A well-managed community is a full time job, but it doesn’t have to be a burden. Instead of burdening the board and community managers with every HOA need, consider using volunteer-based committees. Like board members, volunteers from your community have the best interest of the neighborhood in mind. By leveraging their willingness to help out, […]
All About Political Signs in Your HOA Community
With Election Day right around the corner more people are posting political signs in their yards. Regardless of yours or your neighbors’ political opinions, it’s necessary for your community to have rules and procedures around displaying political signage. Most states/cities/counties have laws in place regarding the number and size of political signs people can post […]
HAM Radio Towers and Antennas in Your HOA Community
On July 13, 2016, the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce gave its stamp of approval to a compromise version of H.R. 1301, the Amateur Radio Parity Act. Community Associations Institute opposed H.R. 1301 as introduced, which preempted association restrictions on HAM radio and drastically limited association architectural control of amateur radio antennas. With […]
HOA Towing: Can You Tow? Should You Tow?
Parking enforcement by any HOA can be an especially frustrating issue for both board members and homeowners because it concerns one of the most valuable items in any homeowner’s possession: their vehicle. Towing is a hot-button issue for most, so if your HOA’s governing documents stipulate that towing is allowed, just what should your HOA […]
4 Tips for Choosing a Towing Company for Your HOA Community
So You Decided Towing Is for You? Here are 4 things to consider when choosing a towing company: Read the article………….
Rainwater Collection Systems Policies in Your Homeowners Association
Some states like Texas prohibit HOA communities from banning rainwater collection systems, as the benefits of these systems are tremendous. However, if you are considering when outlining your HOA rainwater collection policy. Read the article………….
Know your Duty as HOA Treasurer: 6 helpful tips
Your HOA board is responsible for many important decisions, but one of the most important responsibilities is maintaining the financial health of the association. Although each board member needs to participate in sound financial decision-making, no one is more responsible than the HOA treasurer. It is the treasure’s responsibility to protect the association’s assets, and […]
Dealing with Squatters
While the term “squatter” may make you think of crumbling buildings and homelessness, it can be a very real problem for well-kept and well-managed communities. Since dealing with squatters can be difficult, knowing the telltale signs and how to properly handle the situation is key. Here are some guidelines to help you navigate these tricky […]
Pokémon Chasing: Coming Soon to an HOA Near You
This gaming craze has created stories and news all over the U.S. It’s even impacting HOA’s and homeowner association management companies. Homeowners are calling in concerned about the activity they are seeing go on in the community. After further research community manager and board members have found the activity was not dangerous but rather it […]
When a Storm Strikes Your HOA: How you respond is critical
You were just hit by a big storm, you know there is damage and are grateful everyone is safe; and that you have insurance. But, did you know that you as a homeowner are responsible to prevent additional damage and if you don’t mitigate then it could get very expensive? Read the article…………
American Flags In Your HOA: Let the Stars and Stripes Fly Free
With the Fourth of July right around the corner, more and more homeowners will hang their American flag, and while you may be tempted to micromanage their flag flying freedoms, don’t. Instead, recognize that as Americans, their right to fly the flag is federally protected and draft your HOA policies around your state’s regulations regarding […]
Coping with Change in your HOA
Change can be tough, and while it makes some people nervous, it also provides HOAs with the opportunity to improve their community. So, to help you manage change in a positive way, we thought we’d share a few helpful tips and tricks. Read the article………….
Becoming a Landlord in an HOA Community
Having a rental property can be a great way to add some supplementary income to your pocketbook. When that rental property is in a community with an HOA, it offers a lot of advantages for both you and your tenants, like keeping property values high (which benefits you) but also keeping community areas nice (which […]
HOA & Xeriscaping
When you hear the word “xeriscaping,” does it evoke images in your mind of endless gravel, rocks, and cacti? Well, if you’re like most people, this is probably how you tend to view xeriscaping and it may seem less-than-appealing to you as your choice of landscaping. Don’t be too fast to rule it out of […]
7 Mistakes New HOA Board Members Should Avoid
Congrats, you’re the newest HOA board member in your community! Chances are if you made the move to get elected to the board, there was a reason why you wanted to get involved in your community—whether there were specific changes you wanted to be a part of or you just wanted to volunteer to make […]
Security Cameras and HOA Policy – Prepare before assuming the role as big brother
Security cameras in your HOA can be a handy security tool, but if they’re not managed properly, they can end up being more of a headache (and a liability). Before your HOA installs them, make sure your board drafts a policy to dictate how the cameras will be used and managed Read the article………….
