Arlene Willis says some major changes have taken place in her condominium complex.
We walked around with her in October 2018 as she showed us kids playing, patios covered in Halloween decorations and patio furniture.
"It's like heaven," she says.
It's a far cry from the last time we visited Mesa Terrace Condominiums back in September of 2016.
Willis and her neighbors complained of excessive and bizarre HOA violations and a block list for resident who got out of line.
They let me know residents had to get permission to allow carpet cleaners run hoses, have specific patio furniture and park on the street or face some big fines.
She was even threatened with a $50 communications fee, because we called the HOA about neighbor concerns.
At the time property manager Scott Gordon--who also happens to own several units--told us by email that, homeowners could appeal any fines, that he had been fining policies for years, and registered car owners had the opportunity to move before they got towed.
But since our stories aired Willis says, "Not one fine. Zero."
She says the parking lot was almost immediately repaved and repainted, and most importantly she says people are no longer living in fear.
"It's like the difference between night and day around here."
Scott Gordon stopped managing the property in the Spring of 2018, though he still owns or manages several units according to the new property management company, APM. A spokesperson says when Gordon left, he didn't leave much for them to work with. No documents, no records, no account information, not even a copy of CC&Rs were turned over to them.
Mesa Terrace HOA is basically starting from scratch. And after 8 years of waiting for change, Willis says that's alright with her.
"I do believe that you know what was wrong will be made right. In the end, it will become right," she says.
We contacted Gordon's attorney for comment but did not hear back in time for our story.
If you have problems with your HOA there is a dispute resolution process through the Arizona Department of Real Estate.
It costs $500 per issue, up to 4 issues. But it may be less expensive than hiring an attorney.
