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HOA Committee Charter Formation FAQ
Get answers to frequently asked questions submitted by board members like you! -
Creating Effective Resident Communications
One of the primary responsibilities of a community association board member is to ensure that residents are properly informed about happenings in the community, upcoming meetings & events, policy changes and more. Knowing what information needs to be communicated and how to make sure your announcement reaches everyone possible can be a challenge. Here are a few communication tips that will help keep the residents in your Homeowners Association well informed. -
First Impressions Matter: Simple Ways to Improve Your High Rise Property Values
Finding ways to stand out among neighboring high-rise properties is probably challenging enough for your condominium association. But now with construction of new high-rise condos on the upswing in cities throughout Texas, it’s especially important to maintain an edge if you want homebuyers to give your building a second look. So what can your condominium association do to attract buyers and maintain property values? -
The Most Common Mistakes HOAs Make on Social Media Sites
Social media sites, such as Facebook and Nextdoor, are quickly becoming favorite mediums for information sharing amongst neighbors mainly due to their ease of use and mobile accessibility. However, it’s important for your board to establish how these sites will be administered. Here we’ve identified a few of the most common issues frequently made on homeowner-controlled social media sites and some suggestions on how you can keep things aboveboard. -
Five Rules for Homeowners Associations That Create Good Neighbors, Not Enemies
We’ve all seen what can happen when rules go too far, are not enforced or are enforced inconsistently. In a homeowners association (HOA), these types of issues can even pit neighbor against neighbor. So what can your board of directors do to make sure that your policies are fair and support your goals of establishing order and building a strong and attractive community? Follow these five recommendations to ensure your policies serve the needs of your HOA without being the source of neighborhood riffs. -
Five Ways to Bring Home Lifestyle Programs to Your HOA
Have you ever wondered what makes some homeowners association (HOA) communities such appealing places to live? It could be their location or maybe their amenities. Most likely, it’s also due to a thriving lifestyle program that connects residents and helps to foster lasting relationships within the community. “Even for the smallest of communities, there is tremendous value in developing lifestyle programming,” notes Terry Bascher, vice president of onsite management for FirstService Residential Texas. “Lifestyle programs bring people together while strengthening bonds that increase camaraderie.” -
Discover How You Can Implement HOA Pool Rules, Texas
In Texas, where temperatures can reach triple digits and humidity isn’t far behind, a refreshing dip in a pool can be a welcome relief. That’s why so many HOAs offer swimming pools as an amenity. Here are 10 guidelines to help you manage your association pool. -
Four Tricks to Maintaining Your HOA's Financial Health
Keeping your association’s finances healthy can easily be compared to maintaining your own physical fitness; don’t overindulge and make smart choices. The only thing you’ll have to exercise is good judgment. Here are four tips to get you started on the right foot. -
High-Rise Living Trends: Must-Have Amenities for 2017
Today, high-rise living is attracting a broad range of residents, from millennials to empty nesters, all seeking convenience and luxury in an urban setting. Although they have a common drive to discover this newer metropolitan lifestyle, these very different households have a variety of needs and wants. This means that there is not a one-size-fits-all solution for defining what desirable amenities look like. In fact, properties must continuously adapt and update their offerings to stay competitive in their community. -
Hosting an Annual Meeting That Homeowners Will Want to Attend
The number one reason associations fail to meet quorum is the lack of participation by their homeowners. Knowing this, we’ve put together a list of practical ideas to help increase homeowner participation and alleviate the worry about whether or not you will have enough attendance to hold your meeting. -
Keep Things on Track With Our HOA Annual Meeting Checklist
Whether your association is faced with presenting positive or potentially controversial announcements, you can probably expect a few homeowners to raise their questions and concerns during your annual meeting, making it difficult to keep your meeting on track. To help, here are a few things you can do to limit distractions or interruptions and keep the meeting rolling full steam ahead. -
Weather a Texas-Sized Storm with the Right HOA Insurance
As we say in Texas, “If you don’t like the weather, just wait; it will change soon enough.” Yes, the weather can be fickle in our state, and we Texans do enjoy discussing its variable nature. For members of a homeowners association (HOA) near the Gulf Coast, the conversation this time of year probably turns to the likelihood of a major storm, hurricane or “gully-washer.” And if you are on your HOA’s board of directors, you may also be posing the question, “Is our community prepared to weather a big storm?” -
Hurricane Prep: Your Association Management Company and You
Everything is bigger in Texas & sometimes even hurricanes. And during hurricane season, being a board member for a residential community in the Houston area can bring some big challenges, too. To help get you and your community ready and reduce the effects if a hurricane does strike, we've put together six important tips. -
Is Your Community Prepared? Communication during Crisis
Having a solid communication strategy is the only way your emergency preparedness plan can be effective. Find out how your HOA can create one. -
Is Your Community Prepared for Water Leaks? Reducing the High Cost of Condo Water Damage
A leak in a high-rise condominium can quickly result in expensive water damage. How can you reduce your risk and be better prepared if your building springs a leak? -
Keep Your HOA Community Safe During Summer Vacations
Summertime: It’s the perfect season to hit the road, relax, spend time with family and friends or embark on a new adventure. Although you hope that residents in your community have fun on their summer vacations, you also want to make sure that their homes stay safe and that they continue to fulfill their responsibilities to the association. Whether yours is a condominium, master-planned or single-family community, follow these tips to help your residents prepare their homes in a way that protects it and the community while they are away. -
Tips to Manage an Exceptional HOA Event
No matter what the reason, bringing residents and owners together for an event in your Texas community can be a lot of fun. To help make the planning as fun as the function itself, we’ve put together a list of simple tips. Whether you live in a high-rise condo, or a master-planned community, applying these strategies will make your event a memorable occasion for all the right reasons. -
New Ruling on Short Term Rentals in Texas May Impact Your Community
Short-term rentals continue to be a battleground for associations as well as city and state governments. Recently passed Texas state legislation concerning short-term rentals may now impact your community. If your HOA governing documents do not address rentals or minimum lease terms, then now is a good time to work with your community association management company and legal counsel to make amendments. -
Capital Reserve Fund vs. Capital Improvements for Texas HOAs
Capital reserve fund vs. improvements: Budget for both and know when and how to allocate them in your Texas HOA for a continuously improved community. -
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Special Assessments: Fund Your Capital Improvement Assessment: Part III
Learn about special assessments as a way to fund unexpected capital improvements -
Planning an Award-Winning National Night Out Event
National Night Out is an annual event that promotes partnerships between communities, residents and local law enforcement. Celebrations can range from individual block parties to a large community festival. Either way, it’s a great opportunity to create connections between neighbors and focus on working together to make your community a safer, better place to live. This national celebration has become an annual tradition in many communities far and wide and we want to help you put together the best National Night Out event your association has seen yet. -
Prioritizing and Managing Your Community's Property Maintenance and Improvement Needs
Handling day-to-day maintenance and making necessary improvements are critical responsibilities for any homeowners association (HOA). And when your serve on your association’s board of directors, they can quickly become overwhelming if you don’t have a good system in place to manage them. So how do you make sure that your maintenance staff is able to handle that long list of tasks that need to get done so that your community runs smoothly and retains its appeal? -
Quick Tips to Preparing an Annual Association Budget
The half-year mark has come and gone and we’re now staring budget preparation season in the face. With just a little preparation you can charge forward to tackle this budget with confidence. As North America’s leading association management company we are no strangers to annual budgets. In our experience the first step to successful budget planning is a little preparation. Here are a few quick tips to get you started on the right foot.