For the most part, this HOA has been nothing more than an entity to collect our annual dues, and pay the bills of the association(gated community, elec. water, telephone).

Since your HOA due is low, I guess it doesn't include cable, internet, telephone.

I just see the "telephone game" with tax law all the time.It all comes down to when the property was placed in service.

People retire to Arizona," he said in a telephone interview."

Yes, there will be a few (20 on the average) telephone inquiries and up to 5 showings usually before the unit is rented.

Using internet,newspapers and craigslist and signs on your autos or on telephone poles and where ever you can get away with it.

On the second issue...Do they not have access to a telephone either?

I have been in contact with one of the owners, and he tells me that the other owners would like to rebuild, but can't right now, because of the economy.I have found the telephone number for the unit I can purchase.

Considering this will likely save you money (if there is no Realtor).This sounds like a good topic for another thread, how to use the telephone

Typically service companies (telephone, cable and garbage) can not and water and sewer (usually public entities) can.