Blog post by David Swedelson, Partner, SwedelsonGottlieb On May 6, 2011, the Community Associations Institute (CAI), the Institute for Real Estate Management, the National Association of Home Builders and the National Association of Realtors united in calling for greater transparency and opportunity for public input into the development of Federal…
HOA Law Blog
A Bankrupt Billionaire, Donald Trump
By David Swedelson, Esq., Senior Partner, SwedelsonGottlieb Check out this interesting article about former potential presidential candidate, TV star and real estate mogul Donald Trump and all his bankruptcies. Four, to be exact. They do not seem to have stunted Trump’s prospects. The article addresses how Trump has made bankruptcy…
FHA Approval and Your Association: What You Need to Know
By Sandra L. Gottlieb, Partner, SwedelsonGottlieb Now that the “spot loan” approval process (which allowed for on-the-spot FHA approval of an association for the benefit of a buyer) has been eliminated, it is only possible for an owner or prospective purchaser of a condominium to obtain an FHA-insured loan if…
Mother’s Day is This Sunday, May 8th
Blog Posting by David C. Swedelson, Partner, SwedelsonGottlieb Mother’s Day is coming up, and I was thinking about my mom, who passed away almost 25 years ago. I still remember some of the sage advice she handed out, although I must admit that, at times, I did not appreciate everything…
How Much Should Your Reserve Contributions Be?
Blog Posting by David C. Swedelson, Senior Partner, SwedelsonGottlieb. I just read an excellent article by Robert M. Nordlund, P.E., R.S. with Association Reserves, Inc. that addresses the issue of how much California condominium associations should be reserving. He starts out with the proposition that “[t]ypically (that is a dangerous…
Lawsuit: Sheriff’s Deputy Homeowner Unleashed Chinch Bugs Destroying Neighbor’s Lawn
Blog posting by David Swedelson, Senior Partner, SwedelsonGottlieb As community association attorneys, we are often asked to assist boards and management in dealing with disputes between homeowners. We have seen disputes over view obstructions, dog waste or barking, noise issues from hard surface flooring or too many parties. Usually, we…
Dog Waste a “Growing” Issue
By David Swedelson, Senior Partner, SwedelsonGottlieb There is an old saying that the three big “issues” at community associations are people, pets and parking. Some may disagree, but the fact is that pets are often an issue. And when it comes to pets, and specifically dogs, dog poop or waste…
SB 563 (DeSaulnier) Would Cripple Boards’ Ability to Govern
We were advised that the California Senate Transportation & Housing Committee is prepared to vote on SB 563 (DeSaulnier) that deals with Community Association Board Meetings. We encourage you to contact the members of this Committee and tell them to vote “NO” on SB 563 which will, if made law,…
There Was Lots Of Rain And Lots Of Leaks; Who Pays For The Damage?
By David C. Swedelson, Partner, SwedelsonGottlieb With record rainfalls in December 2010, and a rainy season that stretched into March 2011, California community associations and their management have been kept busy responding to reports of leaks and “water intrusion” (when the water from any source intrudes into a unit or…
FBI Raids Las Vegas Condo Association-Alleged Embezzlement
New embezzlement story out of Las Vegas. The Nevada Attorney General’s Office, with the assistance of the FBI, served a warrant at the Paradise Spa Homeowners Association on Las Vegas Boulevard South near Serene Avenue. Owners allege the association’s board embezzled more than $1 million of their money. The news…