Most homeowners have little cognizance of the topic of disaster recovery, perhaps disaster preparedness, but not necessarily recovery. When the topic does come to mind, attention often turns to Federal, state, and local agencies who may provide assistance.  But what if that assistance doesn't come?  What if your community failed to receive outside assistance because Federal agencies don't recognize your community exits Surprisingly, that is a real threat to homeowner associations (HOAs) because the Federal Emergency Management Agency treats HOAs as private enterprises, not housing sub-divisions within the larger community that surrounds these locations. Will that make a difference if disaster strikes and your HOA community needs assistance?  Look at the links in my Facebook post (above) for details. CANSWERIST

Colorado construction defect statutes and affordability – Independent American Communities https://t.co/CvKU0Qpf9P — Mike Foxworth (@ALTALOMAN) January 30, 2016 HOMEOWNERS in common interest developments (aka HOAs) are not alone in their concern about construction defects found long after their purchase of real estate. This, of course, is a matter of the law where homeowners need expert legal advice and representation. Because the fact that lawyers for the other side in these complaints are hired to defend builders and developers with deep pockets, the counsel representing the homeowners or HOA must be experienced and successful in representing plaintiffs in such cases.   VIDEO  is not an endorsement for any law firm, but an educational presentation to help homeowners caught in this dilemma. Tweets about Burg Simpson LAUNCH A "NEXTDOOR"NEIGHBORHOOD FOR YOUR COMMUNITY Flip②▶

#HOA sells Port Orange family's home over $2K debt https://t.co/sQizyXqru7 — Ward Lucas (@Ward_Lucas) January 21, 2016 # Foreclosure  | Defined According to reports found in the 'social current see' of our times, the foreclosure process for common interest developments (aka HOAs) is rare but devastating for homeowners caught in that vice.  Often, it seems, that the nightmare is over some trivial sum in relation to the real property value.  The case detailed above clearly suggests that when any homeowner is caught in this type of legal quagmire, the first rule is to find and hire a good property rights attorney to help make the appeal for alternative resolution. Tweets about HOA foreclosure

( CORONA   in sync with   ALTACITIES ) Despite the  Davis-Stirling Law  (DSL) in California, there really is no court of appeals for HOA disputes.  There is alternative dispute resolution (or mediation ), but the courts are largely hands-off regarding HOA conflicts, even those that have a profound common interest. Of course, that reality is not of much concern when homeowners consider most of the business transacted by, within, and for most common interest developments, aka homeowner associations (or HOAs), yet because human beings are involved, you can't totally discount the occurrence of conflicts, some of which rise to the level of real legal disputes. ▶ Flip②▶  STORIFY  ♥  FLIPBOARD ★  BLOGGER  ▲ ALTACITIES  ® ▶  TWITTER Enter your email address: Delivered by FeedBurner [ View the story "HOA conflicts of interest" on Storify ]

( CORONA   in sync with   ALTACITIES ) One of the least understood matters of governance of the typical common interest development (homeowners association or HOA) in California is the topic of executive privilege, or the practice of boards of directors taking matters behind closed doors.  That is, the board is granted authority by the Davis-Stirling Law (DSL) to discuss, debate and pass measures along a narrow line of subjects without the knowledge or presence of homeowner consent.  The following graphic offers detail of how this provision of the DSL actually works. ▶ Flip②▶  STORIFY  ♥  FLIPBOARD ★  BLOGGER  ▲ ALTACITIES  ® ▶  TWITTER [ View the story "HOA Confidentiality" on Storify ]

( CORONA   in sync with ALTACITIES ) Scanning the web for content creation of this archive, we found the following as comments, content, clips, and links for the 'social current see' on topic. While there is no 'final' list of the pros and cons of HOA living today, there are many who will take a stab at outlining the subject.  What is your comment on the following list? PRO 1) Your neighborhood will look good 2) Community amenities 3) Maintenance costs are shared 4) You've got a built-in mediator (the HOA Board?) 5) Get to know your neighbors CON 1) HOA dues & assessments 2) Your hands are (somewhat) tied 3) Beware of HOA financial woes 4) Give up some freedom 5) Watch out for the "rogue" board member  ▶ Flip②▶  STORIFY  ♥  FLIPBOARD ★  BLOGGER  ▲ ALTACITIES  ® ▶  TWITTER See more in the 'social current see' with  5 ,000+ followers  on  FLIPBOARD   and t...

