to govern us. I had looked in vain for this sort of publication in libraries. Jerry Clark, South Carolina

If you live with an HOA, the stories in this book will sound familiar, along with ideas about what to do about your own HOA problems. Great coffee-table book.

I am now confident our out of control board will be removed thanks to Joni and her experiences, strategies and willingness to help. Doug Nicol