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Welcome to On the Commons! |
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 On The Commons is a weekly radio show, dedicated to discussing the many issues surrounding mandatory membership common ownership developments. It is broadcast live from WEBR, Fairfax, Virginia and available on this web site.
Join us as we explore the world of common ownership developments, which is the fastest growing form of residential development in America today. This housing concept includes condominiums, cooperatives, and both attached and detached single-family homes that are part of a mandatory homeowners association. Unfortunately this type of housing is not as Utopian as its advocates would have us believe. Living in a mandatory homeowners’ association means giving up a part of the American dream. It means giving up Constitutional rights and control over one’s most valuable asset - one’s home.
Other On the Commons Web Sites: On the Commons Podcast Site On the Commons Weblog
The Current Show
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On the Commons with Melvyn Hobbs |
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Hosted and produced by Shu Bartholomew, On The Commons is a weekly radio show dedicated to discussing the many issues surrounding mandatory homeowner associations, the fastest growing form of residential housing in the nation.
We have been told repeatedly that homeowner associations protect property values. With that in mind, many Americans have been willing to trade control over their homes for the promise of enhanced values. Given the current economic situation, the fallacy of the values argument has been exposed. With unprecedented foreclosures, values have plummeted and associations are struggling with trying to pay the common expenses and make ends meet on a greatly reduced budget. Raising assessments thus making it financially tougher for the remaining residents who are stretched to the financial limit does little to foster a sense of community or enhance property values. Common sense would dictate that associations would do their utmost to keep as many members in the association as possible. But then, as my husband keeps reminding me, there is nothing common about sense. And the current situations bear that out.
On The Commons this week we are joined by Melvyn Hobbs. In our first ever transcontinental interview, Mel will explain why, after owning his dream vacation condo in Florida for 16 years, spending 10 years and $500,000 fighting in court to protect his rights, he just walked away from his condo and vows not to return to Florida. Please join us On The Commons. We'll find out what went wrong and what he intends to do now. Listen to Melvyn Hobbs Write Comment (0 comments) |
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On the Commons with Frank Short |
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It's that time of year again when your state representatives gather to figure out ways to strip you of more rights and this year is no different. Homeowners should find the bills that have been filed in their respective states and think them through very carefully. That is something your elected officials claim they don't have the time for before they sponsor and vote on the bills. Most of the laws that have been enacted have been pro association, tilting the balance away from the individual.
On The Commons this week we are joined by Frank Short. Frank is a frequent guest on the show and a long time advocate for homeowner and individual rights. Frank has been following the bills proposed in Virginia this year and gives us a run down of the bills, who sponsored them and what they mean. For more information on what those pesky legislators are up to in VA, check out http://www.richmondsunlight.com/. Find the bills, vote on them and comment on them. Please join us On The Commons. We'll talk about the bills, go a little beyond the pretty words and focus on what they really mean. Listen to Frank Short Write Comment (1 comments) |
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