July/August 2020

Features: The Laws of the Land | William S. Scherer, Esq & Louis J. Sarmiento, Jr., Esqa. Don’t Lose Sight of the Big Picture: HOA Construction Projects During the Pandemic […]

Echo’s May/June 2020 Journal

Webinar Registration: Technology That Benefits HOA Board Members Navigating Uncharted Waters Webinar Registration: Opening HOA Communities After Covid What to Do When Your HOA Has No Functioning Board of Directors […]

March/April 2020

Features: Community Associations in Crisis:  Navigating COVID-19 in your HOA | Sandra Long, CCAM, PCAM Coronavirus & Community Associations | Swedelson Gottlieb Attorneys Internal Dispute Resolution: A Powerful Problem-Solving Tool […]

January/February 2020

Features: Legal Changes for HOA Elections | Sandra L. Gottlieb, Esq. CCAL A Practical Overview of ADUs | Mark G. Guithues, Esq. Back to the Future: Modernization of an Association […]

November 2019

Aging in Place Protecting Holiday Gifts from Mr. Grinch Cultural Diversity Awareness in an HOA SB 326: Compliance with The Balcony Inspection Bill Elder Abuse in Community Associations

September 2019

A Step By Step Guide to HOA Board Elections Avoiding Board Burnout The Great Debate: Hiring Construction Management or Doing It Yourself Do HOAs Need to Follow Government Contracting Procedures? […]

July 2019

Mental Health Issues in HOAs Strategic HOA Capital Budgeting The Basics of Running a Successful HOA Measuring Success with a Properly Prepared Budget

June 2019

The Value of Creating an HOA Maintenance Manual Construction Boom, Labor Shortages & Economics Parking Enforcement: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly New Mandatory Disclosure Requirements for Community Managers

March 2019

Governance in Service of Community Be Prepared for Fire Season! Contracts: What Boards Need to Know Painted Surfaces Care and Maintenance Part 2 – Exterior Surfaces

January 2019

New 2019 Law Reflects Growing Concern Over Fraudulent Behavior and Board Responsibility Painted Surfaces Care and Maintenance: Part 1 – Interior Surfaces When is the Board wrong? And When will […]

State Law Mandates Carbon Monoxide Detectors In Homes and Communities

Every year, thousands of Americans are victims of carbon monoxide poisoning, requiring hospitilzation and sometimes even dying as a result. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, tasteless – and toxic […]

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Protecting Your HOA from Fraud and Embezzlement

Unfortunately, fraud happens in homeowners associations. No strategy will guarantee that your HOA won’t be a victim of theft or embezzlement, but your board can take reasonable steps to reduce […]

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Electric Vehicle Charging Stations: Green Amenities for HOA Property

There are nearly 100,000 plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs)  in California – 40 percent of the national PEV market.  Your homeowners association may have already received requests for charging stations on […]

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Effective Communication Is Necessary When Managing an Emergency

Communication Is the Key to Disaster Management Management of any disaster or emergency event is a complicated and multi-faceted task. One of the most important, and oftentimes overlooked, parts of […]

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How to Evaluate Your HOA Manager

How do you know if your HOA manager is doing a good job? Identify problems, and learn how to get better service for your condominium or association.

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We Won the Case: Now What?

From time to time, a community association is forced to sue a member who has violated the governing documents. Many times, these lawsuits are “settled” without trial. Sometimes however, a […]

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When Disaster Strikes: Emergency Planning for Community Associations

Start Planning for a Disaster Now Consider this scenario: You are a board member for an HOA that represents over 300 residents in a condominium complex of 20 buildings.  In the […]

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The 3 Methods of HOA Accounting and Financial Statements

We recommend that HOAs use the Accrual Basis of Accounting for financial statements. Learn the differences between accrual, modified accrual, and cash basis accounting, and how they affect your financials.

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Please Park Responsibly: The Ins and Outs of Parking Rules

Although CA State regulates private property towing, it gives each city the freedom to write more restrictive municipal codes.  Some cities require the properties to pay for permits to allow […]

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Problem Solving

Whether you are an owner, a board member, or a manager, here are some thoughts and philosophy about problem solving: Do not put the blinders on and ignore the good […]

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Drafting the Construction Contract for Your HOA

What Is a Construction Contract? When your property manager reports to a board that one portion or a significant element of the common area is in need of repair, the […]

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When Is Contruction Really Complete?

During project closeout, many differing interests and perspectives—some of them conflicting—create a complex dynamic. Pinpointing whether or not construction is truly “over” isn’t always a simple, straightforward matter. Numerous individuals […]

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