Blog

Why Rule Enforcement Fails — and How to Regain Control

Most homeowners don’t like being told what to do — and most board members don’t love being the ones who have to do it. That’s the tricky balance of living in and leading a community association.

But when standards start slipping — whether it’s landscaping, parking, unapproved architectural changes, or general upkeep — everyone begins to feel the impact. Curb appeal declines. Neighbor frustrations rise. And property values quietly erode.

Is Your Manager MIA on Projects?

Vendors are the boots on the ground for your HOA — maintaining landscapes, repairing roofs, servicing pools, and executing capital improvement projects. But even the best contractors need oversight.

Do You Trust Your Financials?

As a board member, you’re entrusted with making important financial decisions on behalf of your community. But here’s the question that underpins everything else: Do you trust your financials?

How Unreliable Financials Create Risk for Your HOA

When financial reporting isn’t accurate or timely, your community takes on far more risk than most board members or homeowners realize. And yet, many associations treat financial statements as a formality — until something goes wrong.

Why Communication Breaks Down in HOAs — and How to Fix It

Living in a community association comes with both benefits and responsibilities. One of the biggest challenges we’ve seen in our 26 years managing communities is communication breakdown — between the HOA board, management, and homeowners. The timing and method of communication can be as important as the message itself, even if the intent is good.

California Wildfires Impact HOA Insurance

Droughts, earthquakes, and wildfires have plagued Californians for decades. Insurance companies are cutting homeowner coverage due to the state's recent wildfire season. According to the 2020-2021 U.S. National and State Statistical Review, released by the Foundation for Community Association Research, this might affect 14 million Californians residing in over 49,000 community associations.

HOA Insurance and Wildfires Issues

In 1994, the damages from the Northridge Earthquake set off a major property insurance crisis that threatened the Insurance and Real Estate market while simultaneously decimating the pocketbooks of many California consumers. Today, we face an even bigger crisis, triggered by wildfires and other weather-related claims. How we got here, the dynamics at play and what the future might hold can help us in dealing with this crisis.

Do you know the difference between Bylaws and CC&Rs?

It’s easy to get confused about Bylaws and CC&Rs. They are both rules, so to speak, by which the HOA Board and Corporation of your community govern itself. But a clear difference is who the rules are governed for and how they are applied. 

How Important Is It For Your HOA Board Members To Be Well-Trained?

Joining a board can be a great way to give back to your community and make a positive impact. Just as businesses invest in employee training to help them adjust to their new roles, associations should do the same for their board members. Board members need basic skills and knowledge to fulfill their roles and responsibilities. Providing HOA board member training for new members to have a thriving community is essential. By providing governance, finances, and risk management training, associations can help ensure that their boards are prepared to make informed decisions and effectively carry out their duties.

How to Provide HOA Board Training for New Members

Many homeowners' associations (HOAs) rely on their board of directors to keep the community running smoothly. Although these individuals are volunteers and not paid for their services, it is essential that they receive proper training to ensure they can fulfill their roles effectively.  New members need to have the information and skills required from day one - here's a look at how to ensure that happens.

Effective HOA Board Meeting Tips

HOA board meetings should be positive and productive and in most cases, conducted in two hours or less. Below are some tips for running an effective board meeting and get back on track toward achieving your mission.

How to Mitigate the Impact of Short-Term Rentals in Your HOA Community

There are a few strategies that HOAs can follow to mitigate these issues and keep communities thriving even as short-term rentals (STRs) become more popular.