The Latest News on Real Estate, Insurance and Community Law
How Much Should Association Fees Be?
Many people simply want the bottom line when they’re joining an HOA, condo association or other community association. How much will my fees be? We’d love to give you a straightforward answer to this, but (bet you saw this one coming) the answer is that it all...
7 Things to Know about Community Associations in Florida
If you’re moving into a planned development you’ll most likely be required to join the HOA, condo association or community association. The association is all about the community, but it’s managed by an overseeing body called the board of directors (BOD). The BOD...
How Much Can an HOA Raise Dues Each Year in Florida?
It’s a tale as old as time (at least as long as HOAs have been around): year by year, the dues gradually increase until what you were originally paying has doubled or tripled. Some people are dismayed at this, while others understand it’s just the nature of inflation...
Can You Refuse to Join Your HOA?
If you’re looking to buy a new home you already have so many concerns on your plate. But at the top of your list, if it’s not there already, you may want to add in whether or not your new home will be in an HOA. Florida has the most HOAs of any state, so if you’re...
How Much Should an HOA Keep in Reserves?
Saving for a rainy day. It’s what our parents and grandparents always taught us. For HOAs those “rainy day” savings are not just about having a nest egg for some distant future, they’re critical to the operation and proper management of any community organization....
What Happens When an HOA Runs out of Money?
There are signs and whispers around your community that all is not well in your HOA. Your next door neighbor is saying she heard from one of the board members that the reserve fund is almost gone. You notice that the pool has been closed for several months with no...
Does an HOA Increase Property Value?
For many of us, our home is our most valuable asset and our biggest investment. We place a large financial importance on our home, as well as an emotional attachment, after all home is where the heart is. When deciding whether or not to live in an HOA, there are a...
Can a Home be Foreclosed on by an HOA?
2020 took the world by storm and, naturally, left hardships and confusion in its wake. As we slowly recover from the shock of this pandemic and all the surprises thrown at us last year, many people are worried about what will happen to their homes. The fears and...
Can a Board Hold a Closed Meeting?
The process of running an HOA, condo association or other community association can impact the daily lives of everyone in the community so when meetings are held it can be very important for all association members to attend. Meetings must usually be open to all...