HOA News, Advice, and Tips
Ever since the mortgage crisis and its accompanying spike in assessment delinquencies, policy makers have been working to address the question of who should pay the cost of collecting past due assessments. Surprisingly, in many states that answer is….. you. Imagine your neighbor has racked up more than $500 in late fees on their credit […]
Continue ReadingEvery day in the media there are mentions of the “green” initiatives asking us to consider ways to limit our impact on the environment. We are encouraged to save water, buy hybrid cars, recycle, compost, consider public transportation, etc….all personal lifestyle modifications that will limit our environmental impact. Above and beyond individuals’ efforts, community associations […]
Continue ReadingThere was a time in the not too distant past when electronic spreadsheets were the preferred means storing and manipulating data. By allowing users to store and track large amounts of data, spreadsheets offered organization and stability to organizations large and small. In 2013, spreadsheets still have their place in the workforce, but technology has […]
Continue ReadingZogby Ibope International conducted a nationally representative survey of community association residents in February 2012. The survey affirmed what Zogby learned from similar national surveys in 2005, 2007 and 2009: Residents are satisfied with their community associations. Association board members strive to serve the best interests of the community. Community managers provide value and support […]
Continue ReadingSuccessful community management is all about proactively communicating in a two-way fashion. The homeowners association (HOA) board needs to keep the members regularly informed. And, they also need to solicit input from the members and listen to homeowner feedback. Fortunately, the HOA has a whole stable of communication channels available to use. Here’s a list […]
Continue ReadingIncoming Speaker of the House Mark Ferrandino brings a very personal perspective on homeowners associations to the Colorado General Assembly when it convenes next week. He’s not a fan. In fact, when I mentioned HOAs to Ferrandino during his newsroom visit Thursday, he had this response: “Don’t get me started!” Seems the leader of the […]
Continue ReadingReal estate developers usually create a homeowners association to control the appearance and managing of common areas in the land being developed. Upon selling a preset number of homes in the developed residential subdivision, it is turned over to the homeowners of the subdivision. There comes a time though that this association would need some […]
Continue ReadingHomeowner Associations find community rules and regulations within their covenants, conditions and restrictions (CC&Rs). These documents help keep order in the community and help ensure property values increase. Sometimes, this even means assisting with dues for a valued property that may not have been previously expected. It may sound strange, but enforcing membership dues for […]
Continue ReadingSafety is defined as the “condition of being safe from undergoing or causing hurt, injury, or loss” (1). Even in our world where everything is connected, safety is a still prime concern for almost everyone, whether you’re driving on the way to work, walking through a park, or browsing the internet. I’m here to remind […]
Continue ReadingThe fact that you and your fellow board members have served on multiple boards, does not mean that your panel will not have to be trained. Each board has a different chemistry between the members. Some Boards work well together from the beginning, have members with experience in the procedure, teamwork and decision making, but […]
Continue Reading