HOA - It's A True Story Podcast

Regan Brown, host, and Bill Mann, President of The GB Group Construction & Painting, interview Francis Serrano, Director of Operations at CitiScape and Realtor at Vanguard Properties. Together, they discuss the emotional challenges of property management, exploring accountability, the importance of professional detachment, and strategies to help new managers navigate hostility and negativity.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Community Management Challenges
02:58 Navigating Hostility in Property Management
06:03 Emotional Dynamics in Community Management
08:59 Accountability vs. Condescension in Management
12:08 Professional Detachment and Personal Boundaries
15:12 Legal Counsel and Conflict Resolution
18:00 Advice for New Community Managers
21:04 Unique Experiences in Property Management
23:56 Conclusion and Key Takeaways

Host Regan Brown and Kelly Zibell, Senior Vice President of Communitas, sit down with Maegan Woytek, President of ACAM and Director of Community Engagement at Vantaca. They discuss the role of ACAM, a unique association group that unites management company owners, operators, and business partners to share best practices and promote industry collaboration. Maegan also sheds light on ACAM's impact within the industry and its ongoing initiatives.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

03:01 How Megan Got Involved in ACAM

09:12 What is ACAM?

14:01 ACAM Retreat and Tuesday Talks

18:53 Choosing Locations for the Retreat

22:25 Membership and Attendance

25:21 The Importance of Sharing and Collaboration

32:23 Board Structure and Term Limits

34:29 Closing Thoughts and Funny Stories

Regan Brown, host, is joined by Bill Mann, President of The GB Group Construction & Painting, and Kelly Zibell, Senior Vice President of Communitas, as they interview Alex Noland of Noland Law PC. Together, they discuss the Corporate Transparency Act and its impact on HOAs.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Overview

01:16 Understanding the Transparency Act

03:38 Exemptions and Requirements

07:54 Reporting Requirements for Board Members

13:28 Fees and Fines

18:19 Communicating the Impact to Board Members

23:59 Disclosure of Personal Information

26:30 Individual Registration for Board Members

29:50 Unincorporated Associations and Secretary of State Registration

34:06 Pushback and Concerns

Regan Brown, host, along with Bill Mann, President of The GB Group Construction & Painting, and Kelly Zibell, Senior Vice President of Communitas, interview Rich Adams, Senior Reserve Analyst at Barrera and Company. They discuss the accuracy of reserve studies for HOAs, exploring the process of setting up a reserve study and ensuring accurate numbers and a comprehensive list of items.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introductions

02:02 Ensuring Accuracy in Reserve Studies

05:34 Costs for Future Projects

07:48 Planning for Long-Term Projects

12:23 The Importance of Regular Updates

16:23 Accounting for Cost Changes

18:15 Challenges and Solutions for Older Associations

21:31 The Impact of Legislative Changes

25:46 Using the Reserve Study as a Tool

28:43 Planning for Future Projects

31:17 Collaboration and Communication

33:39 Funny Stories and Conclusion

Host Regan Brown and Bill Mann, President of The GB Group Construction & Painting, sit down with Reale Edgerton, an Account Executive at Axela Technologies, to discuss the critical role of collections in HOAs. They explore the importance of having a solid collection policy and the benefits of offering payment plans to homeowners who fall behind on dues.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

03:18 The First Steps for Managers

06:23 Setting Up Payment Plans

08:15 Addressing Special Assessments

11:50 Legal Considerations and Involving Attorneys

13:57 Penalties and Consequences

15:59 Ensuring Fairness and Avoiding Bias

18:19 Reviewing and Working with Attorneys

20:55 The Impact of Delinquencies on Loans

25:07 The Ripple Effect of Delinquencies

27:07 Assistance Programs and Grants

30:41 Conclusion and Contact Information

Regan Brown, Host, and Bill Mann, President of The GB Group Construction & Painting, sit down with Jeff Reger, President of ACT2EV. In this episode, they discuss the history of ACT2EV, the ins and outs of installing EV charging stations, the associated costs and maintenance, available grants and incentives for HOAs, the importance of unified charging standards, the potential for solar integration, and the future of EV technology.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introductions

05:25 The Potential of EVs to Change Transportation and Energy

08:15 The Process and Cost of Installing EV Charging Stations

12:44 Grants and Incentives for HOAs to Install EV Stations

15:02 Maintenance and Challenges of EV Charging Stations

17:30 Unified Charging Standards and Compatibility

21:32 The Future of EV Technology and Infrastructure

23:34 Life Expectancy and Planning for EV Charging Stations

29:06 Educating HOAs and Realistic Cost Expectations

32:22 Appreciation for HOAs and Conclusion 

Regan Brown, Host, and Bill Mann, President of The GB Group Construction & Painting, interview Adam Balkcom, CEO of CAM Leadership Institute, shares his journey into the community association management industry and the founding of CLI.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background
09:21 The Power of CEO Groups
17:05 Diversifying Revenue Streams
23:31 Outsourcing and Remote Team Members
30:02 Automation and AI in the Industry
36:02 Transitioning from Manager to Leader

Regan Brown, Host, and Bill Mann, President of The GB Group Construction & Painting, interview Kelly Richardson, a partner at Richardson|Ober LLP. In this episode, they discuss the challenges of dealing with negative people in community associations.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction  

02:30 Dealing with Negative People in Community Associations  

06:31 The Clash Between Independence and Shared Power  

10:26 Understanding the Legal Issues Surrounding Harassment  

14:45 Balancing Video Surveillance in Common Areas  

18:50 The Role of Legal Counsel in Handling Difficult Situations  

25:02 Transparency, Communication, and People-Centric Approaches  

31:15 Conclusion and Contact Information

Regan Brown, Host, interviews Dillon Graber, Senior Community Manager at Seabreeze Management, who shares tips and tricks on preventing burnout and staying motivated in the HOA industry.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Career Path

02:59 The Importance of Flexibility and Clear Expectations

05:47 Prioritizing Tasks and Focusing on the Bigger Picture

10:14 Monthly Board Meetings and Setting Realistic Expectations

13:21 Hobbies and Work-Life Balance

24:52 The Impact of Burnout on Mental Health

29:02 Motivated Individuals and the Importance of Self-Management

31:35 Favorite Hobby and the Importance of Finding Balance

35:12 Story: The Association That Followed Dylan Throughout His Career

38:35 Closing Remarks and Contact Information

Regan Brown, Host, and Bill Mann, President of The G.B. Group Construction & Painting, interview Travis Stokes, President of Action Asphalt Paving and Maintenance, Inc., about asphalt projects and maintenance for HOAs.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

02:37 Best Practices for Asphalt Projects

06:31 Scheduling and Phasing Asphalt Projects

10:45 Crack Filling and Spot Repairs

18:10 Overlay vs. Remove and Replace

20:04 Financial Planning for Asphalt Projects

25:08 Diversification and Expertise in the Industry

29:31 The Importance of Empathy and Communication

31:24 Anecdote: Towing Incident

32:24 Contact Information and Conclusion