Taylor Sanders, of Weddington, North Carolina, lost her home after missing a $400 fee to her neighborhood’s homeowner’s association (HOA). Her 3,300-square-foot house was eventually sold and flipped for nearly $900,000, leaving her with nothing.
The trouble started five years ago when the HOA claimed she owed $400 in unpaid dues. Sanders said she never received any notices but admitted the debt was valid. By February 2021, the HOA had placed a lien on her property. By April, the debt had increased to $1,200, and she was told foreclosure proceedings would begin.
Thinking it was all a mix-up, Sanders didn’t take the warning seriously. In the end, her home was sold for just $49,000, and the new owner flipped it for $850,000 just five months later. Now, Sanders is sharing her story to make others aware of the risks of ignoring HOA notices.
“This is just the beginning,” she told a North Carolina news station. “I want to make sure I educate other people. I want them to know their rights and understand the consequences.”
The Weddington Hills HOA chose not to comment. In North Carolina, HOAs have the power to foreclose on properties if fees remain unpaid. While the goal is usually to settle disputes, many homeowners don’t realize their rights until it’s too late.
In response, state lawmakers are considering a bill that would strengthen homeowner protections. The proposed law would require HOAs to meet stricter standards before placing liens and ensure homeowners get clearer notice about the impact of unpaid dues. Unfortunately, the bill has been stuck in the Legislature since last May.
