by Victoria Cohen | Jun 29, 2016
Homeowners living in Common Interest Development (CID) deed restricted communities, also known as homeowner associations (HOAs), must submit architectural applications to the Architectural Review Committee, or the Board of Directors to obtain permission to install air conditioners, in many cases. As you can imagine, this will add some heat to the already warm weather. So how do you prepare for this? Read More...
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by Burke Nielsen | Mar 9, 2016
You’ve read the news stories about the homeowner who was treated unfairly by their HOA. In fact, if you’ve worked in the industry you may have witnessed it first hand. Whether these stories are valid or just fodder for a good news story, is a discussion for another blog post — But as a CAM manager, I found myself talking the HOA board out of creating unreasonable or unlawful HOA rules on more than one occasion. Read More...
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by Scott Hirschi | Jan 27, 2016 |
Most insurance companies have a Loss Control Team that inspects communities periodically to assess potential threats. After the inspection they send a report to the board or manager with requirements and recommendations. One of the most common, and difficult items that come up in these inspections, are the BBQ grills on the decks or too close to the buildings. Not only does our Loss Control team see this as a significant fire danger, but local fire codes and quite possibly your own CC&Rs forbid Grills on decks. A FEMA report from 2010 estimated that on average there are 10 deaths, 100 injuries, and $37 million in property loss each year as a result of grill fires. Read More...
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by Burke Nielsen | Dec 17, 2015
For many, the need for states to require CAM licensing is obvious and necessary. While for others it is viewed as another burden on managers, with no benefit to consumers (the homeowner). In a recent blog article about the merits of CAM licensing, written by Sterling Jenkins back in October 2015, we asked the questions, “Why do so few states require CAM licensing?” and, “How is it working in the states that already have it?” Read More...
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by Sterling Jenkins | Oct 21, 2015
Most states in the US don't require you to get a license to manage community associations. But every state requires you to get a license if you want to cut hair for a living. You've got to admit — this is more than a little ironic.There's an expectation for a certain standard of service in our industry but there is little official accountability. Insurance agents, real estate agents, plumbers, and contractors all require a license. Why not community association managers? Requiring managers to pass an exam and receive a license doesn't have to be expensive and it doesn't have to create undue burden upon small businesses. In my opinion it will only help our industry to hold ourselves to a higher standard and to be accountable to a governing body.
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by Burke Nielsen | Oct 14, 2015
As a HOA manager I was often approached by potential clients, at their wit's end with HOA issues. Often these issues were about finances. When I asked them about their HOA budget, I would often get a response like. “Budget? Yeahhh… I think we have a budget.” In most of these cases there was either no budget at all, or the HOA budget hadn't been given a second look since the day it was compiled. The HOA budget is more than just writing down estimated expenses. Proper budgeting helps the board be responsible with association funds, and reach their financial goals. Here are some tools and tips that will help your HOA create and stay on budget. Read More...
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