HOAleader.com - Tip of the Week - August 15, 2008
Published: Fri, 08/15/08
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HOA Reserve Investment Philosophies, a Comparative Study
When you are deciding how to invest the reserve funds of your
homeowners association, the first place you should look for
guidance is your governing documents. But, as we point out in our
just-posted article (http://www.hoaleader.com/snip/102.htm), those
documents are often full of vague language when it comes to an
investment philosophy, and many HOAs don't include one at all.
If your HOA doesn't have a documented reserve investment
philosophy, you may find it instructive to review the policies of
other community associations. Many are available for your review
through simple web search. I've posted eight sample policies here:
http://www.hoaleader.com/public/153.cfm
It should go without saying that another association's policy may
not be appropriate for your situation.
Still, the more educated you are about HOA investment philosophy
policies, the more you'll be able to judge what does fit your
association's needs.
As you review these samples, you might be inspired to wonder how
many of your HOA's documents are viewable by the public on the web.
It wouldn't hurt to check. When was the last time you googled your
HOA?
Best regards,
Matt Humphrey
President
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Recent articles posted at HOAleader.com:
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HOA Reserves: Put Your Homeowners Association Reserves to Work--
Safely
You've managed your homeowner association well, and you're proud
to have substantial HOA reserves. Now you'd like to put those
reserves to work so that you strengthen your association's
financial footing even further. Can you even do that? If so, what
investments are appropriate? And what are your duties and risks
as an HOA leader?
Click here to read full article:
< http://www.hoaleader.com/public/152.cfm >
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Fair Housing: What You Must Know about Accommodating Disabled
Residents in Your HOA
Two disabled residents recently sued their condo's board of
directors and management company when they weren't provided keys
to their building's side door. The case should make all HOA board
members and managers question whether they are doing all they can
to accommodate residents with disabilities and to avoid costly
lawsuits. We'll give you some practical steps to follow.
Click here to read full article:
< http://www.hoaleader.com/members/150.cfm >
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HOA Mediation: Selecting a Mediator to Resolve Conflict in Your
Homeowner Association
I'm a big believer that mediation allows parties in conflict to
effectively--and relatively inexpensively--resolve problems. A
homeowner is unhappy with the HOA, and if things keep
progressing, this might just get ugly enough to lead to a
lawsuit. To avoid that, you think that maybe you should try
mediating the dispute. So where do you start?
Click here to read full article:
< http://www.hoaleader.com/public/151.cfm >
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What You Must Know Before Renting Out Homeowner Association
Facilities
Many homeowners associations are considering a range of revenue-
generating measures to offset ever-tightening budgets. But
before you rent out your clubhouse or sell memberships to your
golf course, pool, tennis courts, or other HOA facilities to
non-owners, keep a few critical rules in mind.
Click here to read full article:
< http://www.hoaleader.com/members/149.cfm >
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HOA Governance: Making the Outside-Managed vs. Self-Managed
Decision
Often, when homeowners associations are self-managed, HOA board
members find they're spending so much time on association
business that it seems to be taking over their lives. Other
associations that have hired management companies question
whether the company provides enough value to justify the cost.
Whatever your community association's status, it may be time to
evaluate the pros and cons of hiring a management company.
Click here to read full article:
< http://www.hoaleader.com/public/148.cfm >
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