The Source Critique That Follows Examines an Argument on the Topic of Homeowners Associations

Connery 1

The Source Critique that follows examines an argument on the topic of homeowners associations (HOAs). More specifically, the source Cathy is critiquing has argued about HOAs and their clashes with the people they ostensibly represent: homeowners. After you read Cathy’s critique, you might want to look at her Researched Argument to read her own argument on the topic.

Cathy Connery

Professor Mark Gooding

English 102

November 17, 2006

Living with Homeowner Associations

A majority of homes built today are within planned communities and most likely are

governed by homeowner associations (HOAs) and their covenants, codes and restrictions

(CC&Rs). Mosthomeowners have at one time received orknow of others that havereceived

letters fromtheirHOAs warning them of such minor offenses as leaving the trash canout on the

curb for too longor even major offenses such as nonpayment of association dues. Thelatter

could besubjected toa lienplaced againstthe home or anextreme and rarely used action,

foreclosure bythe HOA. Ask any homeowner living in such a planned community if they are

satisfied withtheir HOA and you may hear answers ranging from contentment to borderline

rage.

Cathy of course begins her essay by introducing her topic and establishing its significance.

As you read this next paragraph, notice that Cathy introduces her source and its author, summarizes the main idea in the source, and then provides a more detailed summary of the entire article. Notice that her summary is objective; it’s not biased. And notice also how Cathy uses attributive tags effectively to guide the reader through the summary so that it’s always clear she’s referring to the source.

Over the past few decades, disgruntled homeowners and homeowner advocates have

banded together to voice their discontent and their voice is getting louder. Nationwide these

advocates have been instrumental in helping toget legislation passed that givessome rights back

to homeowners. But according to an article found in the GilbertRepublicsection of the Arizona

Republic, June 2006, critics of HOAs need to stop complaining and remember that they moved

into HOA communities because of great property values, curb appeal and the fact that they are

well kept.InFredPinkney’s article “HOA Critics Should Stop Grumbling, Learn about How the

Game Is Played,” he states that homeowners have no right to complain if they do not follow the

rules, attendmeetings and “be involved in their own governance” (Pinkney 30).He defends the

untrained, “unpaid homeowner volunteers” across the country for their willingness to take time

out of their busy lives to serve.Pinkney blamesstate legislators for “their failure to enact

propertymanagement certification and licensing,” (30)which allows untrained HOA

volunteers to serve onboards. He also points a finger at mayors and council members for

handing over the reigns to HOAs and allowing them to be responsiblefor handling code

compliance issues that the citieslack fundingfor.In the end, Pinkey lumps allHOA critics

together and saysbefore theircomplaints canbe taken seriously, they need to own upto their

responsibilities.Though Mr.Pinkney makessomevery good points in his article, he tries to

simplifyanemotional and personal rights issuethatis not so cutand dry

Notice that the paragraph ends with Cathy’s own thesis statement. Her proposed thesis is very appropriate for this type of paper.

In the next paragraph, Cathy uses the “comparisons” analysis question (“How does what this source says compare with what other sources say about the topic?”) to show that there are at least some other people who agree with the point her source makes. But notice that Cathy doesn’t just say, “This person agrees with Pinkney, and so does this one, and so does this one.” Each of the other sources she cites also adds something more to the discussion. This is good synthesis. “Synthesis” refers to the comparing and contrasting of related ideas. The more good synthesis you can bring into your paper, the better your grade will be.

There are many people who agreewith Pinkney’s finger pointing at state and local

governments. In Sarah Max’s article “Making Peace with the Taste Police: A Homeowners

Association Can Be a Force for Good—or a Power Trip Gone Bad. Here’s How to Tell If It

Helps, Not Hurts, AProperty’s Value,”she quotes Evan McKenzie,authorofPrivatopia:

Homeowners Associations and the Rise of Residential PrivateGovernment, “What’s happening

is we’re creating a new layerof government, much of it in thehands ofinexperienced volunteer

boards” (qtd in Max 63). Max points outthat in fast growingstates, “Cash-strappedtowns can’t

provide roads, water and other basicsfast enough to keeppace with growth, so theypass the

buck to developers, who profitably packentire communitiesinto their parcels, buildingprivate

streets, parks, playgrounds, swimmingpools, even golf courses” (Max 63). In “Homeowner

Associations: Creating Deconstitutionalized Zones”written by JamesC. Harrington for Texas

Lawyer, October 2004, Harrington explains how the cash-strapped citiesstrongly encourage

HOAsbecause they lessen the demand on municipal services

while generating taxes.He alsowrites, “These HOAs, with the government’s blessing,are

creating expression-free enclaves—deconstitutionalized zones” (Harrington N. Pag.).

