HOA Website and Condo Website Blog

Encouraging members to get involved in the community can often be a challenge.  At times, members already have prior obligations and are unable to attend whether you post meeting times in advance on your HOA website or not.  If your HOA requires a quorum be met, there’s a chance the vote may not take place unless members have the option to use a proxy. 

 

 

A proxy is basically a document where you give another member permission to place your vote on your behalf if you are unable to attend the meeting.  Depending on the homeowners association, the proxy may have required fields that need to be filled out such as the individual that will submit your proxy, your signature, and the date.
Choose a trustworthy member to give your proxy to so your vote will be accounted for on the matters you care about.  If the member holding your proxy fails to attend the meeting, your proxy won’t be turned in and your opinion won’t be heard on the matter.  Using a proxy allows you to stay involved at meetings when a vote is taking place without changing your schedule.

 

 

Typically, there are two types of proxies that can be used when voting on a given topic.  One type gives your voting rights to the one you name on your proxy and the other specifically advises the individual to vote in a direct way on a certain matter.  

 

Proxies offer a convenience while remaining decisive in preserving the rights of HOA members and involving them in the community.  Maintaining your interest within the homeowners association can simply be done by regularly looking on the HOA website for any up-to-date changes and becoming more involved in the community to stay informed.

All homeowners want to believe that a disaster will never strike their neighborhood as it can be a very devastating experience.  Unfortunately, it can happen in any neighborhood and most likely when you least expect it.  Become aware of the disasters that your area may be prone to by visiting the HOA website for up-to-date information regarding your neighborhood.  Depending on your area, you may be at more of a risk than others for a disaster to take place.

 

 

Take the time to get informed and develop some kind of a plan or checklist to review with your family should a disaster strike your community.  Go over this plan on a regular basis as this will ensure that your family is well prepared.  Additionally, network with your neighbors to stay informed when unstable conditions arise that could threaten your safety. 

 

If a disaster strikes your area, stay calm and act according to your plan as much as possible.  Think clearly and have a place outside of your neighborhood for the family to meet at if you are not together when it occurs.  Ideally, neighbors could assist each other in the event of a disaster as they are often the first ones to respond.

 

 

Being prepared is simple, yet many people neglect to do it as they often feel like they will never be a victim of a disaster.  As a homeowner, you should also review your homeowners insurance policy to verify you have adequate coverage incase your neighborhood would be struck by a disaster. 

 

Typically, preparation starts by having a plan to enact for disasters and frequently checking the HOA website for current posts to stay updated.  Planning ahead now and collectively thinking of ways to protect yourself in the future will be beneficial to you and the safety of your family.

Today, a certain level of security is on the mind of most homeowners to some degree no matter where you live.  Thankfully, there are a variety of effective ways to improve neighborhood security, such as listing useful security steps on a homeowners association website for residents to apply to their own property. 

 

 

Whether you are middle-aged and have a family or closer to retirement age, it’s a legitimate concern to question the safety of your neighborhood.  The first aspect that should be considered when evaluating the safety of a community is to assess what areas need improvement.

 

Once you can pinpoint a potential problem or area for improvement then implement some form of action that will resolve or safeguard that area.  It might be best to visit the homeowners association website first and search there for a solution.

 

 

During times of vacation or holidays, it’s very common to see postings on social media websites of residents enjoying their time away from home.  Sharing your location can be the most opportune time for a burglary to happen and should be avoided.

 

Inform a trustworthy neighbor if you will be out of town, then they can periodically watch your home and contact the authorities if they see suspicious activity.  Another way of promoting safety is to be aware of the crime in or around your area by staying up to date with the local news.

 

 

Getting the community involved as a whole will not only accomplish a more secure neighborhood, but also establish a rapport among the HOA residents so they look out for each other. 

 

When a HOA stays pro-active about protecting their community, it shows a potential criminal that you and other HOA members are not an easy target.  Undoubtedly, the risk will outweigh the possible reward and they will avoid your neighborhood.
 

What would it take for you to regret choosing a neighborhood without a homeowners association?  For some, it could be waking up to a barking dog while others may not care until they arrive home to find their neighbor has installed a fence that limits their view.  All too often the perks of a homeowners association are overlooked when everything is going smoothly.

 

The alternative is living in an area where neighbors have the option to make changes that could possibly lower the value of your home.  Facing that situation will have you wishing you chose to live in a neighborhood that has a HOA.  Not all homeowners associations are the same so familiarize yourself with the rules or regulations of where you plan to live and choose a location that best matches your preferences.

 

 

Most homeowners want to know the fees and amenities that come along with being in a neighborhood with a HOA.  Initially, the fees could catch your attention but consider what you could lose if there wasn’t a homeowners association in place.  Look to see if this information is on the homeowners association website. 

 

In most cases, the protection of your property value and living in an attractive community is worth opting for a neighborhood with a HOA.  Most of these neighborhoods also have amenities that you can take advantage of such as walking trails, swimming pools, and a recreational center.  Virtually eliminating drive time and having to pay membership or entrance fees to enjoy such comforts.

