HOALife Blog

HOA Tactics and Best Practices for HOA Board Members and Managers.

Reducing HOA Board Member Burnout: The Role of Automation

Imagine this scenario: you’re settling down for a peaceful evening when your phone buzzes. Mr. Smith, your neighbor, is complaining about the new, outrageously pink flamingo...

How to Create an RFP for HOA Management Services

Do you want to know how to choose the right management company for your HOA? Keep on reading, then. 

You know - I don’t think there’s any point in sugarcoating this - Having...

HOA Bank Accounts: Everything Your Board Needs to Know

Do you need to open a bank account for your HOA but feel overwhelmed by available options? 

I’m not surprised, actually. Ask any HOA board member what aspect of running the...

How to Run an HOA With Success: 12 Tips

Do you sometimes feel a pang of envy? 

You see stats like the data from Community Association Institute telling you that nearly all (92% to be exact) HOA residents rate...

HOA Reserve Study, a Brief Guide

Are you planning to do an HOA reserve study? Wondering how to conduct one so you don't get into trouble?

Every good homeowner association ensures:

  • Well-maintained amenities...

How to Write a Perfect HOA Welcome Letter

Planning to give a perfect HOA welcome letter to new residents? Wondering how to structure such a letter and what goes into it?

Moving into a new house is a major event in...

9 HOA Newsletter Ideas: Tips for Improving Your HOA Newsletter

Looking for HOA newsletter article ideas and topics to cover? Wondering how you can make each of your HOA newsletters a success?

Like all organizations that care about their...

How to Create a Mission Statement for your HOA

What is an HOA Mission Statement

Let us start with the most common confusion that an HOA vision and mission statements are the same. Well, they are not.

In a nutshell, a...

HOA Statement: Everything You Need to Know

What is an HOA Statement

An HOA statement is also called the accounts receivable statement or HOA dues statement. It is an important part of the annual financial statements,...

How to Plan the HOA Budget: HOA Budget Template

Are you planning to prepare your HOA budget? Wondering how to do it right?

HOA budget planning is one of the main duties of each HOA board. Without a proper budget, an HOA is...

HOA President: Duties and Responsibilities

An HOA President is like the chief executive officer of an organization. 

In such an organization, all the teams like finance, technical, HR, admin, etc. report to the CEO...

Why Enforcing the Rules Must Be a Priority of the HOA Board

Why Enforcing the Rules Must Be a Priority of the HOA Board

One of the most important jobs a homeowners association Board has to do is to enforce the rules of the...

Rules enforcement is a necessary part of association life. That doesn’t mean you can’t be nice about it.

Rules enforcement is a necessary part of association life. That doesn’t mean you can’t be nice about it.

A community association can differ from a traditional...

How to Enforce CC&Rs in an HOA Community

How to Enforce CC&Rs in an HOA Community

Are you wondering how to enforce CC&Rs in your HOA community? Looking for information on the exact process that you could follow?

...

Architectural Control Committee (ACC) – Part 5

Architectural Control Committee (ACC) – Part 5

In recent posts we have discussed the foundations for establishing your HOA’s Architectural Control Committee (ACC) and the...

Purpose of CC&Rs

Purpose of CC&Rs

When choosing to live in an HOA, property owners agree to covenants and conditions that restrict the use of their own property for two main reasons:

  • ...

To Self-Manage or Not to Self-Manage Your HOA, that is the question.

To Self-Manage or Not to Self-Manage Your HOA, that is the question.

Deciding between self-managing your community or hiring a professional property management company can...

HOA Meeting Minutes Template: Here’s What to Include

HOA Meeting Minutes Template: Here’s What to Include

Have you been tasked with recording your HOA’s meeting minutes? Wondering how meeting minutes should look like, and if...

Traits of Good Board Members

Traits of Good Board Members

Do you have what it takes to be a good board member? Chances are you do.

If you have a mix of some of the following traits and skills, consider...

Architectural Control Committee (ACC) – Part 3

Architectural Control Committee (ACC) – Part 3

Our most recent posts have focused on the concept of an Architectural Control Committee (ACC). We explored the basis for...

Architectural Control Committee (ACC) – Part 4

Architectural Control Committee (ACC) – Part 4

Most recent posts have focused on the basis for forming an Architectural Control Committee (ACC) and the “nuts and bolts” of...

Understanding the Differences Between CC&Rs, Bylaws and Rules & Regulations

Understanding the Differences Between CC&Rs, Bylaws and Rules & Regulations

Your homeowners association has three types of governing documents: Covenants, Conditions &...

