Property managers are often employed by owners of rental properties to handle related tasks for them. In other instances, property managers are hired for their services by owners of second homes or vacation homes who can’t be physically present to oversee the maintenance of their property. Whatever the purpose, property managers play a vital role in the upkeep of the property in the absence of the owner. With that said, it’s important to be selective about your choice of property manager because the wrong one could cause you to lose your investment. While technical skills are critical to their role,... Read more »

Homeowners associations are established to ensure the safety of their member-homeowners, protect property value, and maintain the community they serve. To put it another way, homeowners associations are there to protect the interests of both the homeowners and property owners (if these are separate entities). An HOA is run and managed by volunteer homeowners that make up the Board of Directors. They ensure that the HOA is fully functional and fulfills its duties and responsibilities. And part of their responsibilities is to ascertain that funds are available for both maintenance purposes and emergencies. Where do the funds come from? They... Read more »

If you’re buying or renting a new home in an apartment complex, gated compound or community, multi-family building, or condominium, there’s a good chance that the property belongs to a homeowners association. Most communities in the country have their homeowners association, which means you’ll hardly find a house or residential property that isn’t a part of a homeowners association or similar organization.   Before you sign the contract, take the time to learn about the HOA that covers the property you’re looking to move into for your peace of mind. And if you’re not familiar with the ins and outs... Read more »

When the World Health Organization announced that COVID-19 has escalated to such proportions that it has become a pandemic, countries were quick to enforce rules and restrictions to curb its spread. This meant businesses closing their physical locations, individuals staying home, and social events had to be canceled. For HOA communities, these restrictions meant keeping homeowners safe inside their homes.   As HOAs grapple with these unprecedented changes, they acknowledge the fact that they are responsible for the health and safety of their respective communities. The following are some of the ways HOAs are keeping their communities safe:   1.... Read more »

The COVID-19 pandemic is challenging everything we know about health and safety. And though states across the nation are beginning to ease restrictions, we shouldn’t expect an immediate return to the way things were before the outbreak.   HOAs are gearing up for the new strategies they’ll have to employ to ensure the protection of everyone in the community. With that in mind, here are 4 changes homeowners and HOA board members are likely to see in HOA living in the new normal.   1. New public space usage regulations   The safety of every resident is among the chief... Read more »