Fiduciary Know-How

The mere mention of fiduciary responsibility may scare some homeowners aware from board service, but it shouldn’t. Managing the association’s finances is one of the board’s most important duties, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. Fiduciary duty means protecting assets, budgeting responsibly, planning for the future, investing wisely and observing laws and regulations that […]

Why Do We Have Rules?

Every association—including ours—has a few rules we all need to know about: For instance, where can we park, and where may our guests park? Are we allowed to park campers or trucks in our driveways? What are the limitations on the size and number of pets we may keep in our homes? Is there a […]

Traits of Good Board Members

Do you have what it takes to be a good board member? Chances are you do. If you have a mix of some of the following traits and skills, consider running for a seat on the board. We’d love to have you. Respect. If you can give others respect and expect it in return, you […]

What Is Alternative Dispute Resolution? (And Why Does the Association Use It?)

Community associations and their members disagree from time to time. When they do, the association board attempts to resolve problems by using a three-step, problem-solving approach called alternative dispute resolution (ADR). It’s an effective and money-saving alternative to the traditional justice system; the three steps are negotiation, mediation and arbitration. In negotiation, we identify the […]

What the Architectural Committee Does for You

Are you getting ready to make an addition to your house or build a new shed or fence in your back yard? Before you break out the miter saw, make sure to get your plans approved by our association’s architectural committee. While it may seem arbitrary from an individual homeowner’s standpoint, the architectural committee looks […]

Know the Rules

Have you checked out the HOA’s covenants, conditions and restrictions (CC&Rs) lately? If not, now’s a great time to brush up on the do’s and don’ts of the community. For those of you who were unaware, CC&Rs play a crucial role in keeping the association running smoothly. CC&Rs are legally binding rules and regulations that […]

Understanding Special Assessments

There’s no way to sugar-coat it: everyone hates special assessments. Getting a notice that you owe more money to the association can not only put a damper on your day but also a dent in your wallet, both of which the board is sympathetic to. In a perfect world, there would never be a need […]

What Your Association Board Does for You

As a recognized homeowners association, our community has a board to help our HOA run smoothly. The board consists of volunteers who execute a wide variety of tasks you may not be aware of; however, their work affects every single resident. One of the most important things the board does is create and enforce the […]

Critical Component: Insurance – Ours and Yours

Of the many things your association assessment pays for, insurance is one of the most important. Association governing documents and state law require the association board to purchase adequate insurance as part of a comprehensive risk-management program.   Our association has two types of commercial insurance coverage—property and liability.   Property insurance covers loss of […]