HOA Inspection Checklist: Template for HOA Boards

HOA Inspection Checklist: Template for HOA Boards

Are you looking for an inspection checklist for your HOA? Wondering what areas in the community you should be checking...

HOA Goals: Tips for Planning Your HOAs Goals and Objectives in 2023

HOA Goals: Tips for Planning Your HOAs Goals and Objectives in 2023

Are you wondering where to take your HOA in the next year? Do you wonder what goals and objectives you...

What is Manufactured Housing: Living in a Manufactured Housing Community

What is Manufactured Housing: Living in a Manufactured Housing Community

Are you looking for alternative housing options? Wondering what manufactured housing is and how it...

HOA Meeting Agenda: How to Structure a Successful HOA Meeting

HOA Meeting Agenda: How to Structure a Successful HOA Meeting

Are you struggling to keep your meetings running smoothly? Wondering how a perfect HOA meeting agenda should...

The Most Common HOA Violations (A Guide for HOA Boards)

The Most Common HOA Violations (A Guide for HOA Boards)

This is a comprehensive list of HOA violations for new HOA managers and board members. 

Keep on reading to find out...

Architectural Control Committee (ACC) – Part 1

Architectural Control Committee (ACC) – Part 1

This post is part one of three that will discuss the authority, structure and “best practices” for facilitating an...

Architectural Control Committee (ACC) – Part 2

Architectural Control Committee (ACC) – Part 2

Our last article provided a basic overview of the concepts behind the authority and structure by which an HOA’s Architectural...

Self-managed HOA Software: 3 Tools to Run a Single HOA

Have you ever checked how much of your day goes towards running your self-managed HOA? Are you wondering if there’s a way to reclaim at least some of that time back? 

Good...

The Best HOA Communication Tools of 2023

The Best HOA Communication Tools of 2023

Do you want to improve your HOAs communications? Are you wondering what tools to use to make it happen?

You know the score. Being a...

Architectural Control Committee (ACC) – Part 6

Architectural Control Committee (ACC) – Part 6

This post will be the last in our series regarding how to establish an effective ACC process. We hope that the information...

What Does HOA Manager Do: Duties, Qualities, and Skills You Need

Do you want to become an HOA manager? Wondering what skills do you need to be a great HOA manager, what duties you'll have to fulfill, and how to ensure that you always do...

HOA Board of Directors: Responsibilities and Duties

HOA Board of Directors: Responsibilities and Duties

Discover what the obligations and responsibilities of HOA board members are.

There are so many benefits of living in...

The Best HOA Management Software for 2023

The Best HOA Management Software for 2023

Do you struggle to keep up with all the tasks piling up for your HOA? Are you wondering if there’s any dedicated HOA management...

What are CC&Rs (Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions) in HOAs

What are CC&Rs (Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions) in HOAs

Discover what are CC&R’s, their benefits to you, and how they help regulate various aspects of communal...

How to Write an Effective HOA Violation Letter

How to Write an Effective HOA Violation Letter

Are you wondering how to communicate an HOA violation to a resident gracefully? Looking for examples of HOA violation letters...

How to Change HOA CC&R: The Exact Process

How to Change HOA CC&R: The Exact Process

Is your HOA considering changing some of its CC&Rs? Are you looking for information on the exact process for amending the HOAs...

5 Types of HOA Meetings and How to Run Them

Are you wondering what type of meetings your HOA should be running regularly? Are you looking for advice on how to structure your HOA meetings to deliver the best results?

...

CC&R Enforcement Process Basics

CC&Rs are rules that property owners and residents must follow. Since rules are useless without a way to make sure people follow them, CC&Rs also contain provisions for...

Duties and Tasks of HOA Treasurer: The Role of Board Treasurer

All members of the board are responsible for the association’s overall financial health, but the HOA treasurer has specific duties to protect the association’s assets.

...

How to Run a Self-managed HOA: 5 Things to Know

Are you planning to self-manage your HOA? Wondering what to do to avoid any mistakes, and what tools to use in the process?

As of 2022, almost 74 million Americans live in...

15 of the Best HOA Websites of 2023

Are you planning to launch a new website for your HOA? Looking for inspiration and ideas?

The best HOA websites come in different shapes and sizes. Every association has...

What is a Special Meeting?

Special meetings are unscheduled meetings called from time to time by the board for a specific purpose. Special meetings usually address issues that need immediate...