As with just about any living situation, membership in an HOA has its ups and downs. While there are definite perks (pool time, anyone?), things are not always perfect. When issues arise within the community, it is vital that homeowners and the board are prepared to handle them so they can reach solutions quickly, fairly, […]
Benefits and Setbacks of Hiring A Security Service for Your Community Association
Security is a priority for individuals living in a community. For that reason, community associations or HOAs adopt various approaches when it comes to securing their properties, including the use of intercom systems and video surveillance. Other community associations opt to hire security personnel. The process of hiring security staff is no mean task. Read […]
How to Avoid HOA Violations
HOA’s are responsible for protecting the property values of the community. To do this, the board must enforce certain rules and restrictions. While some may find this to be a bit intrusive, the benefit of compliance with the regulations outweighs the inconvenience and benefits the homeowner. When the rules are followed, the homeowner doesn’t have […]
Political Signs in the HOA (TX, AZ)
With fall 2020 comes another presidential election cycle, making political signs an especially timely topic this year. To assist the board in supporting its community fairly and with empathy this election season, we’re going to cover the kinds of political signs that are protected by Texas and Arizona law and how community associations may regulate […]
Encouraging Participation at HOA Meetings
Board meetings are a key part of running any HOA, allowing both board members and homeowners to keep up with what’s going on and give input for important decisions. However, it’s not uncommon for even the most established HOAs to experience a lull in participation, lackluster enthusiasm, or even spotty attendance when it’s time to […]
5 Tips: Service Animal Classifications and HOA Pet Restriction Enforcement
An HOA Board has the duty to adopt rules known as covenants and restrictions. Those restrictions often include restrictions on HOA members owning pets. As an HOA Board member, you may wonder what is permissible especially with regard to service animal classifications and HOA Pet Restriction Enforcement. The following paragraphs explain what the classifications are […]
The Right Way to Handle Neighbor Conflict
What’s worse than having a grumpy neighbor? A disruptive neighbor. Getting involved in a neighborly dispute can not only lead to a sore relationship, but it can also bring many more troubles down the road. As an HOA member, it’s important to understand the standards and rules behind neighborly etiquette. Read the article………………………………
How Board Members Drive Success
When you choose to serve on a board, you may wonder what impact you have on your community. Today, we want to outline that impact and say thanks for serving. Board service, when effective, truly blesses the lives of the homeowners in the community. Read the article………………………………
Crime Prevention Tips
Crime can happen anywhere, at any time, so it’s important to stay vigilant. While there are safety measures your association may take to deter crime, it’s crucial for each individual homeowner to contribute to their own safety. Read the article……………………………
Can an HOA Accept Donations?
When running an HOA, there’s always a need for more funds. Even the most financially stable HOAs can always find ways to put more funds to good use. So, you may be wondering: Can HOAs accept donations from vendors? What about fundraising? Can an HOA donate to charities? Read the article………………………………
How to Avoid HOA Fraud (TX)
While the vast majority of all HOA volunteers only want to help their community be the absolute best it can be, it never hurts to optimize your board’s financial protection strategy. Read the article………………………….We recommend the following tips:
What Do You Include in the HOA Budget?
Thoughtfully planning and preparing for the annual HOA budget is not easy, but it is crucial to the day-to-day and long-term success of the community. Each year, the board is tasked with overseeing both the operating and reserve budgets and adjusting them accordingly to best meet the needs of the association. Read the article…………………………..
10 Tips for HOA Insurance
When you research insurance as a homeowner, your decision only impacts you and your family. However, when you research insurance as a board member, it impacts all your neighbors and their families. Read the article………………………………
Are Political Rallies and Signs Legal in Your Community Association?
During an election year, it’s not unusual for community associations to grapple with issues related to the legality of displaying political signs. Yet, these are unusual times. The nation is experiencing a time of increased interest in political activism. Not long ago a video of dueling protesters at a political rally in a Florida community […]
What Are Special Assessments, and Can They be Enforced?
If you’ve ever lived in an HOA, you’re most likely familiar with the term ‘special assessment,’ or have at least heard the term in passing. There are two types of assessments associated with homeowners’ associations: regular and special. Read the article……………………………..
