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How did one HOA Board Hero win support for a 20% dues hike without backlash? Here’s what they did right…
✅ Is a Reserve Study right for you? 👉 https://www.reservestudy.com/

Association Reserves finished a reserve study for a 66‑unit townhome association in Las Cruces, New Mexico, earlier this year. It was their first engagement with this property, and they ended up recommending a significant increase in the association's reserve funding and a special assessment. That’s not unusual for a first-time client. Then they received a long email from the secretary of the board, Tim Long. In his email, Tim described how the reserve study got their attention, how they engaged the homeowners with this news, made some adjustments to customize the reserve plan, and then pitched the increase to their association at their annual meeting. Listen to this: at that annual meeting, the board passed the plan to increase assessments, and the news was greeted with a round of applause. That’s what got Association Reserves' attention, and why host, Robert Nordlund, asked Tim to be on the program today as our HOA Board Hero. What the board did to engage the homeowners, to help them understand the needs of the property, and to show how the board was going to lead them forward with the best interests of the association in mind was nothing short of fantastic.

Chapters:

00:00 What challenges did this HOA face before the reserve study?
00:31 What is a HOA Board Hero and why does it matter?
01:03 How did this board successfully pass a 20% dues increase?
04:07 Why did Tim decide to join the HOA board?
05:37 What sparked the need for a reserve study?
09:04 What was the board’s reaction to the reserve study results?
12:19 How did the board create a plan to move forward?
12:59 Why was community engagement critical to success?
16:23 Ad Break - FiPhO Score
16:54 How did involving homeowners change the outcome?
18:32 Why were small group meetings so effective?
20:44 How did the board validate and adjust the reserve study?
22:21 How did they build a 30-year funding plan?
23:24 How did homeowners help shape the funding strategy?
25:09 How did the board present the 20% dues increase?
27:19 What happened when the board voted on the increase?
28:34 What made

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Great HOA board meetings build trust. Bad ones create frustration, conflict, and doubt. Which does your association have?
✅ Is a Reserve Study right for you? 👉 https://www.reservestudy.com/

Today, we'll be continuing our early 2026 series on top HOA trends that we expect you'll be dealing with this year. In this episode, we'll be addressing rebuilding trust by running HOA Board Meetings that are organized and informative. Good meetings, and the message they give of trustworthy leadership, they don't happen by accident. They're intentional, and we want to arm you to be your best here in 2026 The result is an aura of confidence and transparency and trust, and that's good for every Association! 

Chapters:

00:00 Why Is Follow-Up Critical After HOA Board Meetings?
00:44 What Do Homeowners Learn From HOA Board Meetings?
03:52 Why Do Disorganized Meetings Damage Trust?
06:31 Why Is an Agenda Essential for HOA Board Meetings?
07:58 Are HOA Board Meetings a “Production”?
09:08 How Long Should HOA Board Meetings Last?
12:57 Why Must Board Members Come Prepared?
14:37 How Can Committees Improve Decision-Making?
17:25 Why Is Homeowner Open Forum Important?
18:40 Should Boards Respond During Open Forum?
21:00 Why Must Boards Follow Up After Meetings?
23:10 Ad Break - Kevin Davis Insurance Services
23:55 What Is the Chair’s Role in Running Meetings?
26:03 How Should Boards Handle Conflict in Meetings?
28:44 When Should You Hold an Information Meeting Instead?
29:10 How Can Boards Prepare for Major Community Issues?
30:21 How Do Meetings Build Future Board Leadership?
31:23 What Makes a Board Meeting Feel Professional?

The views & opinions expressed in this program are those of the Hosts & Guests, intended to provide general education about the community association industry. The content is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual or organization

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Rogue HOA Board Members can expose your association to liability. Learn how boards should respond before damage is done.
✅ Is a Reserve Study right for you? 👉 https://www.reservestudy.com/

When HOA Board Members act alone, bully others, or ignore proper process, the entire association can be exposed to serious legal and financial risk. In this episode, HOA attorney Tom Ware explains fiduciary duty, agency authority, the business judgment rule, and what boards must do when a rogue director creates liability. Learn how to protect your association, your fellow board members, and yourself.

Get in contact with Tom Ware at: http://kgswlaw.com/

Chapters: 

00:00 How Can a Rogue HOA Board Member Create Liability?

00:46 What Is the Difference Between Fiduciary Duty and Agency?

04:06 When Does a Board Member Act Outside Their Authority?

06:01 Why Must Boards Make Decisions as a Group?

08:26 What Authority Can Be Delegated in Emergencies?

10:06 What Is a Director’s Duty of Loyalty and Confidentiality?

12:18 What Can Minority Board Members Safely Say?

