The Rain Garden: A CIC’s Contribution to Cleaner Water

Many folks are not aware that the rain that runs to our storm sewers does not go to the municipal plant for treatment. It used to, but as growing communities increased pressure on treatment plants, cities nationwide disconnected storm sewers and routed them directly to the nearest lake or stream. In Minnesota, pride in our natural resources is strong, and residents are willing and eager to do their part to protect water quality. Rain gardens are a fabulous way for CICs to protect water quality. It is a garden or landscaped area with a very slight depression (usually 6-8 inches). A raingarden is designed to capture stormwater from rooftops, driveways and even streets, allowing it to soak into the ground along the deep root channels of beautiful plants (some native and some conventional).  Read more

The latest edition of the APRA Advisor is now available.  Articles include "Reserve Ability.  The reasons why no HOA should be without a reserve study", and "Refining Design.  The advantages of a well crafted Architectural Design Policy".  (PDF format)

Your Association is Broke - What Bills do you Pay When the Cash Runs Out?

We're in troubled times. The American economy hasn't seen anything like this since 1929 and we won't likely be out of it for several years. Homeowners associations, like the rest of the country, have entered a period of uncertainty, but more to the point, they have entered a period when the cash pool is drying up. Foreclosures, layoffs, bankrupt developers, and owners conserving cash by not paying assessments - it doesn't matter which, the end result is fewer assessments being paid and way less cash in the association's coffers.  Read more

Running a Water-tight Ship

Residential buildings are constantly under attack—not by barbarians or marauding bandits, but by a force far more subtle and insidious. The most tenacious enemy of a residential building is not fire or structural collapse—though a building obviously should be protected from such catastrophes. It’s water. Left unchecked, simple moisture can quietly infiltrate your building envelope and wreak havoc throughout.   Read more

Professional Management Perks

All too often a homeowner association board of directors approaches problems as would a renter looking after the apartment building...reacting by crisis rather than by a long range plan. Guess what? Many HOAs are in constant turmoil because of this approach. A professional HOA manager can smooth out the bumps in this rocky road by building a sound foundation of planning, record keeping and policy making. Here a some of the major benefits:     Read more

Are people really your most important asset?

Many companies proclaim that their employees are their greatest asset. Unfortunately, the phrase has become somewhat cliché, similar to saying employees are "empowered." These are valid statements only if companies put actions behind their claims. In other words, if you say your employees are your greatest asset, do you treat them as if they are the most valuable part of your company? Do they receive the best of care? If you're serious about creating a workforce that's engaged and productive, you must devote time and attention to creating environments in which the people on your teams can flourish. And when they flourish, you must take measures to ensure they are protected and well cared for, because that's what people do with their most celebrated and valuable assets. Think about it:   Read more

Understanding Collection Of Assessments During The Recession

Community associations have never faced the current amount of delinquent assessments and mortgage foreclosures. Unlike the federal government, an association cannot print more money. Yet, the annual budget is still calculated based on 100% participation. This makes it more critical than ever for the Board to stay on top of collections. If the association does not act swiftly to collect delinquent assessments, it is the innocent owners who will suffer. Lax collection practices can cause the financial stability of an association to spiral out of control. Large delinquency rates often result in assessment increases and/or the levy of special assessments. Unfortunately, the alternative to raising assessments is usually a quickly disintegrating community    Read more

Mediation and Arbitration Best Practices

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) is the use of alternative methods to resolve disputes that are typically resolved by litigation in either the state or federal court systems.  The two most popular ADR methods are mediation and arbitration.  Mediation is a process whereby the parties to a dispute use the services of a neutral third party assist them in trying to settle that dispute, not to resolve it on the merits.  Mediations are most often consensual in nature by virtue of a dispute resolution provision in a contract between the parties that requires resorting to mediation in the event of post-agreement disputes or because the parties later agree - after a dispute has arisen either prior to or during litigation - that they would like to try to settle their dispute with the assistance of a neutral third party.   Read more  (PDF)

Social Networking Growing as Communications Tool

Jacksonville (FL) HOA Networkers - Meet homeowners, volunteers, board members, licensed community association managers (CAM) and realtors who are interested in exchanging ideas about the challenges, new laws, management problems, and organizational matters that HOAs and Condo Associations in North East Florida are facing these days.  Visit site

More News Stories

FL: Possible closing of Ombudsman's office worries local condo owners  Earlier this year, Ferguson filed a complaint with the Ombudsman's office again asking for someone to supervise her association's December board elections. While she waits to hear back from the office, rumors that the Ombudsman's office could close have her an... 

