SERVICES AND BENEFITS FOR HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATIONS
The services and benefits provided by the “California Association
of Homeowners Associations” are numerous and extensive. With a consulting
fee, the California Association of Homeowners Associations Inc. will review
many of your association’s records and documents and make suggestions
and recommendations. Upon request we will review your rules and regulations,
budget pro forma, reserve study, minutes of meetings, financial reports
(not an audit), collection policy and annual disclosure report. We will
make recommendations and suggestions as appropriate and provide you with
free consulting on specific matters.
These benefits not with standing, strength in unity is the most important
function this organization provides community associations. Homeowners
united and working together now have a voice in their associations, communities,
and cities and in Sacramento. The strength of our combined associations
is now being used to our financial advantage while providing solutions
to the day to day issues and problems that confront us.
The purpose of the California Association of Homeowners Associations is
to provide Community Associations, Condominiums and Common Interest Developments,’
Boards of Directors and homeowners with complete, comprehensive and professional
information pertaining to this industry. We are assisting Boards of Directors
with information and solutions to their problems which they may not be
able to provide for themselves. The “California Association of Homeowners
Associations” has been organized to strengthen the real estate investment
of our members, establish distinguished professional standards and codes
of ethics dedicated to: “Strength In Unity, and the Value and Enjoyment
of Property”, and provide a “Standard of Professionalism”
for Homeowners Associations, Management Companies and Boards of Directors.
The needs of “Community Associations” are unique: cost of insurance,
utilities, maintenance and other budget items continue to increase. In
recent years this has resulted in a substantial increase in association
dues. Dues go up, costs go up, but for many associations, reserves are
not able to keep up with the demand and in the meantime, our community
associations continue to get older which in turn requires more maintenance
and additional costs and the cycle continues. Conversely, many homeowners
such as, those on fixed incomes, first time buyers and homeowners concerned
with selling their units are interested in keeping dues as low as possible.
The California Association of Homeowners Associations provides homeowners
with many additional benefits and services for its members. Community
Associations’ needs are evaluated on a daily basis. With members
throughout California contacting us and through our comprehensive research,
we have gathered a vast wealth of information. We are the foundation for
collecting important community association information and a resource
for providing solutions to association’s problems. We distribute
our information freely to all associations, homeowners, property managers,
local governments and to anyone that may have a need for it. Our Internet
Web Site is hit an average of 18,000 times a day. Many e-mails and phone
calls are received daily. Board members and homeowners now have a place
to discuss their problems and seek answers to their questions. The industry
is changing and by providing appropriate information and keeping Boards
of Directors and homeowners informed, we are playing a significant part
in the direction it is headed. When appropriate, accurate information
is provided to those that need it, the industry benefits, property values
increase and homeowners can enjoy their homes. Our services continue to
expand and the benefits we provide, in addition to those mentioned above,
include but are not limited to the following:
COST SAVINGS THROUGH STRENGTH IN NUMBERS AND UNITY
Community Associations can realize substantial savings by using the strength
of our vast numbers to obtain group purchasing rates. Insurance for example,
one of the most expensive budget line items has been examined and reviewed
for content. Suggestions have been made to the insurance companies outlining
ways by which the insurance may be less expensive but not sacrifice important coverage.
When associations combine their strength and knowledge, costs for attorneys
and other professionals can be greatly reduced or perhaps, in certain
cases, eliminated.
Selected vendors, with a proven record of service, who are bonded, insured,
and licensed are being registered with the California Association to provide
services at group volume rates throughout California. There are many functions
performed by vendors that are common to most Homeowner Associations where
savings can easily be realized. cost savings for items such as roofing,
painting, security fences, gates, intercom systems, plumbers, electricians,
contractors, security patrol, billing for dues accounting & finance,
tree trimming and landscaping etc.
LEGAL ASSISTANCE
In today’s complex society legal council can be essential to resolving
complex association issues. Attorneys trained and experienced in association
matters is critical to achieving the desired association results and can
avoid costly litigation. Legal assistance is available at affordable prices
for items such as CC&Rs, Bylaws, Rules & Regulations or collection
of dues. HOA responsibility vs. homeowner responsibility, how to legally
resolve difficult homeowner issues, coping with vendors, foreclosure information
and insurance claims.
LEGISLATIVE INFLUENCE
The strength of the California Association has provided representation
and influence at the “State of California” level enacting
legislation that will benefit all community homeowners. The California
Association has become involved in legislation that will help standardize
community living on a higher plane, define Association responsibilities
from Homeowners responsibilities and help professionalize community living.
ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL REPORTING
Financial planning and reporting is essential to the success of any organization.
There is an extraordinary need to standardize and improve the accounting
and financial reporting of many community associations. The California
Association also provides financial consulting services for accounts receivable,
accounts payable, budget preparation, preparing and understanding cash
flow reports and reserve analysis studies to self managed associations.
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
The California Association has established a standard by which to measure
the qualifications, efficiency and effectiveness of property managers.
EDUCATION & TRAINING
The California Association provides education and training for Board Members
and consultation for management companies. Seminars are being scheduled
throughout the year to accommodate new board members on subjects of finance,
conducting meetings, parliamentary procedure, and preparation of essential
records et.
GRIEVANCE ISSUES
The California Association provides a forum to help resolve problems between
the association and homeowners or management companies.
RULES & REGULATIONS
The California Association will provide guidelines and standards for association
“Rules & Regulations” that will assist associations in
preparing or updating their Rules and Regulations.
SALES & REFINANCING
Lenders have often been critical of associations because of the difficulty
in obtaining necessary information when trying to close an escrow. Escrow
information will be readily available to lenders upon request.
