I had lunch with a friend this week and she was telling me about the blog about her community. There are some issues that have come up in the association including major repairs needed that will result in large assessments to homeowners.

The blog has this information as well as much speculation and much complaining. The HOA management is very upset about the negative publicity for the community. Their feeling is that potential buyers are reading these blogs and that it's discouraging sales in the community. I suspect they're right on that front.

This raises several points. First of all, I doubt the HOA has any recourse or any way to shut down the blog or all the people posting to it. Their concerns are valid but, as we said at home, that horse is out of the barn. What they should consider is their own official blog with actual information to help discourage speculation. They should also do their best to resolve issues quickly as that will be the best way to prevent this kind of uproar.

If you're a buyer it makes a lot of sense for you to Googe any community that you're considering. There may be a blog, official or otherwise. There may be a web page, official or otherwise. Either way you're likely to learn things you might not have known otherwise. But, also understand that anything unofficial may also be unreliable. If anything you see there raises concerns work with your real estate agent to get the real story.

And, lastly, everyone should have figured out by now that it's tough to keep a secret these days. If there are problems with your community they are likely to show up sooner or later on the internet. And, savvy buyers are going to be looking. Disclose known problems up front. What you really don't want is a deal that blows up at the settlement table!

Does your community have an official blog or web site? How about unofficial? If you're a buyer is this a tool you're using in your search for a home?

It is a continuing vexation to me that some of the most important people in our communities can't afford to buy housing! I fret over this, but Long & Foster and their affiliated companies has now done something about it!

Health care workers, teachers, firefighters, police and armed forces personnel can now get some help with buying their own home! This new program uses Prosperity Mortgage to give great deals to these deserving servants. In addition to very attractive interest rates, these mortgage programs provide up to 100% financing, and allow the seller to help with up to 4% of closing costs. There is also a $500 credit at closing to help with anything left over. The program can be used to buy a first home or move up to a larger one. For those who have less than stellar credit, this program has help there as well. Most borrowers will qualify for this program!

There are a lot of other associated benefits and I'll be putting the details of the entire program on my web site http://www.JulieEmery.com later today. In the meantime, you can call me directly at 540-270-2742 or call Sal Rotante with Prosperity Mortgage at 703-303-0356 and tell him I sent you!  By the way, Sal is who we used for our mortgage when we bought our home and I can't recommend him highly enough!

If you know anyone working in these service industries, please pass this information along to them.  Too many people think it's simply impossible for them to ever own a home. But it's often not true and this program could make a difference for many of them!