HOA Website and Condo Website Blog

Social media has become a major part of everyday life for many people as it has tremendously changed the way we communicate.  For businesses, social networks are either a great source of growth or a letdown.  If your homeowners association recognizes the advantages and disadvantages associated with these platforms, it can profit rather than lose from using them.  What positives and negatives should your HOA be familiar with?

 

Previously, HOA boards designed newsletters which involved having them printed and distributed to their communities.  A process that was not only costly but also time wasting as several people never took the time to read them.  But now, with social networks and the HOA website, you can design newsletters and post them for free within seconds.

 

When you publish a post, you could include links to HOA laws, annual reports, and other data that homeowners might find helpful.  If you discover any errors or need to make changes, the corrections can be made easily and quickly through a phone or computer.

 

You have probably heard of the Facebook scandal where many users’ data was stolen and misused.  For that reason, you cannot rely on social media to disperse sensitive data that only HOA members should have access to.  Always keep this issue in mind and only use social media for general, unrestricted information and the HOA website for relaying confidential data.

 

Social channels are meant for positive outreach, but some members use them in a negative way against the board and fellow homeowners.  In order to avoid this issue, make sure your accounts are managed so inappropriate content is blocked promptly.  Your HOA will definitely benefit from social media if you utilize it properly to inform, influence, and engage members.  Consider hiring a professional to be in charge of your social accounts to take your association to the next level.

Special circumstances might face your homeowners association even when management is excellent and everything is running smoothly.  Improvement projects, large-scale repairs, and other unforeseen situations may occur which put the reserves at risk.  For many HOA’s, special assessments offer the best way out.  But, what if homeowners fail to pay the special assessment?

 

A special assessment refers to the funds that homeowners are required to pay when the board decides not to use the reserves to cover emergency expenses, repairs, and maintenance costs.  Assessments are important as they prevent the reserve funds from being diminished or drained.

If homeowners are complaining on the homeowner association website and vowing not to pay the special assessment, there may be a problem with communication between them and the board.  Here are ways in which you can ease their frustration and encourage them to pay without having to resort to legal action.

 

Often, all homeowners want is for you to keep them updated with regard to the HOA’s financial matters.  One way of doing so would be to encourage them to attend HOA meetings.  Aside from that, consider keeping them informed about major projects that impact the budget of the HOA using the homeowner association website.

When a homeowner is irritated, the first option should be to try and reason the situation out.  Make an attempt to show them the importance of special assessments so they understand that using the reserves could place the association at risk of financial stress in the future.

It’s almost certain that reasonable homeowners will understand why the special assessment is necessary, but you can always take legal action if reasoning the situation out doesn’t work.  In some states, an unpaid special assessment is considered personal debt, and the HOA board is given the right to take possession of the property or hold it until the debt is settled.

As a board member, one responsibility is to review your HOA’s reserve study and interpret it so you can make proper financial decisions regarding the collection, adjustment, and allocation of reserve funds.  Unfortunately, reviewing the reserve study isn’t much fun and many think it’s not easy to understand either.

Outlined below are a few ways in which you can interpret the HOA reserve study and apply it appropriately for the benefit of your association.  Consider using the community website to share what you learn here so other board members may be informed.

 

HOA reserve studies are normally comprised of common areas in the community such as street lights, gates, basketball courts, and pools.  Additionally, estimates are included on the costs needed for the repairs, maintenance, and replacement over time.  They also involve estimations on the current monetary value of these common assets.

It’s recommended that your HOA conducts an annual review of the roofs, paint, electrical panels, and other major parts of common amenities.  In order to get an accurate, comprehensive report, have experts in finance and engineering study these areas so the interpretation part is simple.

 

Homeowners associations that neglect to plan for the future are destined to drain their reserve funds.  If a gate needs to be replaced in 20 years, the board should divide the cost by 20 and set aside that amount each year.  For instance, the gate might cost $20,000 so the HOA needs to set aside $1,000 every year.  By the 20th year, the board will have the amount they need and not face a financial crisis.

As you interpret the reserve study and plan for the future, you should account for an inflation rate of at least 3% per year.  Use the community website to notify HOA members about the outcome of the reserve study so they fully understand the importance of having sufficient funds!

Aside from keeping the homeowners association website up-to-date, a vital duty of the HOA board is to maintain precise financial records and reports.  Through those, members are able to see an overview of how the community is utilizing the funds and how financial projections are being achieved.

The board is in charge of making many financial decisions which includes setting fees, determining assessments, and figuring out how the money should be allocated.  As a contributor to HOA funds, you have a right to know how the money is being utilized and the following questions will help you in the future.