FL: Bonita Bay fining property owner who doesn't want to build yet in down market
One man thought economic relief should be a two-way street, but the development company that holds the cards has chosen not to play along....

CO: Foreclosures eat at HOAs
As homeowners lose their properties to foreclosure or fall behind on their bills, their neighbors in communities governed by associations are paying the price....

CA: Solar fight hits home
After having three solar panel permits denied by the Palos Verdes Homes Association Art Jury, Bartz - who owns a solar system installation company in Rancho Palos Verdes - threatened the association with legal action. On Tuesday, the city of Palos Verdes Estat...

OK: $3.2M in changes ordered
A developer has been ordered to make an estimated $3.2 million in improvements to an exclusive gated community in northwest Norman....

TX: Portrait Homes confirms banks are taking over some Dallas-area communities
North Texas homeowners are worried and confused. They're learning the developer who controls their HOA is turning communities over to the bank. So what happens next?...

FL: Banks enter debate on how associations deal with foreclosures  Economic conditions being what they are, banks have entered the ongoing war in Tallahassee over condo and homeowners associations....

NV: Proposed HOA bills draw mixed reviews from columnist  This Saturday I'm taking another break from homeowners association questions to address new bills to be presented to this legislative session. There are three -- assembly bill 251, senate bill 183 and SB 182....

FL: Community board association members go to Florida law "boot camp"   In Army boot camp, soldiers go through a rigorous training program to get ready for potential battle with the enemy. In the context of the boot camp held recently at the Elks Lodge of Bonita Springs, training was meant to help "soldiers" do battle with large...

New condo loan rules could hurt distressed areas
Money is already tight at The Wilshire Condominium, and new lending rules threaten to make life even more difficult for it and other condos around the country....

LA: Pair file federal lawsuit citing April 2008 arrests   A dispute last year over use of fees in the Riverdale Commons Homeowners Association led to two arrests of resident Robin Williams on attempted second-degree murder and aggravated battery counts - and now a federal lawsuit over those arrests...

AZ: Residents want recall of HOA board
Scottsdale residents are seeking a recall of a homeowners association board which has postponed the annual election....

FL: More Coral Lakes residents mull suit for foreign drywall  About 80 residents of the north Cape Coral neighborhood gathered in the community clubhouse Thursday to hear from lawyers already representing four Coral Lakes families suing Engle Homes, the developer of the 300 single-family homes and 66 townhouses in Coral ...

CO: Capital reserve needs plague Centennial
Homeowners at the Centennial affordable housing complex are facing building maintenance needs that exceed the Centennial Homeowners Association's means to pay for the repairs....

TX: Missing child scare tests HOA�s readiness
Neighborhood Watch works - so say several homeowner association members in the Hidden Creek Estates of Royse City, and Royse City Chief of Police, Tom Shelton....

Condo Buyers May Have a New Way to Leave Contracts, Thanks to Fannie Mae Rules
New rules from Fannie Mae that tighten lending requirements for condo buyers could give buyers a new way to walk away from their contracts - and recoup their deposits. Already, condo developers have seen a higher rate of buyers foregoing deposits or suing to g...

MI: Statue pits family against homeowners association  A Novi family is in a dispute with their homeowners association again -- this time over a Virgin Mary statue....

CO: HOA's thorn regains use of sharp tongue
Florissant-area resident Jan Jackson's constitutional right to free speech has been restored, allowing her to resume savaging her homeowners association board. If she dares....

NV: Legislation Introduced to End HOA Corruption
Half a year after an HOA corruption probe was exposed by the Eyewitness News I-Team, it's getting major attention by lawmakers in Carson City. Lawmakers are working on creating some legal teeth to stop this from happening again....

MO: Subdivision could face penalties on water system  Residents of a subdivision on Ivy Bend have 30 days to decide what to do about their drinking water or face enforcement action by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources...

IL: Condo owners may have to pay taxes twice
In its first year on the tax rolls, the RSC building in downtown Oak Park is delinquent on its bill to the tune of $1.7 million...

FL: Should cash-strapped condo associations rent units in foreclosure?  Renting out empty units may help your community association cope with budget woes caused by owners in foreclosure or delinquency, who do not pay maintenance fees....

NC: High Point Neighbors Help Bust Burglary Ring
A homeowner's association and neighborhood watch helped High Point Police bust a burglary ring....