I have two condo units that were declared abandoned by the estate of the owner.

We had bought a house in 2007 for 85k, put a lot of work into it personally, yet had to declare bankruptcy a little over a year ago because we couldn't sell the house due to the market crash and the neighborhood going to ****.

As with any service, it is judged on the value added.  

I am pretty good judge of character.. 

Not judging, just wondering...Why not lend money to friends or fellow investors that you know and trust locally without an added layer bureuacracy.

You said it was a new build, but I'd try to get a solid judge of appreciation over the last two years from a micro-scale.

Guy shows up in court and tells the judge that he doesn't want to do mediation provided by the court and wants to go to arbitration with JAMS per the contract.

Because of that, now I possess the skill of knowing most of what a tenant friendly judge could throw out my case, I usually hire an attorney now.  

If they resist, you'd have to be able prove to a judge that they did break your lease. 

You have the notice you sent as proof they declined to follow their own rules and a judge should rule in your favor.You may also want to call the City to see if there are code violations that can be sent to the HOA for them to take action with in 30 days.