It's a classic, long understood joke... When the weather gets cooler many northern residents "fly south" for the winter. Some people call them Snowbirds, which is a term colloquially used to refer to those who spend the chilly months in temperate climates like those of California or Florida. The impact of these travelling residents can be difficult to measure but we know that they can cause complications for some HOA or COA communities so it's important to be prepared in the event that your community experiences a "Snowbird Season."

During an election year, it's not unusual for community associations to grapple with issues related to the legality of displaying political signs. Yet, these are unusual times. The nation is experiencing a time of increased interest in political activism. Not long ago a video of dueling protesters at a political rally in a Florida community association went viral and made national news. That video made many homeowners and boards aware of the necessity of knowing what political activities are legal in their community association.

Good neighbors are important. Even the most beautiful house can feel like a prison when the homeowners next to you are loud, obnoxious, and disrespectful. On the other hand, decent and helpful neighbors can make a community feel warm and inviting, even for its newest members. Here are 7 qualities of good neighbors that can help make home ownership a delight, instead of a chore:

Many HOA and Condo associations implement restricted access measures to help ensure the safety and security of their homeowners and community property. These measures, such as gated entries, closed-circuit cameras, and even security officers, are all in place to prohibit unwanted solicitors or intruders from disturbing your community's residents. It's important to know however, that the 2020 Census is currently underway and although your members may feel that they would rather not be bothered by Census representatives, denying entry to these representatives is actually illegal and can put your community at a disadvantage.

Whether you're buying your first home or your fifth, you've probably run into some homes that are a part of a community or homeowner's association. You may be familiar with the monthly fees, some benefits, and restrictions of living in a home with an HOA, but it can often be more complicated than what you imagined.

Television commercials promote reverse mortgages as an easy financial solution for seniors. If a senior is struggling financially during their retirement years, a reverse mortgage appeals to them because it lets them remain at home and draw money. The final outcome of a reverse mortgage isn't as glamorous as the commercials portray. Understanding the implications for your active-adult community is important for preventing misconceptions about reverse mortgages and HOAs. 

Have you ever wanted to stay in your own home while feeling as if you're on vacation 365 days of the year? If so, then you need to know about resort-style living, also known as a Country Club lifestyle. On the other hand, not everyone is suited for this type of lifestyle or can afford it. Here's what you need to know about resort-style living, regarding the basic pros and cons. 

Increasing homeowner engagement is an important component of building a strong community. More homeowner involvement gives HOA board members a broader perspective on issues facing the community. As your association gets more homeowner participation, the board may be able to lighten its workload or get more done by delegating tasks to volunteer committees. You may want to consider how your association can adopt or modify these ideas to meet your unique needs.

Living near a golf course is a dream for those who love to play the popular sport. When the swing of a golf club sends a ball through a nearby window or into a car, questions of liability quickly arise. Someone must pay for the repairs and discovering who the responsibility belongs to isn't easy. There are a variety of circumstances that contribute to finding fault and each case is different. Let's take a closer look at how an errant golf ball can result in finger-pointing and a blame game that delays repairs and creates tension among HOA members.