Creating an Electronic Communication Policy for Your HOA

Your HOA communicates through several different methods, both when you’re communicating with your members and when you’re communicating with homeowners within the association. In order to successfully govern electronic communication methods like emails and social media posts, it’s important that your HOA develop a strong policy for those methods of communication   Read the article…………………………….

Effective Communication Strategies for HOA Boards (MD)

Transparent and consistent communication is the cornerstone of every HOA community. Without it, there will be no trust between the HOA Board and homeowners. Yet, for something so important, many HOA Boards struggle with using good communication.   Read the article…………………………….

Welcome Aboard–Crafting the Perfect HOA Welcome Letter

First impressions matter, especially in a Homeowners Association (HOA) community. A well-crafted welcome letter can set the tone for new residents, making them feel part of the community from day one. This guide will walk you through the essentials of creating a perfect HOA welcome letter and why considering an accompanying newsletter can be beneficial.  […]

How to Master HOA Communication

Effective communication is the backbone of any successful Homeowners Association (HOA). It builds trust, fosters community spirit, and ensures everyone is on the same page. Whether you’re a board member, a property manager, or an active resident, mastering HOA communication can significantly enhance your community’s well-being. Let’s dive into Aquity’s top tips for excelling in […]

Hidden Valley’s President’s Message for January (AB)

Happy New Year Hidden Valley and Hanson Ranch residents! As we move further into the winter season, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the incredible work our board has been doing and share some exciting updates with you all. The Hidden Valley Community Association (HVCA) continues to thrive thanks to the dedication, […]

How to Advocate for Financial Transparency in Your HOA

Financial transparency in your HOA (homeowners association) might sound like a dry topic, but it’s one of the keys to a happy, well-managed community. Since many of us live in communities with HOAs, understanding how they operate and how their actions affect us can make a difference in our overall satisfaction with our neighborhood.    Read […]

Effective Communication of Reserve Study Results for HOAs

Effectively communicating reserve study results is essential for HOA boards to maintain transparency and trust with homeowners. When HOA boards clearly convey reserve study results and funding needs, they foster a better understanding among homeowners about the importance of long-term financial planning. This guide provides actionable strategies for presenting reserve study results, ensuring community support […]

5 Essential Steps to Rebuilding Your Community After Hurricanes Helene and Milton

In the span of just two weeks, Hurricanes Helene and Milton wreaked havoc and untold damage across the Southeast. Helene struck first, bringing 100+ mph winds and significant flooding to coastal areas. Barely a week later, Milton followed with even greater intensity, packing 120 mph winds, deadly tornadoes, and devastating rain bands that submerged entire […]

Creating an Electronic Communication Policy for Your HOA

Your HOA communicates through several different methods, both when you’re communicating with your members and when you’re communicating with homeowners within the association. In order to successfully govern electronic communication methods like emails and social media posts, it’s important that your HOA develop a strong policy for those methods of communication.   Read the article…………………………….

How to Improve Your HOA Newsletter

Getting the word out on the latest association initiatives helps your owners reap the benefits of an HOA and promotes a healthy and thriving place for people to live. However, not everyone has the time to attend regular board meetings, and other means of communication are essential for frequent updates.   Read the article…………………………….

Tips To Make Your HOA Newsletter Pure Gold

Homeowner association newsletters are a great way to enlighten, inform, remind and encourage. Inviting the membership to HOA events and meetings helps neighbors meet neighbors. Frequent reminders of important rules or architectural policies helps build a friendlier and more harmonious community. Recognizing volunteer efforts encourages others to step up. Newsletters needn’t be long and involved, […]

How to Conduct a Successful HOA Community Feedback Survey

Conducting a feedback survey is an invaluable tool for homeowners associations to gauge resident satisfaction, identify issues, and improve community management…..The success of a feedback survey begins with thorough planning. Start by defining the survey’s objectives by asking yourself what specific information you are seeking. Some common objectives include assessing member satisfaction, gathering opinions on […]

Steps to Improve Communication Between HOA Boards and Residents

Effective communication between homeowner’s association (HOA) boards and residents fosters a collaborative community. Clear and open dialogue helps address concerns, share information, and build trust. As a leading Wesley Chapel association management company, we have seen firsthand how implementing the following five steps enhances the communication between your HOA board and residents.    Read the article…………………………….

