Resource Library

We offer a collection of expert videos, guides, and tools to support property managers, board members, and residents.

Property Management Practices

The Role of the Property Manager

Learn the key roles of property managers in resolving HOA issues, managing finances, and ensuring smooth operations.”

Annual Calendar Tool

Discover how an annual calendar helps HOA boards plan events, maintenance, budgets, and meetings proactively.

Contract Basics

Key contract tips for associations: proper entity naming, scope, compensation, deadlines, warranties, and indemnification.

RFPs

Learn what an RFP is, its importance, key elements like goals, budget, timeline, and how it ensures clear project bids.

Site Inspection

Join a property site inspection, from exterior checks to amenities, plumbing, and maintenance task assignment.

Defining Maintenance Types

Learn about the five types of property maintenance: routine, preventative, emergency, requested, and reserve replacement.

MCIOA & Maintenance Obligations

Learn about MCO amendments, preventative maintenance programs, and how to manage property maintenance effectively.

Legislative Trends in Maintenance

Explore legislative changes in Minnesota’s common interest ownership, focusing on maintenance and reserve funds.

Maintenance Matrix

Learn how a maintenance matrix helps define homeowner vs. association responsibilities and costs.

Associations

Associations 101

Learn the basics of what an association is, including its structure, mandatory membership, and economic responsibilities.

Defining Associations

Learn what an association is, including its definition as a nonprofit in Minnesota, the mandatory membership, the governing documents, and the dues that come with it.

Association Types

Learn the differences between how properties are managed, what the association owns versus what the homeowner owns, and the unique characteristics of each association type.

Governance

MCIOA 101

Understand MCIOA, its advantages for associations, and how it enhances governance and maintenance responsibilities.

How MCIOA Interacts with Governing Docs

Learn about the Minnesota Common Interest Ownership Act, its benefits, and how it impacts associations.

Amending VS Restating

Discussing amending vs. restating governing documents, including the challenges and benefits for associations.

MCIOA Amendment to Amendments

Learn about recent changes to the Minnesota Common Interest Ownership Act (M Kiowa) and key amendments.

Rule Creation & Enforceability Tips

Learn essential tips for creating and enforcing fair, reasonable rules for HOA boards and community living.

Hierarchy of Governing Documents

Learn about Federal Law, State Law, and City Ordinances. 

Plat Maps

Understand how plat maps define property boundaries and ownership in HOA governing documents and management.

ByLaws Basics

Learn how HOA bylaws govern board operations, meetings, and responsibilities, and how to amend them.

Defining Declarations

Explore the declaration document outlining homeowners’ rights, responsibilities, and association powers.

Articles of Incorporations

Learn about the articles of incorporation, a short document establishing the association’s legal foundation.

Rules & Regulations Overview

Explore the homeowner guidebook, covering day-to-day rules, regulations, and policies for the community.

Financials

Balance Sheet Basics

Learn the basics of balance sheets for associations, focusing on assets, liabilities, and cash position.

Operating Budget Overview

Understand how to create and manage an operating budget for your association, covering expenses, assessments, and planning.

Zero-Base Budgeting

Learn about zero-based budgeting for associations, using expenses to guide budgeting and projections.

Types of Expenses

Learn how to categorize budget expenses into obligations and needs, and manage discretionary spending effectively.

Dues Increases

Why raising dues every year is crucial for managing inflation and avoiding sudden increases in tough economic times.

Defining Assessments

Understanding operating budgets, assessments, and how condo dues are calculated based on ownership percentages.

The Role of Special Assessments

Explaining special assessments, their purpose, and how they address budget shortfalls or unexpected expenses.

Cashflow Management

Discussing the use of contingency funds to build cash reserves and ensure a healthy operating budget.

Utility Budgeting

Tips for budgeting utilities, focusing on trends, seasonal factors, and rising costs like gas and water.

Year-End Reporting & MCIOA Requirements

Overview of year-end financial requirements for associations under M Kiowa, including audits, taxes, and filings.

Replacement Reserves 101

Explanation of replacement reserve funds, M Kiowa requirements, and funding strategies for associations.

Reserve Requirements

Overview of Minnesota’s reserve fund requirements, including M Kiowa, and how to meet state statutes for associations.

Reserves Studies

Learn about reserve studies, their purpose, and how they help associations plan for future repairs and funding.

Reserve Study Management

Learn how to manage your reserve study, fund requirements, and strategies to maintain financial health.

Meetings

The Dreaded Homeowner Forum

Tips for managing homeowner forums in board meetings, including setting expectations, time limits, and procedures.

Liability of Recording Meetings

Discussing the risks of recording meetings and why it’s best to avoid it for legal and confidentiality reasons.

Virtual Meeting Management

Explaining the allowance of electronic board meetings in Minnesota and the importance of reviewing governing documents.

Informational Meetings

Explaining the purpose and guidelines of informational meetings, which are for sharing updates without voting or action.

