Q: I love the concept of “Little Free Libraries” and would like to start my own, but I live in a community association that does not allow additional structures to be built. Do you know if they exist in community associations and how they got approved by the association board? Read the Q&A……………………………….
3 HOA Memorial Day Activities For The Community
Memorial Day is right around the corner. As with many homeowners associations, the federal holiday is a great time to plan a community event that will help bring residents together. But, what are some fun HOA Memorial Day activities? Read the entire article……………………………….
Good Neighbors Make Good Fences: A Neighborly Approach to Shared Amenities
They say, “Good fences make good neighbors,” but I would posit that good neighbors make good fences. Many associations share fences, pools, driveways and sometimes even buildings. While many shared amenities are subject to easement agreements or covenants that describe what each association’s rights and responsibilities are, those agreements – if they do exist – […]
Glen Cove Community Association donates supplies to local elementary school (CA)
The Glen Cove Community Association donated $900 of equipment to Glen Cove Elementary School on Tuesday afternoon as part of its yearly donation to its local neighborhood school. Read the entire article……………………………….
Learning from the Olympics: How to Welcome Diversity in Your HOA
Countries around the world gather biennially for what could be considered the greatest cultural experiment of our time: the summer and winter Olympics. An exhilarating juxtaposition of unwavering nationalism and profound respect for athletes from a melting pot of cultures and ethnicities – all competing for the gold. This event presents a lesson for all […]
Creating Connected and Inclusive Communities
Among the many benefits it provides, an HOA management company helps the board of directors achieve two central goals. First, securing property values by ensuring the association is well-kept and making good financial decisions, and second, creating a sense of community, the latter of which contributes wholeheartedly to the first objective. Read the entire […]
8 Tips to Protect Your HOA Reputation
The homeowner’s association (HOA) or condominium organization can assist in maintaining a cohesive and clean environment in residential communities. Community associations, like other organizations, rely on people to do key tasks and make decisions, therefore maintaining the association’s reputation is critical. The importance of homeowners is controlled by their capacity to apply safety practices and […]
Shreveport Policemeet with HOA’s (LA)
The Shreveport Police Department takes initiative to hear the concerns of home owners, right from the source. On Tuesday evening they met with seven different homeowner’s associations at Willow Pointe Church. Read the entire article……………………………….
8 Random Acts of Kindness to Make Your Community Feel More Connected
For many people, 2020 and 2021 were very difficult. As we start 2022, take a moment to not only use this month but for the ongoing year as an opportunity to do something special for someone in your own community, whether you perform these acts as an organized group or as one individual reaching out […]
Residential Community Working Relationships
In order for there to be effective administration of your community, the Association’s board, the manager and Association legal counsel should be working together, and in their proper roles. This blog will briefly and generally examine these roles and how they complement one another. Read the entire article……………………………….
Sarasota neighborhoods ‘Unite Against Hate’ after anti-Semitic incident (FL)
Neighbors are rallying together after anti-Semitic fliers were littered in several Sarasota neighborhoods. They refused to stay silent. Instead, they passed out yard signs reading “United Against Hate.” An action intended to cause hurt is being met with solidarity. Read the entire article……………………………….
Alpharetta seeking to connect with homeowners associations (GA)
Alpharetta likes to work closely with homeowners associations and other neighborhood organizations within the city to improve citizen outreach and communication. Read the entire article……………………………….
DeKalb Fire Department Johnson’s Chapel Station Gets $500 Donation from Mountain Harbour POA (TN)
Mountain Harbour Property Owners Association has donated $500 to the DeKalb County Fire Department’s Johnson’s Chapel Station. Read the entire article……………………………….
Wailea Community Association has contributed $18,000 to UH Maui College’s nursing students (HI)
To help address healthcare challenges during the pandemic, the Wailea Community Association began to financially support the University of Hawai?i Maui College nursing program in hopes of increasing healthcare resources for their homeowners and the community at large. Read the entire article……………………………….
Dealing With Difficult People In Your Homeowner’s Association
Living in a homeowner association, there is likelihood of running into someone that is, how should we say it, less than happy. We all have to deal with difficult people at some point. Some focus on what they don’t like about a person (loudmouth, condescending tone, etc) and then hope they will change. Not surprisingly, […]
HOA New Year’s Resolutions That The Board Should Focus On
The year 2021 is coming to a close, and a new year often means turning over a new leaf. For homeowners associations, it can also mean doing things better. What are the best HOA New Year’s resolutions that boards should make? Read the entire article……………………………….
Ivey Ranch HOA residents collect record donations for Toys for Tots
Ivey Ranch HOA residents in Thousand Palms donated a record number of toys this year to the Twentynine Palms Marine Corp Base annual Toy for Tots charity drive. Read the entire article……………………………….
HOA Homefront: In an increasingly hostile world, will we ever return to normal?
While the world still struggles with the pandemic, we yearn for a return to normalcy. In many places, this has already occurred, while in other places it is still underway. Read the entire article……………………………….
