Over the years, I have worked with many, many Boards of Directors: As a manager, as a consultant, and as a member of the Board. And as we all – managers and Board members alike – know, some Boards are just better than others at administrating their community and effectively achieving their agenda with grace, […]
Top 5 Qualities of a Successful Community Association Board
Living in an HOA comes with many great benefits. However, those benefits can only be reached with a successful community association board. When creating a board, it’s important to ensure it possesses these five excellent qualities. Read more………..
5 Reasons There’s a Disconnect Between the HOA Board and Homeowners
The success of a homeowners association is based on the members and Board working together. If the community is not taken care of, it will catch up with Association, affect property values, decrease the quality of living, and create a disharmonious environment. If there is a disconnect between the Board and homeowners it takes action […]
What to Do When Your HOA Board Doesn’t Plan Well for Projects
You’ve been the treasurer of your homeowners association for 8 years, and have continually warned your fellow HOA board members that without saving for reserves they’ll be headed for real trouble – and now that day has come. Read more………
How to Be a Great Board Member: The Top Do’s and Don’ts
Often, the best, most successful boards and communities share the same combination of habits and traits; all the while, the worst, least successful boards and communities share the same habits and traits, as well. Case in point: there isn’t tremendous mystery in what actions make certain communities successful…and others complete failures. Read more………
Pity the Politician
I live in an aging subdivision, dating back to the 1970s. It comes complete with a homeowners association and a board of directors. We just had a revolution—a polite one. The association elections for board of directors resulted in the defeat of every incumbent seeking another term. We now have a whole new board, and […]
Striving To Success – Lessons learned from eight years on an HOA Board of Directors
Neal Bach, President of the Atlanta, Georgia accounting firm Bach, James, Mansour & Company, was published in the January/February 2015 edition of CAI’s Common Ground™ magazine published by Community Associations Institute. In this article, Bach shares his own community association leadership experience and offers valuable tips to help members thrive (or survive) on a community […]
Why Boards Must Preserve Their Institutional Memory
The e-mail was polite and breezy. “Sorry to bother you,” a broker who was representing a potential buyer wrote to the secretary of the co-op board. “I seem to missing several amendments to the offering plan. I can only locate the first and second [amendments]. If there are additional amendments, as a third, fourth, etc., […]
Two-hour educational video soon to be required viewing for HOA, condo stewards (MD)
Members of the governing boards of the county’s 1,000-plus condo associations and HOAs will soon be required to watch a free, two-hour, online video about the basics of running a common ownership community. Read more……….
Do You Have What it Takes to Be an HOA Board Member?
The last time that you attended the HOA board meeting for your homeowners association the current board asked you and everyone present to consider volunteering for the board. These are the thoughts that went through your mind: Read more……….
Trade HOA Stress for Success
Too often serving on a homeowner association (HOA) board feels like a I-go-stuck-with-it kind of position. But a few simple changes can turn HOA drudgery into an enjoyable and rewarding experience. The book Trade HOA Stress for Success explores proven methods to transform your board from crisis-driven, overworked and isolated into a focused team with […]
Community Association Board Members are Protected by the Business Judgment Rule
Board members oftentimes hesitate in taking necessary actions as they become frozen by the fear that their decisions may lead to unintended consequences. This results in critical decisions being delayed—the proverbial kicking the can down the road. Yet, depending upon the situation, the failure to act could produce a worse outcome. Read more………..
Why Paying Your HOA Board Members is a BIG Mistake
Does your homeowners association pay or compensate the Board of Directors? I recently learned of an HOA that compensated its board members for “volunteering.” Each month the board members would receive a credit on their accounts for their monthly assessments. The Board collectively felt that it was doing all the work and that it should […]
Foundation Problems – Not In Your House But In Your Community
Your community is like your house. If you lose a homeowner’s trust or belief in your community’s leadership it’s like a small crack in the foundation of your house. And, if you continue to lose trust, sooner or later floors will start to sink, cracks will appear in the walls, and before you know it […]
New Year’s Resolutions
I don’t typically make New Year’s resolutions because I believe that if something needs to be fixed, it should be fixed at that time – not on an arbitrary date. However, many folks do like their resolutions, and I’ve heard several resolutions from my clients.