Most homeowners would agree with Mr. Pinkney on the reasons why they bought in a

HOA community and though homebuyers make the choice as to where they buy, they may not

Fullyrealizewhat exactly they are giving up until they have a problem. This is where it is not so

cutand dry. In the article “Homeowner Says HOA Rule Change HaltedAddition,” by Cary

Aspinwall, homeownerChristine Regan “followed all the rules to get permission for adding a

secondstory onto herhouse” (Aspinwall 3). She made revisions at the HOAs request; she met

with the committee aftertworejections and the HOA declined to participate inmediation.

“Andrew Lynch, her attorney,said the association’stactics are disturbing”and adds, “she

followed the rules, andthen the associationpulled the rugout from under her atthe last minute

and changed the rules” (Aspinwall 3). Ms. Regan followedthe rules. According to Mr. Pinkney

this allows her the rightto complain,but what then? HeassumesHOAs will actreasonably and

consistently apply therules.But whatif theydon’t? Mr.Pinkney does not address that problem

Another example ofHOA’s shakyreasoning isfoundin“GoodNeighbors: Are YouWilling To

Live in an Association-GovernmentCommunity?”written by Lee Ann Jackson, Black

Enterprise, July2003.In the article, Ms. Jackson writes,“20/20aired theaccount ofan 82-year

old widow whowas evicted from her home, althoughitwas fullypaid for,due to the alleged

nonpayment of$800 in assessment dues” (Jackson 114-115).

In her the preceding paragraph, her second paragraph of analysis, Cathy has pointed out that while Pinkney emphasizes the obligations of homeowners themselves to the HOAs, he also assumes that HOAs will “consistently apply the rules,” an assumption that may not be valid.

Not all HOAs are created equal and some have done a very good job of suppressing the

the First Amendment. I disagree with Mr. Pinkney’s qualifiers to whether or not homeowners

have the right to complain. I applaud those who not only complain but take action against what

they see as unjust. That is our constitutional right. I think writer Lyla Fox provides a worthy

conclusion in her Sept 2006, Newsweek article“Membership Has Its Benefits…Doesn’t it? It’s

Nice to Live In a Well-Mannered Neighborhood, But IsItWorth Forfeiting Freedom and

Diversity?”. She writes “I am concerned that we too quickly hand over our personal choices to

the sanctimoniousmarshals of the homeownership associations. In making sure the rules are

obeyed, we areeschewing personal freedom. It’s a micro stamp of approval of the Big Brother

threat most of usstruggle against. We are acquiescing too easily to the idea that others have

every right todetermine our every right” (Fox 16).

Notice that in her conclusion Cathy summarizes her point of contention with the source’s argument. She feels the source emphasizes one aspect of the topic will overlooking another aspect that is equally—or perhaps more—important.

Works Cited

Aspinwall, Cary. “Homeowner Says HOA Rule Change Halted Addition.”Arizona

Republic/Gilbert Republic 12 July 2006: 3

Fox, Lyla. “Membership Has Its Benefits… Doesn’t It? It’s Nice to Live in a Well-mannered

Neighborhood, but Is It Worth Forfeiting Freedom and Diversity?” (Viewpoint Essay)

(Column).”Newsweek Sept. 18 2005: 16

Harrington, James C. “Homeowners Associations: Creating Deconstitutionalized Zones.”

Texas Lawyer Oct. 18, 2004: N. Pag.

Jackson, Lee Ann. “Good Neighbors: Are You Willing to Live in an Association-Governement

Community? (Consumer Life).” Black Enterprise July 2003: 114-115.

Max, Sarah. “Making Peace with the Taste Police: A Homeowners Association Can Be a Force

Good – or a Power Trip Gone Bad. Here’s How to Tell If It Helps, Not Hurts, a

Property’s Value.” Money Dec. 2005: 63.

Pinkney, Fred. “HOA Critics Should Stop Grumbling, Learn about How The Game Is Played.”

Arizona Republic/Gilbert Republic17 Jun. 2006: 30.

Notice that on her works cited page Cathy lists all six sources cited in her essay, including the source she is critiquing.