HOA News, Advice, and Tips
Unless you’re careful about choosing a community association management company, you can end up taking on more headaches than you save. Thorough evaluation can save you from this situation and can lead to a positive working relationship with your management company. Here’s 5 tips to bear in mind when trying to choose the right firm […]
Continue ReadingBudget season is upon us and one of the most controversial subjects that boards face when budgeting is budgeting for bad debt. What exactly is bad debt? It’s those assessments that are not collectible from the homeowner. When budgeting for the association the goal is to have a zero budget, meaning not planning for income […]
Continue ReadingIn a homeowners association, the enforcement of the architectural standards in the community is the primary function of the Architectural Control Committee (ACC) and the Board of Directors. The governing documents for a homeowners association will dictate: The requirement of the board to appoint a standing architectural committee, The number of volunteers required to serve […]
Continue ReadingWith the holidays approaching, a newsletter is a great way to keep the community informed of upcoming events. However, equally important, is a communication tool that offers information and updates to all homeowners. With many owners having online access and email, a newsletter can be easily sent as an attachment, within the body of an […]
Continue ReadingIt is important for boards of directors to be aware that conflicts of interest or dualities of interest sometime occur in the course of conducting the business affairs of the homeowner association. The appearance of same can be troublesome – – even if there is in fact no conflict whatsoever. Conflicts occur because the many […]
Continue ReadingWe all know that whenever a vendor is on-site to address an HOA issue, certain homeowners like to take advantage of the opportunity to add their two cents about other things around the community, or even their own property, that the vendor could address “just so long as they’re in the area.” This is a […]
Continue ReadingVolunteering for a community association, whether it be on the Board or just occasionally, can be a very pleasant but time-consuming experience. When we think of volunteering in the traditional sense, sitting on a landscaping committee is not usually the first thing to come to mind. (Think soup kitchens or Boy Scout troop leader) Yet, […]
Continue ReadingThe fall season is in full swing and while we are all surely enjoying the cooler temperatures, leaves changing color and pumpkin spice lattes, in the back of our minds we know the infamous Chicagoland winter is approaching. Community associations should waste no time in beginning preparations for the winter season. For your property to […]
Continue ReadingThe following is an excerpt from the article “The Ethical Path” by Michael Ramsey, published in the September/October Edition of Common Ground Magazine… “Avoid even the appearance of impropriety,” is a phrase many lawyers like to use when advising their clients on ethical grounds. Amongcommunity association institutes and boards, many scenarios arise that can challenge a […]
Continue ReadingIn many areas across the United States, community associations are prominent. However, they cannot be successful without the benefit of volunteers. The members of the board of directors are elected volunteers, committee members are appointed volunteers. It is the efforts of these upstanding citizens volunteering their time and talents that make a community the best […]
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