HOA Management Blog
As a homeowner or renter in a homeowners association, you know the importance of setting aside a little bit of money each month in case of an emergency. After all, you never know when you might have to replace an appliance or take your car to the mechanic. In order to effectively do this you’ve probably analyzed your budget and determined an amount that you can comfortably set aside each month so it’s there when you really need it.
Social media, for good or bad, is here to stay and has changed the way we communicate. By recognizing the pros, cons, and legal issues of using these platforms for HOA communication and professional branding, you can make these tools work for your homeowners association rather than against it.
Sometimes what seems like a simple item on the agenda that will receive an overwhelming vote can end up taking the whole meeting because Board members and homeowners keep hashing out the same issue over and over again.
In our busy world of the internet, mobile phones, television, email, social media, and daily conversation, we’re on 24-7 information overload. We’re communicating non-stop all day, and when we finally reach the comfort of our home we just want to catch our breath. However, communication is what we were made for, and it keeps us informed about life around us. So, when you receive communication from the HOA board, there a few things you don’t want to do.
Power failures can be one of the most annoying and disabling occurrences in your HOA. Whether caused by summer storms, crippled by winter ice, equipment failure, an overloaded regional grid or an animal disrupting a power line, electrical outages can be costly, uncomfortable, and without forethought -sometimes even dangerous.
Association homeowners can face many hazards when a power failure occurs, usually without any warning, including losing refrigerated and frozen foods. Some food items can be salvaged, but only if you’re prepared.
Common area lighting, pools, club houses, and laundry facilities are just a few areas that a homeowners association can find itself spending lots of dollars on quickly. No one likes it when their HOA dues increase, so how do you help conserve energy and manage costs?
Energy bills, like the temperature, always rise in the summer. While there are big fixes an Association can incorporate to make common area electricity more energy-efficient, there are also many inexpensive energy solutions, as well as some simple and free steps that you can take to cut down on costs and save money.
Unclear or unenforced parking rules can wreak complete havoc in your HOA community. Many reasons contribute to this: Communities built with poor planning for parking, poor signage or lack of clarity on parking rules, owners NOT using their garage as their primary parking spot as stated in the Governing Documents, owner having more vehicles than allowed, owners storing vehicles in the community and in doing so losing a valuable parking spot.
There’s a lot more to managing a community association effectively than you may realize. It’s much more than property management; it’s also about governance—enforcing rules, conducting elections and more. Your home and your ownership interest in the common elements represent a huge asset—possibly your largest asset. Doesn’t it make sense to have a knowledgeable, trained, professional community association manager watching out for your interests?
Many homeowners dread the end of summer—sunny days, mild nights, vacations, the beach, ball games, picnics and so much more. Although fall and winter bring holidays, homeowner association gatherings, the warmth of a fireplace and football (actual and fantasy), for many people the winter months mark the return of seasonal depression.
We all have heard the question time and time again, "Why do my HOA fees continue to increase?” Although it may not be news most homeowners want to hear, sometimes an increase in fees is the best way to keep the homeowners association in good financial health.
