Whether you’re a new buyer or a long-time resident this new 224-page consumer-friendly book will lead you through the maze of legal and personal issues that can arise – forewarned is still pre-armed.

Get this book and you'll not only learn . . .

 

the two worst mistakes homeowners make that allow terrible things to happen

 

how to deal with developers

 

how to deal with impossible, documents and restrictions

 

the questions to ask before you move into a community with an association

 

the surefire actions to take to avoid costly litigation

. . . you'll discover a virtual storehouse of helpful tips and valuable knowledge.

    • AUTHOR JONI GREENWALT DESCRIBES WHY SHE WROTE THIS BOOK

    I recognized that what starts out to be a small issue (something like holiday lights or even a birdhouse) can become a gigantic legal issue costing homeowners thousands of dollars. Some have even lost their homes. I learned how to put a quick stop to such tragedies in my community.

    I discovered that right now, the Constitutional rights of over 40 million Americans are being threatened. Experts predict that number will soon double. The majority of homes being built today are in just such communities. This book throws a lifesaver to those current homeowners and future buyers.

    All during the time I was dealing with my association problems, I could find no outside resource to guide me. And that’s what generated my commitment to help buyers and homeowners gain and protect their right to live happily in their community.

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    ABOUT THE AUTHOR

    Joni Greenwalt never expected to become a writer. Born in Gary, Indiana, she began her working career at a Denver television station. In the 1950s she was the media director at a large advertising agency for a number of major Hollywood (your picture) film companies. She established Student Film Programs, Inc. in 1967. Her company presented major-studio educational films to students in grade, middle and high schools in Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, Washington and Oregon. She sold her business in 1979 and began her career in real estate. This book is an outgrowth of Joni’s varied experiences along with living in a community under the rule of an association. She gained valuable knowledge from her career in real estate, leading her community from discord to harmony and serving as president of her association for over five years.

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    Do you live in a happy community? Learn how to keep it happy.
    • "...Then there was a changing of the guard. New enforcers of the
      rules were elected. Wow, what a difference attitudes make!"
      Allen Burris (page 198)

     

    Are you looking for a beautiful home? Don’t sign the contract until you learn how to determine if the community is homeowner-friendly.
    • "You move into a community to fly like a bird and discover you’re not all singing the same caring song."
      Dieter Hanshall (page 140)

     

    Are you being treated unfairly by your homeowner association? Learn the options available to you to tame your association.
    • "Now it’s wonderful. It’s as though I had moved to a different development. Believe me, getting involved to make needed changes is gratifying and a lot easier than moving."
      Marty Walker (page 62)

     

    Everybody deserves to live happily in their own home. Why settle for a lifestyle that is anything less than enjoyable?
    • "Some communities with an association are very friendly and neighborly and some are absolutely rude and hostile. I have experienced both. They’re the same place-I haven’t moved!"
      Joni Greenwalt, author
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    • HERE’S WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT THIS IMPORTANT NEW BOOK

    There’s a wealth of material here and sound advice that could help save a lot of people a lot of pain.

    "Joni Greenwalt is a survivor in a growing nationwide conflict, the often bitterly fought Homeowner Association wars. In a breezy, one-neighbor-to-another style, she tells how to prevail against the Covenant Police, how to turn around a poorly run or dictatorially managed association, and what questions to ask BEFORE buying a home in an association-governed neighborhood. Reader beware: You’ll read homeowner horror stories that’ll make your hair curl." John Grossmann, Author of Trouble on the Home Front? Mountain Lake, New Jersey

    "An excellent, well-researched analysis of the aggravations that can arise from the enforcement of protective covenants. I recommend that all who work with or are subject to covenants study this book with the thought of avoiding grief and expensive litigation. It will make living under the control of covenants a much more pleasant experience." Nathan Baum, Attorney Baum and Gustafson, Denver, Colorado

    "Most who deal with homeowner associations approach the dilemmas strictly from a technical standpoint. Either they have forgotten or they were never aware of the entire picture. A much needed book." Del Brown, San Dimas, California

    "This will open everyone’s eyes to the need for cooperation and understanding between board members and homeowners. Any board member who seriously desires having a good association should read this book." Steve Smalley, Colorado Management Company

    "An extremely informative book presented with sprinkles of humor thrown in on a very serious and important subject. As a Professional Registered Parliamentarian I work with homeowner associations. I understand the problems that members face." Lou Fasulo, Golden, Colorado

    "Absolutely priceless information for those living in a covenants-controlled community or those contemplating a move to this type of neighborhood." Norman and Audrey Rebsamen, St. Louis, Missouri

    "I have had so many nightmarish experiences with my association I was going to move. After reading these inspiring and forceful ideas, I’m going to stay and stand up for my rights." Margaret Grassmann, Sun City West, Arizona

    "Put this on the must read list for lawyers, developers, management companies, board members, and real estate brokers. In 20 years as a Realtor® I’ve sold many condos and townhomes, always cautioning my buyers to read their declarations, etc. Until I read this book I didn’t know how really important that advice was!" Joyce Frink, Vice president of an association, Lakewood, Colorado

    THE COST OF THIS BOOK IS A SMALL PRICE TO PAY TO PROTECT YOUR HAPPINESS AS A HOMEOWNER.
    You have several different options available to order.

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    TABLE OF CONTENTS

    Acknowledgments 11

    1. From Hostility to Happiness 13

     

    Then Hostile Happenings Started to Happen

     

    Terrible Trash Terrorizes

     

    Sometimes Things Happen Because They Need to Happen

     

    Time to Organize a Coup d’Ιtat

     

    Our Community Is Now Running Smoothly

    2. Your Dream to Live in a Community Controlled by Covenants 23

     

    The Dream

     

    The Nightmare

     

    The Dream Comes True

     

    What if a Neighbor Drizzles on My Dream?

