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…………………………….
Miami Herald Column: “Association Leaves Too Many Unanswered Questions in News Report on 300% Increase”
The article, which is titled “Real Estate Counselor: Association Leaves Too Many Unanswered Questions in News Report on 300% Increase,” focuses on a recent report by Orlando’s CBS News 6 (www.clickorlando.com) on a brewing dispute at the city’s popular Baldwin Park community. It reads: 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 […]
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………………………..
HOA Emergency Preparedness: How to Communicate with Residents during an Emergency
In today’s world, emergency preparedness is more important than ever. As a Homeowner’s Association (HOA) Board member or HOA management, you must be ready to communicate quickly and efficiently with your residents during an emergency event. Read the article………………………..
Community Associations Should Take Proactive Approach to Maintaining Communications Channels with Non-Resident Owners (FL)
South Florida’s robust housing market attracts buyers from across the globe. Many of the area’s priciest and most luxurious enclaves are filled with part-time residents who use their properties as investments and vacation homes. 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 […]
Tips for Creating an Emergency Communication Plan for Your HOA
Emergencies often hit at a moment’s notice and bring chaos with them. Getting information out as fast as possible to as many residents as possible is vital, which can be a challenge, especially if you don’t already have a plan in place. With everything going on in an emergency, it is easy to forget even […]
HOA Reserve Studies: How to Communicate the Results to Residents
Homeowners Associations (HOAs) are responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of their community. This includes everything from landscaping to infrastructure, and it can be daunting without proper planning. Read the article………………………..
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………………………..
How Your HOA Board Can Help Prevent Gossip in Your Community
Gossip can create a lot of havoc in a community. It can lead to alienation of friends, emotional turmoil, ruined reputations, and any form of relational regression. A society that spreads rumors and gossip makes the residents uncomfortable and unable to interact with other residents well. Read the article………………………..
Helping to Alleviate Condominium Unit Owner Reservations About New Statutory Reserve Requirements (FL)
The unanimous passage of Florida Senate Bill-4D was met with jeers, cheers and fears to some degree by nearly every Floridian who owns, manages, insures or advises a condominium property in the State. Among the most anticipated of the statutory changes to Chapter 718, Florida Statutes (The Condominium Act) in the aftermath of the Champlain […]
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 […]
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 […]
How to Prevent Community Gossip
Gossip is harmful in all organizations, and homeowners’ associations (HOAs) are no exception. The spread of rumors and misinformation can cause division, hinder operations, and undermine productivity. As a board member, keeping gossip out of your community shows residents your commitment to peace, harmony, and easy living. Read the entire article……………………………….
Condo violation letters
When it comes to rule enforcement and violations, it seems that HOAs are always the topic of discussion. But condo developments are required to enforce rules and bylaws as well. In fact, it’s imperative that violations are promptly addressed in condo buildings. While a noisy neighbor may impact one household in a neighborhood of single-family […]
Homeowner has legitimate concerns about HOA communication (NV)
Q: I live in a Reno community with a homeowners association. I would like clarification on how homeowners are to receive notices from the management company. Are certain notices supposed to be via postal mail and not email? Read the Q&A……………………………………
We need better communication in Stone Creek (FL)
Communication is vital for relationships and all aspects of society. How things are communicated is also vital. Communications without specifics or which are vague can cause problems. Read the entire article……………………………….
Between a Rock and a Hard Place (insurance)
There has been quite a bit of chatter about how insurance premiums for common interest developments have increased dramatically over the last year. Communities that are in wildfire hazard areas are faced with non-renewals and in many cases are having to turn to the excess and surplus insurance markets. If they can find coverage, it […]
Text Messaging for HOAs: Reasons Your HOA Needs to Improve It
How is communication between HOA management and homeowners? Make use of text messaging for HOAs to make sure messages are read and replied to. Read the entire article……………………………….
Association Responses to Requests for Information Regarding Condominium Structural Integrity (FL)
In the wake of the devastating collapse of the Champlain Towers South Condominium in Surfside, Florida, many current owners and potential purchasers of condominium units are, understandably, requesting information from associations regarding the structural soundness of the condominium property. Although associations generally do not, and are not required to, release their official records to potential […]
How To Correctly Fix Broken Amenities Within a Homeowners Association
An HOA board member is a person who devotes a great deal of time and resources to the community. You are not a passive observer destined to pass judgment without doing anything. Being in a position of power involves certain responsibilities. As one of your duties, you are responsible for ensuring your association is run […]
5 Helpful Communication Strategies for your Homeowners Association (CA)
Communication plays a big role in managing a homeowners association. Having the right platforms helps you effectively distribute essential information to all of your members. It also encourages all members to participate in discussions and show up at important events. This article discusses the many ways to help you achieve this. Read the entire article……………………………….
