Woman says she’s selling home after HOA’s lien against it

CHARLOTTE — A woman who told Action 9 her homeowners association was threatening to take her home if she didn’t pay thousands in fines says she’s giving up her fight and selling her house.

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Charlie Cromartie lives in the Back Creek neighborhood in northeast Charlotte. She admits she owed $132 in HOA dues back in January.

But Cromartie told Action 9′s Jason Stoogenke one thing led to another, and she racked up $100 per day in late fees. She said she now owes more than $4,700.

Cromartie said the HOA put a lien on her property and said it may foreclose on her house. But now, she said she’ll sell her home instead.

The HOA’s management company told Stoogenke it won’t discuss Cromartie’s account for privacy reasons.

Stoogenke says it can be hard to fight your HOA, but there are some things you can do:

If you owe a fee, pay it right away. If you don’t agree with the fee, challenge it right away. Either way, don’t let things like this linger.
Talk with your neighbors. There is strength in numbers.
Try meeting with the Board as a group, not by yourself.
If all else fails, talk to a lawyer. Just know it may cost you.

(WATCH BELOW: HOA bans political campaigns at popular neighborhood for stumping)