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condo associations can be a pain in the neck

By
Real Estate Agent with Decorus Realty

Aren't you tired of dealing with Associations that act like the maffia? I own a beautiful 3/2 and 1/2 townhouse in Riverwood (like 5 minutes from Aventura mall). In February, I put an ad for sale in the paper and sold it asap for $283,000 to a nice family from Venezuela. Having peace of mind that it was a "rock solid deal" (no contingencies, good deposit,mortgage approved, they loved the property), I put a contract on a condo. A week before closing, I got a letter from the Association in Riverwood saying that they did not approve my buyers. When I asked why, they said "there were inconsistencies in the application". Apparently there was a letter of reference missing. My buyers promptly corrected that and had the letter sent. I got a call from Riverwood saying they still didn't approve them. To make the long story short, after a month of phone calls, letters, etc., they still refused to let me close without any specific reason. I had to return the deposit to my buyers and let them go. We couldn't find a reason and it still doesn't make sense, they had no legal problems, excellent credit, mortgage approved. Is it possible the board didn't want another latin family in the development because they are afraid of being "replaced" in the next elections by a Spanish speaking board?My attorney advised me against filing a lawsuit saying that it would be very difficult to prove and I could end up losing thousands in legal fees...I still have the townhouse for sale, I drastically reduced the price since I need to sell it. It's now listed at $275k with 4% commission but I would be willing to go even lower and consider any offer. The MLX number is M1093045. Please take a look and let me know what you think about this whole situation. I will appreciate any suggestions, advise and imput you can give me. Here's a pic:

livingroom Riverwood townhouse

May you have joy and success in all you do,

Patricia

Herb Hamilton
RE/MAX Preferred Inc. Realtors - Portland, OR
Real Estate Broker ,CDPE, Downtown Portland
I think that in todays world of litigation and newer attourneys eager to stand out in the light, that you could probably find someone to look into this on a contingency fee basis. I would give it a shot if I could accomplish it with out costing me a arm and a leg. Perhaps the well qualified buyer that was denied could also do the same thing.
Sep 09, 2007 03:18 AM
Barry Shapiro
Broker-Associate - Camarillo, CA

Contact the Fair Housing people, with the assistance of the buyers.  Maybe you can still pull of the deal after the HOA Board receives a letter on inquiry from Fair Housing.  I doubt the Board members want to spend time in prison.

If you think you have experienced housing discrimination, you may download the Housing Discrimination Complaint Form or you can complete online and submit. You may also write HUD a letter, or call the HUD Office nearest you.

Learn about the housing discrimination complaint process.

Email us or contact us at (800) 669-9777 and for the hearing impaired, please call TTY (800) 927-9275.

Good luck, Patricia.

Sep 09, 2007 03:19 AM
Mary Warren
Las Vegas, NV
This screams of discrimination...I'm with Herb contact Fair Housing.
Sep 09, 2007 03:25 AM
Patricia Rotsztain
Decorus Realty - Sunny Isles Beach, FL
Patricia Rotsztain, Director of Operations

Hi Everybody, thanks for the tips and advise. The challenge is that my buyers have probably by this time already bought something else so I wouln't be able to save the sale anyways. I may contact HUD and fill out the discrimination form, but unless the buyers are willing to back me up it's hard to prove...I will keep you all posted about what happens. Thank you Jon Angevine, Barry Schapiro and Herb Hamilton for taking the time to help. I am new in this blogging thing and this is a pleasant surprise, finding people like you who care enough about others to take the time to help by providing ideas! Blessings to all of you.

Patricia Rotsztain

Sep 09, 2007 05:07 AM
John Novak
Keller Williams Realty The Marketplace - Las Vegas, NV
Henderson, Las Vegas and Summerlin Real Estate
I would pursue this with HUD as well. You may not be able to save this particular sale, but it may send a strong message to the Association that what they are doing is wrong, and that may benefit other buyers and sellers in the future.
Sep 09, 2007 08:43 AM
Brad Andersohn
Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA
ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876
Patricia

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Sep 09, 2007 08:38 PM