Association Funds – Operating vs Reserve
As you create your HOA’s 2021 budget, make sure you plan on having more than enough money in both your reserve and operating funds. Having both funds full is important to maintain the upkeep of your community. But what is the difference between operating and reserve funds? And why can’t you just use one fund […]
Fiduciary Duty 101
As a member of your HOA’s board, you have many of duties. The most important of them is fiduciary duty. Fiduciary duty requires board members to stay objective, unselfish, responsible, honest, trustworthy, and efficient. Board members, as stewards of public trust, must always act for the good of the organization, rather than for the benefit […]
Virtual Board Training – Tuesday, October 20, 2020
October Session – Tuesday, October 20th – 6pm (Login information will be sent to those registered) – “Financial Fundamentals and Simplifying Insurance” All Board members from community associations managed by Sharper are welcome to attend. Tuesday, October 20th at 6 p.m. – “Financial Fundamentals and Simplifying Insurance” This focused session coincides with most association’s end-of-fiscal […]
Tips for Welcoming New Residents to Your Community
Building community among residents is always a priority for a happy neighborhood, but it’s hard than ever to do this during the COVID-19 pandemic. One way you can welcome new residents and help them “find there way” with living in an HOA, is to have a Welcome Packet ready when they arrive that contains important […]
Summer Fun and Noise Complaints
Summer means warm weather, longer days, and more time outside. It also means extra noise, which could lead to an increase in noise complaints. Here are some great ways to deal with the summer noise and the complaints that come with them. Things to do now. Look over your noise based HOA rules, and adjust […]
Holding Effective Meetings While Social Distancing
This year’s meetings will be different than those we’ve seen in the past. Social distancing guidelines dictate 6′ of space between people in an indoor setting. How will that work within you HOA board’s normal meeting location? Is it feasible to continue indefinitely with Zoom (online) meetings? Or will you need to implement a hybrid […]
Common Board Member Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Are you a new Board member who is still “getting their feet wet” in the first year of service? Being on your board is a fulfilling role and we’d like to help you with a few tips on some common pitfalls you may encounter on your journey as a new board member. Some of the […]
Creating a Maintenance Plan for Your HOA
Creating a Maintenance Plan for your HOA As we near the end of February, your Board conversations are likely turning to summer maintenance projects. Having an overall Maintenance Plan in place is a helpful tool to have in your pocket at this time of year. An effective approach to maintaining your Association helps to ensure […]
Insurance: So Why Does the Association Have to File a Claim?
There are few things trickier and more complicated in the operation of a community association than that of insurance. What types of policies must the association have? What is the scope of coverage? How does the “master policy” work with the individual homeowner’s policy (“HO6”)? There are many components and questions. Perhaps the most seldom […]
October Board Training Was a Success
Thank you to all those who attended our Fall Board Training on October 15. It was a great success. The topic was Insurance and Financial Basics. Eric Skarnes from Insurance Warehouse presented some great information on various insurance policies, coverages and market trends. Did you know that Minnesota is now considered a “catastrophic state” when […]