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CAI President Melissa Ramsey shares emotional intelligence tools for calmer HOA boards and healthier communities!
✅ Is a Reserve Study right for you? 👉 https://www.reservestudy.com/

Emotions run hot in HOAs, but they don’t have to run the show. CAI National President Melissa Ramsey joins Robert Nordlund to unpack emotional intelligence for boards and managers. Learn how to pause, set boundaries, depersonalize conflict, align around mission and vision, and prevent burnout with simple daily resets. Practical takeaways for communities of every size, plus a nudge to “spin the good” and share wins across your association.

Key Takeaways:

• Melissa’s company: Mosaic Community Consulting

• If you’re stressed/hurting – address where the hurt is coming from.

• Be true to who you are

• Do what keeps you’re healthy

• Be honest about if you’re not feeling good, and make the necessary adjustments

• At your association – have a guiding Mission (and Values), to keep everyone headed the same direction and minimize distracting and “toxic soup” personal agendas.

• Spin the good news at your association

• Recognize your positive impact, and feel good about it.

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New Florida HOA laws in 2025 impact reserves, inspections, and budgets! Learn what needs to be done to be in compliance.

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

Major updates are coming for Florida HOAs in 2025! Reserve specialist Will Simons explains House Bill 913, detailing new rules for Structural Integrity Reserve Studies (SIRS), mandatory milestone inspections, and financial compliance. All these things WILL affect HOAs in Florida through board responsibilities, reserve funding, special assessments, and even property values. You can start proactively planning for your Florida HOA now by listening to this episode! 

00:00 What's New in Florida's 2025 HOA Legislation?
04:08 What Prompted House Bill 913?
05:18 How Does HB 913 Change Reserve Study Requirements?
06:42 What Exactly is a Structural Integrity Reserve Study (SIRS)?
09:23 Why Do HOAs Need Both Structural and Non-Structural Reserve Studies?
10:49 How Do Florida's HOA Reserve Funding Rules Work?
14:18 What's the Impact of Underfunded HOAs on Property Values?
16:43 Are All Reserve Components Now Mandatory to Fund?
19:41 Ad Break
20:12 Key Highlights and Changes from House Bill 913
21:50 Has the Dollar Threshold for Reserve Funding Increased?
22:37 Why Did So Many HOAs Delay Reserve Compliance?
24:32 How Will Florida Enforce These New HOA Rules?
26:32 Can Special Assessments Replace Reserve Funding?
27:53 Are Florida HOAs Financially Prepared for New Legislation?
30:35 What Are Milestone Inspections and Who Needs One?
32:32 Final Advice for HOA Boards on Compliance and Preparation

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.  Please seek advice from licensed professionals.

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Experienced HOA board members are the key to strong, harmonious communities! Learn from real-life board hero, Lynn Ochberg and her years of experience!

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

What makes an HOA board truly effective? Experience. Lynn Ochberg shares how her extensive background shapes her successful leadership in Florida. She shares with Robert her stories of navigating special assessments and infrastructure repairs to building community unity through open communication. Lynn hopes to pass on her extensive knowledge to other like-minded HOA Board members tuning it! 

Chapters From Today's Episode:

00:00 What makes a good HOA board member?

01:01 Introduction to this week’s HOA Board Hero - Lynn Ochberg

04:23 How is Lynn's condo board structured?

05:57 Why is professional management crucial for HOA success? 

09:45 What inspired Lynn to become a board member?

11:32 How did Florida legislation change HOA responsibilities after Surfside?

13:24 Is Lynn's board united on important decisions?

14:46 Why is pet policy such a challenging issue for HOAs?

16:49 How do HOA subcommittees help board decision-making?

19:05 Ad Break - FiPhO

19:59 What qualities make someone an excellent board member?

24:22 How did Lynn handle a significant unexpected expense?

30:50 What's Lynn’s proudest accomplishment as a board leader?

32:10 How did Lynn’s board achieve unanimous approval for a major project?

33:59 What's Lynn’s advice for other HOA board members?

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Board member incivility is rising, and it's costing your HOA! Learn how to reduce insurance claims & protect your community!
 ✅ Is a Reserve Study right for you? 👉 https://www.reservestudy.com/

You might have noticed, but lately Incivility is rising in community associations. This, in turn, is leading to more liability claims with higher premiums and denied insurance coverage. Robert Nordlund and Kevin Davis join us this week to break down how board member behavior impacts the financial stability of HOAs. From increased anxiety after COVID to growing legal settlements, they explain how simple steps like rule enforcement, communication, and confidence can make a real difference.

Chapters from Today's Episode: 

00:00 What role do insurance companies play in HOA board performance?

