HOA Management Blog

As summer approaches it’s a great time to put a few easy best practices in place to keep bothersome bugs from ruining outdoor fun, and encouraging your homeowner’s association residents to do the same. Before enjoying barbecue parties and sleeping under the stars many people spray themselves and their lawns with chemical repellants to get rid of these pests, but there are natural alternatives that are environmentally friendly to the homes and common areas in your association. Here are a few tips to help you enjoy a bug-free summer.

Among homeowners association managers within our company, we have made training an emphasis.  We attend conferences, seminars, classes, etc., so that we cannot only be certified but also continue to gain skills and knowledge to help us do our job better.  I remember at a particular law seminar, on the first power point slide, there was a poor little person with a huge target on their back side.  The speaker’s first comments were, “congratulations, the target on your back has just gotten bigger.”  We already knew the target was big enough!  The same thought ran through several people’s minds near me, “and why are we doing this?”  Whether you are a homeowners association manager in your job, or a volunteer Board member, you may have these same feelings periodically. 

Maintaining the grounds in a traditional manner and according to the homeowners association’s governing documents is not always the “greenest” endeavor. Whether it is using chemical-laden pesticides and fertilizer or working with greenhouse gas-producing lawn tools, some methods of lawn upkeep can be tough on the environment. Thankfully, there are plenty of eco-friendly ways to keep your homeowners association grounds looking lush. So reduce your carbon footprint, and try some of these simple tips:

As an HOA Board member, how many times have you heard the excuse “I never got a letter” from a homeowner when attempting to collect fines or notify them about a rule violation? This is a common excuse that homeowners make, and while sometimes it does happen, HOA Board members should know about the Mailbox Rule and best practices they can do to increase the open-rate of letters.

As an HOA Board member you know that HOA rules serve a valid purpose – usually. While you understand the importance of enforcing your HOA rules and regulations, it would be hard to follow through on the following with a straight face.  

If your homeowners association Board is initiating an HOA foreclosure process, did you know that there are two different types of foreclosures?

As an HOA Board member you may be faced with the task of having to make the decision to foreclose on homes in your association. We’ve all been challenged by the financial climate these last few years and it is going to take some time to bounce back. Therefore, HOA foreclosures are inevitable.

If the Board is responsible for the homeowners association, who's responsible for the Board?

If you’re a new Board Member for your homeowners association, or you’re considering whether or not to become one, it’s important to understand how an HOA is governed, and who the Board is accountable to. A well-governed HOA will not only know what entity has the governing authority over another, but will also listen to feedback from the residents in the association when it comes to how the association is being run.

March and April herald the beginning of spring and it's time for gardeners to get busy. As flowering shrubs begin to bud encourage your homeowners association residents to get their yards and gardens ready for spring by providing them with the tips below.