Your membership, support and suggestions will assist us in providing the
quality of service this industry deserves. Destined to be the housing
of the future, it is important that the industry proved a solid foundation
for future generations. We appreciate your membership.
WHAT IS OUR OBJECTIVE?
IIn California, there are estimated 50,000 or more community associations
comprising condominiums, townhomes and single family associations (more
being built every day). They represent an estimated 6,000,000 units and
are occupied by an estimated 12,000,000 people. Annually, California community
associations spend an estimated twenty billion dollars annually.
In years prior to the California Association of Homeowners Association
the value of condominiums and townhomes decreased in value at a faster
rate and recovered at a slower rate than other single family homes and
often the outstanding loan balance on condominiums and townhomes would
be greater than the appraised value. This has been of great concern to
us. Today this trend has changed. Community living has become the preferred
mode of housing for many California homeowners.
For years Board members and homeowners have relied heavily on the Property
Management industry for information and direction. This, at the time,
was perhaps the only source of information. Today the California Association
of Homeowners Associations, dedicated to strength in Unity and the Value
and Enjoyment of Property, has placed a complete resource of information
on the internet for Condominium and Community Association owners, property
managers and others interested in this industry.
The California Association of Homeowners Associations, Inc. has been organized
to benefit all condominium owners in California. Our purpose is to strengthen
Boards of Directors and collectively unite the members of their respective
associations. It has been formed to provide a complete and comprehensive
collection of documents, laws and information for California’s condominium
and townhome owners. It has also been organized to provide a means whereby
homeowners’ associations can communicate with each other and thereby
assemble the best current and relevant information from all associations
throughout the state of California to the mutual benefit of each other.
Ultimately, the purpose is to protect your investment, to increase property
values and assure the reasonable enjoyment of your property.
WE ARE CONCERNED
We are concerned with the negative effect renters are having on the value
and enjoyment of our property, and that the ratio of renters to owners
is increasing annually. Have you considered that you pay a greater and
disproportionate share of property taxes than other single family homeowners?
Did you know that the State of California Department of Real Estate does
not require property managers to obtain a license of any kind to management
community property? Are you concerned with the perception and apprehension
many people have about community living? We have been concerned with these
and many other issues … and we have observed many improvements
and successes.
The California Association of Homeowners Associations is committed to correct
these matters. We have prompted legislation to address these issues and
have assembled an impressive organization to accomplish our objectives.
But we cannot succeed without your help. United we will change associations
for the benefit of all condominium and townhome owners.
SAVING MONEY – SOLVING PROBLEMS
The California Association of Homeowners Associations Incorporated, can
help homeowner associations in solving financial and other problems. By
joining together and utilizing the strength of our great numbers, community
associations can significantly reduce costs of major items. Items such
as insurance, painting, roofing, slurry sealing and tree trimming, and
other large ticket items. Moreover, vendors such as contractors, plumbers
and electricians will offer discounts when providing services on a group
basis. Work provided is often better performed when the vendor is aware
the quality of service will be known to other homeowners. There are many
functions performed by vendors that are common to most Homeowners Associations
where group rates could result in substantial savings for Homeowner Associations.
INSURANCE
The cost of HOA insurance has recently dramatically increased. We can
reduce this cost, when associations adopt appropriate policies on an industry
wide basis to manage their insurance coverage and work together to mitigate
claims and losses. At the same time, we also convey a message to primary
insurance companies and reinsurance companies that there is enormous strength,
order and direction in the community association industry that will affect
future insurance rates and regulations at state and federal levels.
IMPOSED COSTS
There are also matters that can only be solved when an industry has a
sizable muscle to flex. Take one City in the south land for example. About
three years ago this City changed their water rates for condominiums from
residential to industrial. Consider what effect that has had on water
and sewer bills in this region. If it happened once, how long before other
cities will follow? Some cities are holding water deposits of condominiums
on file until the corporation changes ownership, which can never happen.
These, and other similar matters, are being challenged by the California
Association of Homeowners Associations.
PROPERTY TAXES
Consider your property taxes? Within a city consider the geographic size
of a condominium association of 100 units compared with the geographic
size of one hundred single family homes. The 100 homes are typically on
asphalt streets with curbs, parkways and landscaping, with sewer lines,
fire hydrants, telephone and power lines, street lights, street sweeping,
police patrol and street maintenance. The 100 unit condo complex has none
of these public-funded amenities. If one asks the police to tow an abandoned
car, they will tell you they cannot for it is on private property. Both
the homes and the condos pay the same property taxes. Appropriate legislation
resolving this matter alone could solve the financial problems of most
condominium and townhome associations.
ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL REPORTING
Financial planning and reporting are essential to the survival of any
organization. CPAs are available to offer boards and managers consultation
on financial matters, accounting functions, budget preparation and reserve
analysis and tax preparation. The California Association is providing
guidelines to Boards of Directors and Property Managers to standardize
the accounting and financial reporting of community associations.
EDUCATION & TRAINING
The California Association provides education and training for Board Members,
Homeowners and Management Companies. Seminars are being held periodically
throughout the year to accommodate new board members on subjects of finance,
conducting meetings, parliamentary procedure, preparing essential records, etc.
UPDATING DOCUMENTS
Why should each homeowner associations reinvent the wheel? It is common
knowledge that the CC&Rs, Bylaws and other association documents are
out of date. So why should each association hire an attorney to update
these documents at high costs? Could not a committee of attorneys bring
the best of all associations together, prepare one generic document on
computers and then attorneys could tailor a new document for each association
at a fraction of the cost?
LICENSING PROPERTY MANAGERS
Now on the drawing board!