HOAleader.com - Tip of the Week - August 22, 2008
Published: Fri, 08/22/08
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What Are People Saying About Your HOA on the Web?
This week's tip is a free and easy way to find out about any
mention of your HOA on the Web--as soon as it gets posted.
In last week's tip, I pointed out that it's a good idea to run
a web search for your HOA from time to time. You'll find out
which of your association documents are available to the public,
so you can remove any that should be kept private. Of course
you'll also find out if someone is writing about your HOA in a
blog or on discussion boards, possibly alerting you to some
festering issues within your community that should be addressed.
But there's a better way to stay up to date--and it's free. The
service is from Google, and it's called Google Alerts. Simply
enter the name of your HOA and your e-mail address, and Google
will send any new search results directly to your e-mail in-box.
You can select how often you want alerts to be sent (as it
happens, daily, or weekly).
The service is available here:
http://www.google.com/alerts
Once you sign up, you'll know immediately if an association
document has been posted publicly when it shouldn't be. You'll
also know right away if someone writes about your homeowner
association (good or bad), so you can respond appropriately. No
more being the last to know!
Best regards,
Matt Humphrey
President
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Recent articles posted at HOAleader.com:
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HOA Legislation: Proposed California Law Would Limit Homeowner
Associations' Ability to Restrict Rentals
A new bill in the California Legislature, AB 2259, would stop
homeowner associations in the state from restricting the leasing
or renting of property unless the restriction was in place when
the owner bought the property. Essentially, the law would lock in
place any existing restrictions and forbid any additional
restrictions--with several exceptions. We'll take a quick look at
the practical effect of the proposed law.
Click here to read full article:
< http://www.hoaleader.com/members/155.cfm >
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HOA Rules: Can--and Should--Your Homeowners Association Prohibit
Rentals?
Many desperate homeowners with too-expensive mortgages are trying
to save their homes by renting them out and moving to less
expensive digs. Others are trying to capitalize on today's
growing rental market as a result of homeowners seeking housing
after suffering a foreclosure. Does your association have--or
need--a policy to address the potentially dramatic growth in
rentals in your community? Here's what to consider when you
debate a policy on rentals.
Click here to read full article:
< http://www.hoaleader.com/members/154.cfm >
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HOA Reserve Investment Philosophies, a Comparative Study
If your HOA doesn't have a documented reserve investment
philosophy, you may find it instructive to review the policies of
other community associations. This post provides eight sample
policies and describes how you can review dozens more.
Click here to read full article:
< http://www.hoaleader.com/public/153.cfm >
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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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