Proposed Legislation Requires Mandatory Service on the Board
Just kidding. Playing through the scenario, though, what if being “elected” to the board was like being called for jury duty? Homeowners’ names are fed into a machine. Then every couple of years, a button gets pushed, a ticket pops out, and bam: YOUR name is on it. Time to serve. (Unless you’re disqualified…or an […]
Establishing Guidelines for New HOA Board Members
Unfortunately the role of an HOA Board Member doesn’t exactly come with an instruction manual. Most new board members didn’t major in Home Owner’s Associations, and usually don’t receive proper training either. To top it off, the position comes with significant commitment for volunteer gig. This doesn’t set up the well intentioned but inexperienced board […]
How an HOA Board Can Make the Association a Better Place in 2015
How often do you communicate with your residents? Does your homeowners association have a website or newsletter? Let’s assume you do! (If you don’t, you should make a resolution to start one this January). As another year begins HOA board members should consider offering some thoughts about how the Association can make the community an […]
Why Boards Should Never Ignore Formalities
The client’s tale: A condominium board had instituted litigation against the sponsor. The sponsor moved to dismiss, claiming that the board did not have the authority to act. The court, in analyzing the facts, found that the board had clear statutory authority to institute litigation, but held that because the board had not adhered to […]
Does your board president rule with an iron FIST? You don’t have to put up with it. Dictators can be toppled.
Maybe she’s been running the association single-handedly forever. Or perhaps he’s been a big shot in the business world and is certain the community needs his iron fist. Whatever the motivation, the community association president becomes a dictator. Read more………
Avoiding common mistakes that board members make
Most board members at community associations are well-intended homeowners who want to do a good job. But few have expertise in property management, much less the legal and financial nuances of their decisions. Mistakes frequently occur. Read more……..
6 ways to prevent Board Member Fatigue
Do you ever feel like 20% of your board members are doing 80% of the work? Unfortunately you’re not alone. An unbalanced workload can be damaging to team morale and is unsustainable in the long run. All to often overworked members find themselves burnt out and looking for the door. Luckily there are some things […]
3 Crucial Responsibilities of a New HOA Board Member
You have tossed your hat into the ring to become an HOA board Member for your Association. After all the ballots are counted, you are now a new board member. What are the responsibilities of a new board member to their community? You owe a duty of good faith and fidelity to the homeowners association.
The Call of Duty: The Importance of Fiduciary Responsibility
When electing board members to serve on behalf of your community, you expect them to be on their best behavior and to think of the needs of the building and the people who live there when making their decisions. Regardless of the type of community they serve, board members have a responsibility to govern and […]
When Boards Don’t Play by the Rules: Controlling Rogue Board Members
Many if not most boards get along famously. There are boards that have had the same members for decades and run their communities without a hitch. Read more……..
The One Thing That Can Make a Good HOA Board, Great
What makes an average HOA board better and a good HOA board great? It can be summarized in one word: education. An educated board with committed members is the makings of a successfully run homeowners association. Add to the mix an invested property manager and you have a stellar combination. Read more………..
What Does this Thing Called Fiduciary Duty Mean for HOA Board Members?
As a new or current HOA board member you may often hear terms that you’re unfamiliar with. It’s important to ask questions and stay educated when something is unclear, and nothing can be more convoluted than financial jargon. From time to time you may hear that the Board of the homeowners association operates in a […]
How to Recruit a Homeowner to Become an HOA Board Member
Being a board member in a homeowners association is a difficult job. It takes a commitment of time and resources, but it can also be very rewarding. Sometimes you are asked to deal with tough issues that relate to your next door neighbor – maybe even your friend. It can be tough to tell the […]
6 Questions HOA Board Members Ask About Operating & Reserve Budgets
An area where a lot of HOA board members get into trouble relate to properly understanding the operating fund and the reserve fund in a homeowners association. If the two funds aren’t properly maintained a Board can be setting up the Association for failure and don’t even know it. It’s crucial that Boards understand how […]
Eight Golden Rules for Boards of Directors
Board members must interface with their membership, management team, association vendors and other members of the public pragmatically at all times. Following are my personal “Eight Golden Rules” to assist you with achieving that goal: Read more………
6 Steps for Removing a Board Member
Unfortunately, there are many reasons for which HOA board members are ousted from power. Felony convictions, acts of fraud, or simply not performing the duties required of a board member – all are more common than you might think. The silver lining here is that it is possible for an HOA to remove the board […]
Top 10 Attributes of Successful Community Association Boards
In addition to working with many community association and HOA boards on tax and audit matters, I’m also the president of my neighborhood’s Homeowner Association. At our next board meeting, we will start discussing new board member candidates along with next year’s budget. We want to have candidates identified early, so we can publish their […]
