Blog - Educational Community for Homeowners (ECHO)

Perspectives from a Building Inspector

Educational Topics

Published in the ECHO Journal, August 2008 HOA Construction Issues In thirty years as a general contractor, a project manager and a construction manager, I have had my share of […]

Funding for Large Projects

Educational Topics

Published in the ECHO Journal, August 2008 Once an association board has made the difficult decision to proceed with a large association project—whether it is to replace the roof, siding, […]

Predicting the Future of Community Associations

Educational Topics

Published in the ECHO Journal, August 2008 An Outline for the Next 50 Years Introduction Co-operative, private maintenance of commonly-owned land and facilities in small villages and towns has been […]

The Controlling Director

Educational Topics

Published in the ECHO Journal, September 2008 How many of us have experienced the board member who wants to control all aspects of his or her community association’s operation from […]

How Well Are Your Association Funds Insured?

Educational Topics

Published in the ECHO Journal, September 2008 Most of us have heard that the government agency, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), insures deposits up to $100,000. What some people […]

Learning the Truth about Condo Conversion Budgets

Educational Topics

Published in the ECHO Journal, October 2008 We have written on these pages before about the economic crisis that can befall the buyers of condominiums converted from old apartment buildings.[1] […]

Anticipate Roof Drainage Problems

Educational Topics

Creating a proactive roof drainage plan is one of the best ways to keep properties in good working order and to avoid costly repairs such as water intrusion, dry rot, […]

HOA Rules: Creating, Changing, and Repealing

Educational Topics

HOAs create rules to address situations that are not regulated by the CC&Rs. This article explains the process to adopt or change a rule, as well as process that members […]

What Does it Mean for a Board Member to be a Fiduciary?

Educational Topics

Published in the ECHO Journal, October 2008 Most board members for community associations understand that they owe a “fiduciary duty” to the homeowner members of their association. But what exactly […]

Should Your HOA Consider Painting in the Rain?

Educational Topics

Painting and construction are expensive, but HOAs can save money by performing some or all of the work during the rainy months.

Avoiding Reserve Planning Mistakes

Educational Topics

Outside of major reconstruction, reserve expenses are the largest expenses an association will face. Too often, more immediate tasks are on the desk of an association manager, and the important […]

Court Whacks Directors

Educational Topics

Published in the ECHO Journal, November 2008 With a $500,000 Attorney Fee Award! This actually happened in Ritter & Ritter v Churchill Condominium Association (decided August 21, 2008). The case […]