Most Frequent HOA Complaints?: Dues Increases and CC&R Changes – WSJ

Mos t Frequent HOA Complaints?: Dues Increases and CC&R Changes – WSJ

So the number of people that lived in associations and complained about them is 69/75 = 92%. This is in stark contrast to Community Association Institute's (CAI) claim that 95% of the people living in associations love them

September 30, 2007

In the article titled , YOUR HOME AS THE GROUP'S CASTLE published September 30, 2007 by the Wall Street Journal, the author cites results from a survey of 3,000 newsletter subscribers conducted by ServiceMagic.com, a Golden, Colo.-based as “69% of homeowners polled said associations are either a "major headache" or a "minor annoyance," though 25% of respondents had not lived under an association”, mentions two most frequently common interest development (CID) complaints: “Unexpected increases in dues and unwelcome rule changes”, then goes on to advice on what potential CID buyers should do before they buy--- the CZ Masters Association is no stranger to these complaints.

An astute blogger noting that figures do not lie but liars figure – comments on how the numbers were reported in the survey:

“…let's look at the numbers. That 69% is out of the total number of respondents -> but 25% of the total number of respondents never lived in an association -> so you are really looking at 69/75 instead of 69/100 who have problems with HOAs.

69% of respondents (out of 100%) claim problems ranging from minor annoyance to major headache. But 25% (out of that 100%) never lived under an association. So only 75% of the respondents lived in an association. So the number of people that lived in associations and complained about them is 69/75 = 92%. This is in stark contrast to Community Association Institute's (CAI) claim that 95% of the people living in associations love them. Looks more like 92% have issues with them according to this survey"
Buzz: We specifically sold an investment condo with positive cash flow because the HOA Board so screwed up the Association’s finances that I feared the need for significantly escalating dues would ultimately negatively impact value. They were already at $325 a month when we sold with $3.5 million in repair work that needed to be done and no Reserves to do it. The only option that did not require a vote of the Members was 20% dues increases every year as far as the eye could see to both cover these repairs and eventually deal with Reserves that were down to almost nothing.



CZ probably needs to spend about $3 million or more on landscaping renovation now with no money to do it or in Reserves to cover it. Mezger was always bragging about getting Reserves up to 70% or more; but there is no money in Reserves to cover landscaping renovation. So Mezger’s argument was bogus. When and how does the current CZ Board plan to deal with landscaping renovation? There is no strategic plan to deal with this ticking time bomb. And, unless the CZ Board deals with subsidies going to non-members, the only way to deal with this major expense is significant dues increases for our Members. It is what it is. Why do you think I keep sounding the alarm bells about subsidies? Be assured, I am not chicken little. I know what I am talking about. JM



P.S. It would cost $300,000 or more just to do the face of The Woods and there are many more areas that need major work too



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