The list shows the most widely read articles on this site.

1. Living Up to Your Fiduciary Duty as an HOA Board Member
   December 2008
   "Fiduciary" is not just a big word. It carries legal consequences if you--even unknowingly--breach that duty. Here's what you need to know about fulfilling your fiduciary duty as a homeowners association board member. . . . keep reading
   
   
2. HOA Reserve Funds: The Pros and Cons of Underfunding Reserves
   April 2009
   Some boards stop funding--or underfund--their homeowners association reserves as a way to easy the burden on homeowners during difficult economic times. Is this a smart move for your HOA? . . . keep reading
   
   
3. HOA Rules: Which Political Signs Can You Regulate?
   July 2008
   While a campaign-issued two-foot by two-foot Barack Obama or John McCain sign might look just fine on owners' lawns, would you feel as comfortable with a 10-foot by 10-foot sign? What if the sign promoted a White supremacist running for local office? The answer may be a rule banning political signs in your homeowners association. Before you enact such a rule, however, make sure you know whether your state permits you to do so and understand the Pandora's box you may be opening. . . . keep reading
   
   
4. Definition: HOA Bylaws
   HOA bylaws are governing guides. Bylaws are supposed to be about the government of the corporation. They should cover things like how often you have m . . . keep reading
   
   
5. HOA Reserves: Put Your Homeowners Association Reserves to Work--Safely
   August 2008
   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? . . . keep reading
   
   
6. HOA Pet Rules & Required Accommodations: The Facts About Comfort Animals
   July 2009
   Is Fido a medical necessity, or are we being taken for chumps? That's the question HOA board members are asking themselves as a growing number of o . . . keep reading
   
   
7. HOA Fees: Can Your Association Raise Money By Adding Fees?
   May 2009
   When governments run short on cash, they get creative. Rather than face the wrath of the citizens by overtly raising taxes, they add a fee here and assess a fine there. Can your association take the same approach to raising cash by adopting fees that will fill your association's coffers? Here, we discuss the pros and cons of a fee-based revenue plan. . . . keep reading
   
   
8. HOA Governance: Making the Outside-Managed vs. Self-Managed Decision
   August 2008
   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. . . . keep reading
   
   
9. HOA Finances: Think Twice Before Throwing a Party with Unused Budget Funds
   January 29, 2010
   This week's tip deals with condo and homeowners associations that take leftover money in a miscellaneous or contingency budget account and fritter them away with things like parties. Be careful before taking that step. . . . keep reading
   
   
10. HOA Board Members: Ensure that You're Personally Insured
    June 2008
    You may think that since your homeowner association has general liability insurance, you'll be protected if a member sues you and your fellow HOA board members. Not so. That's where directors and officers (D&O) insurance comes in. Here's what to look for in a policy to make sure you're protected. . . . keep reading
    
    
11. HOA Meeting Minutes: How To Create Trouble For Your Condo or Homeowners Association in Less Than 60 Seconds
    April 24, 2009
    This week's tip comes from a new article on how to avoid creating trouble for yourself with your HOA meeting minutes. "Minutes are a wonderful p . . . keep reading
    
    
12. HOA Reserve Investment Philosophies, a Comparative Study
    8/15/2008
    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. . . . keep reading
    
    
13. Definition: Reserve Accounts
    Reserve accounts (also referred to as "reserve funds" or simply "reserves") are funds set aside by the homeowner association to pay for the replacemen . . . keep reading
    
    
14. HOA Reserve Studies: What You Need to Know
    August 2009
    Just what is a reserve study? What should it include, and how often should it be done? We've got answers. . . . keep reading
    
    
15. HOA Rules: What You Must Know About Flag Restrictions
    July 2008
    There are several legitmate reasons why your HOA might want to provide guidance to homeowners on flag displays. Before you do, however, make sure you understand the maze of laws governing the issue. . . . keep reading
    
    
16. A Sex Offender Has Moved Into Your HOA ... What Now?
    March 2009
    If you're like most homeowners, your first thought when you learn that a sex offender has moved into your community is: What can we do to get the offender to leave? Here's what you must know about your association's--and the offender's--rights. . . . keep reading
    
    
17. Switching HOA Management Companies: How to Do It Right
    May 29, 2009
    If you think it's time to change from your current HOA management company to a new one, be aware of the issues that can arise during the transition, and weigh the work necessary to resolve current problems against the difficulties of transitioning. . . . keep reading
    
    
18. Definition: Directors and Officers (D&O) Insurance
    Directors and officers (D&O) insurance policies protect directors and officers from claims that they failed to act or acted wrongfully in their indivi . . . keep reading
    
    
19. HOA Governance: The Most Common Complaint About HOA Management Companies
    May 15, 2009
    Make sure you don't wing it with your management company. Instead, have a written contract that spells out which services your management company will and won't provide, how often it will provide the services, and the fees the company will charge. . . . keep reading
    
    
20. HOA Communications: What to Say--and What Not to Say--In Your Homeowner Association Newsletter
    September 2008
    Whether it's online or on old-fashioned paper, a newsletter is a good way to keep your owners informed of issues in your association and to build a sense of community. But you can't just print anything you want in an association newsletter. Here's a list of what you should and shouldn't include. . . . keep reading
    
    

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