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One former HOA board member shares her experience of being recalled by a rogue board and what life in her community has looked like since.
✅ Is a Reserve Study right for you? 👉 https://www.reservestudy.com/

In Episode 169, Robert is joined once again by returning guest Helen, whom listeners may remember from Episode 112. A former HOA board member in Southern California, Helen shares her firsthand experience of being recalled during a leadership upheaval over budget decisions and what happened after her time on the board came to an unexpected end. Together, Robert and Helen discuss what an HOA recall can mean for both board members and homeowners, the challenges that can arise when leadership changes, and why transparency, communication, and sound financial decision-making are essential to protecting a community's long-term success.

Chapters:
00:00 What happened after the HOA board recall?
03:45 Why was the HOA board recalled?
07:17 What happened after the new board took over?
11:33 How do you recover after being recalled from an HOA board?
16:29 Why did the former board members keep attending meetings?
20:15 Ad Break - OurFiPhO.com
20:45 How did the new board change its leadership style?
24:34 What would Helen do differently as an HOA board member?
26:30 What financial responsibilities can't an HOA board avoid?
29:02 How can HOA boards create better continuity?
30:04 Why are homeowner committees so valuable?
32:03 Would Helen ever run for the HOA board again?
34:05 What should every HOA board tell homeowners about money?

The views & opinions expressed in this program are those of the Hosts & Guests, intended to provide general education about the community association industry. The content is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual or organization.

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HOA loans or special assessments? Discover which option may cost your community less in the long run.
✅ Is a Reserve Study right for you? 👉 https://www.reservestudy.com/

In Episode 168, Julie is joined by HOA industry veteran Rolf Crocker to discuss one of the toughest financial decisions community associations face: should an HOA fund major expenses with a special assessment, a loan, or a combination of both? Drawing on Rolf's experience in both community management and HOA lending, he and Julie explore the key factors that help HOA boards make informed financial decisions for the future.

Chapters:

00:00 Why do HOAs end up needing loans or special assessments?
01:04 What causes HOA reserve funding shortfalls?
05:06 Should your HOA choose a loan or a special assessment?
07:48 Can an HOA combine loans and special assessments?
09:44 How should boards communicate financial problems?
11:05 What questions will homeowners ask first?
16:37 Ad Break - Community Financials
17:08 How do you prove you've chosen the best financial option?
23:14 How do you prevent another financial crisis?
27:53 Why should boards address funding problems even if they're unpopular?
31:25 What's the biggest lesson for HOA board members?

The views & opinions expressed in this program are those of the Hosts & Guests, intended to provide general education about the community association industry. The content is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual or organization.

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Could your HOA survive a cyberattack? Learn the HOA cybersecurity mistakes that can lead to costly consequences.
✅ Is a Reserve Study right for you? 👉 https://www.reservestudy.com/

In Episode 167, Kevin Davis and Sherry Branson tackle one of the fastest-growing risks facing community associations: cybersecurity. As AI, connected devices, and digital platforms become a bigger part of HOA operations, many boards are struggling to keep pace with the technology and the threats that come with it. Learn what every HOA board should know to better protect community data and make more informed technology decisions before a cyber incident becomes a costly mistake!

Chapters:
00:00 Could one email bankrupt your HOA?
00:43 Why are HOA boards falling behind on cyber security?
03:04 Why are cyber criminals targeting HOA communities?
05:04 How do phishing emails and social engineering scams work?
07:39 How can your HOA stop a phishing attack before it starts?
08:11 Why has technology become a hidden risk for HOAs?
09:59 What happens when HOA technology suddenly stops working?
12:17 Why does every HOA need a cyber backup plan?
13:49 What is the Internet of Things and why should HOA boards care?
16:44 How can outdated technology expose your HOA to hackers?
19:27 Ad Break - Kevin Davis Insurance Services
19:55 Why is protecting homeowner data becoming more difficult?
23:53 Why can trusted HOA vendors become cyber security risks?
26:33 Who is responsible after an HOA cyber attack?
28:16 What fiduciary duties do HOA boards have for cyber security?
30:27 Should every HOA carry cyber insurance?
32:15 How can your HOA prepare before a cyber attack happens?