Defalcation and the Hazards of Board Membership – Lessons from the Fifth Circuit (TX)
Do you serve on your condominium’s board as a fun way to meet your neighbors and test out your governance skills? What seems like a low-commitment diversion can balloon into a stressful time suck – or worse. You may be held personally liable for breaching fiduciary duties to your condo. And if you fall into […]
HOA Security: How Safe is Your Community?
Safe neighborhoods are desirable, a safe AND desirable community is what every HOA strives to accomplish and maintain. While everyone knows living in a safe community is important, it isn’t always as easy to know how to make and keep a community safe. No matter where your community is located, the following tips are guaranteed […]
Fiduciary Duty and What it Means for Your HOA Board
Just try saying that five times fast. Not only is it a serious mouthful, it also carries serious legal obligations and potential consequences. As board members, your community has entrusted you with the “power” to make decisions on their behalf and in the best interest of the community. It is your obligation to remove your […]
Five Symptoms of Chronic HOA Board Fatigue
Most management companies claim to perform the “same tasks,” but the approach they take and whether or not they actually perform those functions are another question. Every day we get phone calls and emails from HOA board members who are frustrated with their current management companies. Often, they’ve been with one company for years, and […]
Fireplace Safety in Your Home and HOA Community
For many, the essence of winter is curling up next to the warmth of a crackling fireplace while enjoying the sights of the snow-dusted scenery outside. Unless of course you live in a Arizona or Texas, in which case it’s much less likely that your home will have a fireplace. If you do have a […]
Volunteer Labor in your HOA: Worth the Risk?
HOA Board members face a lot of decisions when it comes to finances. Usually those decisions involve trying to figure out how to be as responsible as possible to keep the HOA budgets in good shape. Sometimes, Boards will have the idea to rely on volunteer labor from community members for cleanup or maintenance projects […]
Noise in your HOA Community
3 Steps for community peace; we’ll tackle world peace next time. Noisy neighbors… Almost everyone will have to deal with them at some point in their adult life, whether they live in a single family home, condo, or apartment. It can be anything from the early bird next door who starts the lawnmower at […]
What to Do If You Have to Levy a Special Assessment
In a previous post, we talked about the importance of adequately funding your reserves as an HOA. While it would be ideal for every HOA to have a healthy reserve fund that could cover almost any unexpected cost, that’s not always the case. Not all associations have built up a reserve over time. Some may […]
The Three R’s of HOAs: Rules and Regulations
When most people hear the term “the three R’s,” they probably think of the phrase “reduce, reuse, recycle” that they learned in grade school. But did you know that there are three R’s that apply to homeowner associations, too? Rules, regulations, and resolutions are a core part of every HOA and they help define the […]
HOA Budgeting 101: How to Budget for Your HOA Community
It’s HOA budget season. Everyone talks about needing a budget, but very few people like budgeting. While it takes time, attention to detail, and intense practicality, a detailed budget is essential for any HOA that plans to operate with the funds necessary to for reasonable service and maintenance. Follow these steps to help your HOA […]
4 Steps for Managing HOA Board Member Conflicts
No matter how hard you work to avoid conflicts of interests, you’ll likely find yourself encountering one at some point during your time as a HOA board member. A conflict of interest occurs when a board member places their own self interest ahead of what’s best for the association and community member. Let’s go over […]
Waging War on HOA Weeds
Why is it that the plants you want to keep green and living always brown and wilt, while the weeds you try to kill flourish and drive you nuts? It’s a problem that plagues every yard, in every community no matter what part of the country you live in. While the problem is inevitable, there […]
5 HOA Parking Enforcement Tips
Many communities, especially those made up of townhomes and condos, restrict parking curbside. Even though this is a great tactic to keep the community safe and looking nice, it can oftentimes annoy homeowners who don’t see the real reason for the rules. If your community struggles with parking problems, then we hope we can help. […]
Preventing HOA Paint Problems
Exterior painting can be an expensive and daunting task, especially if many homes in your community are in need of fresh coat. Unfortunately when a community reaches 7-10 years old, most of the homes likely need new paint, and every 7-10 years after that. If homeowners don’t deal with it, homes starts to look run […]
Dog Poop and HOA Compliance
Picture this: you’re walking through your community’s common area with your family, enjoying an early-evening walk when you hear a distinctive “SQUISH”. You’ve just stepped in poop. Gross! There are very few things that can ruin a nice walk faster than stepping in a pile of dog poop. If your neighborhood suffers from constant “gifts” […]
10 Ways to Be a Better HOA Board Member
Your job as an HOA board member isn’t always smooth sailing. While being on your HOA board is important to you, it’s likely not your only job. The extra time and attention it requires for meetings, decisions, and other duties can sometimes feel like a burden. Instead of throwing your hands up, we’ve compiled a […]
Landscaping With Artificial Turf in an HOA Neighborhood
With increasing concerns over drought and water conservation, artificial turf is growing in popularity. If your first thought is “ew,” you’re probably visualizing the scratchy plastic carpet in Aunt Edna’s sunroom or a miniature golf course. You may want to reconsider. Over the past several years, technology has dramatically improved the look and feel of […]
6 Tips for HOA Media Crisis Management
If you’ve ever heard the term “any press is good press,” you also probably know that it’s a motto used by most celebrities, politicians, and even corporations in mainstream media today. Even less-than-favorable publicity is considered a bonus for these groups simply because of the brand recognition it creates. Read the article……………
Are Your Retention Ponds Safe During Monsoon Season? (TX)
Proper water drainage is an issue that every HOA needs to address at some point. Whether the drainage system in your neighborhood is working great or could use some improvement, here are some general guidelines to keep in mind for retention ponds to keep homes and residents safe in your area. Read the article……….
