HOA News, Advice, and Tips
We have all seen the “trial by fire” training that many volunteer board members receive. They attend their first meeting, receive a large notebook or envelope containing the association’s contracts and documents, and begin to address the current events facing their association. In many of these instances, the amount of information provided is staggering and […]
Continue ReadingBy all accounts the country’s first Master-Planned Community was built in Scottsdale, Arizona. What is the difference between a Master Planned Community and a bunch of homes in the suburbs? The key word is “planned.” With a MPC, there is an effort by developers to create a community that will satisfy all the needs of […]
Continue ReadingAs a community association board member, you’re taking on an active role in your community. This covers all the general upkeep issues with gardening, cleaning and laundry room service and any ongoing “handyman” type projects. A board is bound by many legal mandates set forth in many places (such as state and and your own […]
Continue ReadingIndependence in the Reserve Study process means freedom from control or influence. Independence means the Reserve Study professional is able to provide their complete findings and recommendations without interference. Common problems with lack of independence are when management influences the size of Reserve contributions (trying to make their budget or financial oversight “look good”), when […]
Continue ReadingWe do not get to choose who will be in our families. In other situations like work or school, we are thrust into communities where the concept of “getting along” is required of us. This is especially true in a neighborhood where a community association is the governing body responsible for the management and upkeep […]
Continue ReadingA strong committee structure can play a significant role in the success or failure of a community association. Information, ideas, opinions and reports contributed by committee members can be a major factor in the quality of decisions made by the Board of Directors and the subsequent direction the community association takes. It is through committee […]
Continue ReadingAfter 25 years in this business, we still hear the same excuses for not wanting to make Reserve contributions – and high on the list is “We don’t expect to be here in the future, so we don’t want to make contributions towards that future expense”. On the surface, that seems very fair and reasonable. […]
Continue ReadingIf there are two areas that cause the most trouble for community association boards, it’s arguably parking and pets. When speaking about the latter there are great passions on both sides, as the issue of pets is a serious, if not downright contentious, matter for many community associations. Just because there are guidelines spelled out […]
Continue ReadingCongratulations, on your election to the city council! No, wait – it’s your association’s board of directors, isn’t it? Not such a stretch of the imagination to make the comparison. While the board’s structure is “technically” more corporate, the city council analogy is probably more realistic. Anyone who has ever been to a council meeting […]
Continue ReadingThe past decades have seen an explosion of community associations in the United States. It’s estimated that more than 50 million Americans now live in homes that are part of a community association, and that four out of every five new housing starts will be part of a community association. It’s no wonder that many […]
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