 

In many cases, a management firm is in charge of the accounting and financial reports, though there are some associations that prefer to handle these tasks internally.  First, determine who’s responsible for these duties so you know where to address your concerns.  The way accounting is managed varies from one association to the next so keep this question in mind.

 

When you see the history of how the HOA has been collecting fees over an extended period of time, you will get an idea of how efficient the funds are being managed.  For instance, if a large sum has been collected; that should reflect in the HOA’s development projects unless there have been costly expenses.

 

A board that analyzes financial reports regularly shows they are serious about keeping the community in a good financial state.  The three most critical statements you should ask about are the income and expense statement, the cash flow statement, and the balance sheet.

Most of the time, efficient HOA boards have commonly asked questions regarding financial management posted to the homeowners association website.  For that reason, homeowners are encouraged to go to the website first since many questions have already been addressed there.

When considering HOA security, there’s a question that usually comes up and perhaps you’ve come across it on the neighborhood website.  Is it the board’s obligation to provide adequate security measures like cameras for protecting homes in the community?  And, is the board responsible for security breaches?

It’s common for HOA boards to contract with the county government or even hire private patrol officers to ensure homeowners are safe.  But, in case of a breach, who will be held accountable?  Have you thought about what you can do to contribute to safety in the HOA?  The following advice will keep you on track when it comes to security in your association.

 

A majority of homeowners associations do their best to keep you safe but more often than not, the board is not liable for security related issues.  Of course, it may be accountable for not taking timely and proper action in resolving general safety problems that causes harm to members or damage to their property.

Some of the HOA’s responsibilities include having adequate lighting in common areas and installing durable security gates.  If you don’t know what your association covers, ask for a copy of the governing documents or contact the HOA board through the neighborhood website.

 

As a homeowner, you shouldn’t fully depend on the HOA to keep you safe.  Instead, be pro-active when it comes to protecting your home and yourself by implementing your own security measures.  For instance, you could install security cameras in your home and make it a habit to always lock the doors.

If the governing documents are vague about which party is liable for security issues, it may be best to check with an attorney for guidance.  Another option to consider is to bring up the topic in a meeting or open it up for discussion on the neighborhood website so other homeowners get informed and voice their concerns.

Funds of the homeowners association are like an emergency savings account for your family; if the community lacks the funding it needs, it risks falling apart.  Imagine a situation where there is an emergency but the money in the reserve account won’t cover the costs.  This may cause homeowners to complain endlessly on the HOA website.
Inadequate reserve funds also result in the depreciation of property since common areas fail to receive proper care.  Another problem is that lenders might decline loan applications from your HOA so use the following strategies to help you avoid such troubling situations.

 

Perhaps you have enough funds in your reserves but then you encounter an unexpected expense that could deplete them.  Seek help from a reserve specialist to figure out which option best suits your HOA.  For instance, they might recommend borrowing or using special assessments to replenish the reserves.  Aside from that, they might also figure out a way to cut expenses.

 

Obviously, you need to operate reserve funds separately from regular funds.  The main reason for doing this is to eliminate the potential for funds getting used for the wrong purposes.  One way of separating funds is to adopt a reserve fund plan to help the homeowners association maintain its property.  Let the budget be reviewed regularly to ensure there’s always enough money in the reserves.

 

There’s no law that states the reserves must be funded but the court may see the failure of your HOA board as a breach of its fiduciary duty.  That means the association could face legal disputes and that puts an added strain on the reserves.  Last but not least, perform repairs in the community before they require extensive work.  Through the HOA website, you can seek input from members to know which areas need addressed the most.

The HOA board is normally in charge of running the association in matters to do with finance, starting new projects, and handling administrative tasks.  A dedicated team is productive, efficient, and easy to work with while a team of troublesome members is a bad recipe for the HOA and the homeowner association website.  Watch for the following indicators to know if your board members may cause problems in the future.

 

If a member acts like they know everything and refuse to listen to what others say, expect there to be trouble.  This kind of attitude gradually leads some members to feel intimidated and even when poor decisions are made by the troublesome member, no other member may feel confident to counteract the move.  Consequently, numerous decisions are made that have a negative impact on the HOA.

 

As a rule, people skills are vital for running any board effectively.  If you notice one or more members have trouble resolving conflicting ideas in a polite manner, problems are looming as such members will only make matters worse for your HOA.  Often, members are slow to show this type of behavior so pay close attention after a few months have passed.

 

These kinds of people are present in all walks of life but there’s no room for them in a homeowners association that is focused on going in a positive direction.  Despite who is responsible for making a mistake, the one at fault must take accountability but everyone on the HOA board should work as a team to find a proper solution.

