Blog - Educational Community for Homeowners (ECHO)

Customer Alert Regarding Misleading Solicitations

Educational Topics

Published in the ECHO Journal, November 2009 The Secretary of State’s office has been advised that solicitation letters are being sent to California businesses encouraging them to comply with their […]

When Can HOAs Suspend Member Rights and Privileges?

Educational Topics

Can the HOA remove a director for unpaid assessments? Prevent a member from using the pool because of a rule violation? Yes. Here’s how.

Fraud Warnings For California Homeowners In Financial Distress

Educational Topics

Published in the ECHO Journal, November 2009 California Department of Real Estate Consumer Alert As homeowners continue to feel the pinch from the recession, and as home loan worries, delinquencies, […]

When Your CC&Rs Hate You

Educational Topics

Published in the ECHO Journal, November 2009 How Developer Protections in Governing Documents Work to Block Association Defect Claims By now, most readers are probably aware of the basic protections […]

El Nino is on its Way!

Educational Topics

Published in the ECHO Journal, December 2009 The Climate Prediction Center of the National Weather Service issued an El Nino Advisory July 9, 2009 for the winter of 2009-2010. El […]

Solar and Other Energy Efficiency Tax Credits Examined for HOAs

Educational Topics

Your HOA’s board of directors and manager has probably seen tons of articles or flyers from vendors about how you can save taxes by installing solar heating devices, new windows, […]

A Check on Board Power

Educational Topics

Published in the ECHO Journal, December 2009 The Common Interest Development Open Meeting Act It would be impractical to require that every act and decision for an association be approved […]

How To Get One More Year From Your Roof

Educational Topics

Published in the ECHO Journal, January 2010 How To Get One More Year From Your Roof or, “Our Members Couldn’t Agree…” Act I You discover that your roofs are worn […]

The Ten Biggest Mistakes With Roofing & Waterproofing Projects

Educational Topics

Published in the ECHO Journal, January 2010 Roofing replacement and other large waterproofing projects are generally the most costly projects that association boards face. Such projects are done only occasionally […]

Who Fixes What? – Part I

Educational Topics

Published in the ECHO Journal, January 2010 One of the most important questions in a homeowner association is “Who fixes what?” On top of this very basic question, others come […]

New Ordinance Requires Repair of Aging Sewer Lines

Educational Topics

Published in the ECHO Journal, February 2010 In the aging municipal infrastructure that surrounds the San Francisco Bay, local utilities struggle to maximize water efficiency and minimize environmental impact. But […]

Why Pursue a Loan to Fund Your Major Reconstruction Project

Educational Topics

Published in the ECHO Journal, February 2010 There are several ways to fund a major reconstruction project available to homeowners. The most obvious and best is to have adequate reserves […]