One of the most common complaints we get as HOA management professionals is that board meetings never accomplish anything. No matter how many times these boards meet or how long they meet for—and trust us, sometimes meetings can drag on for hours at a time—the agenda remains just as packed and the community continues to […]
Everything you need to Know about HOA Bylaws, Regulations and CC&Rs
As much as we might not like to admit it at times, homeowners associations have rules and regulations in place for a reason. Mostly, they are for community safety and structure. If you find yourself questioning whether your HOA has the authority to regulate a certain item or action, check its governing documents and bylaws, […]
The Downsides of Not Hiring an HOA Management Company
In the HOA world, there are two distinct paths you can take when it comes to association management. You can either hire an HOA management group (like Spectrum Association Management) to handle the day-to-day affairs of your organization, or you and your other board members can attempt to manage the HOA by yourselves—a practice known […]
Homeowner Legal Options Against HOA Abuse of Power
Homeowner Associations (“HOAs”) are intended to operate in the community’s best interest, making the community a more pleasant place to live while also maintaining property values. Unfortunately, HOAs sometimes become a source of disputes and disagreement that hinder rather than help to achieve these community goals. Disagreements are common between homeowners and HOAs regarding community […]
How and When to Update the Rules, Apply Special Fees, and Use Proxies
When it comes to running an HOA, as a board member, there are a lot of “special circumstances” or advanced facets that don’t come around every day. In fact, many board members can go their entire terms without ever running into these types of situations, which is truly an ideal situation. Read more……..
A More In-Depth Look at HOA Accounting
As you may well know, being a member of the Board of Directors for your homeowners association means having an immense financial obligation to your community. Your job will become convoluted by illegible or inaccurate financial reports and records, which—if you are not prepared—can be overwhelming. Because of this, it is essential that you’re able […]
Preparing your Community for the Worst
Disasters are not limited to hurricanes, tornadoes and earthquakes; they also include man-made events that can cause loss of life and property, such as a train derailment, forest fire, an act of terrorism, or a gas line rupture. Homeowners and communities need to be prepared for any of these potential disasters, and having an emergency […]
All you Need to Know About the HOA Laws
When members of a homeowners associations’ Board of Directors take office, they often aren’t prepared for what their job will require of them—particularly the legal aspects of being a board member. The average board member will most likely be unaware of the various types of financial roles they must play, or legalities they must adhere […]
HOA Community Landscape Upkeep
As a member of a community run by a homeowners association, you pay to live in a well-kept space. Sometimes, the community landscaper isn’t able to maintain the standard of beauty your community deserves, at which point in time, your HOA will need to find a new landscaper. Other times, it’s not a landscaper issue […]
What the Internet Can Do for You
When it comes to technology, many HOAs are stuck squarely in the past. Though there is so much out there that can make a board’s life easier, from online payment portals to automated complaint request forms, few boards take advantage, and even fewer reap the benefits that can come from these technical elements. Read […]
A Guide About Setting Up, Running, and Managing HOA Committees
Homeowners association board members and community managers are not the only members who help to maintain a community; committees are also a very large part of the entire process. Formed by volunteer members of the community and assigned by the board of directors, committees can make your live easier than ever before. Read more………
8 Ways to Protect Your HOA’s Finances
As a member of a homeowners association (HOA) Board of Directors, one of the most important issues you have to manage is the community’s finances. It can be a time consuming task, but one that is essential for running a good HOA and for avoiding any potential lawsuits. The good news is that there are […]
Arizona HOA Battle Over Finances Turns Ugly
The last thing that any homeowners association (HOA) board member wants is a problem that lands them in court—particularly someone getting hurt at a meeting. However, sometimes the unwanted happens, as it did recently with the homeowners at a condominium complex located in Mesa, Arizona. It was a situation that escalated, got out of control, […]
5 Ways to Lower Your HOA Assessments
Board members will frequently hear complaints from homeowners association members about paying their monthly HOA assessment fees. In fact, some homeowners may even shy away from purchasing a home or condo if the feel the monthly dues are more than they want to pay. Read more…….
Qualities to Look for in a HOA Management Company
Each fall, homeowners associations across the nation vote on issues regarding the upcoming year. Fall is also the time of year when many HOA management contracts expire and are up for renewal. If your HOA management contract is up for renewal, this is an excellent time to stop and assess your management situation. Read more……..
Managing Vendor Agreements in your HOA
As an HOA board member, you’re taking on an active role in your community. Obviously, this means making sure the community runs well; but, this role also covers all of the general upkeep issues, such as gardening, cleaning and laundry room service, and any other ongoing “handyman” type projects—tasks which often require HOA board members […]
The Guide to HOA Community Safety
Safety is every community association’s priority. Although homeowners associations were not created or designed to provide security for the neighborhood, HOAs typically do use lighting, security cameras, gate locks and electronic access cards to help keep their communities safe. However, there are additional precautions that an HOA can take that may sometimes be overlooked. Below, […]
Guide to the Day to Day Politics of Being a Board Member
One of the most important aspects of being an HOA board member involves dealing with the politics surrounding the position. Sometimes, being a board member requires more time and effort than a person has available to them, leading that person to resign from their position. Other times, a board member might pose more trouble to […]
Beginner’s Guide to HOA Finance, Budgeting, and Accounting
When it comes to interpreting your HOA management company’s financial reporting, it’s helpful for HOA members to understand the accounting process used by their management company, especially if they wish to maintain and manage community funds in a practical manner. Below, you’ll find a guide to some basic accounting terms and concepts used by HOAs […]
Who Really Won This HOA Lawsuit?
The ABA JournalRead the entire article………………………………. published an article about some Florida homeowners who spent $220,000 and 11 years of their lives to “win” a dispute with their homeowners association over a $2,212 bill assessed by the HOA. Like so many other cases like this, the only people who ever really stand to win in […]
From Good to Great: Principles for Community Association Success
Every community has its own history, personality, attributes and challenges, but all associations share common characteristics and core principles. Good associations preserve the character of their communities, protect property values and meet the established expectations of homeowners. Great associations also cultivate a true sense of community, promote active homeowner involvement and create a culture of […]
New Arizona Law Restricts HOA Parking Enforcement
Up until now, homeowners associations (HOA) throughout Arizona have been able to set the rules for parking when it came to their neighborhood. With a new law that was passed in April of 2013, future HOA communities will find it a little difficult to set the rules on how those in their community will park. […]
AZ: Class Action Filed Against AZ HOA Management Companies
Class Action Lawsuit Filed by Arizona Homeowners Against Arizona HOA Management Companies Alleging Millions of Dollars of Damages for Violations of Federal Debt Collection Laws and Arizona Law Read More……
So Now You’re On the Board
The first steps to superior board performance are clarifying your board’s job and then following through with appropriate plans, actions and evaluation of results. The checklists presented here are intended to assist you in those tasks. They cover a significant number of your responsibilities. The checklists will apply to virtually any association. To use them, […]