Kuester Blog
What You Need to Know about HOA Special Assessments
Asking homeowners to unexpectedly pay more out of pocket is the last thing the HOA board wants to do, but it happens. Special assessments are not always able to be anticipated. An adequately funded reserve can help cover a lot of expenses, but these are for planned...
How Differing Opinions Can Help the HOA Board
The HOA board is run by multiple people for a reason. Decisions should not be left to the sole discretion of a single leader. However, with several board members come several opinions on how things should be done. While this has the potential to cause tension, if...
Thanksgiving Safety Tips for Homeowners
Thanksgiving is a time for friends and family to gather together and reflect on everything they’re thankful for. It brings people from near and far to spend time with one another. But that can also makes for some chaotic times in the home as everyone prepares and...
5 Things to Know About Executive Sessions
Generally speaking, HOA Board meetings are open for public attendance. In some situations, however, the HOA Board may need to discuss matters that are private, privileged, or sensitive in nature. In these scenarios, the Board may call an Executive Session, in which...
How to Boost Your Chances of Being Elected to the HOA Board
Some people are movers and shakers. They’re just cut out to be leaders and drive change. This can be great for the homeowners association (HOA) because you don’t want board members who are content to sit idly by and keep doing things the way they’ve always been done...
4 Tips for Preparing for an Effective Annual Meeting
As the year slowly comes to a close, many HOAs hold their annual meeting in order prepare for the year ahead. The new budget is approved, board members are elected, and the activities of the past 12 months are recapped. However, one of the challenges many...
Drawbacks of Being a Self-Managed HOA
HOAs come in all shapes and sizes. Some oversee very large communities with hundreds of homes, while others are very small neighborhoods with just a handful of people. But no matter the size, it is critical that the HOA be in compliance with governing documents and...
Effectively Handling Criticism of the HOA
The HOA is essentially a business, and its operations affect a lot of people. As such, there are sure to be complaints and criticisms now and then. It’s impossible to please everyone all the time. There will be some homeowners who are on board with the rules or...
4 Simple Ways to Improve Communication as an HOA Board Member
As an HOA board member, you are tasked with a great deal of responsibility. You are making decisions within the best interest of the community; therefore homeowners often have a lot of feedback and suggestions. It can be a bit overwhelming if you’re not careful. Here...
Upholding Fiduciary Duty as an HOA Board Member
One of the major responsibilities that the HOA board is tasked with is maintaining its fiduciary duty. But what does that mean? Simply put, fiduciary duty is acting in good faith and within the best interest of the community as a whole. It is making decisions that do...