 

 

Shop around and analyze which community and HOA best meets your preferences and make a decision from there.  Approaching it this way often keeps a homeowner pleased with their choice as they enjoy the higher standards of a homeowners association without giving up too much.

 

Time well spent here will save yourself from dealing with any major heartbreak in the future and go a long way towards safeguarding your investment.
 

Regardless of where you live, homeowners look forward to winter being over and getting outside in the springtime to tackle that landscaping project.  The best way to get started is to decide what you want your landscape to look like when completed and ensure it collectively coincides with your home.

 

It would be frustrating to invest the time and money into improving your place only to find out it’s not what you had envisioned.  For the do it yourself project, a typical mistake homeowners make is rushing into their spring landscaping without any strategy or prior research.

 

Take some time and list down what needs updated or changed and get an estimate together so you achieve an end result that is equally fitting and appealing when finished.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When you are finished creating your masterpiece, be sure to share your accomplishment on your homeowners association website. Learn more about homeowners association websites. There's little that's more motivating than keeping up with the Jones'.

 

Deciding to finally purchase a home on the market today can be an overwhelming experience.  There are numerous aspects to take into consideration ranging from which location is ideal for you to financing a home and being comfortable over the duration of the loan.

 

Since 2011, improving economic conditions have sparked a bounce back in homeowner industry revenue.  New buyers have an advantage compared to years past as the interest rates have sunk to all-time lows and it’s a buyer’s market nowadays.

 

Lower interest rates factor into some serious savings over the course of a home loan making now an optimal time to be a homeowner.  Many options exist lessening the burden on purchasing a home that new buyers will be happy to know about. 

 

 

Homes that are built today have many features which promote energy efficiency.  Examples would be modern appliances that require less electricity to function and better insulation and windows to keep the home at a comfortable temperature.  Modern design elements add to the functionality of everyday life as well.

 

Probably one of the best enjoyments of a new home is they are move-in ready without the hassle of performing any construction.  From a technology standpoint, new homes are more capable of accepting components that support a higher quality of living without making provisions.

 

 

New buyers not only have the benefit of lower down payments and reduced interest rates, but also knowing they have a place that is their home!  Enduring the buying process can be intimidating, yet still worth it in the end to be free from throwing away money on rent.  With the numbers in your favor, becoming a homeowner is quite possibly one of the wisest investments you could make at this time.
 

Taking advantage of an amenity can often be an annoyance if you want to enjoy the occasion without others interrupting your time.  One way around this is to book a reservation in advance so you have the time to share with your family and friends.

 

Submitting a reservation early on is favorable for having it approved.  Early submission will increase the probability that the clubhouse, pool, tennis court, or any other amenity you wish to use is still available for the day and time that you request. 

 

 

Reservations will be granted on a “first come, first serve” basis provided a member has no restrictions.  When reserving an amenity, it will only be for that amenity and the day and time you desire.  This will show consideration to all members for them to have the pleasure of enjoying other various amenities as well.
During use, the amenity should be neatly kept and free from any trash or incurring any damage.  You could be asked to repair any damage or lose your deposit if damage would be apparent upon inspection.

 

 

Members of the HOA that wish to make a reservation could also be required to have their homeowners association dues paid in full before having their reservation approved.  If you wish to reserve an amenity, simply send an email with a reservation form completed or submit it in person.

 

Making a reservation offers a convenience that enables you to make plans and they go accordingly without any issues.  This feature basically adds comfort to your schedule without having to take another course of action.  If you don’t take the time to place a reservation then you could arrive only to find that the amenity you plan to enjoy is already reserved by another member.
 

Are you a homeowners association that uses newsletters as the primary way to communicate with your members?  If so, you could be doing your HOA members a disservice by not offering a website for them to stay up-to-date with current guidelines.

 

Most people are going paperless with their accounts and arriving home to read a newsletter after work isn’t a priority anymore. 

 

 

Each year, the trend is that people are relying on their mobile device to stay connected to the important aspects in their lives.  Offering a website that can be easily accessed from a desktop computer or mobile device is remarkably beneficial for a homeowners association. 

 

Not only does it keep members updated but it also keeps the information readily available without members having to store a newsletter.  This information can be seen during any hours and from any location with a mobile device.

 

 

Continued communication with members will maintain member neighborliness and keep residents informed about the HOA benefits.  Having a website also allows members to feel more comfortable interacting with one another about upcoming projects or developments. 

 

Members of the homeowners association website can correspond through email about future meetings or proposed changes as they may not have time to appear in person.

 

 

One of the main purposes of any HOA is to keep residents informed about their community as this provides a sense of security and potentially saves them money. 

 

Providing a website for your members to view this information significantly reduces the frequency of answering questions or addressing concerns that have already been resolved. Implementing a professional website today for your homeowners association reassures everyone they have a reliable source to count on anytime.