"Those special assessments - combined with surging insurance premiums - are pushing monthly costs far beyond what many residents can afford.

HOA fees are rising sharply as a result, with some owners seeing costs double or even triple in just a few years. 

Insurance has only made matters worse, particularly for older coastal buildings where premiums have jumped dramatically or coverage has become difficult to secure at all. 

As costs rise, buyers are pulling back, and in some areas, condo values have already fallen 20 percent to 40 percent."