HOA management guides from the experts.

What to Look for When Hiring an HOA Management Company (2025 Guide)

Hiring an HOA management company is a major decision. Here are the 8 questions every board should ask — and the red flags to watch out for.

7 min read

What Is HOA Self-Management? A Board's Guide to Running Your Own Community

Self-managed HOAs can save tens of thousands per year. This guide explains what self-management involves, when it makes sense, and what tools you need to succeed.

7 min read

Michigan HOA Management: What Community Boards Need to Know

Managing an HOA in Michigan comes with specific legal requirements. Here's what Michigan HOA boards need to know about state law, management options, and local resources.

8 min read

HOA Management in Grand Rapids, Michigan: What to Look for in a Community Manager

Grand Rapids is one of Michigan's fastest-growing metro areas, and its HOA communities have unique needs. Here's what local boards should look for when evaluating management companies.

8 min read

The Davis-Stirling Act Explained: A Plain-Language Guide for Bay Area HOA Boards (2026)

The Davis-Stirling Common Interest Development Act governs every HOA in California, including Bay Area communities. Here's what board members need to understand about this complex law in plain language.

11 min read

How to Fire Your HOA Management Company (And What Comes Next)

Firing an HOA management company is a significant decision that requires careful preparation. Here's a step-by-step guide to terminating the relationship and ensuring a smooth transition.

10 min read

Transitioning from Self-Managed to Professionally Managed HOA: A Practical Checklist

The decision to move from self-management to professional management is a major milestone for an HOA community. Here's a practical guide to making the transition successfully.

9 min read

All Articles

HOA Financial Management Explained: What Every Board Needs to Know

HOA financial management covers dues collection, budgeting, delinquency tracking, and financial reporting. Here's how it works and what boards should demand.

8 min readApril 5, 2025

How to Switch HOA Management Companies Without Disrupting Your Community

Switching HOA management companies doesn't have to be painful. Here's a step-by-step guide to a smooth transition in 30–60 days.

6 min readMarch 18, 2025

7 min readFebruary 14, 2025

HOA Violations: How to Handle Them Fairly and Consistently

HOA violations are one of the most common sources of board conflict. Here's the enforcement process and how to avoid disputes.

6 min readJanuary 28, 2025

HOA Reserve Funds: What They Are, Why They Matter, and How Much You Need

HOA reserve funds protect your community from major unexpected expenses. Learn what reserves are, how reserve studies work, and how much you should have.

Pricing

The Real Cost of HOA Management: What Boards Pay and Why

HOA management costs vary widely. This guide breaks down what boards actually pay, what drives pricing, and what questions to ask before signing a contract.

5 min readJanuary 10, 2025

6 min readDecember 19, 2024

HOA Communication Best Practices: How to Keep Homeowners Informed and Engaged

Poor communication is the #1 complaint homeowners have about their HOA. Here's how to build a communication system that works.

HOA vs. Condo Association: What's the Difference?

HOAs govern planned single-family communities. Condo associations govern individually-owned units in a shared building. The legal structure, insurance obligations, and maintenance responsibilities are fundamentally different.

5 min readJune 10, 2025

Condo Association Management: A Complete Guide for Board Members

Running a condo association involves building maintenance, complex insurance decisions, large reserve funds, and tight regulatory compliance. Here's what every condo board member needs to know.

8 min readJune 5, 2025

Condo Special Assessments: What They Are, When They Happen, and How to Avoid Them

A special assessment is an extra charge levied on unit owners to cover unexpected expenses or underfunded reserves. Here's how they work and how boards can minimize the risk.

6 min readMay 28, 2025

HOA Board Member Responsibilities: A Complete Guide

HOA board members have fiduciary duties, governance obligations, and operational responsibilities that most new board members don't fully understand when they volunteer. Here's what the role actually requires.

7 min readJune 8, 2025

HOA Annual Meeting: What to Prepare, What to Expect, and What's Required

The HOA annual meeting is the most important governance event of the year. Here's how to run one correctly — from notice requirements to election procedures to homeowner participation.

6 min readMay 20, 2025

HOA Governing Documents Explained: CC&Rs, Bylaws, and Rules

CC&Rs, bylaws, and rules and regulations are three different documents with different legal authority. Here's what each one does, and what happens when they conflict.

5 min readMay 10, 2025

HOA Budget Process: How to Build a Budget Your Community Can Actually Live With

The annual HOA budget determines how much every homeowner pays. Here's how to build one that funds the community's needs without surprise shortfalls or unnecessary fee increases.

7 min readJune 2, 2025

HOA Delinquency and Collections: What Boards Can Do When Homeowners Don't Pay

HOA dues are the lifeblood of the association's finances. When homeowners don't pay, the board has a legal obligation to pursue collections. Here's how the process works.

