A North Carolina woman lost her 3,300-square-foot home after missing a single $400 payment to her Homeowners Association (HOA)—a shocking outcome that has reignited debates over HOA foreclosure powers.
Taylor Sanders says she was blindsided when the Weddington Hills HOA moved to foreclose on her property, claiming she never received proper warning.
The home was auctioned for just $49,000, only to be resold months later for a staggering $850,000.
From Missed Payment to Foreclosure
The trouble began in 2020 when Sanders missed her HOA dues.
By February 2021, a lien was placed on her home for $1,200—the original $400 plus late fees and legal costs. By April, foreclosure proceedings were underway.
“I thought it was a joke,” Sanders told WSOC TV. “Then I realized it wasn’t.”
Despite her claims of not receiving warnings, the HOA maintains it followed protocol. Under North Carolina law, HOAs can foreclose on homes over unpaid dues, sometimes for amounts as small as a few hundred dollars.
The Bigger Picture: Homeowners at Risk
Sanders’ case is not unique.
Similar cases have surfaced in North Carolina and Georgia, where homeowners lost their properties over minor debts, sometimes without realizing the full consequences until it was too late.
“This is devastating for my children,” Sanders said. “I don’t wish this on anyone.”
Push for Legislative Reform
State lawmakers have considered legislation to increase protections for homeowners, including requiring more transparency and safeguards before an HOA can seize a home.
However, the bill has stalled since May 2024, leaving homeowners vulnerable.
Sanders is now speaking out, urging people to know their rights and take HOA notices seriously.
“This is just the beginning,” she said. “I want to make sure other people don’t go through this.”
