November 2018

2018 Northern California Community Association Financial Survey How to Avoid Litigation: Tips From a Community Manager How Can Board Members Fulfill Their Fiduciary Duties? Serving on the Board: It’s About […]

September 2018

The Fight Against Short Term Rentals Understanding Insurance Recommendations From a President’s Perspective What Is a Capital Improvement? Why Did They Build These Buildings So Crummy?

July 2018

Recruiting New Board Members Recreational Use Immunity for Common Interest Developments When Are HOAs Allowed to Tow? A Checklist for Construction Contracts SB 721: An Important Update

May 2018

De-Escalating Conflict Does Your Association Need a Crime Prevention Plan? Insurance Lessons from the California Fires Defining Expectations

March 2018

Pets and Emotional Support Animals HOAs and Marijuana New Disclosures are Required for HOAs and Management Top 5 Reserve Planning Mistakes The Costly Future of SB 721 and Deck Inspection […]

January 2018

Board Meeting Basics When Politics Comes to the Clubhouse AB 634 – Solar Energy Systems are Coming to Condominium Roofs Winter Thoughts for Spring A Conflict of Circumstance

November 2017

Strategic Planning for Board Members How to Plan Your HOA’s Budget Insuring for Disasters: Budgeting and Planning ‘Tis the Season to Be Tolerant Review Your Annual Disclosures New Laws for […]

September 2017

What You Need to Know About Small Claims Court Building Community Through Beautification 8 Steps to Regain Architectural Control Is it Time to Retire Your Landscape? Managing Board Conflict

July 2017

The War of Reconstruction Has Many Small Battles Five Things New Condo Directors Need to Know Now Nuisance, and Beyond Decision-Making in Community Associations. Who Decides—the Board or the Members? […]

May 2017

Balconies, Are Yours Safe? Ten Ways to Improve Property Values How to Improve Your Meeting Minutes Exterior Painting Tips and Summer Heat Are You Getting Your Maintenance Dollar’s Worth?

Who Should Make Decisions in HOAs: the Board or the Members?

Many people have observed that community associations are actually “mini-governments.”  The “citizens” (owners) elect “officials” (directors) to make both small and large decisions affecting their lives and assets.  These decisions […]

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California Drought: What Can Your HOA Do to Save Water?

With California facing a historic drought, both individuals and HOAs must work together to conserve water. Water conservation means knowing how to efficiently water your lawn and best practices for […]

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11 Essential Clauses for Construction Contracts in HOAs

Board members should be aware of these key contract provisions to include in agreements between homeowners associations and contractors. These terms cover everything from liability to attorney’s fees, and give […]

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7 Quick Tips on HOAs and Project Permits

HOA boards and owners should understand construction permit basics: deadlines, budgets, liability, and other aspects of project permitting that they can (and should) control.

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Electronic Recordings During HOA Board Meetings

Should Individuals be Allowed to Record HOA Board Meetings? Drama! As the meeting starts the Directors and manager notice an owner pull out a handheld digital recorder and push the start […]

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How to Fund a Lawsuit for Your HOA

The question of how a community association will pay for a lawsuit must be decided by the board when the need for litigation arises. Depending on whether the HOA is […]

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Under the Surface: Hidden Issues in Construction

Published in the ECHO Journal, February 2014 Buildings are always talking to us…it just may take a “building whisperer” to hear what they are saying. Of the many things buildings […]

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Fiduciary Responsibility of Association Directors

The law of fiduciary responsibility can be viewed as having two purposes. The first is moral or educational in nature. The law sets a standard for appropriate conduct of association […]

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Cost of Earthquake Insurance for HOAs in California

Earthquake risk keeps growing in California, making earthquake insurance a viable option for HOAs and condominium owners. Learn about the costs of insurance premiums, deductibles, and the types of homeowner […]

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Basic Homeowner Association Income Taxes

Published in the ECHO Journal, January 2014 Before jumping into the discussion of homeowner association income taxes, it helps if you get a limited understanding of the tax history. Understanding […]

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A New Design for Leadership

Published in the ECHO Journal, January 2014 Policy in this context is a written statement that causes others to take action in the attainment of a stated expectation. Governance is […]

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HOA Duty to Address the Upstairs Unit’s Noisy Floors

HOAs of multi-level condominiums or other developments are probably familiar with nuisances caused by noisy neighbors, with a majority of complaints coming from unapproved flooring. Associations have a legal responsibility […]

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