The Uncommon Area

Cybersecurity threats against homeowners associations are increasing, and HOAs are becoming prime targets for cyber attacks, fraud, and data breaches. In this episode of The Uncommon Area, host Matthew Holbrook is joined by Brad Perry, CIO at Action Property Management, to break down what HOA board members and managers need to know about cybersecurity today.

This conversation covers why the human element is the biggest cybersecurity risk, how phishing and spear-phishing attacks work, and why HOAs must take a layered approach to digital protection. Brad explains the importance of cybersecurity training, multi-factor authentication, device security, and working with a management company that maintains and documents secure systems.

The episode also explores how artificial intelligence is making cyber attacks more convincing through voice and video scams, and what boards should do if a breach occurs.

If you are an HOA board member, property manager, or real estate professional responsible for safeguarding association finances and resident data, this episode provides practical guidance you can act on right away.

Follow The Uncommon Area for expert-led discussions on HOA law, governance, and property management best practices. Rather watch the episode video? Subscribe to our YouTube Channel!

Have a topic you’d like covered? Email us at [email protected] or follow us on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.

What does it really mean to serve on an HOA or condo board?

In this episode of The Uncommon Area, attorney Grant Neidenfeuhr joins Matthew Holbrook to unpack the legal and practical realities board members face. From understanding that associations are nonprofit corporations to navigating enforcement, assessments, communication, and decision making, this conversation provides clear guidance for board members who want to do the job well.

They explore why acting in good faith and in the best interest of the association matters, how condos and single family HOAs differ under the law, and why education and transparency can dramatically change how homeowners perceive their HOA.

A must listen for board members, community leaders, and managers who want to build trust and protect their communities.

***Legal requirements vary by state. This episode uses Texas law as examples, and board members should consult local counsel for state specific guidance.

Follow The Uncommon Area for expert-led discussions on HOA law, governance, and property management best practices. Rather watch the episode video? Subscribe to our YouTube Channel!

Have a topic you’d like covered? Email us at [email protected] or follow us on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.

Creative financing is changing how homes are bought and sold. Caleb Christopher joins The Uncommon Area to explain what HOAs need to know about investors, seller financing, and rental rules, and why clarity may be a board’s strongest tool.

• What creative financing actually means
• Seller financing vs. subject-to transactions
• Why low-interest mortgages are valuable assets
• How investors evaluate HOA rules before buying
• Rental caps, short-term rental restrictions, and enforcement challenges
• Co-living and rent-by-the-room trends
• Why public-facing HOA disclosures matter
• Rethinking the HOA and investor relationship

Follow The Uncommon Area for expert-led discussions on HOA law, governance, and property management best practices. Rather watch the episode video? Subscribe to our YouTube Channel!

Have a topic you’d like covered? Email us at [email protected] or follow us on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.

As the year comes to a close, we wanted to share something a little different.

This special holiday episode is a story about a delayed flight, a tired mother, a hurt toddler, and a few strangers who chose to pay attention. What unfolded was a simple act of kindness that grew into something meaningful and unforgettable.

At Action Property Management, this is our heartbeat. Caring for people. Walking alongside others. Showing up when it matters, even in small ways.

As you head into the holidays and the new year, we hope this story encourages you to notice the moments around you that are worth paying attention to, worth being astonished by, and worth sharing with others.

Wishing you a meaningful holiday season and a hopeful year ahead!

Attorney Cang Le of Le Firm joins The Uncommon Area for a clear look at what fiduciary duty really means for HOA board members.

Cang and host Matthew Holbrook break down how board decisions are judged, why expert guidance matters, what creates legal exposure, and how the business judgment rule actually works in practice.

If you serve on an HOA board or work in community management, this episode gives you practical insight into how to make sound decisions that protect the association and yourself.

In this episode:

• What fiduciary duty covers

• Why HOAs function as corporations

• The duty of care and duty of loyalty

• How courts evaluate board decisions

• The risks that lead to personal liability

• The role of experts in protecting the board

• Conflicts of interest that catch boards off guard

• Budget season pressures and reserve funding realities

• What boards should prioritize in 2025

Follow The Uncommon Area for expert-led discussions on HOA law, governance, and property management best practices. Rather watch the episode video? Subscribe to our YouTube Channel!

Have a topic you’d like covered? Email us at [email protected] or follow us on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.

Matthew Holbrook sits down with mortgage advisor John Farrell to break down how SB 326, the Balcony Bill, is reshaping condo sales across California. They explore why inspections can derail a sale, how Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac evaluate HOA risk, and why some communities are seeing major price shifts.

