Homeowners Associations (HOAs) are often marketed as guardians of “property values” and “community standards.” But the uncomfortable truth is this: HOAs were born out of a system designed to exclude. Understanding their origins explains why so many modern HOA disputes feel personal, targeted, and deeply unjust. Racially Restrictive Covenants: The Predecessor to HOAs In the early 20th century, developers openly used racially restrictive covenants —clauses written into property

For many Georgia homeowners, living in an HOA has meant far more than neighborhood rules and landscaping standards. It has meant excessive fines, unanswered questions, selective enforcement, retaliation, and in some cases, foreclosure threats over relatively small balances. After years of homeowners raising concerns with little response, change is finally being discussed under the Gold Dome. Senate Bill 361 (SB 361) —introduced by Senator Matt Brass—is legislation aimed at in

Is Selective Enforcement a Red Flag—or Just Normalized? Most homeowners don’t notice selective enforcement at first. It starts quietly. One neighbor’s violation goes unaddressed. Another homeowner is fined immediately. Rules seem flexible—until they aren’t. And eventually, someone asks the uncomfortable question: Is this a red flag—or has it just become normal? What Selective Enforcement Looks Like Selective enforcement doesn’t always announce itself. It shows up as: Identica