HOA Dues

I am not a HOA Board member. I am only a homeowner. I am seeking help or some advice for my situation. I am a 56 yr. old woman surviving on disability. I have owned my home in this community (Saw Creek Estates, Bushkill, PA 18324) since 1998. Due to the economy, and my limited income, I have seriously fallen behind in my dues.
I was offered a payment arrangement, and it was financially impossible for me to keep up with it.
Each day I incur more late fees, and eventually it is going to get so out of hand, that they will put a lien on my property. How can I get the HOA to work with me on a reasonable level, where I am able to afford the payments?
We have many amenities here. All of which I am willing to give up. All I need is my card to enter the gate, and I will be fine.
Do I contact an attorney? Where in my area, can I find a H.O. attorney? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
My father purchased this house in 1998. It was a foreclosure. I do not want to lose my home. It is all I have.

CindyP, Please request a meeting with the BOD as soon as possible. Let them know of your concerns. Otherwise it will just continue to build. Also concern a reverse mortage if necessary.
Good Luck, Larry

As a person with a disability, I share your concerns. A reverse mortgage may not be available to you since you are under 62 years old.

Sadly, it appears that your community may not be for you with its extensive--and expensive--amenities ( 2 indoor pools, 4 outdoor pools, 3 hot tubs, indoor and outdoor tennis courts, 2 lakes, a beach, racquetball courts, a fitness center, ski hill with lift, a baseball field, meeting rooms, the Top of the World Restaurant atop the development).

It is very likely that an attorney would advise you that your best course of action is to sell your home and find a community more suited to your income and level of ability. I wish I could be more helpful.

Living in such a community with the amenities listed by another poster, does come at a cost to all those owning property in the community, and should be shared equally and/or by some reasonable means based on usage for certain amenities.

I have two suggestions. If because of your disability you unfortunately can not take advantage of the great amenities offered in your community, as other posters have suggested perhaps you should look for a community with amenities more to your requirements and cost of upkeep. Secondly, I don't know the nature of your disability, nor is it any business of mine to ask, but are there any opportunities for part-time employment to supplement your income in your local area? A number of places will welcome part-time handicaps. As large as your community is, perhaps there are some tasks that you could perform for compensation to help offset the monthly fees.

Wishing you well

I would recommend that before you place your home on the market you request a face to face meeting with the board members. If granted start by thanking them for meeting with you. Then explain your situation and request that something be worked out. Both of you are between a rock and a hard place. But do what you can to bring a human element to it.

I don't know what kind of situation your association is facing. And if they are facing hard times then it could be that they don't have much room to work with you. But if they are not, then perhaps something can be worked out. All the same I would recommend that you realize that this may end in a move to another place with lower fees.