How to Make Online Voting Work for Your HOA
Online voting is a great tool designed to pair the greatest need of an HOA—homeowner involvement—with a technological solution. As a follow-up to an earlier article about community voting, this week we will share the benefits and challenges of online voting for your HOA. Then, we will provide some best practices to consider when planning
Cumulative Voting in an HOA
Voting is an important aspect of homeowner engagement in an HOA, especially for annual meetings. Homeowners’ voices are heard through voting to adopt or amend the governing documents, levy a special assessment, or most notably, for the election of board candidates. Voting can be conducted in person, by proxy (in Texas, but not in Arizona),
HOA Rules vs. Policy: What’s the Difference?
You’ve heard the terms rules and regulations, CC&R’s, bylaws, resolutions and policy – but what do they mean? How are each of them different and which term is appropriate to use? There are subtle differences between them, but there are also similarities. In fact, some of them even overlap in terms. We’ve composed a definition
Committed Teams: The Best Way to Be a Successful HOA
Many aspects of HOA management can positively impact your HOA. However, almost none of them will have as great of an effect as building a solid team that’s focused on your HOA’s goals. So, how do you create a team of people committed to solving problems quickly and producing quality work? The team you already
Simple Holiday Decoration Guidelines in an HOA Community
Homeowners typically love to show their holiday spirit; so, limiting holiday decorations is not a viable option for any board. Instead, focus on how to encourage your community to celebrate the holiday season in a tasteful and reasonable way. For most, the holiday season is a time of cheer and goodwill; however, concerns about discrimination
Getting to Know Your HOA Documents
Whether you own a home in an HOA community and are serving on the board, or if you’re looking to purchase a home and want to know exactly what you’re getting yourself into, let’s breakdown your HOA documents and what they mean for you. First of all, there are several types of governing documents used
A Recipe for a Happy Holiday in Your HOA
With the holidays fast approaching, we want to assist our boards in providing a safe and happy holiday season for their homeowners. This week, we discuss common topics that homeowners and board members face during the holiday season. Read on for helpful holiday tips: Package Theft and Other Security Issues Unattended packages left on doorsteps,
Things Your Property Manager Wishes Every Homeowner Knew
There are several things property managers wish homeowners knew that if implemented at the outset of their relationship, would go a long way to creating and maintaining a good relationship between the two parties. Paying your bills on time; being polite and kind when needing to talk to your property manager; following the community’s rules and
Tips for Avoiding Embezzlement and Fraud
To keep homeowners’ trust and fulfill their responsibilities to the HOA, board members need to know how to avoid fraud and embezzlement against the HOA, which can result in faulty elections and stolen funds. While an HOA can take legal action against a person who has stolen funds or property from the HOA, legal action
HOA Compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act
Signed into law in 1990 by President George H.W. Bush, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) provides equal opportunities and protects the rights of individuals with disabilities. This law governs both private and public facilities, similar to the Federal Fair Housing Act (FFHA). The ADA applies to community association property that is open to the