Read it on Flipboard The Google Earth image above is a hovering shot from above a Minnesota State common interest development (aka HOA) that may be the site of a most unusual story, archived below: ▶ http://flip.it/uQ1I4o   As we archive this Trilogy of HOA stories, our lead item is a fascinating account from  15830 Andrie St NW, a house in a Ramsey, MN 55303 HOA ▶  This 3,227 square foot house features 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms ▶  This property was built in 1992 ▶   Located in central Minnestoa, Northfork is a 1,250 acre planned community located on the far western side of the the City of Ramsey, and eastern border of Elk River ▶  Northfork  has an active Homeowners Association committed to keeping this a great community in which to live ▶  The Homeowners Association owns approximately 300 acres of open space, trails and lake accesses for use and enjoyment by  Northfork  residents ▶ Read it on...

Amendments to CC&Rs require notices to owners, the HOA title holders; What's that mean? https://t.co/p8DTF0iOVd — Mike Foxworth (@ALTALOMAN) January 11, 2016 Keyword : TITLEHOLDERS Video is archived from a posting on June 5, 2013, but somewhere it surely has some basis in reality today. While the complaint is not related to CC&R changes, per se, the clip does relate to how HOA board members might treat title holders. Tweets about rogue HOA

#ALTACITIES observes: HOA governing transparency not guaranteed but is qualified, not absent by law! https://t.co/jnFjaZRA57 — Mike Foxworth (@ALTALOMAN) January 6, 2016 DISCUSSION # ALTACITIES term▶ ' omission '  rarely used, admitted in HOA world; in fact, found but once on p. 60 § 1365.7 of  California Davis-Stirling Law (DSL). ▶ 'OMISSION':  Regarding the topic, the lack of multiple definitions in the DSL * (as noted above) doesn't preclude or eliminate such reference elsewhere in the California Civil Code, as in  Civil Code §5800 - §5810 where you will find the word  'omission'  mentioned nine (9) times. In fact, to better understand the application of ' 'omission'  as that term relates to board duties, you probably need to do a thorough  SEARCH  of the term on multiple state law and HOA sites. The  ALTACITIES SEARCH LINK  may assist this task. Legal case law also needs to be reviewed and that, agai...

( CORONA   in sync with   ALTACITIES ) ~ The California Civil Code is massive and includes about 95 pages that outline the laws and conditions applicable to common interest developments, aka homeowner associations (HOAs) in the state.  What is generally recognized as one combs through these documents is that the most frequent readers are lawmakers and lawyers, not homeowners.  Most would agree that homeowners almost never read these documents unless conditions arise as explained in the following archive. ▶ Flip②▶  STORIFY  ♥  FLIPBOARD ★  BLOGGER  ▲ ALTACITIES  ® ▶  TWITTER Enter your email address: Delivered by FeedBurner [ View the story "Take the 'erzats' HOA test" on Storify ] Flip② ▶ See ♥ WORTH ▶ another microblog created, edited and archived by ALTACITIES ® ▶ http://altacities.com ® ▶ Flip ② ▶ the SCS * (Social Current See) , including what's up with our 9-year MCL surviva...

( CORONA   in sync with   ALTACITIES ) ~ If you are now service on an HOA board or contemplating that role with a nonprofit mutual benefit organization, you have or will soon encounter the term "fiduciary."  Despite a general emphasis on this term, the  Davis-Stirling Law  (DSL) in California makes but on reference to the term throughout the 95 page law.  That reference is highlighted in the archive below and in the 'social current see' on topic as follows. ▶ Flip②▶  STORIFY  ♥  FLIPBOARD ★  BLOGGER  ▲ ALTACITIES  ® ▶  TWITTER Enter your email address: Delivered by FeedBurner [ View the story "HOA Board, aka Fiduciary" on Storify ]

( CORONA   in sync with   ALTACITIES ) Here at TRILOGY GLEN IVY, the Shea/TWC suit (circa 2010) by TGMA is approaching a 5-year anniversary.  Homeowners were curiously sent an "status report" letter just recently by the lead plaintiff in the suit (our original HOA builder) and we were told that a response to that letter is due soon from the attorney four HOA board. The builder attorney disclosure to homeowners is a rare event. For sure, association boards always consult with legal counsel when a situation does not fall squarely within the mandatory disclosure categories. Failure to disclose may result in liability for the association, but giving too much information can also cause problems for an association.  Are we now getting too much information? ▶ Flip②▶  STORIFY  ♥  FLIPBOARD ★  BLOGGER  ▲ ALTACITIES  ® ▶  TWITTER [ View the story "HOA: Too litigious?" on Storify ]

During the precursor period prior to the 2016 USA presidential election until November 2016, at least one leading presidential candidate of our time is trying to claim ignorance and lack of attention about decisions made long ago.  A common tactic, I suppose, but the reasoning fails to fly with most voters, hence the candidate is suffering mightily in the categories of trustworthiness and honesty. A related analogy applies to those who live in, work in, or govern common interest developments (homeowner associations or HOAs). Ignorance or lack of understanding the rules, even lack of attention to matters of importance serves no one, least of all the homeowners in these communities.  ▶ Flip②▶  STORIFY  ♥  FLIPBOARD  ★  BLOGGER  ▲ ALTACITIES  ® ▶  TWITTER See more in the 'social current see' with   3,900+ followers  on  FLIPBOARD   and the other media links noted above [<a href="//stori...