How residents of Fox Chase subdivision in St. Charles keep their neighborhood beautiful (IL)
It’s not that the city of St. Charles’ public works department can’t keep the median it owns in the Fox Chase subdivision in good shape. However, it is more than a half-mile long along Fox Chase Boulevard from Winners Cup Circle to Dunham Road. That’s a lot of trees and planting beds to maintain. Read […]
Board Tips for Setting Community Goals
To maximize the effectiveness of a condominium community, boards must make goal-setting an annual task. With the board’s responsibility to maintain and, ideally, improve the community, creating goals can provide a roadmap to ensure that happens. Goals help keep you on track, accountable, financially sound, and much more. The following are some expert tips for […]
Having HOA Neighbor Knowledge
One of any homeowner association’s challenges is helping neighbors “make nice”. The board is frequently called on to mediate disputes and fine neighbors for doing bad things. Actually, it’s not the board’s job and in most cases, except those that directly impact the common area, these “opportunities” should be bounced back to the complainer to […]
Where I live: Chisholm Ridge back from the brink of decline (TX)
I’m so proud of the Chisholm Ridge Homeowners Association where I live in North Fort Worth. We’re a pretty huge HOA with 1,197 homes. As commercial construction and population began to explode seven years ago, the “new” began to wear off our neighborhood. Read the entire article……………………………….
5 Ways to Get More Homeowners Involved in the HOA This Year
The homeowner’s function in an HOA or condo community is distinct. By getting active and taking ownership of important issues, homeowners may have a massive impact on their neighborhood and local environment. Read the entire article……………………………….
Top 5 Coop & Condo Laundry List Items (NY)
In apartment buildings, including coops and condos, the leasing income that we see most frequently is for leasing out the laundry room. A majority of the services in a multifamily building are owned by the housing corporation, but the laundry room is typically handled by a third-party laundry company that renews every few years. Read […]
Apopka road wins 2021 Corridor of the Year, thanks to HOA, volunteers and Orange Co. Commissioner Moore (FL)
Along Wekiwa Springs Rd. you may have noticed the large signs at either end, between SR 436 and Welch Road, proclaiming the road the winner of the 2021 District 2 Corridor of the Year (COY) Contest. Orange County Commissioner District 2 Christine Moore held the inaugural, friendly corridor competition to encourage neighborhoods along the nominated […]
How to Build Community in Your Condo or Co-op
When building up the community in a coop or condo, there are some common and very effective tools that a co-op board or condo board can use. But first, let’s talk about building a community in general. Like all other aspects of my life, I spend a lot of time building relationships and my community. […]
Touchmark residents, staff raise more than $35,000 for Alzheimer’s Association (OR)
For individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers, each day presents challenges that require compassion to overcome. In honor and support of their experiences, The Alzheimer’s Association promotes an annual fundraising season that culminates with two events, The Longest Day on the summer solstice and the annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s toward the end of […]
Apopka Police Dept. and Emerson Park HOA partner to host National Night Out in October (FL)
National Night Out (NNO) is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. This time together enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. Read the entire article……………………………….
Wiggins Lake property owners help Gladwin County veterans (MI)
The Wiggins Lake POA is giving the Gladwin County Veterans Relief Fund $5,000 on Monday, to help local veterans, particularly ones who are down on their luck. Read the entire article……………………………….
Loren Cove rewards first responders (FL)
Residents of Loren Cove in Viera wanted to show their appreciation for first responders. The Loren Cove Homeowners Association recently provided several boxes of snacks and drinks for Brevard Fire Rescue Station 47 on Murrell Road in Viera. Read the entire article……………………………….
5 Methods the HOA Board Can Use to Improve Homeowner Experience
As more people demand to live in a homeowners’ association (HOA), there is an ever-growing pressure for the services to improve or maintain the high standards already set. Impeccable HOA services help improve the standards of property maintenance, provide the necessary amenities for the residents, and create an avenue where the residents’ concerns can be […]
A sense of belonging: Committing to diversity, equity, and inclusion in community associations
A strong desire to feel a sense of belonging, to be treated fairly, and to recognize and embrace our differences: These ideals are at the core of who I am as a person and to the organization that I’m proud to support today. CAI is dedicated to promoting equality and opportunity in all aspects of […]
Maintaining Civility in Community Associations (FL)
This past year has brought out divisiveness and discord at all levels of governance, including community associations. Although emotions always seem to run particularly high, community associations have been filled with neighbors with differing values, preferences, and opinions as to how the association should be run and maintained. Even pre-COVID, association governance could become intensely […]
Peace of the Puzzle
DAVE MASON’S 1977 soft rock hit “We Just Disagree” has a message that should resonate for community association board members and managers. You might laugh, cringe, have no idea what I’m talking about, or get the song stuck in your head, but the chorus goes: So let’s leave it alone ’cause we can’t see eye […]
Steps Communities Can Take to Address Discrimination
Discrimination and harassment can be sensitive issues for community association boards and their managers to discuss. Association leaders should take steps to foster safety and inclusion in their communities by properly addressing discrimination and harassment complaints before they become widespread. Read the entire article……………………………….
