At a time when homeowners are being squeezed by the current economic conditions, another problem is cropping up.  HOAs gone wild.  Jacksonville area HOAs are trying to make up budget deficits by charging the homeowners more...sound familiar?

HOAs serve a good purpose.  They keep the neighborhood (at least in theory) looking nice.

As a resident of a HOA, I'd rather see them cut their budget than further squeeze Jacksonville homeowners who are already strapped.

We got a notice in the mail from our HOA this week that knocked my socks off.

Our HOA dues have gone up 19% in the past two years (now at $158/month)...but now they want to impose a "special assessment" on the current homeowners for $200 per lot because of their own budget deficits.  They are having a special meeting so the board can vote to implement this.  And make no mistake...HOAs are not a democracy.

I'm just concerned that these types of decisions by area HOAs are just going to exacerbate the problem making it harder and harder for many homeowners to make ends meet. 

In addition, they are imposing what I lovingly refer to as a "short driveway tax."  From now on, cars parked in the street overnight (between 12 am and 5 am) will cost you "up to $1,000".  That's not about the few cars that are sometimes left in the street when overnight company is in town...that too is about the budget deficit.

Sorry friends...if I have you over...you have to pull out of the driveway no later than 11:59 pm! 

Sorry grandma and Aunt Beth...I happen to have a very short driveway because of where the house had to be put to save a few trees.  No more visits for you unless you park on my front lawn....wait a minute...that HAS to be some type of HOA violation...