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?