HOA Website and Condo Website Blog

Whether you follow political news or not, you can almost always recognize when an election is coming up from noticing yard signs throughout the community.  Some residents prefer to keep their political views to themselves while others want to show their support for a candidate.

 

If you choose to show your support, the homeowner association website should be one of the first places you visit to validate that you are allowed to post political signs in your yard.  This is a topic for all homeowners to think about as there could be a candidate that comes along and you may want to show your support for them.  How will you feel if yard signs are restricted?

 

 

Homeowner associations have restrictions in place to preserve the value of your place as homeowners have certain rules to follow.  Typically, those restrictions serve a purpose towards keeping the community looking nice so everyone in your area benefits from living in a well-kept neighborhood. 

 

Homeowners associations may not restrict political yard signs completely but have certain limitations in regard to the quantity, size, and length of time.  Imagine arriving home to find out your next door neighbor has decorated their yard with 20 yard signs and they keep them on display for several months.

 

After a while, that would become an unpleasant sight to look at on a daily basis so it makes sense to have limits.  On the other hand, what can you do if yard signs are prohibited in your HOA?

 

 

In some states, an alternative exists for homeowners who prefer to support a candidate with yard signs when the HOA forbids it.  Various states have laws that restrict the homeowners association from prohibiting the use of political signs.

 

Basically, residents in these associations are allowed to use political yard signs in accordance to what the HOA considers reasonable.  Eliminate this from becoming a hassle by thoroughly reviewing the homeowner association website and know your state laws regarding political yard signs!

Residents of all ages should be protected in the homeowners association and that includes those who are retired or nearing retirement.  Through the community website, homeowners have the opportunity to connect with one another.  Often, most of us look forward to the future without considering the complications associated with the aging process.

 

Each year, more than 5 million Americans suffer from dementia where brain cells are damaged, commonly caused by Alzheimer’s disease.  Usually, symptoms start with a decline in memory and progress to complications that interfere with day to day functions.  Can you counteract this from happening to you?

 

 

Unfortunately, one of the risk factors for dementia is genetics and that is unchangeable but there are some lifestyle choices you can make that work to your benefit.  Obviously, avoid smoking and drinking alcohol but exercise your brain as well as your body, especially if there’s a family history of the illness.  You are more at risk when a relative has the disease.

 

Staying active is one way towards prevention as the disease is caused when brain cells are damaged.  Regular exercise can lower the risk of dementia as exercise increases oxygen and blood flow to the brain.  Studies actually show a link between the risk of Alzheimer’s developing and conditions that damage the heart and blood vessels such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

 

 

In a homeowners association, it is important that other neighbors be informed about a fellow resident having dementia.  If they see the person walking around disoriented or confused, they can contact a family member or enact an emergency plan to keep the resident safe.  Watch for symptoms such as agitation, anger, anxiety, and wandering as many with dementia tend to wander around.  If you notice this, use the community website to get in contact with a board member and apprise them of the situation.

Homeowners may be moving into their first home that is located in a community with a homeowners association while others have lived in multiple homeowners associations.  Either way, there are many questions you should ask to confirm that the home you have chosen is in the right community.

 

The homeowners association website enables new residents to get an idea of what it is like to live in an HOA.  Typically, residents will have questions depending on the amount of experience they have had living in a homeowners association.

 

 

If this is your first home in a homeowners association, there are some important questions to get answers to so you make an overall wise decision when you buy your new home.  The last scenario you want to see become a reality is living in a location that you regret moving to.  Do you know the rules of the HOA where you plan to live?

 

Occasionally, a homeowner becomes exuberant when purchasing their new home and fails to thoroughly read the governing documents of the homeowners association.  Eliminate that from happening by requesting a copy of the CC&R’s and consult with your realtor about any questionable areas.

 

Often, a realtor will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the association when you ask about the restrictions, fees, special assessments, and the frequency of increases.  What restrictions are listed on the homeowners association website?

 

 

Just like you are different from your neighbors, so are homeowners associations in the restrictions they have in place and the amenities they offer.  Some residents may not agree with the restrictions of a homeowners association while others agree as they know those restrictions protect property values.  Can you accept the restrictions in your community?

 

As well, look at the history of increases in HOA fees and frequency of special assessments.  Naturally, these lead to frustration for residents so decrease the odds of this happening to you by asking the appropriate questions before making the move.

