The same can be said for homes subject to property taxes. Even if the mortgage is paid off; don’t pay your taxes and the local government suddenly owns it. And they’ll send men with guns to make sure you cooperate.
The difference is your taxes are part of a government entity, not whoever is the biggest busybody with the most time on their hands.
You HAVE to live within the confines of your government. You choose to give up your liberties to the HOA
They don't "suddenly own it."
The property goes through a tax foreclosure process. And if you have $400,000 in equity in a property with $10,000 in unpaid taxes, the government doesn't get $400,000 out of the deal.