27
2016
How to Maintain a Property Management Budget
The homeowner’s association (HOA) board, often in conjunction with a property management firm, is responsible for upholding the rules and regulations of the community, collecting assessments, and using the money provided by homeowners to see to the upkeep of the community. Some HOAs are responsible for maintaining building exteriors while others limit their management of the property to common areas, including landscaping, pool areas, club...
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21
2016
5 Tips for Collecting Delinquent HOA Dues
In a perfect world, homeowners would live up to their obligations and pay HOA dues on time and in full every month. Unfortunately, this utopia does not exist and homeowners may find themselves in delinquency for any number of reasons, from job loss to poor personal finance management. In most cases, resolving delinquencies is just a matter of negotiation, and with open dialogue the matter...
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14
2016
When Should an HOA Borrow Money for Large Projects?
Homeowners associations are designed to act in the best interests of a given community. When properly administered by an elected HOA board, often in conjunction with a third-party management group, the HOA helps to ensure community safety, maintain property values, and create a beautiful and enjoyable environment for all residents. As part of this overarching directive, HOAs collect fees from every homeowner to pay ongoing...
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11
2016
5 Common Reasons Why Homeowners Fail to Make HOA Payments
It is estimated that around 55 million Americans live in houses or condominiums that are overseen by community associations. That’s about 1 in 6 Americans. The vast majority of these homeowners have at least a basic understanding of why they pay HOA fees and the benefits they gain by living in a community governed by a board of their fellow homeowners (along with a written...
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04
2016
HOA Management Tips
As a member of an HOA board, you’ll generally be tasked with working with a management company (unless your community relies on the board to manage independently). Together you’re responsible for meeting federal and state laws, upholding the Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs) of your community, maintaining common areas, collecting fees, and making decisions in the interest of the community and all of its homeowners....
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13
2016
5 Tips to Successfully Negotiate With Delinquent Homeowners
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, annual homeowner’s association fees for condos average out to about $2,400, while owners of single-family homes in HOA communities can pay more than twice that amount. While many homeowners are aware of these costs when they move into an area with an HOA, others don’t seem prepared to pay the piper. This could leave HOAs looking for ways to...
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01
2015Holiday Light Displays Can Get Your Neighborhood Free Advertising; Get Your Neighbors in the Christmas Spirit
Whether you are in San Francisco, San Diego, or anywhere in between, you are sure to find a neighborhood that you absolutely love. So, what is it about these areas that are so desirable? Often, it is the presence of a safe, clean, and fun environment where anyone from large families to singles can enjoy living. If you are one of the lucky people who...
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23
2015
6 Tips for Better HOA Contract Writing
Maintaining a condominium complex or neighborhood is no small feat—there are landscapes to be preened, repairs to be made, beautification projects to be undergone, and more. To perform these tasks, your homeowners association (HOA) will need to hire contractors, skilled professionals who can keep your community clean, safe, and inviting. As their title implies, contractors work based on contracts, key documents that outline what they’ll...
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19
2015
Homeowners’ Associations & Emergency Assessments
Running a homeowner’s association is a bit like a juggling act—you have to keep your residents happy, come to decisions as a board, and budget for common expenditures like maintenance, pest control, insurance, and more. Unfortunately, as with any aspect of life, unforeseen circumstances can get in the way of your HOA. In these cases, your association might need extra money to cover the damage...
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27
2015Exterior Paint Project
If you have ever managed a construction project, then you know that what would seemingly be a basic task is actually the greatest challenge: obtaining bids with the identical job scopes. Putting together a detailed “RFP” (aka Request for Proposal) for the bidders to work off of is the first and most important step. A board member’s function should be limited to decision-making, and...
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