How to Set up a National Night Out Event (NC)
Every community should become aware of their local police programs and encourage involvement. And what better way to do that than to host your own National Night Out event? Read the entire article……………………………….
Ramsey Lake Property Owners Association donates to local non-profits (MN)
The Ramsey Lake Property Owner’s Association (RLPOA) hosted its annual meeting on Saturday, June 26 at the home of RLPOA President, Scott Dumphy. Many topics were discussed including which organizations the lake association should donate to. Board members voted to donate, and equally distribute $2,500, to the following four non-profit organizations ($625 to each). Read […]
Tips for Boosting Member Engagement in Your Community (CA)
Involvement from community members is the cornerstone of quality HOA management. However, boards often struggle to increase participation from homeowners. Ironically, less engagement from community members is often a sign that association management is going well. Read the entire article……………………………….
Beautify Your Community Entrance
Can we talk about how a community’s curb appeal can improve property values? Most people don’t think about it until they buy or sell. But many other professionals are constantly valuing properties, neighborhoods, and community associations for various reasons. An entrance to a community or neighborhood can have a huge impact on the individual property […]
Oscoda Senior Condominium honors its residents who are veterans with event (MI)
Senior veterans living at the Oscoda Senior Condominiums were honored Sunday, May 30th with a dinner, awards, and live music. Several residents living at the condos cooked and provided a delicious dinner for the veterans. Plaques were made and awarded to each of the veterans. Read the entire article……………………………….
Birds of a Feather: TLHOA’s flamingo flocking puts the fun in fundraiser (CA)
Throughout the pandemic, our civic groups have worked hard to continue promoting community spirit while respecting social distancing guidelines. The Toluca Lake Homeowners Association (TLHOA) took its annual Turkey Trot virtual in fall 2020, but the modified event didn’t generate its usualRead the entire article……………………………….
The Membership Poll – The Pros, Cons & Confusion of Taking Membership Surveys (FL)
The line between what an association’s board can legally do as a matter of law and what the board should do as a matter of good practice and policy is often blurred without any practical guidance available for well-intentioned directors who want to do the very best they can for their community based upon very […]
8 Inviting Community Block Party Ideas for HOAs
One of the greatest things about being part of an HOA is joining in the community events. Barbecues at the pool or holiday parties in the clubhouse are always a draw, but some communities go big for the benefit of everyone in the neighborhood. Block parties are an opportunity for every member of your HOA […]
Can East Hills residents reverse ‘blightlining’ and ‘rotrification’ on Park Hill Drive? (PA)
A neighborhood group, a homeowners association and a new nonprofit are targeting the wrecked roofs and abandoned cars of a once-pristine townhouse community. Read the entire article……………………………….
Video of an altercation in a SC neighborhood led to BLM protests and an unlikely friendship
It all started with a Facebook Live of the neighbors debating the fallout from a viral video of a Fort Jackson soldier. Read the entire article……………………………….
They do it their way: Voluntary HOA keeps activities high and dues low (FL)
Imagine paying just $450 a year in homeowners association dues. And that your dues were voluntary. That’s the case at Coconut River Estates, an ungated community of about 200 homes off Airport-Pulling Road south of Golden Gate Parkway. Their civic association was started 32 years ago and has successfully managed upgrades of common buildings, expansion […]
‘What’s next?’: Condo residents relaying Christmas spirit in monthly tree transformation (ON)
Residents in a Richmond Hill condo building have something to look forward to in every single month during this unusual year. A tall Christmas tree is currently decorated with the Mother’s Day theme. Before that, Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day and Easter celebrations. People are wondering, “what’s next?” Read the entire article……………………………….
Expert Tips to Plan Your Next Community Event
As local restrictions on group gatherings are lifted throughout the state, many Southern California homeowners are eager to catch up with neighbors and begin re-connecting at community events. Planning and executing special events for an HOA always include a long list of considerations, but as we slowly turn the corner on the Covid-19 pandemic, there […]
Winds of change coming for condo group as Gomez aims to be community ‘convener’ (FL)
Armed with a promise to “look inward” and a priority list that prioritizes quality of life and condominium property values, Fausto Gomez is off and running as the new president of the Key Biscayne Condo President’s Council, an organization which has 34 of the island’s condo communities as members. Read the entire article……………………………….
Village HOA honored by Keep Sedona Beautiful (AZ)
KSB bestowed its award for Dark Sky Lighting to the Canyon Mesa Townhouse Association. Canyon Mesa is located in the Village of Oak Creek. Over the course of two years, 92% of homeowners took advantage of a voluntary project to replace light polluting outdoor fixtures with Dark Sky compliant sconces. Read the entire article……………………………….