Say the words “homeowners’ association” and eyes tend to roll. The steady stream of news about the privatized neighborhoods, run by resident boards of homeowners, ranges from mafia takeovers to DNA tests on dog poop. In our two-year look into homeowner associations and their affiliated businesses, The Skanner News heard many stories about simple disputes that led to eye-popping legal costs; some residents have even lost their homes — Denise Kraft, above, is on the verge of losing everything she owns. Because the industry is “self-regulating,” many of these homeowners have nowhere to turn for consumer protection.       Part 1……….      Part 2……….       Part 3……….