What Should Be In Your HOA Welcome Letter

Moving into a new home is a whirlwind of excitement, packing, and adjustments — and if your new home is part of a homeowners association (HOA) community, there’s an added layer of information to process. A comprehensive, thoughtfully crafted HOA welcome letter is a fantastic way to ease the transition for new homeowners and demonstrate […]

Tips For Creating An HOA Welcome Letter & Packet

The HOA welcome letter and packet are essential tools for welcoming new homeowners into your community. This initial communication sets the stage for a positive relationship between the resident and the homeowners association (HOA). A well-designed HOA welcome packet ensures new homeowners transition smoothly into the community by providing key information, outlining expectations, and fostering […]

Disclosing Legal Information to Homeowners

An HOA board member should never disclose an open legal case with another resident for several important reasons: 1. Confidentiality and Privacy: Legal cases often involve sensitive personal information. Disclosing details about an ongoing legal matter can violate the privacy rights of the individuals involved and breach confidentiality agreements, leading to potential legal consequences for […]

9 HOA Newsletter Ideas: Tips for Improving Your HOA Newsletter

Looking for HOA newsletter article ideas and topics to cover? Wondering how you can make each of your HOA newsletters a success?  Like all organizations that care about their members, HOAs also use community newsletters to share relevant and valuable information with their community.   Read the article…………………………….

3 Reasons Why HOA Transparency Matters in Your Community Association

As members of our HOA community, we may sometimes feel that rules and regulations are unfair or fees are too high. Our board may need more support when it comes to governing the HOA. Increasing HOA transparency can help everyone work together and operate more effectively, bringing numerous benefits.    Read the article…………………………….

Mandatory Annual Disclosures that CA HOAs Must Make to Members (CA)

The Davis-Stirling Act, a set of laws that governs California’s HOAs, requires HOAs to provide its members with a whole host of annual disclosures. These mandatory annual disclosures, which must generally be provided to all homeowners anywhere from 30 to 90 days prior to the end of the HOA’s fiscal year, basically fall into two […]

How to Communicate Condo HOA Dues Increases and Handle Homeowner Concerns

Increasing Condo HOA dues is never an easy decision, and it can often lead to concerns and resistance within the condo community.  Condo owners may worry about the financial impact and question the necessity of the increase.  Addressing their concerns and being transparent about the reasons for the increase can foster a sense of trust […]

How to Advocate for Financial Transparency in Your HOA

Financial transparency in your HOA (homeowners association) might sound like a dry topic, but it’s one of the keys to a happy, well-managed community. Since many of us live in communities with HOAs, understanding how they operate and how their actions affect us can make a difference in our overall satisfaction with our neighborhood.   Read […]

Communicating Reserve Study Results to Homeowners

Board members and managers sometimes ask us how to effectively communicate the results of their Reserve Study to homeowners, or how to “sell” the value of a Reserve Study to their homeowner members. We’ve spent decades focusing on preparing Reserve Studies for our clients, but appreciate now that boards and managers often need some help […]

Community Messaging During Times of Financial Turmoil (CO)

Nobody LIKES to have those hard discussions with board members and homeowners on the reality of the Association’s financial health, but it is increasingly becoming a necessity within the HOA industry. Over the past 10 years, we have endured dramatic price increases across the board, including basic labor rates, material price increases in some industries […]

Best Practices for Effective Communication within the HOA

Communication within a homeowners association is pivotal for fostering a cohesive community, ensuring smooth operations, and maintaining resident satisfaction. Effective communication not only enhances transparency but also promotes trust among board members, residents, and management companies. In this article, we’ll discuss essential strategies and tools that can enhance and streamline communication within your HOA.   Read […]

Tips for Effective HOA Board Communication

Effective communication is not just a tool but the very essence of a successful homeowner’s association (HOA) Board. It is the thread that weaves harmony throughout the community. Without good communication, HOA Boards will deal with much more conflict and discontent from their residents.  Such an important skill deserves devoted study. That is why we […]

Social Media Best Practices For Your Community

The primary allure of social media in community associations lies in its ability to foster enhanced communication. Platforms like Nextdoor and Facebook groups offer a space for neighbors to share information — from community events to security alerts — and foster a more connected and informed community. This real-time interaction boosts transparency and aids in […]

How to Write an Effective HOA Violation Letter

Violation letters play a crucial role in maintaining community standards, ensuring fairness, and preventing issues from escalating. They help keep the community safe, attractive, and harmonious by addressing non-compliance early on, ensuring all residents are treated equally, and are aware of their obligations.   Read the article…………………………….