6 min readApril 30, 2025

California HOA Laws: What Every Board Needs to Know (Davis-Stirling Act)

California's Davis-Stirling Common Interest Development Act is one of the most detailed HOA governance statutes in the country. Here's what California HOA boards must do to stay compliant.

8 min readJune 7, 2025

Michigan Condo Association Laws: What the Michigan Condominium Act Requires

Michigan condo associations are governed by the Michigan Condominium Act (MCL 559.101 et seq.). Here's what board members need to know to stay compliant.

6 min readApril 15, 2025

HOA Vendor Management: How to Hire, Supervise, and Fire Contractors

Vendor management is one of the most challenging and highest-risk areas of HOA management. Here's how to build a reliable contractor network that protects the association.

6 min readMay 25, 2025

HOA Insurance Guide: What Your Association Needs and What It Doesn't Cover

Most HOA boards don't fully understand what their master insurance policy covers — until they file a claim. Here's a practical breakdown of HOA insurance requirements.

6 min readApril 10, 2025

HOA Architectural Review: How the Process Works and What Boards Must Do Right

The architectural review process is one of the most common sources of homeowner disputes in HOAs. Here's how to run it fairly, consistently, and legally.

5 min readMarch 25, 2025

HOA Management Software: What to Look For and What to Avoid

HOA management software ranges from basic due-collection tools to full-featured platforms. Here's how to evaluate your options and avoid the most common mistakes.

5 min readMay 5, 2025

What Does an HOA Management Company Actually Do?

A common question from boards and homeowners alike. Here's a complete breakdown of what HOA management companies do — and what they don't do.

5 min readMarch 18, 2025

How to Dispute an HOA Violation Notice (Step-by-Step Guide for Homeowners)

Receiving an HOA violation notice doesn't mean you have to accept it. Here's how homeowners can effectively dispute a violation — and what the process looks like from both sides.

5 min readMarch 12, 2025

5 min readFebruary 28, 2025

What Do HOA Fees Cover? A Complete Breakdown for Homeowners

HOA fees fund common area maintenance, professional management, insurance, reserves, and more. Here's exactly where the money goes — and how to evaluate whether your fees are reasonable.

5 min readFebruary 15, 2025

HOA Emergency Preparedness: What Every Board Should Have in Place

Natural disasters, weather events, and property emergencies can strike any community. Here's how HOA boards can prepare their communities before an emergency — not after.

Pricing

How Much Does HOA Management Cost? 2025 Pricing Guide

HOA management fees range from $8 to $30 per unit per month for full-service management, and significantly less for financial-only services. Here's what drives the difference.

5 min readJune 12, 2025

6 min readJanuary 30, 2025

How to Find an HOA Management Company: A Step-by-Step Search Guide

Finding the right HOA management company requires more than a Google search. Here's a structured process for identifying, evaluating, and selecting the best management partner for your community.

5 min readJanuary 15, 2025

Condo Association Fees vs. HOA Fees: Why Condo Fees Are Usually Higher

Condo association fees are almost always higher than HOA fees for comparable communities. Here's exactly why — and how to evaluate whether your fees are reasonable.

5 min readDecember 15, 2024

HOA Management in Lansing, Michigan: What Local Communities Should Know

The greater Lansing area has unique HOA management considerations: Michigan HOA and condo law, local vendor markets, seasonal maintenance demands, and a mix of community types. Here's what boards need to know.

5 min readNovember 20, 2024

HOA Management in the Bay Area: What California Communities Should Know

Bay Area HOAs navigate the Davis-Stirling Act, high insurance costs, complex vendor markets, and homeowner expectations that differ significantly from other markets. Here's what boards need to know.

Michigan Condominium Act 2026: A Complete Guide for HOA Boards

The Michigan Condominium Act (MCL 559.101) governs most HOA and condominium communities in Michigan. Here's what boards need to understand about the law and how it affects day-to-day operations.

10 min readJune 16, 2025

Michigan HOA Reserve Fund Requirements: What the Law Says and What Boards Should Do

Michigan HOA boards have legal obligations around reserve funds, but many communities are severely underfunded. Here's what the law requires and what best practices look like.

9 min readJuly 14, 2025

HOA Board Elections in Michigan: Procedures, Requirements, and Common Mistakes

HOA board elections in Michigan must follow specific procedures under the Michigan Condominium Act and your community's governing documents. Here's what boards and homeowners need to know.

8 min readAugust 4, 2025

7 min readAugust 25, 2025

HOA Management in Saginaw, Bay City, and Midland Michigan: A Local Guide

The Great Lakes Bay Region of Michigan has a distinct HOA management landscape. Here's what communities in Saginaw, Bay City, and Midland should know when evaluating management options.

