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CBS in the News on Forbes.com: What to Consider About HOA Fees
Our President Scott Ford was interviewed by Forbes on the several factors that you should consider when buying a home. In case you missed the
Assembly Bill 1401: Less Parking, More Homes
California Assemblymember Laura Friedman recently introduced Assembly Bill 1401 (AB 1401), which would remove the minimum parking requirement for new housing development projects in areas
You’ve closed the first sale… What’s next?
After the Final Public Report is issued, and the master documents are disbursed, the DRE file here at CBS is suspended, in case any issues
AB 1101: How It Protects HOA Funds
Last month, Assembly Bill 1101 (AB 1101) was proposed by California Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) to establish much-needed protections for homeowners association funds. There
Parcel Maps & Parcel Map Waivers
When we think of “Subdivision” what comes to mind is a Subdivision Map or, as some counties refer to them as “Tract Map,” creating multiple
HOA Maintenance Or $20M Lawsuit?
In February 2018, a Nevada teenager successfully sued a homeowners association for $20 million after suffering a traumatic brain injury when a swing set’s metal
What Building 1,000 Homes Means to the U.S. Economy
According to NAHB’s National Impact of Home Building model, building 1,000 average single-family homes generates 2,975 jobs and $111.0 million in taxes and fees for
Budgeting for Variable Assessments
Not all lots or units are created equally in most subdivisions. Sometimes the range of differences is based on size, or square footage. Other times
AB 1482: Examining The Tenant Protection Act Of 2019
On October 8, 2019, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1482, known as the Tenant Protection Act of 2019. This legislation enacted statewide rent control
The Californian Drought and Real Estate Issues
Water crises in California are getting worse. The wet winter of 2016 did bring some hope for the Californians but their joy was only momentary
Structuring phased common area
We often work with our clients to create a successful phasing program, being careful to annex common areas at the right time, allowing us to
Phasing in a Market Downturn
There are two different ways subdivision developments can be phased. The first type of phasing is the mapping and on-site development. We refer to this
Partnerships
During the life of a development, the subdivider and/or homebuilder will engage in many partnerships with consultants and subcontractors along the way to get the
Non-CID Subdivisions ~ What’s that?
Developers who traditionally build single family homes within incorporated cities are often disappointed when they find the perfect land to build on… outside the city
DRE vs BRE? The Right Abbreviation For California’s Department Of Real Estate
When the California Department of Real Estate (DRE) became the California Bureau of Real Estate (BRE) in 2013, it was a whopper of a change
The Wisdom of Creating Multiple Street Lots
Selling homes in phases? Consider structuring your next subdivision map to include multiple road lots. Asphalt streets are definitely one of the most expensive items
MAPPING WITH HOA DUES IN MIND
As HOA Start-up Budgets are being created, a question we hear often is “can the dues be reduced?” More often than not, the HOA dues
What your lender needs to understand about DRE requirements
The construction loan recorded and construction is well underway. The DRE process is clicking along, and you just found out you need to negotiate with
IT’S ALL IN THE NAME
When the Department of Real Estate (DRE) processes an application for a public report, the application is anticipated to be in the name of the
It’s all in the ADVERTISING Name
The time involved in obtaining a Public Report can take anywhere from 4 months to 12 months, depending upon the project. Since the process is
Which asphalt coating is best for HOA road repair?
Roads are an invisible staple of our lives, blending in with the hum of daily to-dos and errands. Unless, of course, the road you’re driving
4 x 4ing and other Illegal Subdivision Sales
The Department of Real Estate oversees the marketing and sales of subdivided lands, which is generally defined as developments consisting of five (5) or more
California Housing Market Outlook for 2021
The year 2020 — the year of the pandemic — was a turbulent one, and California has felt its adverse effects. The state is one
DRE Housekeeping items – Subdivision Sales Requirements
From time to time we are contacted by Real Estate Professionals, who are working with new home or lot sales, who need a refresher course
Buying in Bulk
The success of the Costco chain of stores has proven that buying in bulk makes sense to a lot of us. From retail sales to
Releasing DRE Bonds
Filing bonds on subdivisions are one of those requirements that you can’t often avoid, without delaying getting your project to market. Subdividers under a Final
Dangers of an underfunded HOA reserve fund
At first glance, it’s tricky to see the dangers of an underfunded HOA reserve. Many HOAs often don’t understand the value of an adequate HOA reserve fund — until it’s too late!