7 Ways of Helping Aging Owners in Your Community Association
Most times people above the age of 65 usually leave their homes and move into assisted living facilities. However, that trend is slowing down and more and more elderly people choose to age while still in their homes. This poses a new challenge to homeowners and condo associations everywhere. Read the article…………………………
6 HOA Board Member Best Practices
As the elected members tasked with making decisions that affect the whole community and all owners, it is imperative that every HOA board is fully conversant with the fundamental rules that facilitate effective leadership. Typically, a board is responsible for solving disagreements, managing finances, and generally enforcing rules that seek to make the community a […]
What to Do with HOA Operating Surplus Funds
Even with their many expenses, an HOA board may reach the end of the year and discover they have an operating funds surplus. This occurs when all revenue or receipts, which may include rents, assessments, or profits obtained by the association, exceed the common expenses. Read the article……………………………
How to Change Your HOA Bylaws
Community associations are legal entities governed by bylaws and codes, covenants, and restrictions (also known as CC&Rs), which are enforced by an elected board of directors. It is the board’s responsibility to conduct regular reviews of these regulations within their governing documents. Read the article…………………………….
5 Steps for Proactively Working Together as a Board
As a member of your HOA’s Board of Directors, you’re accustomed to listening to homeowners’ concerns and resolving them to the best of your abilities. Skills such as this, as well as other skills, allow you to work productively alongside your fellow board members in all aspects of the role! Read the article………………………….
Steps to Take if You Suspect Fraud Within Your HOA
While not a pleasant topic, fraud, theft, or embezzlement can happen in any organization, and volunteer organizations such as homeowners’ associations are particularly vulnerable. With large sums of money and members’ personal information at stake, it’s crucial for members to be able to easily recognize fraudulent activity and understand how to best protect their association. […]
Speed Bump Size Limitations for an HOA
Traffic safety should be a top priority for HOAs, where pedestrians and cars are often in close proximity to one another. Speed bumps can be an effective calming measure to reduce aggressive driving and potential accidents on association property. Regulations for installation will vary depending of the association’s location. Read the article……………………………..
How to Conduct Board Meetings in an Hour or Less
Homeowners and board members alike lead very busy lives these days, and it’s important to hold efficient and productive board meetings to make the best use of everyone’s time. With a proactive approach and careful planning, it is possible to hold meaningful and well-organized board meetings in one hour (or less)! Read the article……………………………….
The Dangers of Pet Waste in a Community
Many pet owners are unaware of the dangers of pet waste in their yards and communities. The truth is that the waste our pets leave behind poses numerous hazards to humans, the environment, our lawn, and plants. Read the article……………………………..
Safely Reopening Your Community Association Amenities (TX)
As more states and local governments move toward lifting or easing shelter-in-place and social distancing guidelines, community associations have become faced with the very real prospect of needing a plan in place to address the reopening of amenities. Read the article…………………………….
HOA Budgeting During Times of Crisis
Preparing an accurate budget for your HOA may seem like a daunting task, especially during uncertain times such as these. At SpectrumAM, we believe careful planning and partnering with your community manager to discuss the community’s financial picture can help make this process much easier. Read the article……………………………..
Reasons YOU Should Serve on Your HOA Board
Serving on your HOA board of directors may seem like a daunting task. And while it’s true that the position comes with a lot of responsibility and requires time and effort, it can also be very rewarding! Here are just a few of the many reasons to consider joining your association’s board of directors: Read […]
The HOA and Hoarding: How to Handle Messy Situations
According to the American Psychiatric Association, hoarding is a clinical disorder. However, not everyone who lives in a messy house qualifies as a hoarder! Hoarders can pose issues within HOAs, but this is a touchy situation that must be handled with care. Read the article……………………………..
What are the HOA Board of Directors Qualifications?
Running a successful homeowners association is no easy feat! The tasks of maintaining a safe, welcoming, thriving community in which members will love to live falls in the hands of a board of directors. Read thge article…………………………..
How Recent Coronavirus Legislation Benefits HOA Members (TX)
At SpectrumAM, it is our goal to keep our partners apprised of the following provisions put forth by the March 2020 passing of the CARE Act and the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, two pieces of legislation that President Trump signed off on to assist Americans during this time of crisis. Read the article……………………………….
