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HELP... Need advice

Submitted by vlk1976 on Thu, 01/03/2008 - 1:15am.

Please help. I am in need of any and all advice on what I can do. I live in an HOA that comprises approximately 1100 homes in Goodyear, AZ. Our HOA was hired by the builder of the homes and is currently a management firm located about 50 miles away.My particular neighborhood could be considered the "cheaper" homes and is made up of only 85 homes and one small common area. Across the street are the bigger homes and they have two playgrounds as well as a large park. We have no other ammenities- no pool, no courts of any kind, no trash, sewer, water included. Strictly maintenance of common areas and enforcement of CC&R's included. I have already emailed CHORES and awaiting a reply to this matter as well. So here is my story:

Since I have moved in in 8/2005 my dues have gone up four times. They started as 108 and are now 139.50. Is there not a cap as to how many times that an HOA can raise rates?

We also are supposed to have an annual meeting as stated in our CC&Rs. However, we have only had one meeting held in Jan. 2006. Since then there has been nothing. I have contacted and had no response.

We received information from our management company that the last parcel that needed to be sold in order to turn over management to the homeowners had been sold and therefore they would be sending out applications for people that wished to sit on the board. Again, nothing came. This was six months ago.

Our management company defaults on their own CC&Rs and things that we pay them to take care of. Our common area has weeds approximately 3 feet tall. For this, I think I will contact the city. But this is what we pay for. Homes are a mess. Why should I spend so many backbreaking hours maintaining my home and pay the fees, when so many do not and nothing is done to them at all. I know they send out letters, but in their own words- they can only drive by once every two weeks. How is that for service? $75,000 of our assessments go to this company per year.

My question is: What can I do? I am tired of it.


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I have a similar issue. I

Submitted by mrdinwa on Sat, 01/05/2008 - 12:26pm.

I have a similar issue.

I think the solution to both of our problems is Activism.

Typically situations decline because no one is held accountable. In our case, we have had a board of secrets and irresponsibility. We own our water plant, sewer, roads and other infrastructure. The issues we are experiencing are decline of roads, the water and sewer have not been suffiently upgraded for the number of homes(800) they serve. The board as levied 4 special assements in 5 years along with raising fees every year. The proceeds are about 1.6 million just last year alone. All of this was so we could upgrade the various infrastructure Ive just listed. Cost over runs, some by 200%,lawsuits,and no sound financial reporting ever done of the money spent.

Solution? The membership talked, by this I mean neighbors went dooor to door, made phone calls, and got a group together to remove the board, in your case the developer, and elect your own board. The process will vary by HOA, but, most are pretty straighforward, a majority vote of the membership can remove one or all board members.

Read your CC&R carefully and get out and start talking to people. Offer to help form a core group that will work out in the community to develop volunteers and look for potential board members. Make sure to keep a core group that monitors the new boad. We will call ours the Board of Trustees Advisory Counsel.

Good Luck.


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I think this is what I will

Submitted by vlk1976 on Sat, 01/05/2008 - 11:09pm.

I think this is what I will have to do. It seems like I have a neighborhood of very quiet neighbors and I think it will take one person to get out and get a consensus. Our city has this thing called G.A.I.N. where you can use the city to plan events with your neighborhoods. It is to get people out and meeting each other within the neighborhood. I think I may contact them to see about getting a neighborhood function together and then broach the issue with my neighbors.I have never lived in a community with an H.O.A. and I can say that I don't think I want to again. This has really disillusioned me. Thank you for your advice. I will let you know how it goes. And good luck with your case.


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I was president of my HOA

Submitted by 747pilot (not verified) on Fri, 01/11/2008 - 11:01am.

I was president of my HOA for 10 years, assumed directly from the developer. In your CCR's there should be a section dealing with dues and how much they can be raised in a year. Now check with your developer and find out exactly when the HOA is to be turned over to the residents, that way you won't in the dark. I can't stress enough how important it is to get on the board at the very beginning. That way you choose the management company that you want or at least can work with. Also the original board usually sets the guidelines on to which extent the CCR's will be enforced in the future.


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