The threat of someone stealing your identity is a risk all homeowners should take serious as identity thieves develop more sophisticated ways of getting your personal information.  According to statistics, an estimated 1 in 14 Americans will be a victim each year with the majority of crimes related to credit cards and bank accounts.

 

Tax season is often a time where homeowners may be searching to include every deduction that is allowed when filing a federal tax return.  As expected, there are many expenses you pay throughout the year related to your home, but which ones are tax deductible?

 

Naturally, there will be a limited amount of information on the HOA website in reference to what homeowners should include on their federal tax returns.  As a homeowner, you can deduct the mortgage interest paid and the real estate taxes paid but not the homeowners association fees if the home is your personal residence.

 

 

The process of filing a tax return is stressful for some homeowners as they may be new to living in a homeowners association and doubtful what they can include in their deductions.  The last thing you want to do is not include an expense that is allowed as a deduction and miss out on getting your full return.  In a few instances, homeowners association fees can be counted as a tax deduction.

 

For example, if you own a home that is a rental property then you can deduct the HOA fees as a rental expense on your taxes.  Another example would be for residents that work from an office within their home for business reasons.  A portion of the fees associated solely with the office are considered as tax deductible.  If the office consumes 10 percent of your home, then 10 percent of the homeowners association fees can be claimed as tax deductible!

 

 

More often than not, homeowners consider a property for rental use only when it is being rented by someone.  Actually, the Internal Revenue Service considers the time your house is vacant but available for rent as a rental period.

 

The IRS allows a variety of deductions that residents may not be fully aware of without visiting the HOA website or consulting with a tax professional.  Avoid making a costly mistake by getting informed of the deductions that are available to you!

A great budget for the homeowners association requires more than listing expenses and establishing sources of income.  The goal of a budget in the homeowners association is not only to provide a financial plan but to also prevent a downtrend in cash flow.

 

A well calculated budget takes into account many aspects that may not always show up on paper or the homeowner association website.  Often, the best budget for the association is obtained by estimating a higher cost for items that are prone to fluctuating.  The alternative could place an additional responsibility on residents in the form of a special assessment and homeowners tend to frown upon that.

 

 

Obviously, there are items in the budget that consistently carry a fixed price but the challenge is predicting what can influence a change in those items.  For some associations, an experienced manager is the key to accurately calculate a budget that coincides with actual expenses throughout the year. 

 

Inconsistencies can be eliminated by having written agreements with vendors on the price of their goods or services instead of assuming the price will remain the same as last year.  Especially for larger expenses, there could be changes that result in a significant increase so those expenses should be confirmed first and foremost. 

 

 

Once the expenses are locked in, improvements can be made to the budget by conducting a reserve study to ensure common areas are well-kept.  The reserve study is a great budgeting tool that measures the current state of deterioration in the community while predicting the funds essential to resolve those declining areas.

 

In any homeowners association budget, it is crucial to save a portion of the money to fund repairs of common areas.  As well as frequently updating the homeowner association website to attract residents and promote a quality community!

Maintenance in the homeowners association is one element that homeowners often look at when choosing one association over another.  The contrast in the community website and hearsay about the HOA can be unpleasant if you fail to familiarize yourself with the CC&R’s.  When routine maintenance is neglected, it can eventually cause friction or a dispute in the homeowners association.

 

Homeowners in an association usually expect maintenance responsibilities to be held to a higher standard as part of living in an area with HOA fees.  After all, that is one of the advantages of living in a homeowners association but what happens when those responsibilities are disregarded?

 

 

Homeowners associations will have different guidelines regarding what they are responsible for and what is the homeowners responsibility.  Every homeowner needs to be familiar with the areas that are their responsibility and understand that the association is responsible for common areas.

 

The homeowner is obligated to resolve matters on their own property.  Those matters might include a disagreement with another neighbor about property boundaries.  Depending on your homeowners association, they may not assist in resolving the issue and advise you to seek legal help.

 

Another example is restricting the posting of signs in yards or on fences.  Unless the sign is for real estate purposes, the homeowners association may prohibit residents to have signs since the neighborhood will appear disorganized.  The significance is for residents to realize how signs reflect a negative image of the community.

