HOA Management Blog

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.

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.

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 to use the operating fund and reserve fund, and use them correctly so they don’t find the Association in financial ruin.

You’ve heard the phrase, “don’t judge a book by its cover.” But sometimes, it’s important to not underestimate the power of first impressions. Take the signage in your homeowners association for instance.

The HOA board is responsible for protecting, maintaining, and enhancing the Association, but this is difficult to do on its own. Board members willingly volunteer their time and resources to make sure their community is a pleasant place to call home. If it’s not run effectively, then it won’t be a pleasant place at all. Since HOA board members are volunteers, they don’t always have the time or expertise to make sure the Association is being run properly. This is where an HOA management company comes in.

When living in a homeowners association residents are expected to pay assessments that are used to make the community a nice place to live. These fees contribute to utility and vendor bills, maintenance, short term and long term projects, and upkeep of amenities such as the pool.

How would you define an effective HOA board meeting? Most people would see it as time spent efficiently, where issues are addressed, reasonable business decisions are made, and action items are assigned, in an atmosphere of respect and collaboration.

Do you remember receiving the covenants, conditions and restrictions (CC&Rs) when you moved into the Association? Do you know that they are very important to you as the homeowner? Have you taken a look at these documents lately? If not, now is a great time to brush up on the do’s and don’ts of your community. There is no time like the present to make sure you are in compliance.

When you hear the word “meeting” do you want to run in the other direction? We’ve all been in meetings that drag on and on, feel like a waste of time because nothing gets accomplished, or are outright exhausting because board members spend the time arguing with each other. What if you had a few tricks up your sleeve to make HOA board members actually look forward to meetings? Okay, at least not dread going to Association meetings? Here’s what you need to do.

As an HOA property manager you never want to see a rise in crime at a homeowners association you oversee, and that is exactly what I am experiencing at one of the properties I manage.

For those who have green thumbs, but are living in tiny quarters, an impressive garden may seem unattainable. However, many are turning toward urban gardening in their homeowners association, bringing plant life into unique spaces and growing gardens in every nook and cranny. These miniature “Edens” bring great natural beauty and help reduce our carbon footprints. As more people move to urban areas, urban gardens are becoming more popular, and encouraging those who have never planted to go dig in the dirt to see what comes up. While urban gardening does have its challenges, we have a few tips on how to overcome them to bring your small garden into full bloom.

Your HOA board has decided it’s time to hire an HOA management company, and you are in charge of the interview process. You know there are probably general questions you should ask, and other things you should find out before signing any kind of contracts. But, you’re still a relatively new board member and want to do this right, so where do you start? Right here. Below are some important things to consider before you hire an HOA management company.