Rant From An HOA Manager
Rant From An HOA Manager
The condo you’re calling about.
That one was the worst!
They REALLY worked the system!
But... the thing about me, I pursue the dues as long, as far, and as hard, as I have to.
We garnished their wages for back homeowner dues and they promptly quit work. So we couldn’t collect.
So, we filed the lien against these people.
Our condo is full of hardworking people. Many of them are struggling, like everyone else in this economy. During this time, they boasted to the neighbor next door, that they were living there for free.
The neighbor called me in tears. She is a teacher and had just been informed that her hours were 
going to be cut. She was paying everything she was supposed to being paying and she didn’t know how she was going to get through.
Meanwhile, these people were living without making their mortgage payments, they were not paying the HOA dues, and they were getting free water, free heating, and free lighting off of the backs of the hardworking people like the neighbor, who was still making all of her payments.
We proceeded with foreclosing on the condo, and of course in the state of Washington there is the 12 month right of redemption.
We were finally getting close to foreclosing, at the end of the 12 month period and in response they declared bankruptcy.
Our next step after that was to evict them and they finally, finally left - just days before the sheriff showed up.
I am relentless in pursuing the back HOA dues. Our liens are against the property, which the bank now has to pay, but our attorney, who has an exceptionally good private detective, found the former home owners two states away. They are now working. So guess what? Our next step will be to garnish their wages for the back HOA dues that the bank will not pay.
Due to our aggressive collection policies, the HOA is sound and we are finally going to be able to put $18, 000 into the reserve account.
I hope that answers your questions about the health of the HOA organization on this condo complex.
http://www.medicalandspaconsulting.com - Vail, CO
Paddy Deighan J.D. Ph.D
HOAs must be diligent v= but there are times that it makes sense to take some money now and perhaps forego some later...especially if it will avoid a special assessment that can kill market value
Dec 04, 2011 09:11 PM
Gibson Management Group, Ltd. - Charlottesville, VA
LandlordWhisperer
I wish that all HOA board of directors and managers were as diligent as you are - you are doing a HARD job and are very rarely thanked for your efforts!
Dec 04, 2011 10:21 PM
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired
Great example of a couple of deadbeats that feel they are entitled to a free lunch! Kudos to you who does not give up! Let them get what they truly deserve and maybe they will wake up! Thanks for taking a step toward eliminating deadbeats!
Dec 04, 2011 11:03 PM
ARFCO Media - Renton, WA
Practicing Philosophical Eclectic of the Arts
Fortunately our HOA was also so diligent. We had a few bums like that in our complex since the downturn and it really put the pressure on our finances. Fortunately we have a great board and a good management company!
Dec 05, 2011 05:02 AM
Rainmaker
595,339
595,339
Phil Leng
Phil Leng - Retired
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