Saturday, January 15, 2011
Friday, January 14, 2011
Long economic downturn paints grim future for Privatopia
As the owner of this blog has observed, there's years more excess to be wrung out of the real estate bubble that burst five years ago.
Before it's done, it could take down a lot of HOAs with it. Witness the "the fading fortunes of gated communities and condominiums" in Florida as the Palm Beach Post put it in this article, where desperate HOAs have resorted to locking out inmates behind on their assessments and removing the doors of their mailboxes.
Before it's done, it could take down a lot of HOAs with it. Witness the "the fading fortunes of gated communities and condominiums" in Florida as the Palm Beach Post put it in this article, where desperate HOAs have resorted to locking out inmates behind on their assessments and removing the doors of their mailboxes.
Hot topics for community associations in 2011 - chicagotribune.com
Hot topics for community associations in 2011 - chicagotribune.com:
Pamela McKuen of the Chicago Tribune focuses on the financial problems of associations. Thanks to my student, Brittany Ryan, for this link.
Pamela McKuen of the Chicago Tribune focuses on the financial problems of associations. Thanks to my student, Brittany Ryan, for this link.
Over 1 million Americans seen losing homes in 2011 - Yahoo! News
Over 1 million Americans seen losing homes in 2011 - Yahoo! News: "The bleakest year in the foreclosure crisis has only just begun. Lenders are poised to take back more homes this year than any other since the U.S. housing meltdown began in 2006. About 5 million borrowers are at least two months behind on their mortgages and industry experts say more people will miss payments because of job losses and also loans that exceed the value of the homes they are living in. '2011 is going to be the peak,' said Rick Sharga, a senior vice president at foreclosure tracker RealtyTrac Inc. The firm predicts 1.2 million homes will be repossessed this year."
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Bucking the trend, I managed to conclude the refinancing of my home yesterday. I feel like the guy who gets onto the spaceship last just before the door closes, and it flies away, and the meteor crashes into the earth.
Interest rates are going up and the banks are behaving like complete idiots (i.e., taking zillions in cheap money from the taxpayers and then refusing to lend it). During 2011 they will drop the hammer on the huge backlog in foreclosures that accumulated during the "robo-signer" scandal.
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Bucking the trend, I managed to conclude the refinancing of my home yesterday. I feel like the guy who gets onto the spaceship last just before the door closes, and it flies away, and the meteor crashes into the earth.
Interest rates are going up and the banks are behaving like complete idiots (i.e., taking zillions in cheap money from the taxpayers and then refusing to lend it). During 2011 they will drop the hammer on the huge backlog in foreclosures that accumulated during the "robo-signer" scandal.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Housing and Economy: Housing Market Slips Into Depression Territory - CNBC
Housing and Economy: Housing Market Slips Into Depression Territory - CNBC:
Home values have fallen 26 percent since their peak in June 2006, worse than the 25.9-percent decline seen during the Depression years between 1928 and 1933, Zillow reported. November marked the 53rd consecutive month (4 ½ years) that home values have fallen. What’s worse, it’s not over yet: Home values are expected to continue to slide as inventories pile up, and likely won't recover until the job market improves.
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And in other news, the Democrats who control the Illinois state legislature just raised the state income tax by 67%, corporate taxes by over 40%, and continued their 8 year refusal to address their over-spending.
This is the first of many state and local tax increases to come. California and other big states are going to jack up taxes.
How anybody can talk about economic recovery now is just beyond me. The housing market is still deteriorating, unemployment remains high, and the crisis state of government financing at all levels is getting worse.
Home values have fallen 26 percent since their peak in June 2006, worse than the 25.9-percent decline seen during the Depression years between 1928 and 1933, Zillow reported. November marked the 53rd consecutive month (4 ½ years) that home values have fallen. What’s worse, it’s not over yet: Home values are expected to continue to slide as inventories pile up, and likely won't recover until the job market improves.
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And in other news, the Democrats who control the Illinois state legislature just raised the state income tax by 67%, corporate taxes by over 40%, and continued their 8 year refusal to address their over-spending.
This is the first of many state and local tax increases to come. California and other big states are going to jack up taxes.
