Las Vegas remains a deep underwater desert

 
Zillow report provides insight into Las Vegas housing market - www.ktnv.com: The area with the highest percentage of under water homes -- more than 70 percent -- is located in North Las Vegas, specifically the 89030 zip code. That's bordered by Pecos, Cheyenne and Owens.

A $140,000 home a few years ago is now worth only about $40,000. Homeowners are walking away from their property and business owners are concerned.

But, there's some light at the end of the tunnel. Home prices have gone up 30 percent since this time last year, and continue to rise.

Wells Fargo bank foreclosing on Orlando man who paid on time,... | www.wftv.com

Wells Fargo bank foreclosing on Orlando man who paid on time,... | www.wftv.com
Actually, he paid early.  The bank doesn't like that, you see. So they are foreclosing on him.

Loudon County seeks change in real estate law � Knoxville News Sentinel

Loudon County seeks change in real estate law � Knoxville News Sentinel: The proposed changes to the law would exempt county governments from paying property owners association assessments after acquiring the properties in tax-delinquency sales. Under current law, counties are responsible for paying such assessments if they acquire the property.

Making changes to the law has been a controversial process, said state Rep. Jimmy Matlock, R-Lenoir City.

“It has nationwide ramifications. It might turn upside down 150 years of real estate law,” he said.
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The county wants to have it both ways.  It creates a private property taxation scheme by mandating the formation of residential private governments -- homeowner associations -- but then wants to exempt itself from those private assessments.  If Loudon and other counties throughout the United States don't want to be liable for the additional layer of property taxation that they themselves have put in place, then they need to revisit their policies that require private financing and governance of residential developments via mandatory HOAs.

Loudon County seeks change in real estate law » Knoxville News Sentinel

Loudon County seeks change in real estate law » Knoxville News Sentinel
Thanks to Shu Bartholomew for this link.  For decades, municipalities have been imposing CIDs on home buyers in order to reap a tax windfall.  Now the bill is coming due.  Local governments foreclose on home owners for unpaid property taxes, and discover that they have to pony up thousands of dollars in unpaid HOA assessments.  So now they want the law to be changed. This would stick the HOAs with the losses, of course.


Legislators representing Loudon County will go back to the drawing board to work on changes in real estate law that could affect the disposition of tax-delinquent properties across the state. The issue in Loudon came to a head last October when 293 tax-delinquent properties in Tellico Village were removed from public auction because the county would have been liable for hundreds of thousands of dollars in ongoing property owners association fees. The proposed changes to the law would exempt county governments from paying property owners association assessments after acquiring the properties in tax-delinquency sales. Under current law, counties are responsible for paying such assessments if they acquire the property.

'Freedom Room' Is A Model For Tiny Homes Inspired By Prison Inmates' Experiences (PHOTOS)

'Freedom Room' Is A Model For Tiny Homes Inspired By Prison Inmates' Experiences (PHOTOS)

These tiny homes were designed based on the insights of some unusual consultants:

"But the most surprising consultants on the project were inmates from one of Italy’s high-security prisons in Spoleto. According to the team, these citizens are the ideal candidates for weighing in on flexible and adaptable living environments."

No doubt.  Extend this principle and maybe real estate developers could enlist convicts to create HOA and condo association rules.  After all, they are accustomed to living in close proximity to each other, sharing their community's amenities, and accepting limitations on their freedom.  These are all the things the industry says people need to accept in order to live in CIDs, aren't they?

The Weeklies

The Weeklies
"In the Denver suburbs, as in much of the U.S., the Great Recession turned formerly stable families into the new homeless—and left many living in budget hotels...Across the country, suburban poverty rose by more than half in the first decade of the new century. Families now find themselves navigating landscapes that were built around wealth: single-family houses that are sold, not rented; too few apartment buildings; and government agencies hidden at the far edge of the suburban ring, more responsive to trash-pickup complaints than rising hunger rates.  The Ramada families became homeless because they could no longer pay rents and mortgages and found little help to slow their fall."

Alderman meets with bond experts on buying back parking meters - Chicago Sun-Times

Alderman meets with bond experts on buying back parking meters - Chicago Sun-Times
Mayor Emanuel says there is no way this horrible privatization deal, made by former Mayor Daley, can be unwound, but Alderman Reilly claims he has talked with bond experts who say it is possible. The fun part of this is that when Daley stepped down as mayor, he went to work for the law firm that advised the city on the horrible deal.


"City Hall sources said Emanuel’s legal and financial teams explored “every available option, including finding a way out” of the widely-despised parking meter deal. But, former Mayor Richard M. Daley’s decision to drain nearly all of the parking meter proceeds to balance his last few budgets without raising taxes took the re-acquisition option off the table, the sources said."

