We have discussed so many problems facing American homeowners that it is time to start discussing how to fix them. My guest this week, Bill Davies, and I do focus on some of them. One of the main issues is ensuring that housing cosigners take possession of a structurally safe house. One that won’t fall … Continue reading Bill Davis
The American Dream is often referred to as homeownership. Everyone wants a home of their own where they can be king of their castles, live peacefully, shut the world out, raise their family and be with their friends and loved ones. In the process, they build a haven for their old age. Unfortunately, our legislators … Continue reading Bill Davis
One of the most oft cited benefits of living in the US has always been the right to own property. Having a roof over one’s head and being able to provide a safe and happy home for one’s family has been referred to as the American Dream. Imagine, a house in the middle of a yard, … Continue reading Bill Davis
A good idea doesn’t need a massive support system, nor does it require all sorts of strong-arming to hold it up, but for some reason, HOAs can’t seem to stand on their own. We seem to run into more ways of forcing homeowners into accepting all the intrusive rules from nonowners. Why is that? If … Continue reading Bill Davis
Your home is your home, or is it? Weren’t you planning on doing all sorts of things with your new home? Wouldn’t it be nice if your home could provide a little income for you, instead of being a never-ending source of expenses> Taxes, a new stove, the water heater stopped heating water, there is … Continue reading Bill Davis
Following the Florida condo collapse, the universal cure seems to be to fund the reserves. Making sure there are adequate funds for the necessary repairs is a no-brainer. I had long advocated funding the reserves but have always been surprised when homeowners quickly informed me that I was wrong. Some even claimed they would prefer … Continue reading Bill Davis
Rumor has it that people who buy property in a homeowners association know exactly what they are getting. We are told by the industry that we all agreed to it. That sounds good. So why are there so many problems and so many lawsuits if we are all on the same page? Could the problem … Continue reading Bill Davis
Regular listeners to On The Commons know that I find the practice of fining a neighbor appalling. However, proponents of this practice will argue that it is the only way to control people’s behavior. I still haven’t figured out why John has the right, authority, or duty to ensure complete and total obedience to stupid … Continue reading Bill Davis
Sometimes I think that anyone wanting to talk about HOAs or any association-controlled residential dwelling must learn to speak an entirely new language. And the saddest part is that we are dealing with our most basic needs, our home. No longer is it just four walls and a door, but now you have a whole … Continue reading Bill Davis
The true value of anything is what a buyer is willing to pay and what a seller is willing to accept in exchange for that item. If demand is high on something, and supply is low, the value tends to go up. On the other hand if there is a glut on the market of … Continue reading Bill Davis