To amplify the last several posts, the content and stories about the upcoming hearing before a Riverside Superior Court judge on Sept. 30, I choose to ask: Why is it so difficult to get homeowner attention for such matters? Turns out that the topic of class action suits sparks today a significant number of clips, news accounts, and 'social current see' that is in the scroll that follows: Tweets about class action suit Flip②▶ Browseonpurpose   ▶   Socialcurrentsee   ▶   altacities [ View the story "Members seek class in HOA action" on Storify ]

(CORONA) Next to attending an HOA board meeting, probably nothing is less tempting than reading about HOA legal matters.  Even the lawyers who work for HOAs will attest to the oblique nature of their content because virtually every letter or message that they send to homeowners barely passes the readability test.  That was confirmed recently here in our HOA when we received a letter (described below) from our HOA law firm.  Shortly later, a local judge had to write to all of us to clarify the lawyer's message.  ▶ Flip②▶  STORIFY  ♥  FLIPBOARD ★  BLOGGER  ▲ ALTACITIES  ® ▶  TWITTER See more in the 'social current see' with   4,900+ followers  on  FLIPBOARD   and the other media links noted above [ View the story "Class action suit reaction (2)" on Storify ]

One of the interesting developments coming out of the #AB349 law in California that permits HOA homeowners to install fake grass and drought-tolerant landscapes is that no matter what state lawmakers allow, HOAs are likely to throw roadblocks in front of individual homeowners.  Perhaps the reason for that is that when all is said and done, the uniformity of change is important for HOAs. What one individual or group of individuals may do about landscaping still has an effect on the "look and feel" of the entire community.  Perhaps that's why our HOA gave notice that any landscape changes still require approval from our Design Review Committee.  ▶ Flip②▶  STORIFY  ♥  FLIPBOARD  ★  BLOGGER  ▲ ALTACITIES  ® ▶  TWITTER See more in the 'social current see' with   4,664+ followers  on  FLIPBOARD   and the other media links noted above [ View the story "Fake lawns to 'grow' in CA HOAs?" on Stori...

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 play, passion, purpose of the constant change of 'social current see' from, for, and by the curator #ALTALOMAN .  Millions of homeowners have this in common: They live in and live with the restrictions, rules, and conditions of common interest developments, aka homeowner associations (HOAs).  This and other content on this blog (and related sites ... see links below) deal with the homeowner perspective on such matters. Flip②▶  STORIFY  ♥  FLIPBOARD  ★  BLOGGER ▲ ALTACITIES  ® ▶  WEEBLY See more in the 'social current see' with   3,700+ followers  on  FLIPBOARD   and the other media links noted above [ View the story "The 'social current see' of Altacities?" on Storify ]

Next to the drought, California homeowners (not just those who live in common interest developments, of HOAs) universally deal with energy consumption and ways to control energy bills.  Solar is an option for some, but not yet for all. Flip②▶  STORIFY ♥ FLIPBOARD ★ BLOGGER ▲ ALTACITIES ® ▶  WEEBLY See more in the 'social current see' with   3,600+ followers on FLIPBOARD   and the other media links noted above [ View the story "HOA: Solar laws see light of day" on Storify ] "It ain't about how hard you can hit. Its about how hard you can get hit, and... #dailyqotd #qotd http://t.co/fq1zI7UyVq — Mike Foxworth (@ALTALOMAN) August 26, 2015

