Top 10 things to do first

Started by PeteD3 • 7 replies • 1203 views

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PeteD3 (New York)
Posts: 2

Posted:

Hello all.

I was recently elected to my HOA board, it's a founding board since the developer has completed all of their work.

Is there a brief list you can think of that covers the top ten things we really have to get in place now.

This is what we have done so far:
We have elected officers, and have our next meeting with the management company planned.

We sent out a Welcome letter and a survey of Homeowner priorities.

What else should we be doing to get started.

Thanks
Pete.

NancyD1 (Florida)
Posts: 447

Posted:

Pete,

Get a good supply of Prozac!! LOL

Have a Town Hall Meeting to let everyone get acquainted with the BOD. Talk to the homeowners and tell them what your goals are. Ask for suggestions. Form some committees .This will help to get the community members involved. Put up sign-up sheets for an ABR, Social, Pool & Grounds, Tennis, Grievance and a Budget & Finance committees. Whatever will pertain to your community.

This is a great forum when you are seeking help or just want to learn how an HOA operates. There are various HOA's represented from across the country on this site.

Also check out http://www.communityassociations.net/hoatalk_welcome. This site has a lot of valuable information and articles about finance, starting your HOA and how to address problems that may come up.

But most importantly, the BOD needs to know your documents and state laws!!!! Very important, and follow them to the T.

Good luck to you all!!!!!!!!!!

RogerB (Colorado)
Posts: 5,067

Posted:

Pete, attached are a few you may not be thinking about.

RogerB (Colorado)
Posts: 5,067

Posted:

Ooops, attached is the management transition list.

📎 Attachments (1):

⏸ Downloads temporarily unavailable

📝11010414448771.doc(29 KB)

HaroldS (Arizona)
Posts: 906

Posted:

First order of business should be to get rid of the developer's management company. Interview and hire one that will do what your board wants, rather than one that is used to doing what the developer wanted. A big difference. Harold

JosephW (Michigan)
Posts: 882

Posted:

1. Retain community association knowledgeable CPA to audit the books
2. Retain engineer or architect or reserve analyst to evaluate condition of common areas, you don't want any surprises that will cost big bucks when the developer is long gone.
3. Find a knowledgeable community association attorney - you don't have to put them on retainer or even hire them just yet, but you want to know who to go to if #1 or #2 come up with problems.
4. Read the articles located here: http://www.communityassociations.net/development_transition.html
You'll find the rest of the 10 in those articles starting with the Tranisiton Checklist at:

http://www.frb-law.com/transitionchecklist.htm

6-10. Keep visiting and use this board whenever you need it.

Joe

Joseph West
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Community Associations Network, LLC
www.CommunityAssociations.net
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PeteD3 (New York)
Posts: 2

Posted:

Thank you so much.

The very best advice so far is the prozac. OMG.

But really, I'm reading the other articles and its a good start.

I'm dealing with two problems now, Halloween Party Issues and a non-HOA approved Community Watch group that insist on getting started ASAP prior to anything else.

Thank goodness it's only a one year term. 11 months to go.

HaroldS (Arizona)
Posts: 906

Posted:

"Thank goodness it's only a one year term. 11 months to go." Pete, are you burned out already? Harold

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