HOA Management Company: Leave a Message, Pay A Fee
Residents in the Weston Hills Subdivision in Orlando said when they called the management company after 5 p.m., a recorded message warned of a $25 fee for every non-emergency message left with the service...But when reporter Mike Holfeld listened to the recording, there was no indication that there was a line designated for emergency calls only. In fact, the beginning of the recording clearly states, "If this is an emergency call 911." Jan Bergman, a member of the state HOA task force under former Gov. Jeb Bush said the whole thing is "over the top."

Neighbors claim HOA ignoring snake and insect problem caused by neglected pond
There is a detention pond behind Baeza's home which is producing some scary health and safety hazards. "This is a haven for water moccasin and other snakes, which we're already found 4." There are more problems breeding in the standing water. "As you can see, we have a gazillion tadpoles, we've got frogs, we've got a lot of 10-fold spiders coming out." Baeza says the pond near his home is also attracting leeches, mosquitos and other insects.News 4 WOAI found out the pond is on private property which the Hills of Shaenfield Home Owners Association is responsible for maintaining. However, Baeza says the HOA has been giving him the run-around over cleaning up the area.  County Code Compliance is issuing a violation notice

Homeowner beats HOA lawyer in court
The News 4 WOAI Trouble Shooters' recent investigation into skyrocketing foreclosures by homeowner associations struck a nerve. Because of the spotlight we put on the problem, many homeowners are demanding lawmakers stop HOA's from taking homes because of unpaid dues. Most of these foreclosures are filed by one attorney, Tom Newton. He represents almost all the HOA's in San Antonio. If your home is on the auction block, there is a good chance he is the guy you'll have to deal with.

HOA forecloses on Burleson woman over fees
She lives in a $150,000 Burleson home that is paid for, but says she fell on hard times after losing her job and dealing with her husband's death.  "I woke up in the middle of the night and found my husband dead," she said. "That will mess you up real bad."  Mueller used insurance money to pay off the mortgage. She sold her jewelry and tapped her 401K account to help pay the bills while she wasn't working.  But she let the $300 annual HOA fees go unpaid for four years...She thought the Mistletoe Hill homeowners' association would just put a lien on her house — not sell it.

Developers Blamed For Bad Construction At Champions Manor
Bexar County residents have had to deal with sinkholes for years because developers have not been held accountable for fixing the bad roads they built. At Champions Manor, drivers have to dodge sinkholes that could tear the bottom out of their cars. The streets were built by the developer, but have not been maintained. "You live in a brand new subdivision and it looks like it's been here for 150 years," said homeowner Carolyn Brady.

Back from Iraq, Frisco soldier finds home sold by HOA
On dangerous missions in Iraq, Capt. Michael Clauer of Frisco was responsible for the lives of 130 soldiers. He had a lot on his mind. "You can't worry about what's going on at home," he said. "It's enough stress there the way it is." His wife, Mae Clauer, was under stress, too. She was alone and taking care of her family in a $300,000 home her parents had given her as a gift...Even after the HOA foreclosed and sold the home at auction, Mrs. Clauer didn't open the letters that said she had six months to get the home back, and that time lapsed, too.  By the time Capt. Clauer returned from the war, someone else owned their home after paying just $3,500.

Resident Sued By HOA Over $390
Hern said he was late on his association dues but objected to the added fees and decided to fight. Over the years, he said the attorney's fees kept adding up. "They were asking for a little over $25,000 in fees," he said. But a jury ruled in his favor, agreeing he should pay his HOA $900 and that the HOA attorney should get $700. The jury decided that the HOA engaged in unreasonable collection practices.

Homeowners on hook for roads
Ventura Heights' streets are among 77 miles of roadways located outside city limits that never have been accepted for maintenance by Bexar County.Developer Obra Homes neither built the streets in Ventura Heights to the county's specifications nor completed the needed fixes — steps required before Bexar County will take over maintenance.

Mortgages: Walking Away
It's estimated that one million Americans walked away from homes "underwater" or worth less than their mortgages even though they could afford the payments. Morley Safer reports on this trend, called strategic default, that threatens the economic recovery. West Foothill Drive has become a street of shattered dreams. "Amazingly, 16 out of the 44 houses on this street have foreclosed over the last year," Deaner told "60 Minutes" correspondent Morley Safer.

Texas House panel lashes out at HOAs
House committee challenged homeowners associations Monday to consider greater concessions, with lawmakers using their harshest tone yet against groups resistant to compromise. “At least register so we know who the hell you are,” said Rep. Burt Solomons, R-Carrollton, taking aim at association representatives’ resistance to tighter monitoring regulations. “At the end of the day, we can’t seem to get here with these groups.”  Calling associations “at least quasigovernmental,” Rep. Dwayne Bohac, R-Houston, said that “the scales are still tilted to HOA protections.”