Association boards deal with a variety of unit owner behaviors and personalities. Some are positive, some are negative, and some are downright inexplicable. This can lead to both real and perceived bias. read more

Following the real estate collapse in 2008 and subsequent recession, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development ("HUD") and the Federal Housing Authority ("FHA") imposed detailed and restrictive requirements in order for the FHA to provide mortgage insurance on condominium loans. As a result, many condominiums were no longer in compliance with FHA regulations, and potential buyers could not qualify for the much more attractive FHA and other governmentally backed financing. The downturn in the real estate market and buyers' increased difficulty in obtaining condominium financing contributed to large financial institutions shifting their focus from financing development of condominiums to financing apartment projects. read more

The lien priority that associations enjoy and regularly rely on is being threaten. Both Washington and Oregon have laws in place that give condominium associations a lien priority for unpaid assessments when a unit goes through a foreclosure. RCW 64.34.364 and ORS 100.450. In addition, some associations attempt to establish lien priority in their governing documents. These super-priority liens are vital to each association's economic well-being, which is why it is so surprising that they are being attacked by the federal government. read more

Join the attorneys from Barker Martin and register today for these exciting education and networking opportunities hosted by the Washington State Community Associations Institute (WSCAI): read more

Next week, the Washington State Chapter and the Oregon Chapter of Community Association's Institute will be hosting their Annual Meeting and Award Galas. read more