The views & opinions expressed in this program are those of the Hosts & Guests, intended to provide general education about the community association industry. The content is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual or organization.

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The tragedy of Champlain Towers changed HOAs forever. What lessons should every board member remember today?
✅ Is a Reserve Study right for you? 👉 https://www.reservestudy.com/

Episode 166 marks the anniversary of an event that eventually led our host, Robert Nordlund, to start this podcast in the hope of educating board members so that we never experience a tragedy like this again. A reflection on the fifth anniversary of the tragic collapse of Champlain Towers South and the lasting impact it has had on the community association industry. A heartbreaking tragedy that claimed 98 lives, largest structural failure, and modern residential tragedy in U.S. history. For HOA board members and community leaders, it became an important reminder of the responsibility associations have regarding maintenance, repairs, and future planning. Robert shares his thoughts on why preparing reserve studies is so important and how proper financial planning helps protect communities.

Chapters:

00:00 Why do HOA board decisions impact the future of a community?
01:04 What lessons did HOAs learn from the Champlain Towers tragedy?
03:44 What happened when Champlain Towers South collapsed?
05:37 Why did the Champlain Towers collapse affect the entire HOA industry?
07:06 What caused the Champlain Towers South tragedy?
08:32 Why is deferred maintenance dangerous for HOAs?
10:18 How did Champlain Towers change the way HOA boards think?
11:37 Why do HOA board members need long-term thinking?
13:11 What responsibilities do HOA board members have?
15:11 Why can't HOAs ignore the cost of deterioration?
17:11 Ad Break - Association Reserves
17:42 How can HOA boards prevent another Champlain Towers tragedy?
18:43 How much should HOAs contribute to reserves?
20:14 Why did Fannie Mae change HOA reserve requirements?
22:30 How can transparency help HOA boards make better decisions?
23:33 Why does preventive maintenance save HOAs money?
24:51 How often should an HOA update their reserve study?
27:11 Why is reserve funding like a usage fee for homeowners?
28:10 What resources help HOAs maintain aging buildings?
29:18 Why are inspections important for older HOA communities?
30:48 What is the biggest lesson from Champlain Towers?

The views & opinions expressed in this program are those of the Hosts & Guests, intended to provide general education about the community association industry. The content is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual or organization.

Podcast Links:
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HOA fraud happens more often than most boards realize. Here's how to make your community a harder target!
✅ Is a Reserve Study right for you? 👉 https://www.reservestudy.com/

In Episode 165, we're joined once again by repeat guest Russell Munz of Community Financials. Serving associations nationwide, Community Financials provides financial management and a variety of remote services to help HOA boards operate more effectively. One of Russell's recent newsletters focused on preventing fraud & embezzlement within HOA boards, and after reading it, we knew it was a message worth sharing with our podcast audience!

Chapters:

00:00 What financial red flags should every HOA board notice?
00:44 Why HOA fraud is more common than most boards realize
03:30 Should homeowners have access to HOA financial reports?
05:40 What financial reports should every HOA board review?
07:10 Can finance committees help prevent HOA fraud?
07:48 Why every board member—not just the treasurer—must review finances
09:16 Which financial reports matter most each month?
11:23 How did an HOA lose $11 million to fraud?
13:30 Is HOA fraud caused by bad people or bad systems?
15:04 Why transparency is your best defense against fraud
17:01 How simple mistakes allow fraud to happen
18:43 What three conditions make fraud possible?
19:49 Ad Break - Community Financials
20:20 What internal controls should every HOA implement?
22:48 How can vendor oversight prevent embezzlement?
24:22 What financial reports should boards question every month?
26:29 Why bank statements and reconciliations matter
29:22 What oversight habits catch fraud before it grows?
32:13 Why reserve accounts need the same protection as operating funds
33:00 What final steps make your HOA a hard target for fraud?
35:00 Why "trust but verify" is every board's best policy

The views & opinions expressed in this program are those of the Hosts & Guests, intended to provide general education about the community association industry. The content is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual or organization.