 

 

Residents who want to make a difference in regard to improving the maintenance of their neighborhood are appreciated.  Often, homeowners use the community website as a way to initially get informed then develop ways towards improving maintenance issues by getting involved.  If no responsibility is indicated in the CC&R’s, the homeowner will be the one to accept responsibility of the situation under most circumstances.

As a board member, it is imperative to know some basic accounting concepts to keep the homeowners association operating without any financial surprises.  From year to year, expenses can change so always know the components that your association is responsible for and calculate those changes into the budget for the following year.

 

Like the homeowners association website, areas of the community need to be updated periodically to maintain property values.  What accounting concepts will prove to be valuable in the future for HOA board members?

 

 

A great way to assess the homeowners association budget for the future is to look at the expenses in previous years.  Expenses for the upcoming year can be more accurately estimated in the accounting process by gathering what was actually spent in the past years.  As well as accounting for future changes such as trends that could cause an unexpected increase in spending.

 

Once the expenses are calculated, the amount that will be charged to residents in homeowners association fees can be determined.  If ever the HOA fees are insufficient, the result could lead to the board using reserve funds or a special assessment to cover the shortage due to under budgeting.  Are your board members aware of the impact their choices have on you?

 

 

For board members that want lower fees, remember that reserve funds should always be a part of the accounting process that provides for the future.  Additionally, they provide a safety net towards ensuring the association has the necessary funds to afford repairs and maintenance expenses.

 

If maintenance would be deferred, homeowners may lack pride and refrain from getting involved in the community.  Board members can stay on track by systematically reviewing the accounting process and advise residents of any changes through the homeowners association website.

The homeowners association functions each year with many goals in mind to achieve a higher quality of living for current and future residents.  During the year, homeowners are unaware of the challenges that board members are faced with to keep the association and the neighborhood website operating in a timely manner.  While improvements are usually thought of as enhancements to the property or surroundings, the neighborhood can be improved in a multitude of ways.

 

 

In the homeowners association, various tasks need to be maintained by the HOA board and action from members can make all the difference.  Tasks become much easier to recognize and complete with involvement from members.  Prior to getting involved, all members are expected to understand the rules of the homeowners association.

 

Often, recommendations or concerns from members can shed some light on areas of the association that have been forgotten about.  The more members involved, the greater the chance that the community will see improvements in multiple areas.  As a result of members working together, a feeling of community blossoms and each year can be looked at as a point to improve upon.

 

 

The upcoming year brings about a time to evaluate all that has happened in the past year.  It can also be the perfect time to reflect on all of the members that had a positive impact on the community and make that a focus going into next year.

 

The majority of homeowners may want to be active in the association, but struggle to find the time.  How will you know if a member is experiencing this without a neighborhood website that encourages involvement from members?  To see yearly improvements, the homeowners association should provide timely communications through the neighborhood website and engage with residents in a variety of ways.

One constant amongst residents in almost any homeowners association is their drive to increase the value of their home.  The HOA website is there for homeowners to stay up-to-date and continue to be informed of ways to add value to their home.  Even though there are times when you might disagree with the rules, it’s important to understand they have been put in place to keep property values from falling.  Regardless if you are new to the area or a long-time resident, you can increase the value of your home by implementing some changes.

 

 

Whether you are on a budget or not, the most cost-effective way of increasing the value of your home is to paint the interior walls.  Ideal colors are highly influential towards the room feeling smaller or larger and new paint will give the room a fresh appeal.  Today, there is a lot of information available on home interior projects you can use as a guide if you prefer to do it yourself.

 

The second way to add value to your home is by updating or remodeling the kitchen and bathroom.  In order to make the house more appealing, carefully choose tiles, faucets, and cabinets that have a classy look and won’t look out of place in five or ten years.  Generally, residents will decide to use décor that is popular during a certain time frame instead of focusing on color combinations of appliances, tiles, and cabinets.
Lastly, integrate a more modern way of lighting to rooms or areas that feel limited on space or have a natural tendency to be dark.  Occasionally, residents benefit by using various types of lighting and fixtures to highlight certain rooms or areas.

 

 

Before making any major plans, be diligent towards finding out if you need any permits and follow the guidelines of your homeowners association.  Most of this can be found on the HOA website, but follow-up with your homeowners association to ensure your project goes along without any setbacks.