A forceful anti-HOA argument

One of the best arguments I have heard against HOAs. Not talking about Neighborhood Associations here, just HOAs:

...HOA assessments are "forward looking". The homeowner did not incur debt, the HOA corporation incurred it. The homeowner has little control over the debt that the HOA racks up. The HOA seeks to pay for its debt by assessing the homeowners. There is no "principal balance" or term. As long as the HOA exists, it will continue to run up expenses. The HOA assessments are perpetual. Homeowners are burdened by a lien securing payment of future HOA assessments which last into perpetuity. There is no sum certain that the homeowner can pay to terminate the lien even though the debt has yet to be incurred. HOA assessments are more akin to illicit taxes by a corporation that has not been delegated governmental taxation authority.

A note on a house (or anything else) can eventually be paid off. HOA assessments are ever-increasing and never ending. HOA assessments are never "done"...

It's from this post in this thread.

If you think *I* get fired up about HOAs...

These folks burn with a white-hot hate for HOAs.  They make me look positively beatific by comparison.

Found them while doing some google-fu on the Community Associations Institute (CAI), who are putting on a trade show in Plano next month.

Essentials (ABCs) Class with Paul Grucza, CMCA, AMS PCAM of Classic Property Management, Inc., AAMC, provides board members with the basics of properly governing their community.
New pond technologies by Trent Lewis at Pond Medics.
Understanding High-Rise mechanical systems by 4-L Engineering.
Managing foreclosed communities by Marc Markel, Roberts Markel, PC and Norm Silversteen, PCAM
Closing keynote by Paul Grucza, CMCA, AMS, PCAM, of Classic Property Management, Inc, AAMC
And more!

In case you were wondering:

CMCA = $250-$300. "It can elevate your credibility and your community association's confidence in you."

AMS = $150-$250 application, $75-$175/yr. "The AMS designation demonstrates a higher level of commitment to your career and the community association industry."

PCAM = $195-$295 application, $150-$250/yr. "The pinnacle of community association management... earn your PCAM and join the elite — the select — the best."

AAMC = $300-400 application, $150-$325/yr.  "The AAMC accreditation demonstrates a company's commitment to providing the unique and diverse services community associations need."

Oh, and just in case you thought letters were free:
"CAI designations and accreditation programs are trademarks of CAI. Misuse of CAI trademarks, designations, or other copyrighted materials without proper authorization is a violation of CAI policy and federal law."

Can you tell CAI is in the credentialing business?  I've always mistrusted that market.  Admittedly reductionist, but to me it seems like "give us money, and we'll refer you business!"

If you're a big fan of policies like non-judicial foreclosure, unlimited increase in HOA fees without resident voting, more esthetic control, HOA liens, no requirement to adhere to minimum standards of decency put forth in the Fair Debt Collection Practices act, and reliance on CAI-credentialed service providers then you need to get on this bandwagon ASAP. Open your heart, open your wallet. You (and the new resident of that house you think you own free and clear) will be happier.

"Frisco HOA that foreclosed on soldier..."

Oh, you wacky HOAs. Why don't you hire a public relations officer after the fact instead of doing the right thing in the first place.

Plenty of fault to go around here, but is this really what your organization wants?

I certainly do not condone death threats, but they do make an interesting barometer for how one's actions are being received by the public. If you're getting death threats it's a pretty good indicator you're Doing It Wrong.

Remember: HOAs are evil

To quote Mike Myers: "E-ville. As in froo-its of the deh-ville."



Seriously. Do NOT get involved with control freak organizations, particularly ones that can charge you money and take your house. Run, do not walk.

I don't think he likes HOAs

Another interesting post in a forum. This one is in response to the question: "Do cities like HOA's because it transfers the cost of maintaining common areas from the city to the homeowners?"

The posted answer:

Absolutely, that's why cities are mandating them and have been mandating them for a couple of decades in Texas. The city of Garland has representatives testifying to that effect before the Texas State Legislature the last several sessions. This is a disease that has been spreading for a while. The city/county comes up with some "public benefit" that will be mandated for the property (open area, water retention, etc.) and then mandates a private method for taking care of it. Even in areas where the HOA has become defunct, the cities/counties are suing to force creation/revival of an HOA to assume those public responsibilities.

Not only does it eliminate the cost of maintaining those areas, it also ensures that the so-called common areas are privately owned and therefore subject to taxation. If the city/county owned them those areas would be exempt from the tax roles. Instead the city/county is mandating these areas in subdivisions but they are privately owned. This means they will be on the tax roles and privately maintained at the expense of the homeowners in that subdivision. The HOA owns the common area, not the homeowners.

HOAs are fun!

In case you needed any more coaxing to RUN, not walk, away from any neighborhood with a dictatorial HOA....