Hosting Virtual Lifestyle Events in Your Community
Studies have long shown that building relationships with others in your community and neighborhood have a lasting impact on satisfaction and emotional well-being. However, during these times where we are being encouraged to practice social distancing and many of us are under shelter-in-place orders it can be difficult to connect with your neighbors. If you […]
New Tips for HOA Community Newsletters
When it comes to running a successful HOA community, communication is key. Even with their busy schedules, members appreciate and benefit from regular communication from the association. Not only does a regular newsletter keep homeowners informed about the goings-on of the HOA, but it can also go a long way in fostering a greater sense […]
Crisis Communication Tips Every Board Member Should Know
Over the past few weeks, many board members may be feeling like they have taken over the role of a crisis communications professional. What should you do with the overwhelming flood of information that changes sometimes several times a day? And, how do you figure out what you should communicate to homeowners, and when? […]
Why Your HOA Cannot Restrict Access to the 2020 Census
Many HOA and Condo associations implement restricted access measures to help ensure the safety and security of their homeowners and community property. These measures, such as gated entries, closed-circuit cameras, and even security officers, are all in place to prohibit unwanted solicitors or intruders from disturbing your community’s residents. It’s important to know however, that […]
How much Can HOA Assessments Increase?
Assessment fees are payments the HOA collects from homeowners in order to cover expenses that the association is responsible for. Occasionally, the HOA may need to increase assessments. Before we get into that discussion, let’s start by understanding the basic concept of the HOA annual budget and why assessments are important. Read the article………………….
Appeals court dismisses case over water-damaged condominium for lack of jurisdiction (TX)
An appeals court ruled a case involving a water-damaged condominium should be dismissed for lack of jurisdiction. Justice Jerry Zimmerer wrote that the court found that case lacked jurisdiction because the lower court lacked subject-matter jurisdiction and, because of that, the only thing the appeals court could do was vacate the lower court’s judgment and […]
Neighbors Behaving Badly: How Disputes Can Lead to Criminal Mischief Charges (TX)
If you’re like most people, you probably see your neighbors on a regular basis. If you’re unfortunate, you might even hear them or their music a lot more often than you like. Just about everyone has had to deal with an irritating neighbor at one point or another. Maybe you shared a dorm room with […]
Bank Garnishment by the HOA (TX)
If you live in a planned community, chances are you are a member of its homeowners’ association. Upon inception, HOA members become legally bound to pay certain assessments, which help maintain the shared areas and amenities and contribute to the general upkeep of the community. Should you fail to pay the required assessments to the […]
Off-Site and Community Septic Systems in HOAs (TX)
Does your HOA have an off-site septic system? You may even be wondering what exactly an off-site septic system is? Read on to find out what you need to know about off-site community septic systems and how they affect your community. Read the article……………………….
The Difference Between a PUD and an HOA
If you’re in the market for real estate in an urban area, there’s a good chance you’ve seen listings that state the property is part of a PUD, or Planned Unit Development. Many potential buyers are unsure of the difference between a PUD and an HOA and why this may be pertinent to their purchase. […]
Fidelity Insurance for Your HOA
It takes a lot of money to properly run a homeowner’s association. Maintenance, security, capital, and other expenditures all require a large reserve fund that is available to the association at all times. Because HOAs are run in large part by volunteer board members and may lack proper checks and balances, they unfortunately become easy […]
What are the Responsibilities of the ACC Committee?
An association’s CC&Rs typically require association approval before a person makes any physical changes to the outside of his or her property or the common area. The committee responsible for overseeing modifications, additions, or alterations to lots is most commonly referred to as the Architectural Control Committee (ACC) or Architectural Review Committee (ARC), though there […]
Does Your State Require Community Association Managers to be Licensed? What HOA Boards Need to Know
There are currently eight states and the District of Columbia that require Community Association Manager (CAM) to be licensed. These states include: Alaska California Connecticut Florida Georgia Illinois Nevada Virginia Read the article………………………….
Reining in Your POA (TX)
A lot of seniors reside in a type of community overseen by a mandatory property owners’ association, commonly called a POA. POAs are known for sending you pseudo-friendly letters taking issue with the color of your mailbox and placement of your trash can, and distinctly unfriendly letters regarding your past-due assessments. The best ones are […]
Cumulative Voting in an HOA
Voting is an important aspect of homeowner engagement in an HOA, especially for annual meetings. Homeowners’ voices are heard through voting to adopt or amend the governing documents, levy a special assessment, or most notably, for the election of board candidates. Voting can be conducted in person, by proxy (in Texas, but not in Arizona), […]