     

    An Outlook That Truly Allows Dreams to Come True

    3. The Benefits of Covenants-controlled Communities, According to Advertising 29

     

    Which Way to Utopia?

     

    Covenants Aren’t the Magic Wand That Bestows Happiness

     

    The Boring, But Necessary Basics

     

    Is It a Bird, a Plane, a Condo, or a . . . ?

     

    What Is a Covenants-controlled Community?

     

    Thirty-year Old Whiskers Are Growing on Today’s Docs

     

    Fuzzy Mold Is Taking Hold

    4. Real Case Scenarios, Comments, and Suggested Solutions 43

     

    Rules Can Be Changed

     

    A Suggested Solution to a Silly Problem

     

    Pride of Ownership Cannot Be Legislated

    5. So What’s New? Isn’t Life About Taking Responsibility? 75

     

    Get Involved!

     

    It’s about HOA Fees

     

    Speaking of Money

    6. Required Reading Isn’t Enough 83

     

    Required Reading - the Documents

     

    Know Who’s in Charge - the Enforcers

     

    If You’re Considering a Move to a Covenants-controlled "Dreamland"

     

    If You Happen to Get Romanced into a Sub-happy Community

     

    How to Organize Your Coup d’Ιtat

     

    Don’t Leave Without a Signed Proxy!

     

    You Don’t Have to Be a Homeowner to Organize a Coup

    7. So You Want to Be on the Board? Who Are You? 99

     

    The Profile of Those Who Belong on the Board

     

    The Profile of Those Who Do Not Belong on the Board

     

    More About Votes and Proxies

     

    The Power of Votes and Proxies Can Authorize a Dictatorship

     

    Same Scenario - Different Dictators

     

    What’s in a Name?

     

    Words Do Have Power

     

    Management Companies

     

    Is the Board of Directors Real or Let’s Pretend?

    8. How to Get Special Assessments and Increase Dues 119

     

    Getting Bids - a Sketch of What Can Happen

     

    How Not to Keep Dues Low

     

    Beware of Phony Low Dues

     

    Beware of Excessively High Dues

    9. If You Feel Like Road Kill, You Have a Problem 137

     

    Recognize the Real Problem, Is It Them or You?

     

    Dumb and Dumber Moments

     

    Expect Neighborliness, Be Neighborly - Not Nosy

    10. I Address the Bench 147

     

    From Developer to Disaster

     

    From Developer to Dream

     

    Benefits the Legal Profession Offers - According to Rumor

     

    Now Choose the Right Attorney

     

    Is the Fox in Charge of Guarding the Chicken Coop?

     

    Another Culprit at the Base of HOA Problems Is Exposed

    11. You’re on the Board. Now What Do You Do? 171

     

    Use Ethics, Empathy, and Compassion

     

    Turning BADs Back into DABs

     

    You’ll Never Reach the Peak Going Down Hill

     

    If You’re at the Peak, Stay There

    General Summary - Living in a community governed by an association can be pleasant and rewarding I

    Summary and Additional Suggested Details for Developers, the Legal Profession, Document Modification, and Legislation II

    Homeowners’ Questionnaire V

    A Brief Guide to Parliamentary Procedure VI

    Sample Rules and Regs IX

    Index XIII

    About the Author XXI

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    EXCERPTS FROM CHAPTER 2:

    There is a price of ownership, but pain should not be part of that price.

    A friend said to me, "I moved to this home to have more conveniences. Then I found out I had no conveniences."

    An outlook that truly allows dreams to come true

    Without exception everyone who contacted me who was instrumental in changing a disagreeable to an agreeable living circumstance made common statements such as these . . .

    "It’s like living in a different community."

    "The residents can breathe again."

    "Everyone is so neighborly now."

    "The meetings are now pleasant and productive. They used to be a war of words to see who could out-scream the other."

    "I’m happy to have been part of my community’s solution instead of moving to escape from the problem."

    My purpose is to open doors to homeowners’ happiness. I candidly make suggestions that do not always agree with the legal society. I have no desire to encourage anyone to stick his head or community into a legal vise. It is the reader’s responsibility to investigate state statutes and the association’s documents before taking any action. When in doubt, seek legal counsel. But, stay out of court!

    ALL communities could, and many do, operate with a common sense, live, enjoy, everyone-take-responsibility-for-the-neighborhood-and-their-neighbors’-feelings attitude. (Wow, that was one long adjective! I hope you had enough breath control to get past it.)

    The mere fact that a community is controlled by covenants and an association does not brand it either congenial or hostile. Don’t automatically classify an association as Gestapo-like just because rules are being enforced. Associations who earn that trademark are those that use their powers to interpret and enforce insignificant rules for the pure enjoyment of controlling others. Recognize and appreciate those associations that consistently enforce significant issues the same manner with every resident and fulfill their fiduciary duties to keep the community running smoothly.

    If you’re considering moving to a community under the control of an association, learn how to identify the right community for you. If you’re living happily in one, learn how to keep it happy. If you’re living unhappily in one, learn what your choices are to thrive instead of barely survive.

    Even though there are differences in specific state laws and statutes, from Maryland to California the problems and solutions are commonly shared. These problems have the same ring as those I’ve heard from homeowners across the nation. Don’t settle for a lifestyle that is anything less than enjoyable.

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    Bookmark this page and check back often for the latest stories, tips, information, and new Hot Links.As we uncover additional pertinent sites from the vast resources of the web that fit our criteria we will add new links.

    Real Estate Professionals – Help your clients avoid buying their next house in a problem community. Contact Cassie Publications about bulk discounts for the book. It makes an excellent bonus gift for your clients.

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