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Not too long ago, one of the main ways residents in homeowner associations (HOAs) could pay their association fees was with a check, money order, or cash. Fast forward a decade or two later, and paying with a check is inconvenient for many residents who no longer use checkbooks or carry cash—leaving many homeowners wondering how to make an HOA payment online. Luckily, we know how.

Is your preventative maintenance plan in need of a check-up? Read on to learn the 11 questions you should ask to assess your HOA’s maintenance health.

Have HOA budgets changed in 2020? Find out what 7 trends have shaped association budget planning this year.

Another budget season is here once again, and that means that the boards of homeowners associations are busy planning, analyzing—and grinding their teeth. We know that developing your HOA’s annual budget is not an easy task. However, with the guidance offered in the following nine steps, you’ll be able to get through the process more easily—and without needing to visit your dentist.

Whether you are addressing overnight guest parking, or approved flooring, the basic process for creating good policies and enforcing them successfully are the same. Consider these eight steps when establishing an HOA policy.

With several Arizona cities ranking high in WalletHub’s 2016 listing of most pet-friendly cities, it’s likely that your community allows residents to have pets. Still, your homeowners association (HOA) needs to have a clear policy to prevent residents’ furry family members from becoming a community problem. After all, it isn’t really Rover’s fault if issues arise. It’s up to his owners to clean up after him, to ensure that he remains well behaved and to follow the HOA rules.

Maintaining your HOA’s financial health—just like maintaining your personal health—boils down to moderation and good decision making. Eating one deep-fried blooming onion every once in a while isn’t a problem. Eating three or four several times a week is. Keep your HOA financially fit with these four "health" tips.

Are you considering moving to a community with more lifestyle elements? How do you choose which one is right for you? Do you research and consider these five tips to ensure you find your perfect match!

If your main concern is to avoid increasing assessments, you may want to reconsider. As a board member, one of your primary fiduciary responsibilities is to protect property values, and assessments are an investment that helps do just that.

We have all heard about the harmful effects of smoking and secondhand smoke exposure. Arizona law addresses the dangers of secondhand smoke through its Smoke-Free Arizona Act. The Act prohibits smoking in enclosed public buildings and workplaces, as well as in enclosed, common areas of multifamily buildings.

A healthy and effective Arizona homeowners association is not only able to identify great volunteers and committee members, but will empower them to drive positive change in the community. But how do you get there?

Are you getting the best returns on your reserve funds? Most Arizona board members aren't sure. Find out six ways to improve your association's reserve fund returns, like creating an HOA investment policy.

It’s vital to prepare for the future and take steps to protect your association reserve funds. Here are 3 ways to manage reserves during a crisis.

Great capital improvements lead to better property values. Read on to see the three ways to pay for them and the pros and cons for each.

As a resident in a homeowners association (HOA), it’s important for you to know what you have a right to expect from your association and from your community management team, as well as your responsibilities to the HOA. Being aware of your rights and responsibilities creates clarity, helps you set realistic expectations and leads to more cohesiveness throughout the community. With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of community residents’ rights and responsibilities. Remember that these apply equally to homeowners and renters.

Many people who live in cities like Phoenix and Scottsdale appreciate the rewards that come with living in a high-rise building. Some of the unique advantages include great amenities, security and even concierge services. High-rise buildings are also unique when it comes to insurance coverage. Besides the individual policies that unit owners need to have, the building and common areas must be covered as well.

Do you dread preparing your HOA’s annual budget as much as you dread stepping outside of your Arizona home on a summer afternoon? You’re not alone. For many HOA boards, it’s their least-favorite task. But look at it this way: You’re making sure that your HOA remains financially stable, and that’s an important job.

There are often valid reasons to raise assessments, but in some cases, you may want to take a different route. Here are three cost-saving strategies.

Lights, candles and wreaths, oh my! The most decorated season of the year is arriving, with celebrations from many cultures and faiths coinciding in the next few months. For condo communities, the desire to deck the halls can clash with the rules of the corporation. Follow these tips to maintain a festive community without décor running amok.

You want your strata to be successful. All council members do. You know that means watching the finances carefully and maintaining the property. But do you think about effective strata council communication as an ingredient in your recipe for success? It is!

As a homeowner, you want to live in a place that accentuates your style – from a beautiful sense of arrival or exquisitely decorated building lobby, complete with freshly pruned trees and lush landscaping – but unless your strata council has strategically planned out your strata’s budget, you can forget all of that.

It’s that wonderful time of year! Many of us are shopping online to get that perfect gift for our loved ones. And, for those doing last-minute shopping, we don’t want to have to worry that something will go wrong with our deliveries.

Condo living has its perks: amazing urban locations close to public transportation, being part of a community without having to do yard work or home maintenance, enjoying amenities like fitness centres, party lounges and pools at your doorstep. Just don’t forget that those perks come at a price – a monthly strata fee. What are strata fees and how are they determined?

As a board member, one of your principal responsibilities is stewardship of the association’s finances. A lot of that boils down to one thing: the annual budget. Unfortunately, for many board members, “annual budget” is just another term for “big headache.” It doesn’t have to be that way. By staying aware of common budgeting pitfalls, you can make the creation of your annual budget less of a hassle – and ensure an entire year of minimal money woes while you’re at it.