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Providing expert financial analysis so our clients make informed decisions and prudent budgets.

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Borrowing from Reserves
Blog

Borrowing from Reserves: The Right Way

Budgeting is a critical aspect of managing a homeowner’s association. It helps ensure that the community’s financial needs are met while maintaining financial stability. However, some common budget mistakes can hinder the smooth operation of an HOA. One such mistake is borrowing from reserves. In this blog, we will discuss the potential pitfalls of borrowing from reserves and explore the legal implications of this practice.

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Blog

California’s Insurance Landscape: The Legacy of the Ruoff Case

In the state of California, it’s no secret that we face a dynamic and challenging insurance landscape. Insurance has become a hot topic, with community associations, condominium developments, and homeowners’ associations facing increasing challenges in securing adequate coverage and the limited number of providers in the state.

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The Perfect Recipe for the Start-Up HOA Budget
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The Perfect Recipe for the Start-Up HOA Budget

Are you in the early stages of forming a Homeowners’ Association (HOA) for your new residential development? Crafting the ideal HOA budget is a crucial step toward ensuring the smooth operation and long-term financial health of your community.

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3 Things Smart Developers Do
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3 Things Smart Developers Do

In the competitive and high-risk world of residential development, smart developers stand out by implementing effective strategies that pave the way for their projects’ success. From the initial stages of planning to the final execution, there are three things all residential developers can do to ensure the success and efficiency of their projects.

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Reserve Study Misconceptions: Debunked
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Reserve Study Misconceptions: Debunked

As an owner or manager of a homeowner’s association or other planned community, it’s your responsibility to ensure that finances are properly managed. Reserve studies are vital for an association to maintain its financial health, as they are required to take place every three years in accordance with CA Civil Code 5550. However, there are several misconceptions about them. We’re going to divulge some of the most common myths about reserve studies and explain why they are untrue.

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HOA development photo of house under construction
Blog

HOA Dues Increase: What You Need to Know

In recent years, the amount of new community associations has experienced a remarkable surge in numbers. However, community associations have not been immune to the far-reaching effects of the pandemic, like surging sale prices and inflation. Both developers and homeowners have encountered their fair share of challenges. In today’s landscape, everything comes at a higher cost, and HOA budgets need to reflect these price increases accurately.

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Photo of trees with flames and smoke
Blog

California’s Home Insurance Crisis

California homeowners and Homeowner Associations are currently grappling with a severe insurance crisis. Numerous providers are choosing to opt out of the State or reduce coverage. This predicament stems from a combination of factors, including persistent challenges in the supply chain, escalating climate-related disasters, and inflation.

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property What You Need to Know About Subdividing Land Today
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Subdividing Land: What You Need to Know

As the world population continues to grow, the demand for land will only increase. By subdividing land into multiple usable lots, the possibility of reaping additional profits is highly likely. This has led many people to ask the question, “How do I subdivide land?”

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Red Flags that Signal Potential Problems with Your Reserve Fund
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Red Flags that Signal Potential Problems with Your Reserve Fund

As a homeowner, board member, developer, or community manager, you bear a significant responsibility of ensuring that your community is always in top-notch condition, well-maintained, and prepared for any unexpected situations. One of your primary duties is managing your community’s reserve fund, which serves as a financial buffer to cover any unforeseen expenses or significant repairs.

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Making Your HOA more attractive for Insurance Companies
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Making Your HOA more attractive for Insurance Companies

There are fewer insurance companies willing to write policies for HOAs due to perceived risk. In the events that have taken place in 2022, such as floods and fires, there is a massive deficit in insurance for HOAs. Community association insurance plays a significant role in budgeting for HOAs. Insurance premiums are a necessary expense that HOAs must include in their budget to ensure that the community is protected.

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Community Associations and Inflation
Blog

Community Associations and Inflation: Strategies for Resilience and Financial Stability

Inflation is a persistent issue that wreaks havoc on the financial health of community associations. From project delays to regular assessment increases and impact on reserve funds, the effects of inflation can be far-reaching and challenging to manage. Community association boards must be proactive in mitigating the impact of inflation to ensure that they can continue to provide necessary services to their members while also planning for future capital projects.

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Your Go-To for DRE Public Report Processing
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Your Go-To for DRE Public Report Processing

If you are a real estate developer in California, obtaining a public report from the Department of Real Estate (DRE) is a crucial step in your project’s success. The public report discloses important information about the development to prospective buyers, such as an overview of the community, the developer’s financial stability, the project’s legal status, the association’s monthly assessments (if any), and the estimated completion date.

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