When they function as they’re supposed to, homeowners associations ensure neighborhood standards, property values and goodwill. Because many associations maintain private streets, sewers and water systems through fees homeowners pay, they relieve local governments of infrastructure costs.  But when HOAs don’t function as planned, homeowners pay a heavy toll in court costs, fines, liens and even foreclosures. Those were among the findings of Judy L. Thomas’ two-day series, “HOAs from hell,” which ran Sunday and Monday in The Kansas City Star after more than six months of examining the explosion of homes associations and the resulting problems.    Read the article………….