How anybody can talk about economic recovery now is just beyond me. The housing market is still deteriorating, unemployment remains high, and the crisis state of government financing at all levels is getting worse.
Saturday, January 08, 2011
Illinois Review: Gov. Mitch Daniels: Illinois tax hikes good for Indiana
Illinois Review: Gov. Mitch Daniels: Illinois tax hikes good for Indiana:
That's because Daniels is the Governor of Indiana. If the Democrats in Springfield raise the personal income tax here in Illinois by 75% (from a flat rate of 3% to 5.25% of income, with practically no deductions or exemptions), and if they raise the corporate income tax by 75% as well (from 4.8% to 8.4%), businesses will relocate to Indiana. This state is run by a corrupt political machine that is arrogant and cynical beyond belief. They are doing this after the election, and before the new legislature is seated. They figure that in two years enough "voters" (and I use the word with some doubt as to whether it really applies) will forget that the Democrats did this. Maybe they are right.
Of course, something has to be done to raise revenues and cut spending because Illinois is insolvent. But the lack of a two-party system here is the main problem. A tax increase was in the cards. You can count on the Democrats for that, and they waited until the election was over to do it so they could keep their control of the legislature. But what about budget-cutting? That's where some Republican influence would make a difference. We need both. Instead the Democrats want to increase the money being shoveled into the maw of the teachers' unions, and because they control the entire state, that's what we will get: more taxes, more spending, and empty promises of budget-cutting to come.
That's because Daniels is the Governor of Indiana. If the Democrats in Springfield raise the personal income tax here in Illinois by 75% (from a flat rate of 3% to 5.25% of income, with practically no deductions or exemptions), and if they raise the corporate income tax by 75% as well (from 4.8% to 8.4%), businesses will relocate to Indiana. This state is run by a corrupt political machine that is arrogant and cynical beyond belief. They are doing this after the election, and before the new legislature is seated. They figure that in two years enough "voters" (and I use the word with some doubt as to whether it really applies) will forget that the Democrats did this. Maybe they are right.
Of course, something has to be done to raise revenues and cut spending because Illinois is insolvent. But the lack of a two-party system here is the main problem. A tax increase was in the cards. You can count on the Democrats for that, and they waited until the election was over to do it so they could keep their control of the legislature. But what about budget-cutting? That's where some Republican influence would make a difference. We need both. Instead the Democrats want to increase the money being shoveled into the maw of the teachers' unions, and because they control the entire state, that's what we will get: more taxes, more spending, and empty promises of budget-cutting to come.
Banks lose key foreclosure ruling in top Massachusetts court | Reuters
Banks lose key foreclosure ruling in top Massachusetts court | Reuters:
In a decision that may slow foreclosures nationwide, Massachusetts' highest court voided the seizure of two homes by Wells Fargo & Co and US Bancorp after the banks failed to show they held the mortgages at the time they foreclosed.
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I am nearing the end of a three month effort to refinance my house. The banks and title companies are over-compensating for their slovenly ways during the housing bubble. Now you have to prove everything about yourself and your house beyond any possible or imaginary doubt. But when they want to foreclose, and they have to produce proof that they own the house, why, then things are different. Suddenly anything goes.
In a decision that may slow foreclosures nationwide, Massachusetts' highest court voided the seizure of two homes by Wells Fargo & Co and US Bancorp after the banks failed to show they held the mortgages at the time they foreclosed.
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I am nearing the end of a three month effort to refinance my house. The banks and title companies are over-compensating for their slovenly ways during the housing bubble. Now you have to prove everything about yourself and your house beyond any possible or imaginary doubt. But when they want to foreclose, and they have to produce proof that they own the house, why, then things are different. Suddenly anything goes.
Friday, January 07, 2011
Vegas HOA takes Floyd Mayweather to court
LAS VEGAS, Nevada (AFP) — Unbeaten boxer Floyd Mayweather has been threatening employees of the homeowners association in the development where he lives, according to officials who have gone to court to stop him.
A complaint by Southern Highlands Estates in Clark District Court seeks $10,000 in damages and an injunction to limit contact between Mayweather and employees of the gated community south of the glitzy Las Vegas Strip.
Mayweather, 33, already faces misdemeanor battery charges from a December 16 incident in which he allegedly poked a security guard in the face outside his home over complaints about parking.
