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

On September 13, HUD released new rules for the Fair Housing Act (FHA) that will impact community associations. Under these new rules, which take effect on October 14, 2016, a community association could face liability for the discriminatory acts of residents who harass or create a hostile environment for other residents. read more

As a kid, whenever I was home sick I'd be faced with the inevitable problem faced by thousands in my situation: what to watch on daytime television. As soap operas were not my speed, I'd almost always settle on game shows. My favorite, like many, was the Price is Right. Some days I'd be lucky enough to catch my favorite part of the show; the $1 bid. When the other contestants grossly overestimated the value of the showcase, the entire audience (and one sickly kid watching from home) would be yelling for the contestant to bid $1. A victory for that contestant felt like a victory for all of us. 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

In last week's post, we discussed the data and hard numbers supporting the influx of apartment buildings over condominium projects in the Puget Sound region. We concluded simple economics-maximizing profit-was the reason the large number of cranes in Seattle and Bellevue are constructing apartment buildings and not condominiums. But that's not what the building industry wants you to think. read more