Free Republic

Many seniors across the country would consider their senior living community a safe haven. But for some, these properties turn out to be money traps right when their personal finances are most fragile. Martha Bray, an 84-year-old Vietnam veteran, found herself trapped in such an unfortunate situation. After 10 years of living at River Glen of St. Charles, a senior living community near Chicago that she describes as her “dream” home, the property was acquired by two investment companies that swiftly raised rents. She told NBC News that her monthly maintenance surged from $1,395 to $6,500 — a 365% increase....

The Sunshine State’s housing market is caught in a perfect storm that could soon drive condo owners to flee in droves. Experts are predicting that the skyrocketing costs of condo ownership — driven by massive increases in homeowner association (HOA) fees and a slew of new safety regulations — are poised to spark a fire sale that could send shockwaves through Florida. Steven Kupchan, a real estate agent with One Sotheby’s International Realty, paints a grim picture.