The democratic experience (self-governance) has never been without tension and argument between those who govern (elected officials) and those who are governed (the people).  No where is this reality more evident today than in the private governments we call common interest developments (or HOAs, or homeowner associations).  The founding fathers of the United States, and those who followed in leadership, frequently talk about the imperfect union.  That is the very attribute that sparks the following post. Flip②▶ STORIFY ♥ FLIPBOARD ★ BLOGGER ▲ ALTACITIES ® See more in the 'social current see' with 1300+ followers on FLIPBOARD [ View the story "Perpetual paradigm for HOAs" on Storify ] "You have to have confidence in your ability, and then be tough enough to fol... #dailyqotd #qotd http://t.co/fq1zI7UyVq — Mike Foxworth (@ALTALOMAN) July 21, 2015

When one purchases property in a common interest development (or HOA) a whole raft of legal documents accompany the transaction.  Most homeowners only slightly review these documents and little understand the depth and breadth of the content.  Most likely to be overlooked (perhaps even not revealed) is the Internal Revenue System (IRS) standing of the HOA. However, you may wish to know more about that standing after you read the following.  Is not a given that your HOA has tax-exempt status, nor is it guaranteed that any HOA will keep that status. Flip②▶ STORIFY ♥ FLIPBOARD ★ BLOGGER ▲ ALTACITIES © Now with 1,200+ followers on http://socialcurrent see.com [ View the story "HOA Board actions threaten IRS action" on Storify ] "The only way you can truly control how you are seen is being honest all the ... #dailyqotd #qotd http://t.co/fq1zI7UyVq — Mike Foxworth (@ALTALOMAN) July 15, 2015

The actions of the board of directors for a typical common interest development, homeowners association (HOA) are typically and legally accountable to the homeowners, but only if the homeowners demand that accountability.  When stories of alleged malfeasance become public (like the one cited below), one has to wonder if the homeowners were really paying attention and what happened to transparency and due-diligence, two other values in governance that are often sacrificed when boards go astray. Flip②▶ STORIFY ♥ FLIPBOARD ★ BLOGGER ▲ ALTACITIES © Now with 1,200+ followers on http://socialcurrent see.com [ View the story "Malfeasance by HOA Board in self-dealing" on Storify ] "Turn your wounds into wisdom." ~Oprah Winfrey #dailyqotd #qotd http://t.co/fq1zI7UyVq — Mike Foxworth (@ALTALOMAN) June 22, 2015

One of the most esoteric topics in the HOA world (homeowner associations and common interest developments) is the subject of directors & officers insurance.  The expense is usually identified as a separate line item in the HOA budget, but homeowners rarely, if ever, pay attention to the matter. Flip②▶ STORIFY ♥ FLIPBOARD ★ BLOGGER ▲ ALTACITIES © [ View the story "HOAs - Checklist for your DOI* coverage" on Storify ] "Turn your wounds into wisdom." ~Oprah Winfrey #dailyqotd #qotd http://t.co/fq1zI7UyVq — Mike Foxworth (@ALTALOMAN) June 22, 2015

SOCIAL CURRENT SEE :  http://flip.it/XesD4 According to HOA WARRIOR author Shelly Marshall, "Most people don't realize the broad sweeping powers that a board of directors have over life when you buy a home in an association. In fact, you won't know it until you are in crisis. But Shelly Marshall, owner/advocate, has paved a path for you. This book leads the homeowner step by step in how to use everything at their disposal in order to take on and effect change with an Association Board of Directors. Taken from her personal experience with an out of control board, where the homeowners won, you can learn from her personal stories and the many stories of other homeowners who took on the good fight. Don't let your board or their attorneys intimidate you." Flip②▶ STORIFY ♥ FLIPBOARD ★ BLOGGER ▲ ALTACITIES ® [ View the story "'HOA Warrior' must read before the battle" on Storify ] "You can never cross the ocean until you have t...

Now (through annual meeting date of May 16) is election season for our California Inland Empire HOA with about 1317 members (homeowners). Unfortunately, last year the voter turnout was only 477, or about 36 percent of the electorate.  Despite some contentious and controversial stands by the board in the last couple of years, member apathy, angst, and anger remain a key factor for the political scene in our community.  No doubt, this situation is typical for most HOAs out there. Flip②▶ STORIFY ♥ FLIPBOARD ★ BLOGGER [ View the story "HOA Board elections trigger inspection" on Storify ] Tweets about HOA Board