Arizona homeowner Toby Newton lost his Mesa home after falling $977 behind on homeowners’ association fees following illness and unemployment. The HOA pursued foreclosure, and the four-bedroom property, which Newton had financed with a $449,328 loan, was eventually sold at auction to the association for $8,172.

The debt increased through legal fees, collection costs, assessments and interest, reaching $6,579 before the October 2025 auction. Newton and his girlfriend said they repeatedly proposed repayment plans, but these were rejected; their financial difficulties were compounded by his girlfriend’s breast-cancer treatment and loss of income. Newton was unable to reclaim the property during the six-month redemption period and was later told he would need to pay $10,484 to buy it back.