A couple living in Mesa, Arizona, faced the prospect of losing their $475,000 home after being unable to pay Homeowners Association (HOA) fees due to factors such as unemployment and illness. The case began with an HOA debt of just $977, but after foreclosure proceedings and the accumulation of associated costs, the debt rose to $6,579; ultimately, the house was sold at a public auction for a winning bid of $8,172.
The couple is currently still living in the home and has launched a GoFundMe campaign in hopes of raising money to settle the debt. According to the Mesa Tribune and Realtor.com, Toby Newton purchased a four-bedroom home in East Mesa for $475,000 in 2022. In 2024, he lost his job and was diagnosed with diabetes, causing severe financial strain and making it difficult to afford the quarterly HOA fees of approximately $170.
Newton stated that after falling behind on payments, he proactively attempted to negotiate a repayment plan with the HOA. He proposed paying $50 per month, then raised the offer to $133.70, and finally proposed $200 per month, but the HOA rejected all these offers. At the time, his total outstanding HOA fees and interest amounted to $977.
In November 2024, the HOA initiated foreclosure proceedings through attorney Augustus Shaw IV. In July 2025, the Arizona Superior Court formally ruled that the home would proceed to foreclosure. Court documents indicate that Newton owed $1,311 in unpaid HOA fees, $1,042.09 in costs incurred by the plaintiff, and $3,345 in attorney fees.
In October 2025, the home was sold at a public auction to the Superstition Springs Community Master Association for $8,172. At that time, Newton’s total debt stood at $6,579.
Newton said he had originally been told he could settle the debt and redeem the property within six months; however, during that period, his long-term partner, Sherri Patten, was diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer, further exacerbating the couple’s financial hardship. Newton stated that Patten was suffering from a rapidly progressing cancer; the couple had to prioritize their limited funds for living and medical expenses, leaving the HOA debt on the back burner and ultimately causing them to miss the six-month redemption deadline.