9 min readSeptember 15, 2025

How Michigan HOA Boards Can Switch Management Companies Without Disruption

Switching HOA management companies in Michigan doesn't have to be chaotic. With the right process and preparation, your board can make the transition smoothly and protect the community throughout.

8 min readOctober 6, 2025

How Michigan HOA Boards Prepare for Budget Season: A Local Guide

Budget season is the most consequential time of year for Michigan HOA boards. Here's a practical guide to the process, the timeline, and the pitfalls to avoid.

8 min readNovember 3, 2025

HOA Vendor Management in Michigan: How to Hire and Supervise Local Contractors

Michigan HOA boards depend on local contractors for everything from snow removal to major capital repairs. Here's how to hire qualified vendors, structure contracts, and supervise their work effectively.

9 min readNovember 24, 2025

HOA Violation Enforcement in Michigan: What the Law Requires and Best Practices

Michigan HOA boards have the authority to enforce community rules, but enforcement must follow both state law and the community's own procedures. Here's how to enforce effectively and legally.

8 min readDecember 15, 2025

Self-Managed HOA in Michigan: When It Makes Sense and What You Need to Succeed

Some Michigan HOA communities do fine without a professional management company. Here's how to know if self-management is right for your community and what it takes to succeed.

9 min readJanuary 19, 2026

California HOA Reserve Study Requirements: What Bay Area Boards Must Know in 2026

California has some of the most detailed HOA reserve study requirements in the country. Bay Area boards face additional challenges due to high construction costs. Here's everything you need to know.

8 min readFebruary 2, 2026

East Bay HOA Management: How to Choose a Manager for Your Alameda or Contra Costa HOA

The East Bay's diverse cities and neighborhoods create distinct HOA management challenges. Here's what Alameda and Contra Costa County HOA boards should look for in a professional manager.

9 min readFebruary 16, 2026

Bay Area HOA Insurance in 2026: Rising Costs, Coverage Gaps, and What Boards Must Do

Bay Area HOA insurance markets have been severely disrupted by wildfire risk and insurer exits. In 2026, many communities face dramatically higher premiums, coverage gaps, or reliance on the California FAIR Plan.

HOA Special Assessments in California: Rules, Caps, and How to Communicate Them

California law sets strict rules for HOA special assessments, including caps on board authority and member notification requirements. Here's what Bay Area boards need to know.

8 min readMarch 2, 2026

Switching HOA Management Companies in the Bay Area: A Step-by-Step Guide

Switching HOA management companies in the Bay Area requires navigating California law, carefully handling the transition of records, and timing the change to minimize disruption. Here's how to do it right.

9 min readMarch 16, 2026

HOA Management in the Tri-Valley: Serving Pleasanton, Livermore, and Dublin Communities

The Tri-Valley communities of Pleasanton, Livermore, Dublin, San Ramon, and Danville have unique HOA management needs shaped by the region's rapid growth and high homeowner expectations.

8 min readMarch 30, 2026

HOA Technology for Bay Area Communities: Portals, Tools, and What to Expect in 2026

Bay Area HOA communities lead the country in technology adoption. Here's what homeowners and boards should expect from community management technology in 2026.

7 min readApril 13, 2026

HOA Board Elections: A Step-by-Step Procedural Guide for Boards and Homeowners

HOA board elections require careful attention to procedural requirements that vary by state and governing documents. Here's a complete guide to running an election that's legally sound and credible to homeowners.

10 min readMay 5, 2026

HOA Management for Small Communities (Under 50 Units): What You Really Need

Small HOA communities have different needs than large ones — and a different cost calculus. Here's what communities under 50 units should know about management options.

8 min readMay 19, 2026

HOA Landscaping Contracts: What to Include and Red Flags to Watch For

Landscaping is typically one of the largest HOA operating expenses. Here's how to structure a contract that protects the community and ensures quality service.

8 min readMay 26, 2026

HOA Community Portal Software in 2026: What to Look for and What to Avoid

HOA community portal software has become essential for modern communities. Here's how to evaluate the options and avoid common mistakes when selecting a platform.

8 min readJune 2, 2026

HOA Annual Budget Template and Planning Guide: How Much Should You Budget For?

Creating a realistic HOA annual budget requires understanding your community's specific cost drivers, reserve needs, and the right benchmarks for each expense category.

9 min readJune 9, 2026

HOA Meeting Minutes: What Must Be Included and How Long to Keep Them

HOA meeting minutes are legal records that protect both the board and the association. Here's what must be included, how they should be prepared, and how long they must be kept.

7 min readJune 9, 2026

HOA Violation Notice Template: What to Include and How to Send It

A properly drafted HOA violation notice is the foundation of an enforceable enforcement action. Here's what every violation notice must include and the mistakes that can undermine enforcement.

7 min readJune 9, 2026