Condos: 2015 (Texas) Legislative Update
The 84th Texas Legislature made multiple changes to the laws affecting property owners associations. The majority of the changes impact single family HOAs, but one important change was made to Chapter 82 of the Texas Property Code, or the Texas Uniform Condominium Act (“TUCA”). Section 82.119 takes effect on September 1, 2015, and represents a […]
Religion in the Community (TX)
Representative Matt Krause from Tarrant County has filed a House Joint Resolution, HJR No. 125. The bill proposes a constitutional amendment relating to a person’s free exercise of religion. It specifically states: “A homeowners’ association may not burden in any way a person’s free exercise of religion unless the burden is: (1) necessary to further […]
Reconsider Videotaping Meetings
To video or not to video? Just like with running a business, managing an HOA, includes keeping detailed records. Traditionally, taking minutes of HOA meetings are one of the most common ways to record what was discussed or agreed upon. But recently, some HOAs have started to videotape meetings in place of conventional minutes. As […]
HOA Paint Projects – Planning is Key
We all wish that once a home was painted, we never had to touch that project again. Sadly, Mother Nature isn’t so friendly to paint, and almost every home will need new exterior paint around the 10-12 year mark. If your community is in need of a good paint job, don’t sweat! While painting is […]
HOA Crime Prevention
Safety is one of the most important aspects of having a neighborhood that homeowners want to be a part of. Keeping crime and vandalism rates low or nonexistent should be a top priority for any HOA board, but accomplishing this may be more difficult in some neighborhoods than others. No matter the specific needs of […]
HOA Boardroom Etiquette and Decorum
At Spectrum, we recognize that all HOA board members are busy and have many other things are their plates. After all, you are volunteers who take time out of your schedules to help improve our community. That being said, we know it’s important to board members for their meetings to be as productive and efficient […]
Check out your HOA guidelines on grills!
When the sun comes out to play, it is natural to crave delicious barbeque! As you prepare for the summer months, take some time to review your HOA’s policies on grilling. Depending on the type of homes in your area (condo, townhouse, patio home, etc.), HOA policy may restrict grilling based on building and fire […]
Why Your HOA Should Contribute to Reserves
HOA boards and committees have to think about not only its community’s residents, but also its finances, taking care of day-to-day management and having to think ahead in case of unforeseen circumstances. With that being said, each year the committee sets up the community’s operating budget that deals with things like insurance premiums, utility bills, […]
How to Create A Sense Of Community In Your HOA
Many homeowners don’t feel a sense of community in their Neighborhoods or see the value their HOA provides. They know have to pay extra money on top of their mortgage to the community, but what value do they receive? This confusion and sense of isolation doesn’t have to exist in your community if your board […]
It’s a Bird! It’s a Plane! It’s a — Drone?
You may have recently sightedadrone flying over Texas airspace, especially if you follow college football. A University of Texas student was arrested for flying a drone over Darrell K. Royal – Texas Memorial Stadium during the first home football game last fall. The incident raises the application of the newly enacted Texas Privacy Act. […]
CAI Best Practices: Ethics
Simply put, when someone is employing ethics, he or she recognizes what is right and what is wrong and is choosing to do the right thing; however, as a great deal of business ethics literature will attest, “the right thing” is not always straightforward. For example, most ethical dilemmas in the workplace are not simply […]
Preparing your Condo Association for Winter Weather
With fall already here and winter being right around the corner, it’s good to ask yourself whether your Dallas condominium association is ready for the winter weather or not. Hundreds of condominium associations and townhome associations across the Dallas/Fort Worth area have already begun scrambling to deal with the increasingly colder weather conditions. […]
The Board and Homeowner Struggle
One of the most often asked questions we hear from disgruntled homeowners is “who gave the board the right to tell me how to live my life?” This is a question we hear almost every day, and it is one you’ll oft hear repeated in the media and at homeowners associations all over the United […]