166 | Champlain Towers & How Ignored Repairs Destroy HOAs

166 | Champlain Towers & How Ignored Repairs Destroy HOAs

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2173556/fan_mail/new] The tragedy of Champlain Towers changed HOAs forever. What lessons should every board member remember today? ✅ Is a Reserve Study right for you? 👉 https://www.reservestudy.com/ [https://www.reservestudy.com/] Episode 166 marks the anniversary of an event that eventually led our host, Robert Nordlund, to start this podcast in the hope of educating board members so that we never experience a tragedy like this again. A reflection on the fifth anniversary of the tragic collapse of Champlain Towers South and the lasting impact it has had on the community association industry. A heartbreaking tragedy that claimed 98 lives, largest structural failure, and modern residential tragedy in U.S. history. For HOA board members and community leaders, it became an important reminder of the responsibility associations have regarding maintenance, repairs, and future planning. Robert shares his thoughts on why preparing reserve studies is so important and how proper financial planning helps protect communities. Chapters: 00:00 Why do HOA board decisions impact the future of a community? 01:04 What lessons did HOAs learn from the Champlain Towers tragedy? 03:44 What happened when Champlain Towers South collapsed? 05:37 Why did the Champlain Towers collapse affect the entire HOA industry? 07:06 What caused the Champlain Towers South tragedy? 08:32 Why is deferred maintenance dangerous for HOAs? 10:18 How did Champlain Towers change the way HOA boards think? 11:37 Why do HOA board members need long-term thinking? 13:11 What responsibilities do HOA board members have? 15:11 Why can't HOAs ignore the cost of deterioration? 17:11 Ad Break - Association Reserves 17:42 How can HOA boards prevent another Champlain Towers tragedy? 18:43 How much should HOAs contribute to reserves? 20:14 Why did Fannie Mae change HOA reserve requirements? 22:30 How can transparency help HOA boards make better decisions? 23:33 Why does preventive maintenance save HOAs money? 24:51 How often should an HOA update their reserve study? 27:11 Why is reserve funding like a usage fee for homeowners? 28:10 What resources help HOAs maintain aging buildings? 29:18 Why are inspections important for older HOA communities? 30:48 What is the biggest lesson from Champlain Towers? The views & opinions expressed in this program are those of the Hosts & Guests, intended to provide general education about the community association industry. The content is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual or organization. Podcast Links: Full Episode List [https://www.hoainsights.org/] Watch On Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPQc4d3KbcskG7XNc9flke9zro4EJCnF_] Engage in the conversation! Call our 24/7 voicemail line at (805) 203-3130 or send an email or voice memo to podcast@reservestudy.com [podcast@reservestudy.com] Nominate yourself or a Board Hero you Know! Board Hero Nominations [https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5SJS7B9] Boardmember Merch [https://boardheroes.sellfy.store/] Store! Connect with Hosts on LinkedIn Julie Adamen [https://www.linkedin.com/in/julieadamen/] Kevin Davis, CIRMS [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-davis-98105a12/] Robert Nordlund, PE [https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-nordlund-pe-rs-5119636/] Support Our Sponsors Association Insights & Marketplace [https://www.ourfipho.com/] Association Reserves [https://www.reservestudy.com/] Community Financials [https://communityfinancials.com/] Kevin Davis Insurance Services [https://www.kdisonline.com/] Stoke Light Video & Marketing [https://stokelight.com/] The Inspectors of Election [https://inspectorsofelection.com/]

165 | Make Your HOA a Hard Target for Fraud & Embezzlement

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2173556/fan_mail/new] HOA fraud happens more often than most boards realize. Here's how to make your community a harder target! ✅ Is a Reserve Study right for you? 👉 https://www.reservestudy.com/ [https://www.reservestudy.com/] In Episode 165, we're joined once again by repeat guest Russell Munz of Community Financials. Serving associations nationwide, Community Financials provides financial management and a variety of remote services to help HOA boards operate more effectively. One of Russell's recent newsletters focused on preventing fraud & embezzlement within HOA boards, and after reading it, we knew it was a message worth sharing with our podcast audience! Chapters: 00:00 What financial red flags should every HOA board notice? 00:44 Why HOA fraud is more common than most boards realize 03:30 Should homeowners have access to HOA financial reports? 05:40 What financial reports should every HOA board review? 07:10 Can finance committees help prevent HOA fraud? 07:48 Why every board member—not just the treasurer—must review finances 09:16 Which financial reports matter most each month? 11:23 How did an HOA lose $11 million to fraud? 13:30 Is HOA fraud caused by bad people or bad systems? 15:04 Why transparency is your best defense against fraud 17:01 How simple mistakes allow fraud to happen 18:43 What three conditions make fraud possible? 19:49 Ad Break - Community Financials 20:20 What internal controls should every HOA implement? 22:48 How can vendor oversight prevent embezzlement? 24:22 What financial reports should boards question every month? 26:29 Why bank statements and reconciliations matter 29:22 What oversight habits catch fraud before it grows? 32:13 Why reserve accounts need the same protection as operating funds 33:00 What final steps make your HOA a hard target for fraud? 35:00 Why "trust but verify" is every board's best policy The views & opinions expressed in this program are those of the Hosts & Guests, intended to provide general education about the community association industry. The content is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual or organization. Podcast Links: Full Episode List [https://www.hoainsights.org/] Watch On Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPQc4d3KbcskG7XNc9flke9zro4EJCnF_] Engage in the conversation! Call our 24/7 voicemail line at (805) 203-3130 or send an email or voice memo to podcast@reservestudy.com [podcast@reservestudy.com] Nominate yourself or a Board Hero you Know! Board Hero Nominations [https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5SJS7B9] Boardmember Merch [https://boardheroes.sellfy.store/] Store! Connect with Hosts on LinkedIn Julie Adamen [https://www.linkedin.com/in/julieadamen/] Kevin Davis, CIRMS [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-davis-98105a12/] Robert Nordlund, PE [https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-nordlund-pe-rs-5119636/] Support Our Sponsors Association Insights & Marketplace [https://www.ourfipho.com/] Association Reserves [https://www.reservestudy.com/] Community Financials [https://communityfinancials.com/] Kevin Davis Insurance Services [https://www.kdisonline.com/] Stoke Light Video & Marketing [https://stokelight.com/] The Inspectors of Election [https://inspectorsofelection.com/]