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Read story here.
Homeowner tells HOA: You're messing with the wrong Marine
Marine battles homeowners association over flag pole
Merola said he went through the proper channels to ask for permission to put up a 20-foot flag pole, but permission was denied. The HOA told him he was welcome to attach a small flag pole to his house.
An attorney representing the Lakeland Village Community Association said homeowners are encouraged to display American flags, if they want to, but that freestanding flag poles are just not allowed.
Merola said the homeowners association is going too far and has hired his own lawyers.
"Being a marine, this is a battle I’m willing to fight," Merola said.
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UPDATE 1/7/11:
Group plans to take on HOAs over flags
Merola's battle with his HOA could be the last of its kind. A group in Austin tired of hearing about these flag flaps is introducing a flag display bill in the upcoming Texas legislature, stipulating that HOAs cannot prohibit flags on free standing poles.
Merola said he went through the proper channels to ask for permission to put up a 20-foot flag pole, but permission was denied. The HOA told him he was welcome to attach a small flag pole to his house.
An attorney representing the Lakeland Village Community Association said homeowners are encouraged to display American flags, if they want to, but that freestanding flag poles are just not allowed.
Merola said the homeowners association is going too far and has hired his own lawyers.
"Being a marine, this is a battle I’m willing to fight," Merola said.
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UPDATE 1/7/11:
Group plans to take on HOAs over flags
Merola's battle with his HOA could be the last of its kind. A group in Austin tired of hearing about these flag flaps is introducing a flag display bill in the upcoming Texas legislature, stipulating that HOAs cannot prohibit flags on free standing poles.
"From experience in dealing with homeowner associations, if it's not in black and white and it says you must permit or you may not prohibit, then they won't do it," said John Stratton, attorney for American Radio Relay League.
Sunday, January 02, 2011
Who you gonna call? HOA Busters!
Are you fed up with your homeowner association?
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The HOA inmates are revolting in Las Vegas. Get the scoop on HOA Busters in this story from KNTV Las Vegas 13 Action News.
Feel you're being targeted and fined by people overstepping their bounds and you have little to no recourse?
Homeowners who want to fight back against their HOA's have a new coach in their corner.
It's a group called HOA Busters and they're gearing up for battle in the wake of a Contact 13 investigation.---------------------------------------------------------------------
The HOA inmates are revolting in Las Vegas. Get the scoop on HOA Busters in this story from KNTV Las Vegas 13 Action News.
GOP gets cold feet on ending bailout of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac - Yahoo! News
GOP gets cold feet on ending bailout of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac - Yahoo! News
With the housing market getting soft(er) yet again, it looks like continued government support of Fannie and Freddie will continue at least another year.
With the housing market getting soft(er) yet again, it looks like continued government support of Fannie and Freddie will continue at least another year.
Saturday, January 01, 2011
Friday, December 31, 2010
Contact 13 Investigates: HOA Hall of Shame
Contact 13 Chief Investigator Darcy Spears takes us down that hall, so you can decide whether it's shame on the homeowners or shame on the HOAs. "It's a sickness. It's a cancer on our society," says self-appointed homeowner advocate Jonathan Friedrich.
The concept of an HOA--keeping property values up and neighborhoods looking nice--is a good one, but the reality can be a nightmare. "Extremely, extremely bad," sighs frustrated homeowner Brigitte Porter.
And for Dr. Robin Huhn, "It has tainted the home for me." "It almost becomes like a Gestapo where everybody's spying on everybody else," adds Friedrich.
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13 Action News of Las Vegas reports on the goings on in private local government that often resemble something out of Peyton Place and Lord of the Flies.
The concept of an HOA--keeping property values up and neighborhoods looking nice--is a good one, but the reality can be a nightmare. "Extremely, extremely bad," sighs frustrated homeowner Brigitte Porter.
And for Dr. Robin Huhn, "It has tainted the home for me." "It almost becomes like a Gestapo where everybody's spying on everybody else," adds Friedrich.
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13 Action News of Las Vegas reports on the goings on in private local government that often resemble something out of Peyton Place and Lord of the Flies.
