Mesa man loses $449,328 home to HOA foreclosure over $977 in unpaid fees

A Mesa, Arizona man lost his $449,328 home after his homeowners association foreclosed over roughly $977 in missed assessments, a case lawyers describe as extreme but not uncommon. Toby Newton, 53, now faces an uncertain future after the HOA sold his property at auction. Newton purchased the home in 2022 but lost his job in 2024, missing three or four quarterly payments of $171 each. The Superstition Springs Community Master Association initiated foreclosure in November, demanding $3,980 to dismiss the lawsuit, including $3,003 in attorney fees. Newton's payment plan offers were rejected, and a default judgment was entered when he failed to appear in court. The HOA sold the home at auction for $8,172 to itself, and Newton was given six months to raise funds, which he couldn't do while caring for his girlfriend, who was diagnosed with cancer. He has requested an emergency stay, claiming inadequate notice, though the association says his son was served.