01:08 Why are insurance companies pushing board members to do their jobs?

02:55 How has incivility among HOAs increased since the pandemic?

05:36 What are the consequences of board members acting from fear?

08:50 How does rule enforcement impact insurance and community stability?

12:10 What is social inflation and how does it affect liability claims?

16:42 Ad Break - Kevin Davis Insurance Services 

17:16 What are some real-world examples of expensive HOA claims?

18:30 How can board members avoid high deductibles and rejected claims?

21:44 How does better communication lower the risk of insurance claims?

25:00 Why should HOA boards treat their roles like a business?

28:16 What strategies can help reduce future insurance costs?

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Does Self Managing an HOA take a toll on you? HOA Assist is here to help struggling board members! 

✅ Learn More About HOA Assist! 👉 https://www.hoa-assist.com/

HOA Assist helps self-managed associations reduce board burnout, improve continuity, and save money without switching to full-service management. In this episode, Robert speaks with Mitch Gassen about how their hybrid solution empowers volunteer boards to lead without the overwhelm! 

Chapters From Today:

00:00 Should HOA Board Members be Compensated?
00:33 Introduction to Mitch Gassen of HOA Assist 
03:02 How to get HOA Board Member Candidates on a Self-Running Association? 
06:47 Why is burnout so common in volunteer HOA boards?
09:06 What are the real responsibilities of board members?
12:07 How can HOAs balance rule enforcement with community?
14:22 What do new homeowners often misunderstand about HOAs?
17:18 What does HOA Assist offer and where do they work?
19:33 Ad Break - Community Financials 
20:25 Who benefits most from HOA Assist’s services?
21:18 What’s Mitch Gassen’s background in HOA management?
22:26 Why are so many associations still self-managed?
24:35 What are the three pillars of HOA Assist's services?
27:13 How does HOA Assist ensure continuity and consistency?
28:47 What kind of cost savings can HOAs expect?
30:29 When is HOA Assist a better choice than full service?
34:27 How can boards reach out and get started with HOA Assist?

Podcast Links:
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Is your HOA board facing homeowner backlash? Learn proven ways to rebuild trust & manage conflicts effectively during a crisis!
 ✅ Is a Reserve Study right for you? 👉 https://www.reservestudy.com/

Are you currently dealing with potential unrest in your HOA community? Julie and  Robert share critical insights into what HOA boards must do when facing homeowner frustration. Learn how proactive communication, transparency, and direct engagement with residents can ease tensions, rebuild trust, and resolve conflicts before they escalate. 

Chapters From This Episode:

00:00 How Do HOA Boards End Up in Crisis Situations?

03:15 Why Do HOA Communities Experience Cycles of Conflict?

05:08 What Happens When Good Board Members Leave?

07:29 How Did COVID-19 Amplify HOA Board Challenges?

10:15 What Changes When a Dissident Joins the HOA Board?

14:26 How Does Poor Communication Create HOA Issues?

16:12 Why Do Emotional Appeals Cause HOA Conflicts to Escalate?

19:31 Ad Break - HOA Invest

20:09 How Should HOA Boards Address Community Dissatisfaction?

21:35 What’s the Best Way to Handle Dissident HOA Groups?

24:52 How Can Transparency Resolve HOA Misunderstandings?

27:08 Can Proactive Communication Prevent HOA Conflicts?

28:53 Why Should HOAs Involve Trusted Community Members?

30:07 How Does Creating a Volunteer Pipeline Help HOAs?

32:14 What Encouragement Do HOA Board Members Need?

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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Could one book for HOAs change the entire industry? Find out!
✅ Get the first chapter FREE of “Understanding Reserves” HERE 👉 https://bit.ly/44QjKwH
📘 Buy  “Understanding Reserves” on Amazon 👉 https://a.co/d/b0jrTK7

What if one book could save your HOA thousands and prevent endless headaches? In this episode, Robert and guest Kevin Leonard get into “Understanding Reserves: A Guide To Your Association's Reserve Fund”, a must-read for anyone involved in a homeowners association. This book demystifies how HOAs should actually work. Learn how education, clarity, and simple tools can build better communities!

Three Purposes of the Reserve Study:

1. Display the Component List – the list of projects Reserves are being collected to perform. Note: the Component List is commonly referred to as the “foundation” of every Reserve Study, because the Financial Analysis is based on this list of expenses

2. Evaluation of Reserve Fund Strength (current cash on hand compared to the current $ of common area deterioration at the association)

3. Recommended multi-year Funding Plan to provide sufficient cash so Reserve Projects can be accomplished in a timely manner without reliance on supplemental loans or special assessments.