At some time in every life there is an association affiliation.  Between the millions of professional groups, clubs, churches, and, yes, community or homeowner associations virtually no one lacks for standing on the membership rolls of something and somewhere.  Rarely will you find any such group that doesn't deal with detractors or skeptics in at some time and in some way.  Our 'social current see' archive of the day starts with a specific view of an HOA related group, the Community Association Institute. Flip②▶ STORIFY ♥ FLIPBOARD ★ BLOGGER ▲ ALTACITIES ® See more in the 'social current see' with   3,400+ followers on FLIPBOARD   and the other media links noted above [ View the story "Disclosure: The 'asso' behind HOAs" on Storify ] "A ship in port is safe, but that's not what ships are built for." ~Grace Hopper #dailyqotd #qotd http://t.co/fq1zI7UyVq — Mike Foxworth (@ALTALOMAN) August 3,...

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

Most of the content of this blog deals with common interest developments and homeowners associations (HOAs), but not all concerns of those who live in these communities deals with dwellings, landscaping, rules & regulations.  Homeowners, particularly those who are retirement age or approaching retirement, have multiple concerns in other areas, notably in healthcare. Flip②▶ STORIFY ♥ FLIPBOARD ★ BLOGGER ▲ ALTACITIES ® 1000+ followers on FLIPBOARD [ View the story "Is Florida the Medicare fraud capital of the world?" on Storify ] "If one is lucky, a solitary fantasy can totally transform one million realit... #dailyqotd #qotd http://t.co/fq1zI7UyVq — Mike Foxworth (@ALTALOMAN) June 23, 2015

As a state, California budget problems are legendary. Running the most populous and one of the most progressive states in the nation means an effective drive for the state executives and legislature to find a constant flow of funds for the maintenance of infrastructure, social programs, and statewide development. That means the following report of an unfortunate scheme to enrich the state at the expense of those who could least afford the "money grab" is not surprising. Flip②▶ STORIFY ♥ FLIPBOARD ★ BLOGGER ▲ ALTACITIES ® [ View the story "Golden State housing robbery?" on Storify ] "Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts ca... #dailyqotd #qotd http://t.co/fq1zI7UyVq — Mike Foxworth (@ALTALOMAN) June 16, 2015

It is true in California, Florida, and probably all across the USA:  HOA laws are difficult to pass, particularly when these laws or changes to existing laws are advocated by homeowners and members, not the HOA boards, managers, and attorneys who represent HOAs.  The Florida case is proof enough for that observation. Flip②▶ STORIFY ♥ FLIPBOARD ★ BLOGGER ▲ [ View the story "Lawyer up if your address is HOA FLA" on Storify ] Outlet Section - Find discounted items up to 60% OFF only at iHomeAudio.com. Tweets about Florida HOA

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

As a rule, HOAs (homeowner associations) are nothing more than a group of homeowners who live and conduct their lives under a group of CC&Rs, covenants, conditions, and restrictions.  Have you noticed how little news is found in the general press about HOAs?  For the most part, the local, regional, and national press avoids these stories for unknown reasons.  This is true despite the fact that ... The fastest growing form of housing in the United States today is common-interest development (CID), a category that includes planned unit developments of single-family homes, condominiums, and cooperative apartments. Since 1964, HOAs have become increasingly common in the USA. The Community Associations Institute trade association estimated that HOAs governed 24.8 million American homes and 62 million residents in 2010. Flip②▶ STORIFY ♥ FLIPBOARD ★ BLOGGER [ View the story "The H-spot for HOAs" on Storify ] Tweets about HOA homeowners

Apparently, the true champion here may be politician Roland Gutierrez is a Democratic member of the Texas House of Representatives.  He is spearheading an effort to cap legal fees in that state for HOA foreclosures.  Often, these fees are excessive and the tipping point that brings foreclosure, not the actual delinquency of HOA fees. Also see, VIDEOS on topic + Flip②▶ STORIFY ♥ FLIPBOARD ★ BLOGGER   [ View the story "Happy ending for TX HOA foreclosure" on Storify ]