March 2017

The Art of Maintenance. The Key to Optimum Building Health. What’s In Your Paint? The Easiest Ways to Cut Your Utility Costs in 2017… How to Make Condo Boards Successful: […]

January 2017

2016 Legislative and Case Law Update Best Price, Highest Quality: Is That All There Is? Neighboring Trees Vehicle Access Control (VAC) Systems 2016 Community Association Financial Survey: How Do Your […]

November 2016

Why Community Property Management Is Good for Your Home Value The Makings of a Great Board Member Fines, Fees, and HOA Liens Effective Strategies for Handling Mold in Your Community […]

September 2016

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: Resolution of Nuisance Disputes Impacting California Community Associations Resolving Disputes When Maintenance is Not Enough Community Association Maintenance Manual Supplement HOA Newsletters: Switching […]

July 2016

What’s My Line: Will the Real Community Association Risk Manager Please Stand Up? Community Association Risk Management The Short Term Rental Clubhouse — Asset or Liability? 15 Things to Watch […]

May 2016

Why Good Governance Requires Legal Protection for Directors and How is it Provided? Overcoming Resistance to Funding Reserves Speed Bumps Major Reconstruction Projects No Good Deed: Pros and Cons to […]

March 2016

The Three Pillars of Community Strength New Beginnings for Community Association Board Members What Homeowner Associations Can Teach Governments About Spending That Roof Over Your Head! The Two Biggest Mistakes […]

January 2016

Trust Building and Keeping – Part II Charging Ahead – The ABCs of EVCSs Rediscovering Community in the CID Environment Unleashing an Association’s Power to Influence Local Policies and Decisions […]

November 2015

Trust-Building in an HOA. Do Boards Have the Advantage? Bank Loans for HOA’s, Part 2 Does Your Association Need a CPA? Running a Successful Monthly Summary of California Statutes Relating […]

October 2015

Bank Loans for HOAs, Part 1 Working Successfully with Committees What Should You Do to Prepare for a Disaster? Barking Dogs Effective Strategies for Handling Mold in Your Community

Ask the Maintenance Panel: Landscaping

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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