“Adequate Reserves” definition: A replacement reserve fund and stable and equitable multiyear funding plan that together provide for the reliable and timely execution of the association’s major repair and replacement projects without reliance on additional supplemental funding.

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What really happens when an HOA board is recalled? Hear Helen’s story and the lessons every board member should know.

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

What happens when an HOA board is recalled? In this HOA Board Heroes episode, we hear Helen’s real story about a recall the price of doing the right thing. Helen, a former board member, shared her experience dealing with the 2020 balcony inspection law. The association faced significant repairs, with initial cost estimates reaching millions. Despite the board's efforts to secure financing and a loan, homeowners resisted, leading to a recall election.

Chapters From Today's Episode:

00:00 The HOA Problem That Grew and Grew…

00:52 Intro to Board Hero Helen

02:11 What law triggered the conflict in this HOA?

04:15 Why did the HOA face pushback over balcony inspections?

06:20 What is a Master Repair Plan and why was it controversial?

08:04 How did the recall campaign begin and gain traction?

10:25 What was Helen’s experience dealing with the opposition group?

12:30 How did communication (or lack of it) fuel the fire?

15:10 Why did board members start resigning?

17:00 How did the association handle financing and reserve planning?

19:15 What was the turning point in the board’s support and leadership?

22:08 What lessons did Helen learn from the recall experience?

24:52 How can other boards prepare for similar challenges?

27:35 What does it really mean to serve your community on an HOA board?

30:45 What advice does Helen offer to future board members?

Podcast Links:
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Yes, really, there’s finally good news about HOA insurance! Robert and Kevin unpack it in this week’s episode.
 ✅ Is a Reserve Study right for you? 👉 https://www.reservestudy.com/

You read that right, there’s finally some good news about HOA insurance! In this episode, Robert and guest Kevin from share recent developments that might positively impact your HOA’s coverage options. They break down what’s shifting in the insurance market, how boards can take advantage, and what this means for your next renewal.  It’s not all doom and gloom (Really)!

Chapters:

00:00 What’s Happening With Insurance Claims Right Now?

02:10 Why Kevin Thinks There’s “Good News” in Insurance

04:00 How Quiet Disaster Seasons Affect Premiums

05:35 Are Lower Losses Creating Insurance Stability?

07:10 Why You Should Still Expect Premium Increases

08:30 What Role Does Risk Management Play?

10:20 What Reinsurers Are Really Worried About

12:10 Why HOA Loss History Impacts Rates So Much

14:00 What Boards Need to Understand About Deductibles

16:00 What Does “Capacity” Mean in the Insurance World?

18:00 Will Insurance Rates Ever Go Down Again?

20:15 Why Preventive Maintenance Is a Powerful Tool

22:30 Can One HOA’s Loss Affect Everyone’s Premiums?

24:10 How to Have a Realistic View of Insurance Expectations

26:00 How Much Control Do HOA Boards Really Have?

28:00 What Homeowners Often Get Wrong About Coverage

30:15 Final Thoughts: Staying Proactive and Prepared

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Are your HOA board financials helping or hurting your community? Learn how to read the numbers that truly matter with expert tips!
 ✅ Is a Reserve Study right for you? 👉 https://www.reservestudy.com/

HOA board financials aren’t just spreadsheets you go over once a year, they’re your roadmap to transparency and trust. Russell Munz of Community Financials joins us and explains what every board member needs to know: how to read your reports, spot red flags, and communicate assessment increases with confidence. From delinquency reports to bank reconciliations, find out how accurate financials build homeowner trust and keep your board on track! 

Chapters:

00:00 Why do HOA board members need to understand financials?

02:02 What role does financial transparency play in community trust?

04:10 What should you look for in a balance sheet?

06:15 How can income and expense reports reveal red flags?

08:34 What does the delinquency report tell you about cash flow?

10:40 What happens when HOAs don’t receive timely financials?

13:00 Why should boards use accrual accounting over cash?

14:51 How often should boards review financials?

16:26 What makes a solid collection policy legally sound?

19:05 How do automated systems improve financial clarity?

23:25 What should homeowners ask when reviewing financials?

26:10 How can boards better explain budget increases?

29:00 Why do some homeowners feel left in the dark?

31:42 How do reserve studies connect to financial wellness?

34:18 What’s the board’s responsibility when money is mismanaged?

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]

Nominate yourself or a Board Hero you Know!
Board Hero Nominations

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Julie Adamen

Kevin Davis, CIRMS

Robert Nordlund, PE

Support Our Sponsors

Association Insights & Marketplace

Association Reserves

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Kevin Davis Insurance Services

Stokelight Video & Marketing

The Inspectors of Election