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BethS1 (New York)
Posts: 28
Posted:
I live in an older condo, our condo funds are just basically breaking even due to repairs and upkeep.
Our association fees are pretty high.

Not sure if we even could support a loan. Is there any help out there for association properties as far as funding?
MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836
Posted:
Actually, your doing pretty well if your a non-profit HOA. The point of being a non-profit HOA/condo is for your expenses to match the income with a little savings for emergencies/future projects. So from my perspective your doing great!
Your HOA definetely NEVER wants to do a loan. That's just another payment to add into your monthly bills your barely meeting now. Remember a loan has to be paid back with interest!
What do you need the extra money for? Is there any projects your wanting done or improvements? If so, your condo/HOA should be able to raise that money amongst themselves. That's called a "special assessment". A special assessment takes a majority vote to have one and then the amount has to be divided EVENLY amongst EVERYONE.
HOA/Condo budgets don't necessarily work like your home budget. Having enough money to meet your debts is enough and pretty good. Any more money, could increase your tax liability or non-profit status. I wouldn't worry about the budget if it is doing what it is supposed to be doing, and that is meeting your expenses.

Former HOA President
MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836
Posted:
Sorry forgot my typical response: The HOA is ONLY funded by the members FOR the members. Any money it needs must be generated amongst ALL the homeowners evenly.

Former HOA President
PaulM (Pennsylvania)
Posts: 1,347
Posted:
Beth:
Are you speaking about usual operating expenses, lawn maintenance, snow removal, electricity/street lights, etc. vs. income from assessment fees to cover?

Or are you speaking about long-term repairs and maintenance to be funded through the capital reserve fund?
BethS1 (New York)
Posts: 28
Posted:
Long term and we are looking at some very costly issues. Our condos NEVER took in extra
money when they were first built over 30 years ago. Probably in the last 10 is when the
fees increased, within the last 3 years substantially to where there is no possible way the
owners will give any more. 90% of them don't get involved but scream, rant and rave
when they hear something from us. These are expenses such as building repair issues, that can't
keep being pushed to the side. I got on the board to get the understanding where our money is being
spent and I don't see from the past 5 years any misuse so the concerns are very valid. But to ask people to
exceed $200 a month, I KNOW will not fly. We get complaints now from people who buy about the fee
being so high and that it hinders the sale from the seller, which I agree. We kind of don't know
what to do at this point since our budget is so strapped.
MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836
Posted:
HOA's/Condo's have these choices to raise money. 1. Raise dues. The dues are either able to raise a certain low percentage (up to 20% a year) or have a special meeting to raise the dues temporarily/permanently over the yearly rate. Our HOA we can raise the rates 5% a year to cover the increase in the cost of living. However, if we need to do more, we have to get a majority vote to raise/lower the dues.
2. The HOA can have a special assessment. That special assessment should be the cost of the project or the amount the money to be raised and divided EQUALLY amongst ALL the homeowners. For example: You need new siding on the building. The cost is 10K. If you have 10 owners then they pay 1K a piece. The HOA shouldn't raise money for money's sake. That's not good management. There should always be an agreed upon project and amount before preceeding to raise money.
3. Collect on delinquent payers. This cost money to make money. Liens cost money in certain states. They also don't guarantee the money for a long time. The lien stays on the property until the property sales. The owner then has to pay the legal costs of filing the lien plus the continous amount they owe. In my state it costs about $300 to file a lien. Foreclosure, doesn't generate much money for a HOA as many think. Your lucky if you break even. However, it will get the person out that refuses to pay. Small claims court isn't a good route. It's the same as a lien except the person can sell their property and move without paying the money owed for a long time.
4. A loan may be possible. However, they need paid back. That means if you already have a strapped budget, you have to figure in another several hundred dollar a month payment.
I would review what your condo truly is responsible for. Your condo may be going into areas it isn't responsible for. Plus, I would start soliciting bids from competitors on some of your bills. Your condo may have some areas of expenses that it could save on. We pay for a recycling service. It might have been better to instead collect the recyclables and sell them instead. Small details on services may be an area to concentrate on.
Be careful on having things like "lemonade stands". Your condo isn't a charitable non-profit. That money could be considered taxable. Instead, use the special assessment option.

Former HOA President
DaniG (New York)
Posts: 2
Posted:
Hello,My name is Danielle. I'm doing research on some HOA taxes.I'm finding property( aprox. 100 acres) in a residential single family developement thats listed as HMO owned.However when I looked up the town tax records for the property they all say $0 tax paid. Can anyone help me by explainjng how and where the taxes & records are kept? Thank you for your time
MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836
Posted:
Actually, you may not find a tax record for the entire property. Here's the thing about many HOA's (not all), the homeowner's own the house and the lot underneath the home. If there is any taxes to be paid property wise it will be on that specific LOT. However, HOA's are made up of a group of lots. Around these lots is what is called "common property". That property is shared ownership/responsibility amongst ALL the homeowner's in the community. That is why assessments are charged for the upkeep of these areas. Therefore, there would be no property tax charged for an HOA since the property is interconnect properties.
Imagine the houses in a HOA is like a castle with a moat around it. The "moats" would be considered "common property". It is the responsibility of all the owners to contribute equal funds so that the moats meet their "standards/requirements" and are maintained. They are also to make sure the "moats" stay clean and uniform. This moat may not be subject to property taxes but all the "castles" it surrounds will be.
Hope that helps some.

Former HOA President
CathyH2 (Indiana)
Posts: 10
Posted:
Contact your county assessor or treasurer for assistance. They should be able to at least direct you to the correct dept for the info you seek. Chances are the "common property" owned by the HMO/HOA is a seperate parcel that is taxed by the County but you will probably need the parcel nummber(s) in order to get the info you need.
BradD2 (Florida)
Posts: 418
Posted:
Melissa that is not quite true. Our HOA has paid property taxes for the last few years (or was supposed to); you need to check with the county Property Appraiser. We found out that we owned 18 acres that we didn't realize we owned and that taxes for the last few years were outstanding.
DaniG (New York)
Posts: 2
Posted:
Hello, Thanks for the response. Actually I just stumped the hell out of the town add.,town att.,and town assess. They kept on giving me b.s. Well I set up a meeting and showed them all the paperwork and now the developement is being looked into.I found over 300 acrers in a 5 ac. devopement that on the county assess. rolls it says $0 assess. valune. Then I got the tax records and$0 tax was paid on the land.All under different names (water,sewage,hoa,constuc. co. name)Im finding it very hard to believe these are all mistakes.I hope for the towns sake there not involved in anything they should'nt be.
JohnM3 (Florida)
Posts: 288
Posted:
First of all I am a treas of a hoa for over 15 years. Prior to that I was the VP of the BOD. We went thru the nightmare you are going thru. If you have a branch of BANCO POPULAR in your area move all your accounts to them asap. Why Banco simple in Florida they bought out Kislak Bank and Trust. There only business was hoas and condo assoc's they loaned money to them as well as manage there money like a bank. Thats step 2. Step 1 you must reduce your accounts recieveable to 25 percent of your yearly budget or the banks will not touch you with a 200 ft pole. Step 3 if your in south florida look up a company named LIENCO. They have a computer software program that you set the limits of indebtness that you want and have your management co add there fee for collecting the necessary data for LIENCO and put the member on all checks must go to LIENCO no matter what.
You are running a business act like it. Or don't be the treasurer or be on the BOD.
Good luck with your struggle it worked twice for us.Once to remove illegal illegal construction. The second time for constructing a new clubhouse and a 24 stall parking lot.

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