Monday, March 12, 2007

AZ: Legislature should address HOAs’ role, instead of picking away at their power Once upon a time, the Arizona Legislature embarked on a legitimate mission to bring more accountability and transparency to that ubiquitous level of government known as the homeowner association.  But that cause has morphed in recent years into a series of small, unconnected changes that are gradually undermining the ability of HOAs to fulfill their traditional purpose of establishing a particular lifestyle for a particular neighborhood 8:43:19 AM

NJ: Debating creature comforts Some people love their dogs or cats the way parents love their children. Some people can't stand the noise and smells of animals. And in an apartment or condo complex, these people often live right next door to each other 8:38:27 AM

OH: Condos go up in flames Nine fire departments battle blaze in Madison. Teen helps woman as smoke increases. 8:32:05 AM

IL: Neighbors see flames pouring from building Three people were killed early this morning when flames spread through their 12-unit condominium complex.  8:27:33 AM

MS: High-Rise Condo Projects Pose Fire-Protection Dilemma There is a dilemma about fire protection for high-rise condominiums in unincorporated Harrison County. High-rise structures five stories and taller are coming out of the ground, but Harrison County Fire Services has only a 24-foot ladder. 8:24:25 AM

OR: Sliding slopes alarm Roseburg homeowners The developer, Jerry Tabor, fixed the slope problems of last winter and his engineer certified the new slope, but the hill has continued to slough off a bit, and the homeowners up above are worried that the hill that their homes sit on will continue to be undermined. 8:13:12 AM

OH: Toledo's first gated community turns 100 When Toledo's Birckhead Place was formed, one resident waged a long court fight to try to keep neighbors from building shelters for contraptions then known as "horseless carriages." 8:07:54 AM

Sex offenders worry buyers Registries have been promoted as a way of alerting residents to the presence of possible predators, but they may be having another, unintended consequence in the residential real estate market.  Few studies about how nearby sex offenders affect home values and marketability exist. But those that do suggest the effects are negative. 8:06:36 AM

OH: Woman in condo scam 'takes full responsibility' A Mentor woman accused of bilking dozens of condo associations out of $3.4 million is likely to plead guilty, her lawyer said Friday. 7:59:02 AM