14:17 When Does a Strong Personality Become a Bully?

17:32 Why Can’t Board Members Abdicate Responsibility?

19:11 Ad Break - Community Financials 

19:42 How Can Third-Party Actions Create Legal Exposure?

23:21 What Happens When Directors Ignore Corporate Formalities?

26:35 Why Must Minority Directors Stand Up to Bullying?

27:30 When Should Boards Involve Legal Counsel?

30:39 How Does Rogue Behavior Impact Property Values?

34:04 Why Doesn’t Insurance Always Protect the Association?

The views & opinions expressed in this program are those of the Hosts & Guests, intended to provide general education about the community association industry. The content is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual or organization

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Cyber scams are quietly draining HOA funds. Learn how to spot fraud, stop phishing, and protect your community before it’s too late!
✅ Is a Reserve Study right for you? 👉 https://www.reservestudy.com/

Cyber scams are one of the fastest-growing threats facing HOAs today. From fake invoices to AI-powered voice fraud, boards and managers are being targeted like never before. Kevin and Julie break down how cyber scams happen, why insurance often doesn’t cover losses, and what your HOA must do now to protect its money, data, and fiduciary duty!

Chapters:

00:00 What Happens When an HOA Loses Money to Cyber Scams?

00:53 Why Are HOAs Becoming Cyber Crime Targets?

03:35 What Does Cyber Risk Really Mean for Associations?

04:50 Why Do Hackers Target HOA Money and Data?

06:03 How Do Fake Invoices and Phishing Emails Work?

07:54 Why Do Smart People Still Fall for Scams?

10:12 Does Insurance Cover Social Engineering Fraud?

14:21 How Is AI Being Used for Voice and Video Scams?

16:25 Can AI Create New Legal and Fiduciary Risks?

17:37 Ad Break - Association Reserves 

18:09 How Do Management Company Breaches Happen?

19:32 Should Boards Ask About Cyber Coverage in Contracts?

22:52 Why Do HOAs Need Their Own Cyber Insurance?

25:13 How Fast Is Technology Outpacing Protection?

27:09 What Are the Biggest Cybersecurity Mistakes Boards Make?

29:22 How Can HOAs Protect Themselves Starting Today?

The views & opinions expressed in this program are those of the Hosts & Guests, intended to provide general education about the community association industry. The content is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual or organization

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Great HOA Boards don’t happen by accident. Learn how education and persistence protect association communities from costly mistakes!
✅ Is a Reserve Study right for you? 👉 https://www.reservestudy.com/

Strong HOAs are built by board members who are willing to learn, ask questions, and stay persistent even when decisions are difficult. In this Board Heroes episode, Robert Nordlund interviews Candice Scanlon about how education, training, and steady leadership helped her association navigate insurance risks, deferred maintenance, major repairs, and financial challenges. Learn why informed boards make safer choices, how persistence prevents disasters, and how everyday volunteers quietly protect their communities! 

Chapters:

00:00 Why does education matter for HOA board members?
00:31 What makes someone a true HOA Board Hero?
01:01 How did Candice first get involved in HOA leadership?
04:19 Why did earthquake insurance become her first mission?
06:19 How does research help boards make better decisions?
08:17 What happens when experts give conflicting advice?
09:58 Why does deferred maintenance cost more later?
11:13 How can boards reduce internal friction?
12:06 Why is patience essential for major projects?
14:50 How does persistence change board outcomes?
15:17 How did training reveal hidden electrical dangers?
17:15 Was replacing panels worth the cost?
19:00 How do safety risks affect insurance decisions?
20:37 Ad Break - FiPhO Credit Score
21:08 How do boards communicate major expenses to homeowners?
24:33 Why is transparency critical during special assessments?
25:56 Why should boards see repairs as investments?
27:43 How can homeowners prepare for wildfire and loss?
29:19 Why must boards plan for unexpected repairs?
31:22 How does community outreach strengthen leadership?
33:20 What final advice helps boards succeed long term?

The views & opinions expressed in this program are those of the Hosts & Guests, intended to provide general education about the community association industry. The content is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual or organization

Podcast Links:
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Call our 24/7 voicemail line at (805) 203-3130 or send an email or voice memo to [email protected]

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HOA incivility can spread fast in your community. Learn when tension becomes toxic and how boards can lead with clarity, kindness, and control! 

✅ Is a Reserve Study right for you? 👉 https://www.reservestudy.com/

Incivility inside an HOA is more than bad behavior. It’s contagious, corrosive, and can quietly undermine leadership and decision-making. Robert and Kevin explore how disrespect escalates, why tone matters during tough decisions like special assessments, and how board members can reset community culture. Remember:  kindness is not weakness! 

