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

1. 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
   
   
2. 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
   
   
3. 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
   
   
4. HOA Board Meetings: Open Meetings and Executive Session--What You Must Know
   March 2010
   Does your state require that your condo or homeowner association board have open meetings? If so, what does that mean? And what about executive session? What can you discuss privately, and what must you discuss in front of homeowners who wish to attend? Here's a rundown. . . . keep reading
   
   
5. 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
   
   
6. 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
   
   
7. 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
   
   
8. HOA Elections: 6 Mistakes to Avoid with your Condo or Homeowners Association Elections
   August 2009
   It's very easy to invalidate an election by not following every rule to a T. Keep an eye out for these common mistakes condo and homeowners associations make when conducting elections. . . . keep reading
   
   
9. Discussion Forum Follow-Up: Reining in Bullies on Your HOA Board
   June 2010
   A reader on the HOAleader.com discussion board asks: "I am on the board of directors of our HOA, but the president is just running wild and not following any of the bylaws or CC&Rs..." Here, we provide tips for handling secretive, power-hungry board member tactfully yet effectively. . . . keep reading
   
   
10. 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
    
    
11. 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
    
    
12. 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
    
    
13. Discussion Forum Follow-Up: What's a Common Area in My HOA?
    February 2010
    A reader on the HOAleader.com discussion board asks a question many associations end up grappling with: What's a common area? A handful of owners in our reader's townhome have decks, rather than concrete slabs, which everybody else has. The governing documents don't reference maintenance for decks. Our reader wonders: Who's responsible? . . . keep reading
    
    
14. 9 Mistakes New HOA Board Members Make--And How to Avoid Them
    March 2010
    Here we list the nine most common mistakes new HOA board members make and provide tips for turning those mistakes into successes. . . . keep reading
    
    
15. 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
    
    
16. Five Questions to Ask Your Manager about Your Homeowner Association's Finances
    June 2010
    It's perfectly fine to ask your HOA management company to handle your homeowner association's finances. But you must still oversee that process. Here are five questions you should ask your management company today. . . . keep reading
    
    
17. 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
    
    
18. 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
    
    
19. HOA Board Members: 7 Things You Must Know If You're Sued Personally for Board Actions
    April 2010
    Sometimes homeowners sue HOA boards, and sometimes they sue both the board and board members individually. Here are seven things you should know if you're personally sued for actions taken as a condo or homeowners association board member. . . . keep reading
    
    
20. 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
    
    

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