If you are on a board, buying a condo or managing an HOA, this episode helps you understand the financial pressure points created by the law and how to navigate them.

Topics Covered:

• How SB 326 inspections affect lending

• Why financing can collapse even when the unit is fine

• Reserve funding issues and shortfalls

• Declined lists for condos

• Special assessments and HOA loans

• Cash buyers vs. conventional buyers

• How healthy HOAs maintain home values

Follow The Uncommon Area for expert-led discussions on HOA law, governance, and property management best practices. Rather watch the episode video? Subscribe to our YouTube Channel!

Have a topic you’d like covered? Email us at [email protected] or follow us on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.

Can an HOA act like law enforcement? Attorney Darren M. Bevan joins host Matthew Holbrook to unpack what homeowners associations can and can’t do when neighbor disputes escalate. From late-night parties to illegal behavior, this episode explores how far an HOA’s authority really goes and where the law draws the line.

Learn how to handle nuisance complaints, enforce governing documents legally, and protect your board from liability. Plus, hear about the landmark Woolard v. Regent Real Estate Services, Inc. case that reshaped HOA responsibility in California.

In this episode:

• What powers HOA boards actually have (and don’t)
• When to involve law enforcement
• How to handle nuisance complaints fairly
• Avoiding overreach and liability
• Lessons from recent California case law

Perfect for: HOA board members, community managers, and homeowners who want practical insight into enforcement, risk management, and neighbor relations.

Resources:

Woolard v. Regent Real Estate Services, Inc. – Read the case summary

Guest: Darren M. Bevan, Baydaline & Jacobsen LLP

Podcast: The Uncommon Area by Action Property Management

Follow The Uncommon Area for expert-led discussions on HOA law, governance, and property management best practices. Rather watch the episode video? Subscribe to our YouTube Channel!

Have a topic you’d like covered? Email us at [email protected] or follow us on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.

Is your HOA facing construction defects or considering legal action? In this episode of The Uncommon Area, host Matthew Holbrook talks with Joe Smith of Burg Simpson Law Firm about how community associations can protect themselves when construction issues arise.

They cover everything from identifying potential defects and navigating statutes of limitation to understanding tolling agreements and strategic settlements. You’ll learn what steps boards should take before litigation and why most cases settle long before trial.

This episode is a must-listen for HOA board members, property managers, and community leaders who want expert guidance on construction defect claims and risk management in common-interest communities.

Follow The Uncommon Area for expert-led discussions on HOA law, governance, and property management best practices. Rather watch the episode video? Subscribe to our YouTube Channel!

Have a topic you’d like covered? Email us at [email protected] or follow us on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.

HOA disputes are inevitable, but how your board handles them determines whether your community grows stronger or fractures under pressure.

In this episode of The Uncommon Area, host Matthew Holbrook talks with attorney Sandra L. Gottlieb of SwedelsonGottlieb about what it really means to fight fair in homeowners associations. From mediation and arbitration to board decisions and neighbor disagreements, they unpack strategies that protect both your HOA and its sense of community.

You’ll learn:

• The differences between IDR, ADR, mediation, and arbitration

• Why some forms of arbitration can put HOAs at risk

• How to navigate legal conflicts with homeowners

• When empathy and creativity can prevent costly litigation

Whether you are a board member, property manager, or HOA resident, this episode will help you approach conflict with confidence, clarity, and compassion.

Follow The Uncommon Area for expert-led discussions on HOA law, governance, and property management best practices. Rather watch the episode video? Subscribe to our YouTube Channel!

Have a topic you’d like covered? Email us at [email protected] or follow us on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.

What makes some HOAs consistently successful? In this special episode of The Uncommon Area, host Matthew Holbrook talks with Judge Bugbee, founder of HOA Connect North Texas, about what separates thriving communities from struggling ones.

Judge shares his journey from HOA board president to launching an organization that educates and equips volunteer leaders across Texas. The conversation explores how HOA Connect has grown, the support it provides to communities, and the leadership principles that create strong, connected associations.

You’ll learn:

• How HOA Connect educates board members and builds leadership skills

• Why transparency and proactive communication reduce conflict and build trust

• The impact of community events on property value and satisfaction

• How strategic reserve studies and budgeting prevent surprises and save money

• The importance of partnerships with cities, vendors, and homeowners

If you are an HOA board member, property manager, or community leader, this episode offers practical insights and real-world examples to help you lead with confidence and purpose.

Follow The Uncommon Area for expert-led discussions on HOA law, governance, and property management best practices. Rather watch the episode video? Subscribe to our YouTube Channel!

Have a topic you’d like covered? Email us at [email protected] or follow us on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.