I have lived in Laguna Village for 12 years. The HOA has always been a (very expensive) joke. The black mold has been taken care of as far as I know. The problem is that the grounds look worse as the dues go up. Yet again, I have a rat in the wall in my garage. I have been in the mortgage lending field for over 20 years. For what we get for our money compared to other HOA's in south Orange County, it is a crime. There is an HOA association in Mission Viejo that for $185 a month, you get membership to the Lake and it's facilities, beautiful pool, jacuzzi, library, a real banquet room, excercise room, golf, tennis, bocci and the list goes on. The grounds are immaculate. The rules are enforced by the property management. and respoected by the people that live there.

What do we get? Rats, bare grounds where there should be lawn, run down facilities by the pools. And, just for good measure, we have a never ending problem with the Board members. If I had to do it again, I would never buy here. I love my place but the rest of the development - not so much. There have been HOA problems since I moved in - 12 years of them.

We just bought a place in Laguna Village two months ago. We love it. There is one pending lawsuit regarding a contract dispute - nothing about black mold. I don't know anything about the HOA board except that there appears to be some infighting and residents are not pleased with the monthly $340 dues. I think each area or street is unique in this large community. We are happy with the home, the location, and our neighbors. Good luck!

Tony,
Hi!
Laguna Beach offers many wonderful opportunities!
If I can be of any assistance, please let me know!
Thanks,
Steven Abraham
"24 Years of Professional Real Estate Experience"
Prudential CA Realty
Laguna Beach, CA
lagunacastles@cox.net
949.378.4005 Cell

On a more positive note: they did finally repair both the visible termite damage and the place by the back door where the rot was. We haven't seen any rats since they put poison out for the gophers. And they did fix the roof leaks and are "supposedly" going to put a new roof on soon.
There is a new security company who seems to be writing lots of tickets for parking and other offenses but since the fine system is not enforced by AMMCOR (the current property management company) no one really takes the tickets seriously. The landscapers are still sub-par; lots of barren patches thru out the property.
There was recently a big ruckus in regards to the current board. All kinds of accusations flying at those who are currently elected and those who wish to have them removed. I think there may still be a current lawsuit or two but am really not sure of the details since as a renter I have little say in what happens (and my owner does pay his dues). You should come to one of the meetings and see if you can get additional information.

I made factual remarks about the property. You made a direct attack on me as I took you to a hearing b/c your dog barks for hours on end and you refuse to do anything about it. (very neighborly I might add) I made no mention of the following: your dog barks and lunges at everyone it sees (I watched you smack her in the head, pull her leash hard and yell at her for this just this week), you wash feces and urine from your patio into the street which runs into our ocean. Your son has a whole colony of white rats he raises (also against the rules) for his poisonous snake rescue which he runs from your home, he also leaves fast food bags in his truck bed that the crows tear into and spread litter all over the parking area - also an eyesore and makes the area look trashy! You have the nastiest disposition of anyone I have every known - in fact hardly anyone knew you on this property until you ask them to sign some pointless petition.
You made no mention of the flowers I planted out front or that I clean my area of dust/dirt usually every few weeks. I do walk my Yorkie without a leash, we do own 2 classic cars (a 1960 and a 1967), we do own a pond which is now in bloom and looks tons better (several people in the area brings their kids by to see our fish) and we only park the RV out front when we are loading to leave. Your family leaves their vehicles out there for HOURS a day!
We are actually moving and will expect you to make good on your promise of helping us. When you see the moving truck come on out and help! Perhaps you could also give your real name Helga - there is no Elaine Morris on our street!

I can tell you that your are nothing but a busy body trouble maker! The neighborhood is better off without you! Those of us who live here have kept up our homes. We have no issues, if we do the Association takes care of it. The rat is most likely drinking from that watering hole you have on your porch, you know the ugly so called pond. What a joke! The beater cars you own belong in your garage, they are an eyesore! The camper you own and park in front of your rented house block the way of traffic. You are not allowed to work on your cars either. This is against HOA rules. Try leashing your dog, another rule. So before you complain about everything, you best take a good look at yourself. Be the kind of neighbor others appreciate, that is the kind of neighborhood we have here. Everyone is kind and looks out for each other. Try doing that and you might be a happier person. If you are not happy here, get out! We will even help you pack!!!

I live in Laguna Village. The management company for the last 2 years has been Ammcor. They have done a better job than PCM. The Board of Directors is very pro-active and fired PCM since they did a lousy job managing the association. The only problem facing Laguna Village and all other Association is people not paying their dues (Deadbeats) and sometimes renters. The current dues in Laguna Village is $340.00 a month. The Board of Directors voted twice not to increase the dues. Prices are low, space is open and not like the sardine cans they are building today.

I live in Laguna Village right now. Their "security" and their HOA pick and choose which rules are to be followed. The grounds look terrible, their lawn maintenance people are sloppy. There are an over abundance of rats - found one on my porch this morning still alive but fading fast. One chewed thru my cables under the house last week. We had 4 leaks in our roof during the last rain, the plank style shingles are falling off and we have had a whole under our back slider door for months that has now reached the wood. We have visible termite damage in the front that has also not been fixed. Our living room floor has at least a 1" sag. That is all I can think of but I think it's enough. THANK GOD WE ONLY RENT - I would be livid if I was an owner. As for mold - no idea i haven't seen any so far - the HOA is a joke. I also hear the HOA fee will be going up to around $400 soon

Tony ... It's true that there have been some issues at Laguna Village, South Orange County. It's a community of about 600 homes, and many people like it there. If you are seriously considering buying a property there, you must be careful and due your diligence to make sure that you are comfortable with information, the HOA management, decisions by prior boards, dues and assessments, and whether there is mold involvement at the home and property in question.

However, I do not support the comment made here by Neil, which was too negative and accusatory of the HOA board and management at Laguna Village.

Harrison K. Long, Explore Group properties, Coldwell Banker Previews

For the best home and property search check out

Tony, I used to live in Laguna Village. There USED to be a lawsuit regarding the mold, but they we resolved when we left. I have a feeling more lawsuits have resurfaced. Any rumor you've heard about the board being crooked is completely TRUE. They assesed people when they couldn't afford it, then reneged on the negotiated amount, and everyone got way less than what they ended up paying for.

Additionaly, the HOA fees are out of control; there is nothing anyone can do about it. People have been frustrated for years with this place. Unless you love frustration and abuse, I wouldn't buy in there ever again - no matter what price they drop to. As long as the homes have been around, they have NEVER had an effective or scrupulous management team. It's really too bad, because they are nice little homes.

Hi Tony,

The association that manages the Laguna Village is called "Professional Community Mgt." . Their phone number is 949-768-7261. If you are working with an agent or a lender have them call. They may be able to obtain some information for you. Ask them if the lawsuit associated with black mold has been resolved!!! If they said what lawsuit you may be OK!!!(there may not be any!!) If you want me to call on your behalf contact me at 637-3845.

Sincerely,

Homa
Broker Associate
Prudential California Realty

Hi Tony,
I am a Laguna Beach realtor and haven't heard about these issues. The thing to remember is that if you choose to purchase there you should have 17 days to have the property inspected bya licensed professional inspector, and view the financial records and meeting records of the association. The drawback is that you will have to pay to have the inspection done. I would suggest asking the seller to pay for association paperwork as part of the deal, especially since you have some concerns about the finances of the association.
Best Wishes,
Ellen Bosworth