Board Basics
POA vs HOA: What’s the Difference?
A POA (property owners association) and an HOA (homeowners association) both govern shared-community obligations, but a POA can include commercial […]
Board Basics
What Are CC&Rs? An HOA Board Guide to Covenants & Rules
CC&Rs (Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions) are the recorded restrictive covenants that govern a planned community, condominium, or homeowners association. Filed […]
Board Basics
Unenforceable HOA Rules: A Board Guide to Federal Limits, California Davis-Stirling Protections, and Procedural Defeats
Most HOA boards focus on which rules they CAN enforce; the harder question is which rules they CANNOT enforce, and why. This guide walks the four categories of…
Vendor & Contracts
How to Change HOA Management Companies: A Board’s Practical Guide
Step-by-step practical guide for HOA boards switching management companies: timeline, vendor selection, transition checklist, and pitfalls to avoid.
WA Laws
SB 5686 Washington HOA & Condo Foreclosure Mediation: A 2026 Board Compliance Guide
SB 5686 adds a mediation step before WA HOA foreclosure in 2026. A practitioner guide to notice, timeline, and board compliance under RCW 64.90.
CA Laws
California AB-130: The $100 HOA Fine Cap
AB-130 changes how California HOA boards assess and enforce fines in 2026. A practitioner guide to notice, hearing, and documentation rules.
Homeowner Resources
What HOA Fees Actually Cover and How to Explain Them to Homeowners
Most homeowner frustration with HOA fees comes from one thing: not understanding what they're paying for. Here's a plain-language breakdown of what HOA fees actually cover, why they…
Financial Management
HOA Reserve Fund 101: What It Is, How It Works, and Why It Matters
The reserve fund is the single most important financial asset your HOA manages, and the one most commonly underfunded. Here's what a reserve fund is, how a reserve…
Vendor & Contracts
How to Vet an HOA Management Company: 12 Questions to Ask Before You Sign
Most HOA boards evaluate management companies the wrong way: comparing monthly fees instead of total cost, taking references at face value, and skipping the contract terms that matter…