How to Respond to Common Pushbacks When Recruiting HOA Board Members
Finding and keeping good people on the board in your homeowners association is possibly one of the toughest jobs you’ll have as an HOA board member. As a current member of the board one of your responsibilities is to recruit homeowners to become part of the board, which is no easy feat. That’s why you […]
Four Types of Bothersome Homeowners Conduct
Q: I serve on the board of directors of a homeowner association. There is one particular owner who monopolizes board time with antics and actions that I think are way out of bounds, but the other board members tell me there is nothing that can be done about it. Is there a line that can […]
Avoiding Legal Blunders as a Volunteer Board Member
Much like corporations and charity organizations, condos, co-ops and HOAs across the nation are helmed by groups of residents who volunteer to serve their communities, and who are elected to their post by their neighbors. This is of course the case across Chicagoland, where talented individuals of every description regularly volunteer for board positions in […]
Bursting the Curse of an HOA Board Member
The universe of homeowner associations seems to be a “thousand points of light” all separated by an impenetrable void. Each operates in its own little world inventing and reinventing solutions to problems as they come crashing in. The board members rarely see their job as a privilege but more of a curse, something they got […]
How to Avoid Common HOA Lawsuits
Lawsuits are an unfortunate and inevitable feature of modern business. That goes for institutions and incorporated entities like HOAs as well. While it’s unlikely that an HOA will be able to avoid all lawsuits entirely, there are steps they can take that will at least eliminate some of the possible lawsuits from ever happening. […]
7 Steps to Being Politically Smart on a Condo or HOA Board
Let’s face it, board members – you are now politicians. Whether you like it or not, you were elected or appointed to a position of leadership in your community and are responsible for overseeing the care of what is essentially a small city government. Read more……..
Avoiding Legal Blunders: A Crash Course Before You Crash
Much like corporations and charity organizations, condos, co-ops and HOA’s across the nation are helmed by groups of residents who volunteer to serve their communities, and who are elected to their post by their neighbors. Read more……..
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, […]
Business Judgment Rule: No Free Pass to Board Action
The past 12 months has been the year unit owners and shareholders have found cooperative and condominium board of director’s kryptonite at the appellate courts. For years, the courts of New York have been rubber stamping board decisions under the shield of the business judgment rule. Whether it be the persuasive facts in this year’s […]
Avoiding Legal Blunders – Board Missteps Can Be Expensive for Associations
You’ve just been elected to your condo board of trustees. On the one hand, you’re honored. A few neighbors have offered a congratulatory handshake, and now you’re in the mood to pop the bubbly. On the other, there’s a sense of hesitation. You’ve placed your trust in your fellow board members, some of whom have […]
A Management Chief’s Plain Talk and Good Advice for Co-op / Condo Boards (NY)
Which qualities do responsible co-op and condo boards possess? What things can boards pursue that genuinely increase apartments’ market value? What are some of the specific challenges boards faces today, and where boards can find support and information? Read more……….
Some Guidance for New HOA Board Members
When you first learn that you will be serving as a new member of your community’s board of directors, you are likely to be offered either congratulations or condolences; what you are not likely to be offered is much in the way of guidance for your new “job”. Read more……..
Bullies on the Board? Don’t get stiff Armed!
It’s great when board members are serious about their job, but, often times, disastrous when one board member decides to take his or her job too seriously. That’s when it is up to the rest of the board to intervene. Read more…….
Consensus Building for Community Associations
Community association board members and managers are responsible for carrying out business that protects literally millions of dollars worth of real estate. Daily problems arise that range in magnitude and importance, but all require sound business judgment to resolve. Many times what is also required is the cooperation or consensus of association residents comprised of […]
Term limits for board members have pros, cons
Longtime board members can be a strong asset to a community association. They often are well-versed in the property’s daily operations, policies, procedures, finances and building construction. They may know many, if not all, the residents by name and unit number, and perhaps even their pets. Read more…….
Condominium Council (MD) Held In Contempt Of Court For Failing To Make Common Element Repairs
In a case in which my colleague, Jack Boyd, and I represented the unit owner, the Circuit Court for Baltimore City has held a high-rise condominium in contempt of a prior order of the Court to undertake and complete repairs to the exterior common elements needed to make the building watertight. Read more…….
4 Mistakes Most New Board Members Make (And how to avoid them)
Everyone makes mistakes, especially when trying something new. New HOA Board Members are no different. The trick is to avoid common mistakes and learn from the unavoidable ones. Barrera and Company has been working closely with HOA Boards to prepare Reserve Studies for the past 30 years. We thought it might be helpful to put […]
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 […]