North Carolina homeowner who sold Pokemon cards to buy his first house now faces HOA foreclosure

A North Carolina homeowner sold Pokémon cards to make the down payment on his first house and is now fighting to keep it.

Here's what to know

Carter Eck, a 23-year-old homeowner in Charlotte, says confusion over homeowners association dues has turned into what the association claims is more than $10,000 in debt, plus a foreclosure hearing.

Speaking with Action 9 attorney Jason Stoogenke, Eck said he believed his escrow payments already covered the HOA charges and did not realize he needed to make separate payments. According to WSOC-TV's Action 9 report, republished by Yahoo News, the HOA says the majority of what he owes is from dues and related late fees.

"I worked hard to get in here at 23 years old," Eck told Stoogenke. "I'm not someone that would just let something this big just kind of snowball and just surprise me like that."

Eck also said the HOA flagged issues with the property, including one involving a fence, without proper notification at the time but that he took care of those problems swiftly after learning about them.

Why is this significant?

HOAs are generally meant to maintain neighborhood standards and shared spaces, but they can also wield significant power over homeowners through fines, dues, liens, and, in some cases, foreclosure proceedings.

Across the country, HOAs have faced criticism not only for aggressive fee enforcement but also for blocking money-saving home improvements such as rooftop solar panels, drought-tolerant landscaping, and native plant lawns. Those kinds of restrictions can make it harder for residents to lower utility bills, conserve water, and make climate-friendly upgrades on their own property.

The dispute is headed toward a foreclosure hearing in November, even though Eck says he does not believe he was at fault. Action 9 reported that the HOA's management company and the HOA's lawyer did not respond after calls and emails sent between July 22 and Aug. 17.

What can be done?

Documentation can be crucial. It helps to confirm in writing what escrow does and does not cover, keep records of payments and notices, and ask for an itemized accounting if fees suddenly balloon.

Stoogenke said residents may be better positioned if they gather support from neighbors and go before the board as a group instead of one at a time. He also said consulting an attorney may be worth considering, though legal help can be expensive.

For people hoping to avoid or change these kinds of rules, it may also be worth learning more about working with HOAs, especially when it comes to pushing for fairer policies around fees or home upgrades that can save residents money.

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