Ask the Maintenance Panel: Landscaping

Educational Topics

Published in the ECHO Journal, November 2004 Each month we’ll address a specific maintenance concern that every association faces.  Our panel of experts is here to help answer questions you […]

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The Failure of Voluntary Reserve Funding

Educational Topics

Published in the ECHO Journal, November 2006 Revisiting “The Hard Facts: Associations Need Cash!” Author’s note: This article was originally published in the February 2003 ECHO Journal to inform community […]

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Shut-Off Gas Valves Reduce Fires Caused by Quakes

Educational Topics

Californians see the best and worst of what mother nature has to offer. Our natural resources and climate are unparalleled, but we also live with the constant reminder of the […]

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How to Decide Which Trees to Plant in Your Community

Educational Topics

Everyone loves a lush, green landscape filled with beautiful, healthy trees. However, sometimes trees seem like more trouble than they are worth. Constant building clearance pruning, messy sidewalks, pavement damage, […]

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Update and Optimize Your Landscape’s Irrigation System

Educational Topics

A lawn is a precious thing, but so is your money. Learn how to make your sprinkler system the best it can be to keep your gardens beautiful while conserving […]

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New Laws for 2014

Educational Topics

Published in the ECHO Journal, December 2013 As we get closer to January 1, 2014 and the official implementation date of the new Davis-Stirling Common Interest Development Act, we know […]

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Types of Tree Care Certifications and Why They Matter

Educational Topics

Tree care companies come in a wide variety of sizes and skill levels, and choosing the right one for your project can be challenging. Should you go with the established, […]

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5 Policies You Should Consider When Hiring a Contractor

Educational Topics

How does an association select the best bid and the right contractor? Don’t stop at price and quality: investigate these 5 policies before you hire a contractor and save your HOA […]

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Exterior Water Damage

Educational Topics

Water causes more damage in the United States than fire, and California has more water damage than any other state. Flooding and storm damage are considered to be sudden disasters […]

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Letter to the ECHO Journal: Inaccuracies in Reserve Study Article

Educational Topics

Published in the ECHO Journal, January 2007 Numerous Inaccuracies in “Back to Basics” article in September 2006 ECHO Journal: ECHO should be applauded for the theme of this article (Reserve […]

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Exempt or Nonexempt: Employee Classification for Overtime Pay

Educational Topics

Personal bankers for Bank of America’s wealthiest clients settled for $22 million. Farmers Insurance Exchange claims adjusters were awarded more than $90 million. Starbucks, PacBell and RadioShack “working” managers are […]

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Methods for Resolving Cigarette Controversy in HOAs

Educational Topics

Smoking in Communities Over the last ten years the number of multi-residential housing projects has increased dramatically. As people are brought into closer proximity there has been a spike in […]

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