Assessments as Important as Mortgages and Taxes
When you sit down to pay your bills each month, do you consider your association assessment a low priority? If so, think again. According to the NationalConsumerLawCenter’s (NCLC) Guide to Surviving Debt, “Condo fees…should be considered a high priority.” In fact, NCLC considers community association assessments in the same category as mortgage payments and real […]
Homeowner Rights & Responsibilities
As a homeowner in a Homeowner association, you have certain rights—and responsibilities. You have the right to . . . A responsive and competent community association. Honest, fair, and respectful treatment by community leaders and managers. Attend meetings, serve on committees, and run for election. Access appropriate association records. Prudent […]
Do You Know Where Your Association Documents Are?
When you bought a home in your community, you should have received copies of all of the governing documents—including the rules and regulations—prior to or at closing. Sometimes these documents get lost among all the other papers you received at closing. And many homebuyers are so involved moving into their new homes, they don’t take […]
Why Must the Association Approve My Fence?
Although the association may sometime seem like Big Brother when you want to build a shed or put up a fence, our design review program is actually a benefit—not a burden. The association’s design standards are based on harmony with the overall community, consideration for neighbors, and high-quality construction practices. The architectural review program exists […]
What is a Community Association?
Some residents think homeowners and condominium associations (generally called community associations) exist just to tell them what to do—or not do. Actually, the association is more like a housing management or service-delivery organization that provides three types of services to all residents—owners and renters alike Community services – these can include securing trash collection, publishing […]
Running for the Board—Do I Have What it Takes?
If you’re considering running for the board, we ask that you take a few moments to ask yourself the following three questions: Do I have the time?: As a board member, you will need to devote at least several hours of your time each month to association business. In addition to regular monthly board meetings, […]
Who Lives in Our Community?
Understanding and appreciating the generational values of your neighbors contributes to a strong community. Consider a few broad groups: Matures: The Matures were born between 1920 and 1945. They’re the last of the veterans of the World and Korean Wars, and are also called the “Silent Generation.” They’re about sacrifice. They survived the Great Depression, […]
Why a Fee Increase?
It isn’t news most homeowners want to hear: that assessments might be increased. But sometimes a fee increase is the best way to keep the association in good financial health — and, sometimes, increases are unavoidable. Here are some of the reactions homeowners typically have when they hear that their fees are about to increase, […]
Calling All Homeowners
All meetings of the association board are open meetings. Residents are encouraged to observe meetings and read approved minutes. Residents who wish to address the board are welcome to do so during the homeowner forum conducted at the beginning of each business meeting. Here are few tips for participating: 1. Put it in writing. You […]
Why Does Your HOA Need Reserves?
Equipment and major components (like the roofs) must be replaced from time to time, regardless of whether we plan for the expense. We prefer to plan and set the funds aside now. Reserve funds aren’t an extra expense—they just spread out expenses more evenly. There are other important reasons we put association monies into reserves […]
