Navigating Nevada HOAs: A conversation with Christina Brown

Homeowners’ associations (HOAs) are not a niche part of Nevada’s housing landscape. They are central to it. According to the Community Associations Institute (CAI), Nevada is home to more than 4,000 community associations, representing hundreds of thousands of homes and residents statewide.

For board members, that reality brings both opportunity and responsibility. Rising costs, evolving regulations, and changing resident expectations mean boards are making more complex decisions than ever before.

To better understand what is shaping Nevada HOAs today, we spoke with Christina Brown, regional director at FirstService Residential. With nearly two decades in the industry and hands-on experience as both a volunteer board member and committee participant, Christina offers a perspective that blends professional expertise with real-world insight.
 

Understanding Nevada HOA management, trends, challenges, and more: Expert insights from Christina Brown

Q: Christina, tell us about your background and connection to Nevada communities.

"I’ve been in the industry for 19 years, and I’ve lived in Nevada since 2003. What’s unique about my experience is that I’m not just working with boards. I’ve served on one."

—Christina Brown, regional director at FirstService Residential
  

Christina has volunteered on her community’s design review and deed restriction committees and served on her board of directors. She also holds professional designations through the CAI, including CMCA and AMS.

"That perspective shapes how I approach this work. I understand the weight of board decisions because I’ve been in that seat."

Q: Why do HOAs play such an important role in Nevada?

"In Nevada, HOAs are really the backbone of many communities."

Data from CAI shows that residents collectively contribute billions annually to maintain their communities, funding everything from infrastructure to shared amenities.

"These communities are responsible for maintaining property values, but just as importantly, they create a sense of belonging. In master-planned communities like Cadence or growing areas like Boulder City, that sense of community is what residents value most."

Learn more about Nevada HOAs in our guide, 'Navigating Nevada's HOA landscape: Insights and industry trends'.
 

Q: What are the biggest challenges you’re seeing for Nevada HOA boards right now?

Christina points to three consistent pressures: rising costs, limited participation, and operational follow-through.

"Costs are probably the most visible issue for boards right now. Insurance premiums are increasing, vendor costs are rising, and inflation is impacting everything from landscaping to major repairs."

Across Nevada, these pressures are well documented. Insurance premiums have climbed due to wildfire risk, construction costs, and broader economic factors, forcing many associations to adjust budgets and assessments.

At the same time, Christina notes that engagement remains a challenge.

"Boards are still made up of volunteers, but participation hasn’t kept pace with the growing demands. That can make it difficult to fill board roles or get homeowner involvement in meetings and committees."

Another common issue she hears from communities before making a property management change is a backlog of unresolved items.

"We often hear about action items that have been sitting for months or even years. Once those start moving, boards realize how much more can be accomplished with the right support."

Q: How have these challenges evolved in recent years?

"The complexity boards face has increased significantly. They are now dealing with more regulatory requirements, more financial pressure, and higher expectations from residents."

Nevada’s legal framework reinforces that complexity. State law requires associations to maintain adequate reserves and conduct regular reserve studies, with full updates typically required every five years and ongoing annual reviews.

"That’s critical because it ties directly to financial planning. If your reserve study isn’t current or doesn’t reflect today’s costs, you’re not getting an accurate picture of your community’s future needs."

This is where many boards feel the pressure most acutely.

"Residents understandably want to avoid increases, but the reality is that delaying funding decisions creates bigger challenges down the road."

Read our article 'Leading Nevada HOAs through complexity with and care' for more information about common challenges and how FirstService Residential helps communities navigate them.
 

Q: What should boards be asking right now to stay ahead?

Christina encourages boards to focus on two essential questions:

• Are we keeping up with rising costs through appropriate assessment levels?
   
• Is our reserve study updated to reflect current replacement costs?

"These aren’t easy conversations. But they’re necessary if boards want to protect their community’s financial health."

She adds that proactive planning is far more effective than reactive problem-solving.

"When boards have current data and a clear plan, they can make decisions with confidence instead of reacting to emergencies."

Q: What trends should Nevada association boards be preparing for next?

Looking ahead, Christina sees two priorities: financial sustainability and long-term planning.

"Assessment increases will likely continue as costs rise. That’s something boards need to plan for thoughtfully and communicate clearly."

Reserve funding is another critical area.

"In Nevada, maintaining adequate reserves isn’t just a best practice – it’s a requirement. And it’s essential for avoiding special assessments and maintaining property values."

Industry data supports that focus. Underfunded reserves are increasingly cited as a risk for associations, particularly as aging infrastructure and rising costs converge across communities.

She also emphasizes the importance of addressing deferred maintenance early.

"If maintenance has been postponed, it doesn’t go away. It becomes more expensive and more urgent in the future. Having a structured action plan is key."

Q: How can the right management partner support boards through these challenges?

Christina points to consistency, support, and training as critical differentiators.

"What makes a real difference is having multiple layers of support behind the board. That includes financial expertise, operational guidance, and ongoing training for managers and board members."

She also highlights the importance of a strong onboarding experience.

"When a community transitions to new management, the first few months matter. Setting clear priorities, addressing outstanding issues, and establishing communication early can change the trajectory of the community."

Ultimately, she emphasizes partnership.

"Our role is to support boards so they can lead effectively. We’re here to bring structure, insight, and follow-through, but the decisions always belong to the board."

Read our article 'Leading with heart in Nevada property management: An interview with Jennifer Ballew' to learn more about our presense and the support we provide throughout the area.
 

What this means for Nevada boards

If there is one takeaway from Christina’s perspective, it is that today’s HOA challenges are interconnected. Financial planning, resident engagement, and operational execution all influence one another.

For boards, the path forward is not about solving one issue at a time. It is about building a proactive, informed approach that addresses the full picture of community management.
 

A final thought

"Boards don’t have to have all the answers. But they do need the right information and the right support to make confident decisions."

Contact us today to learn more.

This information is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute, and should not be relied upon as, legal, regulatory, financial, or operational advice, or as a representation or guarantee of any specific services, capabilities, or outcomes. Property management needs, regulatory requirements, market conditions, and available services vary by jurisdiction, property type, and community. FirstService Residential provides services through locally based affiliates and associates, and services and results may vary by community, region, contractual terms, and applicable law.