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COLORADO – NATIONAL – Who or What is the Community Associations Institute (CAI): You May Be Surprised
Coloradohoaforum: Who or What is the Community Associations Institute (CAI): You May Be Surprised
Tuesday March 25, 2014
By Stan Hrincevich
For decades the sole source for Homeowners Association (HOA) information for the media and State Legislature has been the Community Association Institute (CAI). Why not? Their name implies they represent the concerns of community associations and home owners: aka HOAs. They have been the main/only source sought and invited to the table for input and wisdom on HOA matters by Government Agencies, legislators, and the media. This group is so well “respected” it has been asked to write or participate in writing HOA legislation to ensure participation of a knowledgeable and “unbiased” authoritative source. Government regulatory agencies invite this group to write industry rules and regulations and mostly adopt without challenge. The media goes directly to the CAI whenever an HOA problem surfaces to get the reason why and for them to provide a “correct” solution. HOA legislative proposals will see this group’s lobbying machine swarm and be welcomed at the Capitol to ensure the “right” and “workable” legislation is crafted. Visit this organization’s web site and read their literature. Unless you do so carefully you would think they altruistically represent home owners vs being the trade group that represents HOA property manager interests. This group is often invited to Legislator’s Town Hall Meetings (without the same courtesy extended to home owner groups) and represented as the expert and protector of home owner’s rights. Read more:
NATIONAL – Saving Lives Verses (sic) Driveway Mildew – Our Skewed Values
NATIONAL – Homeowners Associations Are Short on Cash
Robert Riddick of Moreno Valley, Cal., has belonged to the Sunnymead Ranch Homeowners Association for 22 years and served on its board for the past eight. For $97 a month in dues, Riddick and his wife, Helen, have access to a pool, tennis courts, fitness center and other amenities. The association has the reserves to maintain those services. “We’re fortunate,” he says.
A growing number of homeowners groups aren’t as financially sound. A recent report from Association Reserves, a consulting firm, estimated that 70% of association-governed communities are underfunded, up from 60% a decade ago. Associations with inadequate reserves may impose large special assessments for emergency repairs, says Association Reserves founder Robert Nordlund. Residents who don’t pay could face liens against their property; in extreme cases, the association may foreclose. Such measures ensure that members pay their fair share, says Frank Rathbun, of the Community Associations Institute, a trade group.
Buyers interested in an association-governed home or condo should ask for a copy of the group’s most recent reserve study. Also ask what percentage of members are more than 60 days delinquent on their fees, because that affects the association’s cash flow. “You’re buying into a nonprofit corporation,” Nordlund says. “You need to find out if that corporation is stable.” Read at:
TEXAS – Windcrest economic director, contractor accused of swindling Stone Oak HOA
by Dillon Collier / KENS 5
Posted on March 19, 2014
SAN ANTONIO — Both the director of Windcrest’s Economic Development Corporation and a recently hired contractor are accused of swindling a Stone Oak homeowners association out of hundreds of thousands of dollars, according to court documents and a separate criminal investigation on file with the San Antonio Police Department.
Robert Colunga, the former president of the Champion Springs HOA, is accused of cashing a $110,000 certificate of deposit that belonged to the HOA, as well as taking out a line of credit with The Hondo National Bank for nearly $280,000, without getting approval. Read more:
NORTH CAROLINA – Residents petition town to reverse HOA decision
Conflict pertains to neighborhood parking
CORNELIUS — A decision by an area homeowners association is being called an “abuse of power” after the board of the Harborside community enacted a No Parking rule on the main neighborhood road. Bob and Barbara Houck recently approached Cornelius commissioners with results of a petition, which they believe proves the rule to not park on Harborside Drive, enforced by the town, should be reversed. Of the 90 out of inhabited 158 homes they went to, they received 83 Yes votes and seven for No. “It was a cold and rainy day,” Bob said. “When we got more than 50 percent of the neighborhood to say yes, we went home.”
While the HOA stands by its decision as having met a safety concern, Board President Michelle Crawford said board members are reviewing the matter with Cornelius staff and police and will give residents a chance to vote on the outcome. But they aren’t taking the petition, which was also presented to them, at face value. “We received e-mails from people who said they felt pressured to sign the petition,” Crawford said. The HOA board plans to send out a mailing ballot later this month with various options, including adding parking on one side or keeping it at no parking. Read more:
TEXAS – Don Huffines ekes out narrow win against longtime Sen. John Carona
Published: 05 March 2014 12:28 AM
TEXAS – Damages Demanded After Double Murder
CALIFORNIA – $5.95M Plus Some Serious HOA Fees For Nob Hill Luxury
HOA Land – LakeField Hills Home Owners Association – Fall Enforcement Drive Recruitment Video
Chief Master Code Enforcer Vern Speiner wants you to join the ranks of the few, the proud, the army of one that aims high to be all it can be and become a code enforcer with the LakeField Hills Home Owners Association. You will write citations from sun up to sun not up anymore, you will probably drive a cart, and you will sometimes witness activity that borders on actual criminal behavior.
For more information on CODE ENFORCER the movie please visit classclownpictures.com/.
TEXAS – Veteran says HOA retaliating against him over lawsuit victory
Posted on February 21, 2014 at 10:08 PM
HOUSTON — Billy Martin, who’s been at odds with his HOA for months, thought a recent court ruling meant that his fighting days were finally over. But the Vietnam veteran found out during a recent board meeting that nothing could be farther from the truth. “They’re trying to retaliate against me,” said Martin, while sharing cell phone video that shows a police officer escorting him out of the meeting and placing him in handcuffs. Martin was detained briefly and then allowed to walk free.
“I’m a law-abiding citizen and I knew I had done nothing wrong,” he said. But Martin believes board members at the Forest Lake Townhome Association have it in for him because he prevailed in court over the right to fly his American flag. Read more:
HOA Reform Coalition 