ARE YOU READY TO BE AN HOA BOARD MEMBER?

Technically, you’re already involved. When you purchased your home within a planned community, you are a member of that community. You have the ability to vote on new rules, regulations, etc. Your community may assign a property management company, but the HOA board always controls the rules in your community. If you want to get more involved, joining the HOA Board may be the natural place for you. But before you put your name on the ballot to get voted in, you may want to ask yourself a couple of questions.

Are You Proactive?

Even when you hire a community management company, they enforce the rules and mandates set by your HOA Board. As communities evolve, we find many HOA Boards like to review their CC&Rs to make sure they are up to date with what your community wants and needs. If you’re the type to see these needs or even the type of person who listens to your neighbors’ requests for change, and you want to help make these amendments…then you are perfect for the HOA Board!

Enjoy Reading Legal & Financial Documents?

You don’t have to be a lawyer to understand the CC&Rs, but as a board member, you will quickly need to know your community’s laws and regulations. Plus, you will work with your board and community management company to create or amend your current and future budgets. Did the heat wave affect the water and landscaping bills? Do you have enough funds to cover a much needed exterior painting job? Those questions and many more are the topics the HOA Board discusses, debates, and decides in order to be prepared today and ready for any changes tomorrow.

Comfortable with Enforcing Rules?

Your community has CC&Rs to protect the property and your neighbors. Some of these rules are easy to understand, for example, all guests must park in designated areas, etc.  Or landscaping rules like mowing your lawn or replacing any dead plants. All homeowners must read and agree to your community’s rules before they move in, so there should be no surprises to understanding the CC&Rs. But life happens and perhaps the lawn forgot to get mowed? You must be comfortable with reaching out to your community management company and informing them of any homeowner violations in order to issue any warnings, fines, and penalties. Your community management company should be way ahead of you on this, as they should visit your community often, but you are also the eyes of your community. The better the community is kept, the more value it retains.

There is no “i” in Team

Teamwork is a key component of an efficient and effective HOA Board. You must be comfortable with speaking up, sharing necessary information, and putting aside your own personal interests for the greater good of the community. It’s also important to respect others’ opinions even if they differ from your own and to maintain a neighborly demeanor during all discussions.
Additional Resource: 10 Ways to get up to speed when you join your HOA Board 

It’s All Unpaid

Joining the HOA Board is a volunteer position. You must be ready to do the work required by attending meetings, writing correspondence, or any other duties designated to your role within the board. On the plus side, it’s a great way to know your neighbors, you can put it down on your resume, and you can feel proud knowing you are making a positive impact on your community.

If you have more questions about the responsibilities of an HOA Board, or if you’re seeking a new community management company, you can talk to us! We’re always here to help your community grow while adding value to your property.

ABOUT CRUMMACK HUSEBY PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

Crummack Huseby is an award-winning property management company who understands what it takes to create a community within the community association’s they partner with. Our successful business partnerships with homebuilders, developers and homeowner’s associations have brought value to clients throughout Southern California. Our talented and award-winning managers work closely with our clients to determine the specific needs they have - to elevate, inspire and achieve their goals for their communities.