The Murky Ethics and Uncertain Longevity of Privately Financed Public Parks - Alex Ulam - The Atlantic Cities

The Murky Ethics and Uncertain Longevity of Privately Financed Public Parks - Alex Ulam - The Atlantic Cities
Thanks to UIC Political Science doctoral student Doug Cantor for this link, which should be instructive for all those who think the trend toward privatization of local government functions is likely to be reversed anytime soon.  But as with CID housing, the long term financing of private parks is a question mark:

"But unlike the great public parks built in previous eras, the new generation of flagship parks is almost completely dependent upon massive private support for its survival. Design decisions and the responsibility for maintenance and operations budgets have been outsourced to quasi-governmental organizations and "Friends" groups. The problem? It's unclear whether these kinds of public-private partnerships can be financially self-sustaining without completely selling out. To obtain private financing for parks, cities are selling naming rights, setting aside of sections of parkland for commercial development and allowing periodic closing of parks for fundraisers. Also in the toolkit are special tax districts to provide direct revenue streams for parks and the granting of controversial zoning concessions to private developers in exchange for donations."

Chris Brown outrages neighbours by painting goblins on his house | Music | guardian.co.uk

Chris Brown outrages neighbours by painting goblins on his house | Music | guardian.co.uk

Patti Negri, president of the Hollywood Dell Civic Association, told the LA Times: "There are lots of babies, lots of children, and they're literally frightened. It's like devils on the wall – big scary eyes and big scary teeth, and just the whole vibe is not what we're used to." LA City Code officials have already responded to complaints, ordering Brown to remove the paintings and fining him $376 (£244) for "unpermitted and excessive signage". The figure could rise if he does not comply within 30 days. "I know a $300 fine is probably pocket change," Ms Negri added. "But hopefully and maybe, he'll just see the light and decide to be a good neighbour. We're happy to have him – if he just tones it down." But it looks unlikely that her wishes will be heeded. Brown's lawyer Mark Geragos has already hit back at the actions of what he calls "busybodies", saying the neighbours are waging a campaign of continual harassment against the singer. He said: "I'm scared of neighbourhood busybodies like this. They've called animal control. They have sicced parking [enforcement] on him, and now they reached the heights of ridiculousness here. Shame on them."
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So the children are frightened of these paintings?  Really?  They must be living sheltered lives, given the state of popular culture in the US these days.

Neighbor goes 'nuts' over fence-line dispute and uses bulldozer to destroy four homes, knocking down a utility pole and cutting power to thousands in Seattle | Mail Online

Neighbor goes 'nuts' over fence-line dispute and uses bulldozer to destroy four homes, knocking down a utility pole and cutting power to thousands in Seattle | Mail Online

Now that's what I call a neighborhood dispute.

One by one, homes in Calif. subdivision sinking - Yahoo! News

One by one, homes in Calif. subdivision sinking - Yahoo! News

"LAKEPORT, Calif. (AP) — Scott and Robin Spivey had a sinking feeling that something was wrong with their home when cracks began snaking across their walls in March. The cracks soon turned into gaping fractures, and within two weeks their 600-square-foot garage broke from the house and the entire property — manicured lawn and all — dropped 10 feet below the street. It wasn't long before the houses on both sides collapsed as the ground gave way in the Spivey's neighborhood in Lake County, about 100 miles north of San Francisco."
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Sinking feeling, indeed. And it seems that the cause isn't clear, although the consensus seems to be that groundwater is involved. Thanks to Fred Pilot for this link.

Suit filed over Rancho Mirage HOA meeting fight | The Desert Sun | mydesert.com

Suit filed over Rancho Mirage HOA meeting fight | The Desert Sun | mydesert.com: Thomas Moore, 52, who was hospitalized after suffering a seizure and neck injuries during the incident is suing The Springs Community Association, the HOA, board members, several homeowners and the security company hired to provide security to the association, according to his March 15 lawsuit filed in Riverside County Superior Court.

Moore contends the association, as well as the security firm, Universal Protection Service and its head of security, David Archerfailed to properly supervise the meeting and keep him safe.
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A premises liability claim stemming from an HOA board meeting that turned into a brawl.

Durango area couple gives up catwalk fight - The Denver Post

Durango area couple gives up catwalk fight - The Denver Post: DURANGO, Colo.—A Durango area couple is giving up their fight to keep a 13-foot escape route for their cats outside their apartment.

Martha Spence and her husband built the catwalk from a window to a nearby tree to allow their two cats to go outside from their second-floor unit whenever they wanted. The Durango Herald (http://bit.ly/YKl7Jb) reported that they agreed to take it down Thursday at the request of the development's homeowners association.

The couple had planned to appeal the board's request but Spence said her husband wasn't able to take off work to pursue it.

Neighbors objected to the look of the catwalk and also worried children would try to use it. In addition, the association says its regulations bar pets from roaming free in the development.
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Clotheslines, swingsets, flagpoles, playhouses. But a catwalk? This is a first.  Meow.

