HOA News, Advice, and Tips
Fall is that special time of year when the temperatures start to drop and the leaves turn different colors. This fall season is even more special because of the 2012 Presidential Election. All around the nation, citizens will be voting for our county’s next leader. Similarly, many HOA board members will be voting, too. That’s […]
Continue ReadingBeing a board member is not for the faint of heart, not these days. Virtually all volunteer boards have an increasing number of tough decisions. Should we pursue an owner for an assessment balance due even though his home is foreclosed? Do we push another owner to cut down the view obstructing tree, even though […]
Continue ReadingIn my 12-year career as a community manager, I couldn’t venture to guess how often I’ve heard a homeowner say, “But, we can’t afford an increase in maintenance fees.” Some board members do their best to not increase monthly assessments annually. Unfortunately, the end result is not always what they set out to achieve. ‘Tis […]
Continue ReadingWhat a lovely time of year autumn is. The weather finally cools, the leaves start to turn beautiful colors and the holidays aren’t far off. Fall is a busy time for landscape maintenance; in fact, busier than most may realize. Follow these five helpful fall landscaping reminders for a healthier yard and plants. Fall Colors […]
Continue ReadingThe summer of 2012 will be recorded as the hottest and one of the driest summers in history. Even if the current patterns are just an aberration, water issues will increasingly become important to community associations in the years ahead as supply concerns, a growing population and an aging infrastructure put pressure on supplies. Experts […]
Continue ReadingI have been in and around this industry for better than 20 years, and I am constantly amazed at how unprepared homeowners, including myself, can be when it comes to disasters. Regardless if on the East Coast, the Gulf or the West Coast, disaster can strike at any time and in any community. Disasters are […]
Continue ReadingMany board members and managers say that committees are the lifeblood of associations. More importantly, in a well organized association, committees are where it’s at. Community members often consider the board as the “best” place to be involved. However in a well-run community, important issues are first worked through and refined by committees and the […]
Continue ReadingHOA Reserve StudyReserve funds are a community association’s version of a “rainy day” fund. The financial health of an HOA can be determined by calculating the strength of that fund through a Reserve Study. If you’re considering moving into a new community governed by a HOA, one of the first things you’ll want to look […]
Continue ReadingIt doesn’t seem there is ever enough time to get all the things done that need to be done. This is especially true in an active community for a volunteer board of directors. The work of Boards is becoming increasingly challenging given the effects of the current economy, the complexity of the issues and the […]
Continue ReadingIn a word, “yes”. There is no minimum (or maximum) Useful Life stipulated in National Reserve Study Standards. Often a project like tree trimming is a candidate for inclusion in the Reserve Budget rather than the Operating Budget, even if it occurs every year. And here’s the reason why. Operating Budgets are typically handled on […]
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