Chapters:

00:00 Why does incivility feel worse in HOAs than anywhere else?
03:56 What exactly counts as incivility in a community association?
04:56 Why is incivility contagious while nuisance behavior is not?
06:07 How does disrespect lower the emotional temperature of a community?
08:02 Why does kindness change assessment collection and enforcement?
08:45 How does tone shape how homeowners receive bad news?
09:41 Why do special assessments amplify incivility?
11:05 How can boards communicate bad news with compassion?
11:50 Why does leadership tone start inside the board room?
13:43 How does compassion reset HOA culture?
14:38 Why does simply acknowledging concerns calm conflict?
15:47 Why is assuming good intent a leadership skill?
16:59 How does fiduciary duty override personal disagreement?
18:36 Why do professional opinions defuse board conflict?
20:29 What is the communication stop sign and why does it matter?
21:12 When should boards pause meetings to cool things down?
22:40 Ad Break - Kevin Davis Insurance Services
23:09 How do boards proactively set expectations for kindness?
24:36 Why do vision and mission statements influence behavior?
25:55 How does celebrating small wins improve community culture?
26:53 Why does kindness make collaboration possible?
27:42 How can boards make kindness contagious again?
28:10 Why is civility ultimately a choice for leaders?

The views & opinions expressed in this program are those of the Hosts & Guests, intended to provide general education about the community association industry. The content is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual or or

Podcast Links:
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Call our 24/7 voicemail line at (805) 203-3130 or send an email or voice memo to [email protected]

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Roof replacements are one of the biggest HOA decisions. Learn what HOA Boards need to know and prepare before timing, budgeting, or hiring go wrong!
✅ Is a Reserve Study right for you? 👉 https://www.reservestudy.com/

Replacing a roof is one of the most expensive and risky decisions an HOA Board will ever make. In this episode, roofing expert Jeremy Lara from Baja Roofing shares what boards need to know before relying on a reserve study, choosing contractors, or waiting too long. Learn how timing, maintenance, transparency, and communication determine whether a roof project protects your community or creates costly emergencies that future boards regret!

Chapters:
00:00 Why do HOA boards struggle with roof replacement decisions?
00:47 Intro to Guest Jeremy Lara from Baja Roofing
03:58 How should boards interpret roof timelines in a reserve study?
05:42 Where should boards find reputable roofing professionals?
06:43 When is the right time to start seeking roofing advice?
08:01 What are the telltale signs a roof is reaching end of life?
08:45 Why should board members see roof conditions firsthand?
10:21 Is it cheaper to replace a roof early or wait too long?
11:59 What does proper annual roof maintenance look like?
13:28 How can poor maintenance void roofing warranties?
14:58 Should multi-building HOAs replace all roofs at once?
16:09 How does inflation affect long-term roofing costs?
17:31 Why do roofing materials and brands matter?
18:32 How can boards vet roofing contractors effectively?
19:55 Why do low bids often lead to costly change orders?
21:05 Ad Break - Community. Financials
21:36 Why should HOA boards hire independent project oversight?
24:21 How does daily photo documentation protect HOAs?
26:29 What board behaviors make roofing projects fail?
28:13 Why waiting until it rains is the most expensive mistake?
29:45 How do roof decisions impact future HOA boards?

The views & opinions expressed in this program are those of the Hosts & Guests, intended to provide general education about the community association industry. The content is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual or organization

Podcast Links:
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Call our 24/7 voicemail line at (805) 203-3130 or send an email or voice memo to [email protected]

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AI, incivility, and staffing shortages… these are the top trends community associations must prepare for in 2026!
✅ Is a Reserve Study right for you? 👉 https://www.reservestudy.com/

2026 is not business as usual for community associations (but neither was last year!). Robert, Kevin, and Julie break down the three biggest trends shaping the year ahead, including rising incivility, misuse of AI, staffing challenges, and growing financial pressure. So how HOA board members like yourself can protect trust, fulfill fiduciary responsibilities, and lead with clarity as communities face higher costs, older infrastructure, and increasing complexity. Preparation today determines stability tomorrow!

Chapters:

00:00 Why are Community Associations entering 2026 under more pressure?

00:51 Why did Robert, Kevin, and Julie gather to discuss future trends together?

04:07 Why is incivility the number one threat facing associations?

04:49 How did COVID permanently change HOA behavior?

06:45 Why can’t boards control others, only their reactions?

07:35 Why are board members always being watched?

08:33 How does better communication lower community tension?

09:57 How can boards release pressure before conflict erupts?

10:13 Why is leadership a political role in associations?

12:34 How does having a clear goal stabilize HOA decision making?