Meeting Minutes 101

Guide to creating meeting minutes: key points to include for legal accuracy and clarity without transcribing everything.

Board Meeting Room Set Up

Tips for setting up your boardroom: create a collaborative, dynamic space for board members and manage homeowner interaction.

Virtual Meeting Requirements

Learn about electronic board meetings, how they work, and the challenges of virtual member meetings and voting.

When is a Meeting a "Meeting"

This video discusses when a board meeting is considered official and the importance of transparency in meetings.

Six Meeting Types

Overview of six types of meetings for associations: annual, special, informational, committee, board, and executive sessions.

Annual Meeting Requirements

This video covers nonprofit annual meetings, including requirements, notice, voting, and director elections.

Special Meeting Definition & Requirements

This video covers special meetings for homeowners, including calling, voting, notices, and reasons like director removal.

Annual Meeting Success

The video discusses tips for conducting effective and efficient annual meetings for property management.

"Closed" Board Meetings

Explains when closed meetings are allowed, how to maintain minutes, and the importance of open meetings.

Open Meetings

Boards must hold open meetings for transparency, allowing members to observe, but not necessarily participate.

Actions Without Meetings

Boards can make decisions outside meetings via unanimous consent, but should ratify them at the next meeting.

Board Meetings 101

This video discusses the purpose of board meetings, their legal requirements, and how to make them more effective.

Board Meeting Tips

Learn how to improve board meeting effectiveness, including legal requirements, notice guidelines, and agenda tips.

Robert's Rules of Order

Basics of Robert’s Rules: motion, second, discussion, and vote for effective meeting management.

Board of Directors

Understanding Fiduciary Duty

Fiduciary responsibility of a board: trust, avoiding conflicts, enforcing rules fairly, and managing finances effectively.

Three Legal Duties

The three duties of board members: care, loyalty, and acting in the best interest of the community.

Legal Protections of the Board

Legal protections for board members: D&O insurance, business judgment rule, and statutes ensuring indemnification.

Decision Making Paralysis

This conversation discusses overcoming decision-making paralysis in boards, offering strategies for effective decision-making.

The Power of NO

This video discusses the importance of boards learning to say “no,” avoiding emotional decisions, and focusing on business principles.

Deferring to Experts

Discussion on the importance of boards seeking expert advice for informed, legally protected decision-making.

Frequency of Board Meetings

Discussion on the balance of board meeting frequency for better focus and productivity, with insights from managing multiple associations.

Roles & Responsibilities of the Board

Explains board members’ responsibilities, fiduciary duties, and the importance of informed decision-making and loyalty.

Policy Board VS Action Board

Discusses the difference between action boards and policy-making boards, highlighting the importance of focusing on big-picture decisions.

Four Areas of Responsibility

Overview of a community board’s duties, including financial, governance, property management, and business responsibilities.

Defining Officer Positions - Part 1

Board members are elected to the board, not specific positions. Leadership is about making a difference, not titles.

Defining Officer Positions - Part 2

It’s never about the role, always about the goal.

Fiduciary Duty: A Case Study

A board’s fiduciary duties: care, loyalty, and action, with a story of a tough yet successful resolution of issues.

Art of Delegation

Discusses the importance of delegating tasks to committees in boards, covering types of committees and tips for success.

Committee Types

The speaker discusses mandatory, standing, and ad hoc committees, emphasizing their advisory, not decision-making, roles.

Insurance

Policy Types

A discussion about insurance policies for associations, covering business, liability, and ancillary policies like D&O, crime, umbrella, and workers comp.

Business Policies

The video explains the components of a business policy, including structural coverage and liability for associations.

Coverages Scopes

The video explains four types of structural coverage: bare walls, original spec, modified spec, and all-in policies.

Why "All In" Matters

The video discusses all-in policies for insurance, stressing the importance of including betterments and improvements.

Directors & Officers Coverage

Video explains the importance of directors and officers insurance, covering legal costs for board-related lawsuits.

Crime & Fidelity Coverage

Video explains crime and fidelity coverage, protecting an association’s assets from theft and loss of funds.

Umbrella & Specialty Policies

This video explains umbrella insurance, which bridges gaps in coverage, especially for associations with amenities.

MCIO & Insurance

This video explains Minnesota’s MCIO statute, covering insurance requirements for townhomes and condos, including coverage for rebuilding.

Association as "Primary"

The video explains the association’s primary policy requirement under state law for handling insurance claims.

Claims & Deductibles

This video outlines the process of handling an insurance claim for water damage in a condo, from reporting to financial reconciliation.

Understanding Wind & Hail Deductibles

Discussion on wind/hail deductibles in Minnesota insurance, including rising costs and self-insurance concerns.

Loss Assessment Coverage

This video explains loss assessment coverage in HO6 policies, including deductibles for water and wind/hail damage.

HO6 Policies

This video explains HO-6 policies, including dwelling coverage, loss assessment, and homeowner responsibilities.