Budgeting is often considered one of the more challenging parts of community management. However, I want to flip that script and consider that it can be one of the best tools to plan for your year ahead, and it can be fun learning so much about your community. But everyone should participate because, as I always like to say, we can do whatever we want to do in the short and long term, but we have to pay for it. So there’s a balancing act. Here are some tips to help you in the process:

A homeowner' association board has a role in ensuring its community runs flawlessly and with financial stability. However, the association may encounter a huge or unanticipated expense, such as a leak in the clubhouse roofing. If that happens, and the regular dues are not adequate to cover the unexpected expenses, the HOA's reserve fund comes in very handy.

Security is a paramount concern of every homeowner's association (HOA) / Condo community board. Such boards will change to protect their communities by ensuring the security is top-notch. They thus source for the best security companies to ensure that every homeowner feels secure in their community and ensures the safety of their hard-earned wealth.

The issue of cell towers has been a hotly debated one across homeowner associations. You have plenty of open space and phone carrier brands want to put a tower in your midst. Should you allow it? What benefits does the cell tower deal offer to your community, and how does that contrast the downsides? And if you do decide to build a tower, how can you enhance those benefits and minimize any downsides for your community?

The driving goal behind homeowner associations is to benefit through sharing. Pools are expensive, but we all get a pool by sharing the cost. Keeping an expansive lawn is lavish for one purpose, but becomes a community park when shared and everyone benefits. Shared responsibility can cover the cost of regular maintenance and predictable repairs infinitely. But maintaining an entire community isn't always so enjoyable. Unexpected and costly repairs are sometimes also shared in ways that are financially heavy on the community members.

Delivering bad news is difficult. This is why successful HOA Board Members will go to any length to ensure the news is delivered in a way that minimizes conflict and frustration. As a board member, it's normal to feel ambivalence when delivering bad news. 

Reasons A Board Would Need to Deliver Bad News. 

One of the significant roles of a board is to enact and enforce rules, regulations as well as policies that enhance or maintain the health, well-being and safety of a homeowner's association (HOA). Nevertheless, as a board member, it's inevitable that at some point, you'll have to announce bad news to your unit-owners or shareholders. Bad news messages include capital projects that have fallen behind schedule, circumstances like mold remediation that might temporarily displace residents and parking lot resurfacing, leading to limited parking for some days. Other types of bad news include: 

• Increased dues
• Temporal or permanent closing of an amenity
• Adjustments of rental rates

Lounging by the pool and taking a dip can be very refreshing, especially when the temperatures are high. Homeowners Associations and Condominium Owners Associations provide this ultimate luxury amenity for prestigious homes and condos.

Homeowners Association (HOA) board recalls are rare, and when they do happen, it is crucial to ensure they proceed according to the association's bylaws and state laws. These laws provide the basis to determine whether a recall is necessary and how to conduct it.

While it may be technically true that any homeowner who is a member of the community can run for a spot on the HOA board, it's just as true that not just anyone can thrive in the role. When electing officers to help lead your community, keep your eye on those who share some of these ten essential HOA board member qualifications. 

Present and Accounted For

Seasonal residents are always fun to have in the social mix. Throughout the year, they blow in and out of town, bringing stories and adventures in their wake. These folks make great friends and neighbors, but they're less helpful as board members. You're looking for folks who stay connected to the needs of the community year-round. 

The cost of living continues to skyrocket across the World. In this case, the financial burden incurred in operations across various sectors remains a thorny issue. Your HOA is no exception. The association has to maintain a delicate balancing act between increasing assessments and keeping the fee to a nominal amount that homeowners are comfortable with but will pay the bills.