14:03 Why do vision and mission statements lower the temperature?

16:21 How long does it take to repair trust in a community?

18:26 Ad Break - Association Reserves

18:57 Why is financial stress amplifying community conflict?

19:21 Why is AI not a defendable position for HOA decisions?

21:02 How should boards actually use AI safely?

23:59 Why does fiduciary responsibility still require human judgment?

25:15 Why is staffing becoming a crisis for HOAs?

27:17 Why do boards struggle to recruit and retain volunteers?

30:24 Why are older associations facing greater financial strain?

33:43 Why must assessments rise as associations age?

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Deferred maintenance doesn’t happen overnight. Learn where HOA boards get stuck and how to start fixing problems before they explode! 

✅ Is a Reserve Study right for you? 👉 https://www.reservestudy.com/

Deferred maintenance quietly destroys HOAs long before anyone admits there’s a problem. HOA Board Hero Lisa Pieropan shares what happens when boards delay repairs, underestimate risk, and lose political capital with homeowners. Her community’s crumbling infrastructure & recall elections exposed the real cost of waiting and how strong HOA boards decide where to begin before deferred maintenance turns into a crisis! 

Chapters:

00:00 How can deferred maintenance expose an HOA to legal risk?
00:59 How can an HOA ignore problems for decades?
05:08 What finally forces boards to confront deferred maintenance?
06:13 Why does trying to fix everything overwhelm HOA boards?
07:14 How does lack of board training make problems worse?
08:01 Why don’t most HOA boards understand their legal duties?
09:34 How did surveying homeowners reveal the real issues?
10:46 Why weren’t owners asking for upgrades, just basics?
12:06 What happens when repairs finally require more money?
12:46 How can backlash and recalls stop progress cold?
14:13 Why does HOA infighting freeze maintenance projects?
15:48 How do personal agendas violate fiduciary duty?
16:31 When do assessment increases become unavoidable?
19:23 Why does political capital matter more than money?
20:58 How does proactive communication soften resistance?
23:32 Ad Break - FiPhO Score
24:03 How did turf reduction become a financial strategy?
27:05 How can edible landscaping build goodwill and savings?
28:29 Why did fruit trees become the HOA’s most loved amenity?
33:09 Why is homeowner engagement so hard for boards?
33:47 How did visual updates change owner perception?
35:05 How does transparency protect the HOA long term?
36:40 What responsibility do most HOA owners misunderstand?

The views & opinions expressed in this program are those of the Hosts & Guests, intended to provide general education about the community association industry. The content is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual or organization. 

Podcast Links:
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Engage in the conversation!

Call our 24/7 voicemail line at (805) 203-3130 or send an email or voice memo to [email protected]

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Julie Adamen

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What happens when an HOA board leads with purpose? Learn how vision and mission statements transform decisions, trust, and community culture.
✅ Is a Reserve Study right for you? 👉 https://www.reservestudy.com/

Most HOA Boards rely on rules and governing documents. The strongest ones rely on a clear Vision & Mission Statement. Paul Butler, board member and business consultant, shares how his newly formed HOA created a clear vision statement and mission statement to guide decisions, lower friction, and build trust from day one. This is what intentional leadership looks like when a board knows who it is and where it’s going! 

Link to Paul's HOA mission & vision statement HERE

Chapters

00:00 Why should boards measure decisions against vision and values?
00:55 Why do HOAs need a vision and mission beyond governing documents?
04:29 Why would someone choose to serve on an HOA board?
05:18 How does setting foundations early shape an HOA’s future?
06:07 Why is communication essential to HOA culture?
07:26 How do business and hotel management principles apply to HOAs?
09:14 What inspired this board to act on vision and mission right away?
10:39 How did the board collaborate without outside consultants?
11:33 Why was Slack effective for developing mission and vision?
13:49 How do boards avoid making decisions outside formal meetings?
15:50 How long should it take to create a mission and vision?
16:36 How do mission, vision, and values work together?
18:53 Ad Break - Association Reserves
19:24 How does vision apply to older associations?
21:47 Why should boards revisit vision and values annually?
22:45 How will homeowners respond to a mission and vision?
24:23 How can boards actively use vision in meetings?
26:02 What does a strong HOA mission sound like?
28:02 How can compassion and accountability coexist in HOAs?
30:04 Why does transparency build trust with homeowners?
31:34 What advice should every HOA board take from this episode?

The views & opinions expressed in this program are those of the Hosts & Guests, intended to provide general education about the community asso

Podcast Links:
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Call our 24/7 voicemail line at (805) 203-3130 or send an email or voice memo to [email protected]

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Julie Adamen

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Support Our Sponsors

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The Inspectors of Election