What “Transparency” Really Means in Co-ops and Condos
I spend many evenings every year attending annual co-op and condo meetings, and during the election phase of those meetings, I usually hear demands for better communication from the boards to their shareholders and unit-owners. Read the entire article……………………………….
Membership Notification of Potential Issues (CA)
Asked – Our HOA Board of Directors has become aware of a potential issue with the fire resistive construction in the walls between two condominium units. The Board is split on whether notice to the membership as a whole is warranted at this time, prior to the conclusion of the investigation, given that this potential […]
How to Improve HOA Board Transparency in Your Community (NJ)
HOA board transparency is vital to build a strong relationship between board members and homeowners. Even though not all issues can be communicated, being honest with homeowners about what’s happening and how it impacts them is key. To improve HOA board transparency with homeowners, here are five helpful steps you should implement. Read the entire […]
Condo Board Tips for Delivering Bad News
One of the major responsibilities of a board of directors is to enact rules, regulations, and policies that maintain or enhance the safety, health, and well-being of a condominium community. Additionally, a board must also enforce the rules and regulations. Sending a homeowner a notice of non-compliance can often be unpleasant and stressful. Because bad […]
5 Strategic Ways to Deliver Bad News to The Owners — A Guide for Boards
Delivering bad news is difficult. This is why successful HOA Board Members will go to any length to ensure the news is delivered in a way that minimizes conflict and frustration. As a board member, it’s normal to feel ambivalence when delivering bad news. Read the entire article……………………………….
Bad News Boards | 5 Tips to Delivering Bad News
As an HOA board member, it is inevitable that at some point, you will have to deliver bad news to homeowners and the members of your community. Depending on the gravity of the issue, bad news can trigger misunderstandings that result in lengthy legal battles and diminished trust between you and the residents. Read the […]
Communication with Owners: Best Practices
Lack of communication or ineffective communication can damage any relationship. If I fail to communicate at all then I lose credibility, create suspicion or mistrust, and potentially cause or perpetuate conflict. On the other hand, if I communicate ineffectively, thenit makes no difference what I say as it will either be misunderstood, disregarded or, again, […]
7 Best Practices to Better Inform & Engage Your HOA Members
Keeping residents informed is one of the most essential functions of an HOA. As residents become more involved in their community, they expect transparency and up to the minute information from their community leaders. That’s why placing communications at the center of your HOA operations is crucial to a community’s success. Excellent communication fosters a […]
HOA Lawsuits: Disclosure
Knowing how to handle a lawsuit against the HOA responsibly and professionally will help your association navigate this stressful situation with as little turbulence as possible. In this article, we’ll go over how to respond to a lawsuit and what the HOA can do to avoid legal action against the association. Read the article…………………………………….
HOA welcome letters and packets
HOA welcome packets can help new owners feel more at home, but there’s much more to a good packet than a nice letter and list of rules. Welcome packets allow associations to showcase the best of the development, including amenities and perks of living in the community, while creating a positive experience and making expectations […]
HOA Board Tips for Delivering Bad News
One of the major responsibilities of a board of directors is to enact rules, regulations, and policies that maintain or enhance the safety, health, and well-being of a homeowners’ association (HOA). Additionally, a board must also enforce the rules and regulations. Sending a homeowner a notice of non-compliance can often be unpleasant and stressful. Because […]
How to Deliver Bad News in a Way That Builds Trust (NY)
If you serve on your co-op or condo board, it’s inevitable that one day you’ll have to deliver bad news to your shareholders or unit-owners. Maybe an expensive and highly visible capital project has fallen seriously behind schedule. Maybe you have to increase common charges way more than expected. Or maybe mandated work on your […]
How Can An HOA Email System Improve Communications In The Community
Communication will always remain an essential part of managing a homeowners association. One of the ways HOA boards stay in touch with residents is through newsletters, though, it is now an outdated form of communication. Make the switch to an HOA email system to help improve communications within your community. Read the article………………………………..
Meeting Emerging Expectations by Digitizing Communications and Transactions (CO)
What do Millennials actually want? This question has been front and center in recent years for anyone who is interested in marketing services or products to the globe’s largest rising group with purchasing power. Millennials have been accused of being “flighty” and “killing off” everything from “the concept of the starter home” to “napkins,” according […]