January 2007

Balancing Responsibility and Authority in CIDs To Amend or Not to Amend Exempt or Nonexempt? Exterior Water Damage

February 2007

HOA Financial Analysis – Part 1 Thoughts for New Association Board Members When Going to Court Is Good The Annual Dilemma Questions to Ask Your Banker Realities of Rain Gutter […]

March 2007

Can You Sleep on a Stormy Night? New Website Launched HOA Financial Analysis – Part 2 2006 Statute and Case Law Update New State Certification of Electricians

April 2007

2006 Statute and Case Law Update – Part 2 The Contractual Community ECHO 2007 Annual Seminar Getting Your HOA to “On Time and On Budget” Owner of Record Have Truck, […]

May 2007

Stealth Reserves Top Traits of Great Boards of Directors 2007 Annual Seminar Begins June 1 Reserve Fund Fallacies Why Have Architectural Control? What to Do When Presented with Large Variances […]

June 2007

Painting for Protection and Appearance The Art of Communication Jeffrey Barnett – Volunteer of the Year Transitions in New HOAs California Needs Condominium Conversion Reform Barking Dogs

July 2007

Primer on Duties and Authority of HOA Boards Budgeting for Community Associations Independent Contractor or Employee?

August 2007

Overcoming Resistance to Funding Reserves Protecting Homeowner Privacy Reflections From a Board President Board Service Is an Honor

September 2007

Decks: Keep Up or Pay Up Effective Communications in CIDs Stealth Reserves Uncovered HOA Transfer Fees

October 2007

Is Your Reserve Budget Just an Illusion? Advantages of Incorporation It’s Not Easy Being Little HOA Generates Its Own Electricity

What Does the New Agenda Bill Require for HOAs?

What Does the New Agenda Bill Require for HOAs? SB 528 has been signed into law, effective January 1, 2008. For some Associations, it will not make a difference because […]

read more

Beginner’s Guide to HOA Boards of Directors Duties and Responsibilities

Many new board members want an introductory guide that states in one place what are their duties and by what authority do they operate. This article discusses general concepts and […]

read more

Ask The Maintenance Panel: What to Do With Widely Differing Bids for Reroofing

Published in the ECHO Journal, February 2008 Question:  “We asked for bids from roofing contractors to reroof our complex and got seven bids back. The bidders are offering us four […]

read more

Allow For “Bad Debt” In Your Budget!

Published in the ECHO Journal, February 2008 Builders, who couldn’t build homes fast enough a year ago, are now offering substantial discounts and/ or incentives such as swimming pools and […]

read more

A New FCC Exclusive Service Ban Will Void Existing Cable Agreements

Published in the ECHO Journal, February 2008 Community associations will no longer be able to play favorites, at least when it comes to the selection of companies providing cable services. […]

read more

Back to Our Housing Future: Will the Old Suburbs Become the New Urban Core?

Published in the ECHO Journal, March 2008 A New Role for Older Community Associations? Have we reached the end of the move to the suburbs that started after World War […]

read more

Ask the Panel: Outside Construction Managers

Published in the ECHO Journal, March 2008 Question We are faced with several major projects in the next three (3) years and money is tight. Most of our board feels […]

read more

Minutes – The Legal Document of the Association

Published in the ECHO Journal, March 2008 Twenty-five years in the association management business have provided me with plenty of opportunities to review board meeting minutes and observe the various […]

read more

2007 Statute and Case Law Update

Published in the ECHO Journal, March 2008                                                […]

read more

Maintenance – A Team Effort

Published in the ECHO Journal, April 2008 Many articles have been written over the past few years regarding different aspects of maintenance— maintenance programs, how to, where to, who to […]

read more

Running an HOA Board Meeting: The Open Meeting Act

HOA board meetings are an essential part of running an association. But what exactly does it entail? This article discusses the laws for running your HOA’s meetings.  Attendance at Meetings […]

read more

How Long Should We Keep HOA Records?

Your HOA may have a closet full of records, but do you have the right ones? Which records should you keep for reference and which are required by California law? […]

read more