<< 1 >>
Rating: 
Summary: Read Villa Appalling instead
Review: A much more interesting and valuable book to read would be Villa Appalling! Destroying the Myth of Affordabel Community Living. The authors of Villa Appalling! are also the authors of a question and answer column about homeowners associations in the LA Times newspaper. I think the author of this book (Hickenbottom) USED to have a question and answer column in the LA Times.
Rating:
Summary: Great book if you are a dictator looking for validation.
Review: As a homeowner in an HOA, I tried to read this book objectively, but as I read it, I could see that it was clearly written by someone with alterior motives. A brief viewing of the author information confirmed my suspicions.
This book is basically a guideline for dumb ignorant Board members who are only on the Board to exercise their power over other people.
Unfortunately, that is mostly what you get on HOA boards until they waste so much of the community money that someone reasonable has to take over out of necessity.
I can see this book as a valuable tool for a wanna-be dictator, but for the good of the community, stay clear away from this type of material.
Basically a guideline for starting problems that will make big bucks for the HOA industry who services HOA's. One of which happens to be the author herself.
Not recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Don't buy this book. It is a farce.
Review: Good old Jan Hickenbottom trying to pull the wool over everyone's eyes again. I have to agree with John from Arizona, I am from Orange County, and Ms. Hickenbottom made a mess of my community with her "helpful advice".
It is a scam and a racket to say the least. You want good advice? Avoid this book, and run your community amongst neighbors, with no industry help, no matter what it takes. Unfortunately, the industry is only there to take your money, and the way that things are now, they have an open checkbook.
My advice, read Villa Appalling for the real story behind the scam. People like Ms. Hickenbottom are the problem, not the solution.
Peter Weyland, Orange County Homeowner
Rating:
Summary: Outdated and one-sided.
Review: I was given a free copy from a personal acquaintance of mine from the CAI, and to be honest, I thought that they could do better than this.
The book was obviously written from the point of view of a management company executive, so I can see why it is so one-sided.
The author is a self proclaimed CAI member, and I would have expected a more fair and balanced view from someone coming from the organization that claims to want to prevent problems in HOA's.
There are far better publications on the market, just go to http://www.caionline.org/ and take a look. You will find this book listed there, as well as other more informed books backed by the CAI seal of approval.
While I do not always agree with the CAI, I must say, that it is best to see both sides of the coin and find a happy medium between the industry and the homeowners. That is what I call fair and balanced.
All in all an A for effort, but just a little too biased for me.
Rating:
Summary: Pure Garbage from an Industry Beneficiary
Review: If you are a homeowner, stay clear away from this propaganda. This was written by an industry beneficiary who makes money off other people's ignorance. Her organization, the CAI, has foreclosed on countless elderly people in their crusade to line their pockets. It is elder abuse in it's purest form.
The facts are, that Homeowner's Associations are nothing but problems, due to the industry creating a cash cow that has grown out of control. This author is part of that industry, and this book is a tool to try and brainwash ignorant people so that the CAI can continue their crusade.
Read Villa Appalling if you want the truth. The authors of that book do not make money off the HOA industry. If you buy this book, or any other CAI related publications, you are directly donating to unlawful foreclosures by industry beneficiaries.
Nothing but lies and deceipt.
Garbage.
Rating:
Summary: Buy a roll of toilet paper instead, it will be cheaper.
Review: Nonsense, and a lot of it. Pure garbage written by someone who does not have a clue as to how things work in the real word.
The most expensive roll of toilet paper that I have ever purchased.
Well, at least it is good for one thing. A little rough and abrasive, but better than leaves.
Rating:
Summary: Jan's at it again
Review: So this is what an industry insider does after loosing her column in the Los Angeles Times. Sorry, I couldn't finish this book. Makes for a good fireplace starter. Follow this advise and your homeowners association is doomed for failure while you stuff Jan's wallet with your hard earned money. This lady really needs to find something to do besides leading the blind to the bridge. Save yourselves and read Villa Appauling for the real facts on commom interest developments.
Rating: 
Summary: Helpful Advice
Review: This book deals with lots of day-to-day questions. Being a board member in my condo association, I was looking for a textbook on how associations are supposed to operate. I like this book because it is well-written and it's packed with exactly the kind of advice I was lookinh for. The chapter on board of directors responsibilities is well worth the price of the book.
<< 1 >>
| 
