HOA News, Advice, and Tips
Many homeowners are looking for ways to improve the value of their properties. In this article, you’ll learn about the top 10 home improvement or renovation projects that offer a solid return on investment, listed from least to most costly. So, whether you’re just wanting to “spruce the place up a bit” or are looking […]
Continue ReadingThe thawing of a lake or pond is called ice-out. It is often slow and gradual with a widening band of water showing at the shoreline, but sometimes it is rapid with ice piled on the shore in the wake of a strong spring storm. In the Chicago area ice-out may happen multiple times, with […]
Continue ReadingMany people believe that a colorful and vibrant garden needs lots of water. In reality, the same can be achieved through the application of Xeriscape practices, which can result in water savings of 35 percent to 70 percent. Xeriscape landscaping is based on seven principles and defined as “water conservation through creative and appropriate landscaping.” […]
Continue ReadingThere are many issues that come up throughout the year in a community association. Most are things that you can’t plan for, emergency issues that require quick-thinking and responsiveness. However, setting a solid agenda for the year that addresses routine maintenance issues can help prevent many emergencies from cropping up. How to Setup a Community […]
Continue ReadingHave you ever seen a spinning plate act? This is where someone sets a bunch of plates spinning on poles. The more the plates that start spinning, the more frantic they become to keep them aloft. Once misstep and the entire rig comes crashing down. In some ways, that’s what your homeowner’s association is doing. […]
Continue ReadingDoes your condo or HOA prohibit street parking? Are the number of parking spaces limited? If so, you may live in a community where parking is at a premium. Stories abound on how HOAs enforce parking rules, and of course, they are almost all negative. Parking may be at a premium, but there are some […]
Continue ReadingWhen buyers look at condos or homes in an HOA, their first question is often how much are the association fees. For many buyers, low HOA fees are attractive. In newly built or converted condos, fees can be kept relatively low because new systems are in place. An association may be able to defer dealing with costs […]
Continue ReadingIn this busy “budget time” of year, when so many associations (those with a 12/31 Fiscal Year End) are working on their budgets, it is a good time to remind my readers why Reserve contributions are important. And it’s not just me. A prominent Southern California attorney, Mr. Robert DeNichilo, just wrote a nice summary […]
Continue ReadingAt a time when a significant number of Floridians are still struggling to make ends meet, millions of Florida homeowners could be faced with the threat of yet another forced increase in their cost of living. At issue is what some attorneys in Florida want to call the “unlicensed practice of law” by community association […]
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 […]
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