HOA Drives Down Property Values | RumorMiller
HOA Drives Down Property Values | RumorMiller
An interesting case in point...
An interesting case in point...
Monday, December 27, 2010
The Fallacy of a Pain-Free Path to a Healthy Housing Market - Economic Letter, December 2010 - FRB Dallas
The Fallacy of a Pain-Free Path to a Healthy Housing Market - Economic Letter, December 2010 - FRB Dallas: "The Fallacy of a Pain-Free Path to a Healthy Housing Market"
"As gauged by an aggregate of housing indexes dating to 1890, real home prices rose 85 percent to their highest level in August 2006. They have since declined 33 percent, falling short of most predictions for a cumulative correction of at least 40 percent.[1] In fact, home prices still must fall 23 percent if they are to revert to their long-term mean."
"As gauged by an aggregate of housing indexes dating to 1890, real home prices rose 85 percent to their highest level in August 2006. They have since declined 33 percent, falling short of most predictions for a cumulative correction of at least 40 percent.[1] In fact, home prices still must fall 23 percent if they are to revert to their long-term mean."
Sunday, December 19, 2010
What's next for minimalist houses? How about a subdivision of tiny houses in Eastern Oregon? | OregonLive.com
What's next for minimalist houses? How about a subdivision of tiny houses in Eastern Oregon? | OregonLive.com: "Now the 50-year-old builder has come up with an idea that may prove both brilliant and quixotic: a subdivision for 50 to 100 pint-sized homes geared to folks hurt by the real estate bust, jobless or on fixed incomes. Increasingly, he's approached by people desperate to cut their living expenses, he said."
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Yes, I think an 8 1/2 foot wide house qualifies as tiny.
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Yes, I think an 8 1/2 foot wide house qualifies as tiny.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Arizona lawmaker proposes barring HOA "auto liens," foreclosures to secure fines
A local homeowners association’s management company is pushing state lawmakers to defeat a legislative bill that would make it impossible to foreclose on a home for non-payment of assessment fines.
The Arizona Association of Community Management (AACM), the HOA political arm of Associated Asset Management (AAM), is lobbying the state Legislature to defeat House Bill 2307, sponsored by Rep. Eddie Farnsworth, R-Gilbert, which is designed to restrict HOAs from foreclosing on a property owner’s home for non-payment of assessment fines using a legal tool called an “auto-lien.”
The auto-lien is a provision in the Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&Rs under Arizona real estate law. The CC&R is a document that is signed during the closing of sale of a home and states that a homeowner who buys a home in a deed-restricted property must join an HOA. AAM and AACM are also dues-paying members of the Community Association Institute, a national HOA membership organization that oversees the operations of HOAs.
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This is an ongoing battle in the Grand Canyon State dating back to at least the mid 1990s involving a familiar legislator (Eddie Farnsworth, who argues the bar on HOAs placing automatic liens for fines protects property rights) longtime HOA member rights advocate Pat Haruff and of course the usual wall of opposition from the private local government lobby. Read the story here.
The Arizona Association of Community Management (AACM), the HOA political arm of Associated Asset Management (AAM), is lobbying the state Legislature to defeat House Bill 2307, sponsored by Rep. Eddie Farnsworth, R-Gilbert, which is designed to restrict HOAs from foreclosing on a property owner’s home for non-payment of assessment fines using a legal tool called an “auto-lien.”
The auto-lien is a provision in the Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&Rs under Arizona real estate law. The CC&R is a document that is signed during the closing of sale of a home and states that a homeowner who buys a home in a deed-restricted property must join an HOA. AAM and AACM are also dues-paying members of the Community Association Institute, a national HOA membership organization that oversees the operations of HOAs.
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This is an ongoing battle in the Grand Canyon State dating back to at least the mid 1990s involving a familiar legislator (Eddie Farnsworth, who argues the bar on HOAs placing automatic liens for fines protects property rights) longtime HOA member rights advocate Pat Haruff and of course the usual wall of opposition from the private local government lobby. Read the story here.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Lakemoor woman can use toilets as planters - Chicago Breaking News
Lakemoor woman can use toilets as planters - Chicago Breaking News
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Justice prevails in McHenry County, IL.
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Justice prevails in McHenry County, IL.
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