HOA - It's A True Story Podcast

Season 7 kicks off with a brand-new Leadership Series! Host Regan Brown, alongside co-hosts Bill Mann and Brad Bacome, welcomes Jeremy Wilson, Vice President of Keystone Pacific Property Management, to explore what separates a good manager from a great leader.

Drawing on 30 years of experience, Jeremy shares the leadership traits that matter most, why accountability and humility outweigh titles, and how to build strong teams through trust, communication, and empathy.

From navigating conflict to leading remote teams, this episode delivers real-world insights on the difference between managing people and truly leading them.

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The tables are turned as longtime host Regan Brown takes the guest seat while co-hosts Bill Mann and Brad Bacome lead the conversation about what it’s really like to serve on an HOA board.

They explore the realities of board service, from low homeowner participation and board turnover to limited training, lost institutional knowledge, and why even experienced professionals can feel unprepared once they’re in the role.

Whether you’re a board member, community manager, homeowner, or considering volunteering, this episode offers practical insight into navigating board service more effectively and avoiding unnecessary time, cost, and frustration.

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Host Regan Brown and co-host Bill Mann are joined by Kristina Alvarez-Waingraw and Andrea O’Toole to tackle one of the more complicated issues HOAs can face: hoarding.

From odors, rodents, and property damage to access, enforcement, and legal action, the group breaks down how these situations surface and what managers, boards, and attorneys need to know when responding.

With real-world stories and practical insight, they explore how to balance compassion with the responsibility to protect residents, property, and the association.

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Host Regan Brown, along with co-hosts Bill Mann and Brad Bacome, Certified Community Manager at The Manor, sit down with Edwin Palomino of Gachina Landscape Management to discuss how smart irrigation is changing the way HOAs manage rising water costs, aging systems, and new conservation requirements.

Edwin breaks down how smart irrigation works, from weather and flow sensors to remote monitoring and real-time adjustments, and how these tools can help communities use water more efficiently while protecting their landscapes.

They also discuss AB 1572, California’s changing rules around non-functional turf, and how HOAs can plan and budget for irrigation upgrades without taking a one-size-fits-all approach.

If your community is facing rising water bills, outdated irrigation, or future turf conversion requirements, this episode offers practical guidance for planning ahead.

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Regan Brown and co-host Bill Mann of Paradise Pools sit down with Tina Keele, Vice President with Socher Hub Insurance, to break down what HOA boards and community managers need to know about today’s insurance market.

They discuss why more HOAs have been pushed into the FAIR Plan, the critical coverage gaps communities may not realize they have, and why DIC and wrap policies have become so important. Tina also shares what she’s seeing in the market now, including signs that secondary carriers may be becoming more competitive again.

The conversation covers wildfire risk, rising premiums, community hardening, Firewise programs, water and storm exposure, and what it may take for HOAs to transition back into the standard insurance market.

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Host Regan Brown sits down with Wendy Miller of TARC Construction to discuss the growing issue of “warehousing” within HOA communities—not in the traditional sense, but the practice of placing elderly or mentally ill family members in multifamily housing without the support systems they may need.

What can begin as an effort to preserve independence can quickly create serious challenges for neighbors, board members, community managers, vendors, and legal professionals. Wendy shares how these situations have become increasingly common since COVID, the role social isolation can play, and the difficult balance between compassion, resident safety, privacy, and legal responsibility.

The conversation also explores a real-world case involving harassment, physical altercations, repeated fines, police involvement, and a two-and-a-half-year effort to reach a resolution—highlighting just how complex these situations can become and how important it is for communities to be prepared.

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Join hosts Regan Brown and Brad Bacome, Certified Community Manager at The Manor, as they welcome Louie Brown, Partner at Kahn, Soares & Conway, LLP, for a timely discussion on the legislation shaping California HOAs. With more than 200 bills introduced this year, Louie breaks down the measures community professionals should be watching, including updates to construction defect laws, reserve funding requirements, election procedures, and liability concerns. The conversation explores the evolution of AB 1903, proposed election reforms under AB 1892, and AB 2050’s six-year reserve funding plan designed to reduce the need for costly special assessments.

Tune in for practical insight into what may pass, what is still being negotiated, and how these changes could impact HOA finances, operations, and property values.

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Join hosts Regan Brown, Bill Mann, and Brad Bacome as they welcome Kelly Gasper, owner of Iron & Ivory Management, for a conversation on the unique world of Commercial Owners' Associations (COAs). From governance and legal nuances to mixed-use communities and outdated governing documents, Kelly shares what sets COAs apart from traditional HOAs and why understanding those differences is essential for community professionals.

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Hosts Regan Brown and Bill Mann, General Manager at Paradise Pools, are joined by Alexis Greenwood-Garcia, a seasoned marriage and family therapist with a PhD, for a conversation on recognizing, preventing, and overcoming burnout. Drawing from more than 20 years of experience, Alexis explores how chronic workplace stress, unrealistic expectations, and poor boundaries can quietly impact both your mental and physical well-being. She shares practical strategies for building healthier habits, creating balance, and preventing burnout before it takes a lasting toll. Whether you're a leader, manager, or simply feeling the demands of today's work environment, this episode offers valuable insights for creating a more sustainable and fulfilling life.

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Artificial intelligence is transforming the HOA industry—but what does that actually look like? Join hosts Regan Brown, Bill Mann, General Manager at Paradise Pools, and Brad Bacome, Certified Community Manager at The Manor, as they welcome Ben Sloman, founder of California Communities, to discuss the real-world impact of AI on community management. From automating budgets and tracking water usage to reviewing legal documents and protecting sensitive information, this episode explores where AI adds value, where caution is needed, and what every HOA professional should know.

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