Effective Communication Strategies for Community Association Boards (OH)

Effective communication is vital for board members. In fact, it is the cornerstone of a thriving community association. Enhanced communication can make owners feel informed, involved, and empowered, and ultimately encourages confidence and participation. Let’s delve into why communication matters:   Read the article…………………………….

7 Strategies to Keep Your Condo_HOA Out of the Bad News

Living in a condominium or a homeowners association (HOA) community offers many benefits, from shared amenities to a sense of community. But what if suddenly a disgruntled resident files a lawsuit, a maintenance mishap makes headlines, or a heated disagreement escalates on social media.   Read the article…………………………….

HOA Winter Preparation: Getting Your Community Ready for the Cold Season

To any planned community, HOA winter preparation is vital. The winter season, especially in some states, can be very harsh. Pipes can freeze over and burst, while snow can quickly pile up and cause traffic problems. A competent HOA board would do well to get ahead of the winter months by preparing the entire association […]

14 Tips for Writing Your HOA Newsletter

If you’re on the board of a homeowner’s association (HOA), you need a way to keep your community informed. A newsletter is a fantastic way to convey vital information to your membership—from what happened in the last board meeting to policies to local events!   Read the article………………………..

Sharing Community Financials

As a community association board member or manager, you are ultimately responsible for managing the finances of a business – your community. The association members are all stakeholders in that business, so sharing financial information with them is essential to building and maintaining trust and credibility.   Read the article………………………..

Balancing the Need for Privacy vs. Transparency

Homeowners’ associations are established for the benefit of all of the owners and residents within the community. A board of directors that is charged with managing the affairs of the association has a fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of the association as a whole. Part of that duty entails being open and […]

How To Keep Residents Engaged in Their HOA (MD)

Living in an HOA community is an inherently communal experience. Yes, everyone has their own home. However, neighbors all live close to one another. Everyone has a vested interest in the community succeeding.   Read the article………………………..

Seven tips for building trust in condo communities

It is unlikely that the condo’s declaration, bylaws, rules, or policies include any reference to trust; yet good governance cannot be achieved without it. Directors might assume that meeting their fiduciary responsibilities is enough, but specific actions that provide the evidence on which trust is built are also required.   Read the article………………………..

HOA Newsletter: Why Make One For The Community?

In the past, newsletters were a staple in HOA communities. As technologies evolved, though, they have largely dwindled in number, with associations choosing other forms of communication. But, an HOA newsletter still has plenty of advantages.   Read the article………………………..

The Power of Communication to Maintain Unity in the Community (OH)

Lack of communication from a board to owners can wreak havoc on a community association. It can create mistrust among the owners, may perpetuate conflict (an “us versus them” mentality between owners and the board), and can lead to spreading rumors and false information. Here are some helpful tips that community association board’s can use […]

How to create and deliver HOA newsletters for free

Did something newsworthy happen in your community this month? Well don’t keep it a secret! Whether it’s financial data, an update to a rule or an announcement about an upcoming event, newsletters can be a great way to keep HOA members informed and engaged.   Read the article………………………..

Tips for HOA boards on dealing with increasing demands from owners

It’s not just your imagination. Homeowner demands are increasing, and unfortunately, the hours in your day are not.  If you and your board are starting to feel overwhelmed by emails, calls, and verbal requests, we’ve got some ideas to help your team succeed.     Read the article………………………..

Tips for making sure your condo or HOA community is aware of new rules

HOA and condo rules work to complement bylaws and covenants, conditions and restrictions (CC&Rs). These rules and regulations are intended to help keep communities safe, as well as address potential issues or recurring problems within the community. Some common rules include parking guidelines, trash and recycling procedures, pet restrictions, pool rules, maintenance standards and rental […]

Every Voice Matters: The Best Ways to Get Input from Homeowners

Asking owners to share how they feel and what they want to see in their community might be harder than you think. After all, many homeowners may not understand the limitations of the association or the benefits that the association has to offer.   Read the entire article……………………………….

Tips for making sure your condo or HOA community is aware of new rules

HOA and condo rules work to complement bylaws and covenants, conditions and restrictions (CC&Rs). These rules and regulations are intended to help keep communities safe, as well as address potential issues or recurring problems within the community. Some common rules include parking guidelines, trash and recycling procedures, pet restrictions, pool rules, maintenance standards and rental […]