HOA News, Advice, and Tips
As we look ahead to November this election season, HOA Management (.com) has decided to shed some light on a hot topic in the HOA community. Now is the time when political signs start popping up in the yards and windows of many homeowners. If you own a home in a community association institute such as an […]
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 ReadingTake your neighborhood back – join a Neighborhood Watch Program through your local Police Department or Crime Prevention Group. We imagine you are saying, “Oh another project to devote time to that I don’t have”….but it really doesn’t take much time. It does take getting to know your neighbors, being an extra set of ears […]
Continue Readingfiduciary (n) – a person to whom power or property is entrusted for the benefit of another When you join the Board of Directors of your HOA, you’re doing more than just volunteering your time and talents, you’re making a legal agreement to act as a fiduciary on behalf of your fellow owners. This carries legal consequences […]
Continue ReadingFall 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 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 […]
Continue ReadingIn order to operate a successful community association, there are many important facets of association governance that must be understood and implemented by its board of directors. One of the most important is the budgeting process. Most associations are “multi-million dollar non-profit corporations.” This means that the board of directors of an association is often […]
Continue ReadingThere is an old adage that “all politics are local.” Basically this means that government works best when it works at the grassroots level, and community associations that foster positive relationships with these government officials will find that navigating through government bureaucracy will be a lot easier when you know someone on the inside. The […]
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