Fiduciary Obligations
According to Wikipedia, a fiduciary “is a person who holds a legal or ethical relationship of trust with one or more other parties (person or
Completion Bonding & The Approval Process
Any time that the common area improvements will not be completed in a development at the time of the first sale closing, a financial security
Subdivision Names: How To Name A Community (Tips & Examples)
Naming a residential subdivision is never easy. You’ve not only got to make sure your name ticks all the right legal boxes, but you’ve also
Reserve Fund Study: A Crucial Long-Term Budget Planning Tool
Reserve fund studies are a crucial long-term financial analysis tool for any Homeowner’s Association (HOA). Why? Well, a reserve fund study provides valuable long-term financial
Why You Should Never Neglect Your Reserve Studies!
Over the past 30 years of HOA Budget preparation and consulting, we have found that an alarming number of HOAs either neglect to have a
HOA Reserve Funds: When You Should (& Shouldn’t) Use Them
We know that financial operations like reserve funds present a unique challenge to your Homeowners Association (HOA). Proper budgeting and allocation of reserve funds can
Understanding Subdivision Sale Requirements
Let’s be frank – navigating the world of DRE can be confusing and convoluted. There are so many subdivision sale requirements and almost no resources
HOA Budgeting: Tips For Creating A Cost-Efficient HOA
Homeowners Associations (HOAs) are a vital part of a well-run, well-kept, and well-organized community. A good HOA ensures that a private community looks attractive and pristine,
This Week, in Economic News….
The U.S. Census Bureau reported a 22% jump in new construction housing over June, which was 23% higher than May. This is almost 10% higher than July of
It’s all in the ADVERTISING Name
When William Shakespeare’s Juliet said the famous quote,“What’s in a name?”, she was explaining how a name is not a big deal. While that may
A Comprehensive Guide To Subdivision Public Reports
If you are developing a subdivision in the state of California, you’ll need to obtain a subdivision public report before the units in your subdivision
Re-Phasing Your Subdivision
Remember that old saying about what happens when you ASSUME? Well… it’s still true. We have a client who bought close to 100 lots on
Waiver of Assessments for Common Areas or Maintenance Areas
DRE Regulations allow for HOA assessments to be waived for HOA-maintained improvements that are not complete. Regulation 2792.16c, in a nutshell, allows a complete deferment
It’s All in the Name
Do you develop your project in one company/entity, and then sell homes from another entity? If so, this article is for you! When the Department
The Wisdom of Creating Multiple Street Lots
Selling homes in phases? Consider structuring your next subdivision map to include multiple road lots. Asphalt streets are definitely one of the most expensive items
Releasing DRE Bonds
Filing bonds on subdivisions are one of those requirements that you can’t often avoid, without delaying getting your project to market. Subdividers under a Final
Housing Is Looking Up
Last night, before going to bed, I saw the S&P Homebuilders Index (XHB) was up over 8% in after-hours trading. This morning, I checked and
Our Differences Are Also Our Strengths
What crazy times we’re living in! As if we all didn’t have enough going on this year already, Covid-19 has brought HOA communities throughout California
Phasing in a Market Downturn
When times are good – phasing your marketing program can be a headache. When times are slow, however, Phasing can be a lifesaver! I’ve always
The Importance of Partnerships
We recently had an interesting case that brought real life issues to the forefront of our Reserve Study services. Every single HOA board has at
Completion Bonding & the Approval Process
Any time that the common area improvements will not be completed in a development at the time of the first sale closing, a financial security