Podcast Links:
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Are your HOA vendors truly serving your community or just benefiting from a trusted relationship? Listen to find out the signs that might be costing your association!
✅ Is a Reserve Study right for you? 👉 https://www.reservestudy.com/

This week, Robert sits down with Board Hero, Peter Isakovic, a homeowner and board member from Colorado. He serves on the board of the CAI Rocky Mountain Chapter, and came to our attention as the author of a recent article for Common Interest, “Are ‘Preferred’ Contractors Preferred?”. The cautionary article discussed the importance of upholding the standard and integrity of your HOA’s vendors, while creating the best outcome for your community’s health and financial future. HOA Insights continues to set you up for success, ensuring you make the best financial decisions for your community by understanding blind spots that could be costing you money.

Chapters:

00:00 Why homeowner trust matters in HOA leadership
00:52 Introducing Peter Isakovic and the HOA vendor problem
03:41 How Peter got involved with his HOA board
06:21 Why homeowner voices matter in community associations
08:27 Running your HOA like a business
10:00 Why board members need to question vendors
12:25 When a management company relationship goes wrong
14:10 Death by a thousand paper cuts: hidden HOA costs
16:52 The $28,000 front door that raised red flags
18:18 Facing HOA financial reality and homeowner pushback
21:23 The importance of transparency with homeowners
22:48 Sponsor Break - Association Reserves
23:19 Reviewing invoices and finding costly mistakes
25:12 Curiosity, courage, and effective HOA leadership
27:18 Building trust through visibility and communication
28:01 Why proper licensing and insurance matter
29:27 Contract language can make or break your HOA
31:10 Building your own trusted vendor network
34:21 Final lessons for protecting HOA finances
35:41 Closing thoughts and key takeaways

The views & opinions expressed in this program are those of the Hosts & Guests, intended to provide general education about the community association industry. The content is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual or organization.

Podcast Links:
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A Florida HOA lost $2 million to HOA board fraud. Learn the warning signs before it happens to you.
✅ Is a Reserve Study right for you? 👉 https://www.reservestudy.com/

Episode #163 might just be our craziest story yet, and in a new fashion! Kevin Davis tells a story of how an unchecked board president can put you and your community in grave financial danger. This episode covers how a Florida HOA lost nearly $2 million when a small group on the inside used shell companies, hidden records, and control of the board to drain the association’s funds. When we learned what happened, we knew our listeners needed to hear this story so you can recognize the red flags early and protect your own community.

Chapters:
00:00 How did the HOA hide records from homeowners and investigators?
01:01 How did a Florida HOA lose $2 million to fraud?
02:05 How did the fraud scheme begin before the president took office?
03:09 How were shell companies used to siphon HOA funds?
04:33 Why did homeowners begin questioning the HOA board?
05:49 How did commingling funds help conceal the fraud?
07:12 How were records hidden from homeowners and police?
08:17 How did election fraud help keep the scheme alive?
09:17 What happened after the board members were convicted?
10:29 How did the HOA begin rebuilding after the fraud?
11:57 Ad Break - Kevin Davis Insurance Services
12:29 What insurance coverage should every HOA carry?
14:26 Why is directors and officers insurance so important?
15:36 How does board training prevent fraud and liability?
17:54 Why should HOAs have a fraud prevention policy?
19:10 Why is independent oversight critical for HOA finances?
20:08 How does transparency help stop fraud before it grows?
21:20 Why should boards always trust but verify?
22:18 How can conflicts of interest create major HOA risks?
23:24 What final lessons can HOA boards learn from this case?

The views & opinions expressed in this program are those of the Hosts & Guests, intended to provide general education about the community association industry. The content is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual or organization.

Podcast Links:
Full Episode List
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Engage in the conversation!

Call our 24/7 voicemail line at (805) 203-3130 or send an email or voice memo to podcast@reservestudy.com

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Julie Adamen

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