 

In most cases, board members have specific duties assigned to them that range from collecting HOA fees to managing the homeowner association website.  Occasionally, there may be members that get involved in tasks not assigned to them while neglecting their own duties.  Members who exhibit the traits above don’t have the HOA’s interests in mind.  When that happens, the board should come together and talk about these issues so the member is aware they need to change.

As seasons change, your home becomes more vulnerable to new sources of dust and dirt.  For example, fall and winter seasons bring low humidity which attracts dust while the summer season is associated with high humidity that makes it possible for mold and mildew to develop in areas with poor ventilation.

Dirt enters your home in a variety of ways and is often overlooked until you move a piece of furniture.  Unfortunately, some homeowners don’t check the community website and choose high-end products that may not be as effective as stated.  The following tips will help keep your home tidy all year without spending a small fortune.

 

High humidity attracts dust mites which are notorious allergens that produce dust.  At the same time, low humidity draws dust and causes it to stick to objects such as furniture.  Employ a dehumidifier or humidifier to maintain healthy humidity levels of 40 to 50 percent.

 

Many homeowners think cleaning the interior of a home means choosing products intended only for houses but car products can produce a better result.  For instance, glass shower doors are known for accumulating hard water stains and spraying them with glass cleaner is a short-term solution.  Instead, use a rain-repellent product designed for windshields as it not only cleans but leaves an unseen coating that causes water, soap, and debris to slide off.

 

There are numerous products for cleaning ovens that promise to make it an easy job, but most of them emit harmful toxins and fail to be effective.  Apply a baking soda mixture and allow it to set for 6 to 8 hours or longer on dirtier portions.  Afterwards, use a wet wash cloth to remove it.

Furniture can be a little tricky to clean but carpet sealants protect them from accidental spills.  Any liquid that comes into contact with your furniture will be more likely to bead up rather than soak into the fabric.  Keep these tricks in mind when cleaning your home and share your own tips on the community website!

HOA boards are typically aware of the fact that there are annual disclosures to be filled and submitted on a yearly basis.  However, are you aware that almost all the states ask HOA’s structured as a non-profit organization to file annual reports with the secretary of state?  Failure to do that usually results in a loss of Good Standing status and that might affect the number of people who visit the homeowners association website.

 

A variety of HOA boards fail to file annual reports due to reasons that range from reorganization of management to continually delaying the process but the repercussions are quite damaging.  The corporate status of the homeowners association can change to delinquent, inactive, lost good standing, or administrative dissolution.

For clarity purposes, dissolution does not mean the HOA is no longer registered or ceases to exist.  It just makes it difficult for the homeowners association to enjoy services in case of tax notices, lawsuits, and other government-related matters.  What action should you take to resolve the status of the HOA if this happens?

 

Luckily, all that needs to be done to restore the Good Standing status is to file an up-to-date annual report and pay any associated late fees.  That way, the association will be able to enjoy services in state-related processes.  The majority of states require the submission of annual reports while some states only want you to submit them every two years.  A small number of states don’t require non-profit organizations to file an annual report.
Customarily, the secretary of the HOA board is the one who submits the annual report but other members need to ensure the details are accurate.  A reminder for the report could even be posted on the homeowners association website so members remember to approve it.  With regard to annual reports, homeowners associations should always know what the state wants and submit it before the due date.

If you’re worried about your activities at home increasing the amount of greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere, there is a variety of habits you can adopt.  Fortunately, with the proper tools, the transition to environmental-friendly living can be virtually effortless.  Before using the strategies described here, be sure to check your CC&R’s or the neighborhood website for guidelines and restrictions.

 

Composting is a natural means of enriching soil in your backyard by using items as a fertilizer.  It involves the use of kitchen waste like fruit peels and leftover food coupled with plant matter such as fallen leaves rather than store-bought fertilizers.  If you’re new to this, start off with a medium can and cut a few holes in the lid for ventilation.  Also, pay attention to where you place the compost; you don’t want the odors to seep into your neighbor’s home.

 

You may have heard that plants use carbon dioxide and refresh the surroundings by releasing oxygen.  In case you lack space in your backyard, grow them indoors in small containers.  Try vegetables or herbs such as mint, rosemary, and oregano then use the home-made compost as fertilizer.

 

This type of irrigation utilizes a slow-drip method of hydrating your plants consistently.  Contrary to most other methods, drip irrigation helps conserve water effectively and is usually very cost efficient.  Definitely an option worth considering when compared to other means of watering plants.

 

Another way to reduce your carbon footprint is to have solar panels installed on the roof so energy can be stored from the sun.  That can be used as a source of power in parts of your home or for outdoor lighting, thus minimizing the amount of electricity used.  Don’t just apply these strategies in your home; encourage other homeowners through the neighborhood website to do the same so the community is a healthier place to live.