Blog

By Ed Morrissey Note: This article first appeared in the Summer 2024 Edition of The Communicator Magazine.

HOW IMPORTANT IS a budget in operating a business? (And yes, HOAs are businesses. They are non-profit corporations licensed in the state of California.) The importance of a working budget and its implementation can be measured by the health and happiness of the homeowner’s association. 

A strong HOA community has underpinning practices that create an environment of neutrality and harmony when operated correctly. This promotes stability, which supports social equality. In order to achieve this, financial stability is a necessity. In other words, no monetary (assessment) surprises. Surprises destabilize HOA residences’ finances, particularly in lower income households, resulting in community pushback and the postponement of needed work. This scenario is the start of a downward spiraling trend that begins to envelop all aspects of HOA community...

By Nicholas Nociforo

Whether we like it or not, money is the fuel that keeps the world going round. Managing money at any level can be challenging, but managing a collection of funds, as in the instance of an HOA, comes with even more complications. So many things need to get done to keep the community beautiful and property values appreciating. And with so many services done routinely like tree work, or sporadically like sidewalk repairs, spending the money needed to get it all done is hard to do. I am an arborist who sells tree care services to HOAs and other multi-family properties. I have been in the industry for eight years and have worked with all types of boards and property managers in California. I am also a new homeowner who is now faced with service providers and proposals for all the things I need to get done at my house. The purpose of this article is to help HOAs manage their money with inside secrets from service providers. I will be writing from the perspective...