Religion Clause: Puerto Rico Federal Court Issues Opinion Explaining Its Prior Order On Proselytizers' Access To Gated Communities

Religion Clause: Puerto Rico Federal Court Issues Opinion Explaining Its Prior Order On Proselytizers' Access To Gated Communities
"In a long-running free-exercise/ free-speech case, in March a the federal district court in Puerto Rico, on remand from the 1st Circuit, ordered neighborhood homeowners' associations (urbanizations) that allow entry into the neighborhood only through an unmanned locked gate operated by a key, access code or beeper to provide Jehovah's Witnesses who wish to proselytize in the neighborhood access equal to that of residents."
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Thanks to Mystery Reader for the link to this interesting case, which is explained on law professor Howard Friedman's blog.

Gwyneth Paltrow -- Gate Rights Advocate | TMZ.com

Gwyneth Paltrow -- Gate Rights Advocate | TMZ.com

TMZ has learned ... one of Gwyneth's Brentwood neighbors claims she and hubby Chris Martin built a 9-foot-tall gate in front of their mansion -- WAY ABOVE the legal limit of 6 feet -- and it's an eyesore...The L.A. City Department of Building and Safety confirmed that it's investigating, and Gwyneth will have 45 days to fix any violations ... or face more than $900 in fines. 
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Somehow I think the specter of "more than $900 in fines" won't ring many alarm bells at Chez Paltrow.

Lines drawn in battle over foreclosure law's constitutionality - The Denver Post

Lines drawn in battle over foreclosure law's constitutionality - The Denver Post: In question is a law that allows a lawyer to sign a document known as a qualified-holder statement attesting the right of his client, usually a bank or other lender, to foreclose without the need to prove it owns the underlying mortgage.

The statement simply says the lawyer's client is the holder of the original evidence of debt, or the mortgage on the house. And there's no penalty if the lawyer is wrong.

Stratford neighborhood homeowners react to treasurers charges - WRDW.com - News for Greater Augusta and Aiken

Stratford neighborhood homeowners react to treasurers charges - WRDW.com - News for Greater Augusta and Aiken: "You assume that when you're paying your homeowners association dues, that the board is taking care of the money and putting it where it needs to be," Passey said.

Columbia County Investigator Tom Digsby, has been on the case since neighbors noticed the money was missing.

He says Vanover was the only one in charge of finances, and that led her on a personal spending spree.

"She was just using the associations bank account as though it were her own," Digsby said.
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Yet another case of an HOA treasurer allegedly using the treasury as a personal ATM.  Film at 10 on News 12 Atlanta.

The Housing Market Recovery Is ‘A Complete Hoax’ - Truthdig

The Housing Market Recovery Is ‘A Complete Hoax’ - Truthdig
"Homeownership is at its lowest level in 18 years, but housing prices are rising. Why? Because banks are creating real estate scarcity by buying up homes and selectively stalling foreclosures.

CounterPunch contributor Mike Whitneyreminds us that in recent years the Federal Reserve has kept lending rates low. This has allowed Private Equity firms to buy up lots of homes with money they have to pay very little to borrow. The result is the appearance that Americans are buying again. But as the homeownership rate shows, they’re not. Investors are, and this is keeping prices artificially high."

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Investors are buying condo units and single family homes and renting them out to people, many of whom have lost their homes to foreclosure. Are we headed toward being a nation of renters instead of homeowners?

Woodlands seeking to shut down Tamarac activist's website - South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com

Woodlands seeking to shut down Tamarac activist's website - South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com: The Woodlands Homeowners Association has threatened to sue one of its residents, a self-proclaimed "loudmouth" who has a website about the going-ons within the community.

An attorney for the law firm Becker & Poliakoff sent Sharon Aron Baron a letter ordering her to shut down the website by May 12. The letter says the domain name, and some of the information within the site such as real estate listings, imply the site is affiliated with the homeowners association.

"This site is tarnishing the distinctive quality of the association's trade name and injuring its reputation," wrote attorney Michael De Biase.
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It's not called Privatopia for nothing.  Even HOA names are private property.

Green Cove Springs woman arrested over dispute about nativity scene, according to Sheriff's Office | jacksonville.com

Green Cove Springs woman arrested over dispute about nativity scene, according to Sheriff's Office | jacksonville.com: Kathleen Sue Thomas, 61, was attending the Silver Creek Homeowners Association meeting at the Lake Asbury Elementary School library on Sandridge Road about 7:30 p.m. Thursday when the Sheriff’s Office said she threw a box, hitting another woman on the head, according to the arrest report. Thomas was charged with battery and resisting arrest after she left in her vehicle when deputies tried to detain her, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

At issue is Thomas’ lawn ornaments, which included figures depicting the nativity scene with Mary, Joseph and Jesus. The homeowners association sent Thomas several notices to remove the figures from her front lawn but she disagreed.
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In Privatopia, dust ups over Christmas lights and lawn displays can play out all year long.