Our Blog

There are many challenging aspects to being on an HOA board. Most people don’t think that board meetings would be one of the harder aspects, but they can be more difficult than you might think. Here’s what you need to know to successfully run an HOA board meeting that actually gets things done. Plan Ahead […]... [Read More...]

Living well in an HOA can seem complicated sometimes, but it’s actually pretty straightforward. There’s no reason to feel intimidated about living in an HOA or worried about the rules or the leadership. If you are on your HOA board and there are potential buyers or tenants who are feeling tentative about HOA life, here’s […]... [Read More...]

Sometimes, people join HOA boards only to find that there are a lot of things they don’t know. While it’s always possible to learn, it’s also important to understand a few things so that you don’t make costly mistakes for your HOA. One key element to being effective on an HOA board is knowing which […]... [Read More...]

Are you new to your HOA board or would you like to step into the role in a way you haven’t been able to do before? There are a few characteristics that great board members have in common. If you can cultivate these, you’ll be one of the best board members your HOA has ever […]... [Read More...]

Almost every HOA has parking rules of some kind. These may be a major part of the rules in your association, or they might only cover a few spots surrounding common areas. No matter how limited your parking rules are, though, there will be times when you need to tow an offending vehicle. It’s best […]... [Read More...]

Being on an HOA board may sound like fun, but many people are shocked when they discover what board members have to deal with. There are so many different possible issues and ways for people to – intentionally or unintentionally – make life harder for those who volunteer for HOA leadership. Nonpayment of dues is […]... [Read More...]

If your association is facing a significant conflict between two different groups of homeowners, it’s easy to feel frustrated and overwhelmed. After all, as a board member, it’s easy to feel like fixing the problem is your number one job. While you may actually have more important things to do, there are a few steps […]... [Read More...]

Are you looking for more people to move into your community? Are there houses or units that have been sitting empty and you know everyone wants them full? Marketing the community to prospective buyers is one way to get the people you need and want for your community. However, there are some things to consider […]... [Read More...]

Most people who live in homeowners’ associations choose to do so, at least in part, because living there usually means that homes look good and are kept neat and tidy. However, it can be hard to motivate homeowners to go above and beyond what is specified in the HOA rules. If you would like to […]... [Read More...]

No HOA wants to take on unnecessary risks. However, sometimes these groups end up doing so unintentionally, even though they think they are doing everything right. Here’s what you need to know to protect your association no matter what. Have the Right Insurance Make sure that you have effective liability insurance and that it is […]... [Read More...]

Everyone wants the neighborhood kids to be safe when they are playing outside on bikes and scooters. While it is the parents’ responsibility to teach their kids the safety rules, it is the HOA’s responsibility to make a good HOA contract, tell people what the rules are, and play their part in keeping people safe. […]... [Read More...]

HOAs come in all shapes and sizes. Some use HOA management companies from the beginning and love them, some transition to or away from using these companies as the association changes, while others value being self-managed. While you might think that we are biased toward using management companies, the truth is that we want your […]... [Read More...]

It can be hard to find enough people in a community to fill all of the seats on its HOA board. Some communities are willing to take anyone who is a warm body and willing to have their name on legal documents. However, getting informed board members will help your association function better. Here’s what […]... [Read More...]

Most homeowner’s associations have newsletters of some sort. The hope is that these will draw people together and help them get to know each other, as well as feel like part of the community. However, the truth is that people rarely read and interact with these bulletins. If you want more people to read your […]... [Read More...]

If you’re on an HOA board, then you probably expect people to ask you about HOA fees. After all, some people have never lived in an HOA before and they don’t understand the thinking behind the fees. Here are some easy answers you can give people when they ask you about HOA fees. Make sure […]... [Read More...]

Is it time to hire a new landscaping company to take care of common areas under your HOA’s care? When it comes to this important task, you not only want to make sure that you don’t pay too much for the services you receive but also that you get competent people working on the project. […]... [Read More...]

Environmental consciousness is rising around the country and around the world. More and more people are making efforts in their daily lives to reduce waste, reuse items they would once have thrown away, and save energy. While your HOA may not be the first place where you think about what you can do to save […]... [Read More...]

Most people who live in HOAs know that the association has covenants, but some people don’t know much more than that about how the association is governed. Here’s what every member of an HOA needs to know about the covenants that help structure the association. What are HOA Covenants? Covenants are basically rules for living […]... [Read More...]

If you’ve ever lived in an HOA but not been on the board, then you probably know how confusing it can be to get design changes to your home approved. Even if the process is simple, many people don’t know what it is. Some might even put off exterior home improvement projects because they don’t […]... [Read More...]

As a member of a HOA board, there are many things that you oversee. You may end up coordinating everything from barbeques for residents to clubhouse renovations to creating a 5-year plan and more. These tasks will be a lighter load if you can find some homeowners to volunteer their time to help with various […]... [Read More...]

If you’re like most people in America, you don’t want your private information disseminated without your approval. If you’re on an HOA board, you have a responsibility to make sure that this does not happen to other people. While your specific privacy responsibilities will vary based on your state and local laws, there are a […]... [Read More...]

How to Handle Foreclosures with Aplomb If you’re like most HOA board members, you probably don’t enjoy dealing with foreclosures, especially if the HOA board is the one initiating foreclosure proceedings. And that makes sense! After all, these are friends and neighbors who are facing hard times and you don’t want to make the situation […]... [Read More...]

Parking can become a big deal in an HOA if you don’t have a plan in place for how to deal with it. Whether your members have assigned parking spots, there is a lot up for grabs, or everyone parks in their own driveways, here’s what you need to know to keep the hassle out […]... [Read More...]

These days, most HOA boards have a management company that works alongside them. AMI is one of these companies, but there are many that you can choose from. If you’re transitioning to working with a management company or choosing a new one, you’ll want to make sure you find one that is a good match […]... [Read More...]

Drones are becoming a big deal in some HOAs across the country. It’s true! People worry that their neighbors can spy on them, they hate the noise, or they are afraid that the drones will cause damage. Drones can also do some really cool things. They can take photographs of damage to homes or other […]... [Read More...]

Part of being on an HOA board is participating in and chairing committees. Some board members hate this part of the job because they feel like committees are pointless or like they take forever to make any decisions. However, that usually has more to do with how the committee is run than with the committee […]... [Read More...]

It happens to every homeowners association at some point in time: a project pops up that urgently needs to be completed but that you have not budgeted for. Not doing it is not an option but you’ve got to find the money. This can be a tough place, but you always have choices. Unplanned Projects […]... [Read More...]

It’s 2021, which means your HOA should have a user-friendly website where your members can get all of the information they need to live well in your community. Gone are the days when a Facebook page or a basic website will do the trick. Here’s what your website should include to make it as useful […]... [Read More...]

There are so many rewarding things about being on an HOA board. You get to know your community members better and you get to work hard to make your home a better place. However, there are also some difficult jobs that come with being on the board. One of the hardest is dealing with homeowner […]... [Read More...]

In many communities, ‘tis the season for electing new board members. If you are considering HOA board membership in your community or you’ve just been elected, it’s important to know how to find success in this job. Here’s what you need to think about to have a successful tenure as an HOA board member. Remain […]... [Read More...]