164 | "Preferred" HOA Vendors May Not Be Your Friend

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2173556/fan_mail/new] Are your HOA vendors truly serving your community or just benefiting from a trusted relationship? Listen to find out the signs that might be costing your association! ✅ Is a Reserve Study right for you? 👉 https://www.reservestudy.com/ [https://www.reservestudy.com/] This week, Robert sits down with Board Hero, Peter Isakovic, a homeowner and board member from Colorado. He serves on the board of the CAI Rocky Mountain Chapter, and came to our attention as the author of a recent article for Common Interest, “Are ‘Preferred’ Contractors Preferred?”. The cautionary article discussed the importance of upholding the standard and integrity of your HOA’s vendors, while creating the best outcome for your community’s health and financial future. HOA Insights continues to set you up for success, ensuring you make the best financial decisions for your community by understanding blind spots that could be costing you money.  Chapters: 00:00 Why homeowner trust matters in HOA leadership 00:52 Introducing Peter Isakovic and the HOA vendor problem 03:41 How Peter got involved with his HOA board 06:21 Why homeowner voices matter in community associations 08:27 Running your HOA like a business 10:00 Why board members need to question vendors 12:25 When a management company relationship goes wrong 14:10 Death by a thousand paper cuts: hidden HOA costs 16:52 The $28,000 front door that raised red flags 18:18 Facing HOA financial reality and homeowner pushback 21:23 The importance of transparency with homeowners 22:48 Sponsor Break - Association Reserves 23:19 Reviewing invoices and finding costly mistakes 25:12 Curiosity, courage, and effective HOA leadership 27:18 Building trust through visibility and communication 28:01 Why proper licensing and insurance matter 29:27 Contract language can make or break your HOA 31:10 Building your own trusted vendor network 34:21 Final lessons for protecting HOA finances 35:41 Closing thoughts and key takeaways The views & opinions expressed in this program are those of the Hosts & Guests, intended to provide general education about the community association industry. The content is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual or organization. Podcast Links: Full Episode List [https://www.hoainsights.org/] Watch On Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPQc4d3KbcskG7XNc9flke9zro4EJCnF_] Engage in the conversation! Call our 24/7 voicemail line at (805) 203-3130 or send an email or voice memo to podcast@reservestudy.com [podcast@reservestudy.com] Nominate yourself or a Board Hero you Know! Board Hero Nominations [https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5SJS7B9] Boardmember Merch [https://boardheroes.sellfy.store/] Store! Connect with Hosts on LinkedIn Julie Adamen [https://www.linkedin.com/in/julieadamen/] Kevin Davis, CIRMS [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-davis-98105a12/] Robert Nordlund, PE [https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-nordlund-pe-rs-5119636/] Support Our Sponsors Association Insights & Marketplace [https://www.ourfipho.com/] Association Reserves [https://www.reservestudy.com/] Community Financials [https://communityfinancials.com/] Kevin Davis Insurance Services [https://www.kdisonline.com/] Stoke Light Video & Marketing [https://stokelight.com/] The Inspectors of Election [https://inspectorsofelection.com/]

163 | How a Florida HOA Lost 2 MILLION to Fraud

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2173556/fan_mail/new] A Florida HOA lost $2 million to HOA board fraud. Learn the warning signs before it happens to you. ✅ Is a Reserve Study right for you? 👉 https://www.reservestudy.com/ [https://www.reservestudy.com/] Episode #163 might just be our craziest story yet, and in a new fashion! Kevin Davis tells a story of how an unchecked board president can put you and your community in grave financial danger. This episode covers how a Florida HOA lost nearly $2 million when a small group on the inside used shell companies, hidden records, and control of the board to drain the association’s funds. When we learned what happened, we knew our listeners needed to hear this story so you can recognize the red flags early and protect your own community. Chapters: 00:00 How did the HOA hide records from homeowners and investigators? 01:01 How did a Florida HOA lose $2 million to fraud? 02:05 How did the fraud scheme begin before the president took office? 03:09 How were shell companies used to siphon HOA funds? 04:33 Why did homeowners begin questioning the HOA board? 05:49 How did commingling funds help conceal the fraud? 07:12 How were records hidden from homeowners and police? 08:17 How did election fraud help keep the scheme alive? 09:17 What happened after the board members were convicted? 10:29 How did the HOA begin rebuilding after the fraud? 11:57 Ad Break - Kevin Davis Insurance Services 12:29 What insurance coverage should every HOA carry? 14:26 Why is directors and officers insurance so important? 15:36 How does board training prevent fraud and liability? 17:54 Why should HOAs have a fraud prevention policy? 19:10 Why is independent oversight critical for HOA finances? 20:08 How does transparency help stop fraud before it grows? 21:20 Why should boards always trust but verify? 22:18 How can conflicts of interest create major HOA risks? 23:24 What final lessons can HOA boards learn from this case? The views & opinions expressed in this program are those of the Hosts & Guests, intended to provide general education about the community association industry. The content is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual or organization. Podcast Links: Full Episode List [https://www.hoainsights.org/] Watch On Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPQc4d3KbcskG7XNc9flke9zro4EJCnF_] Engage in the conversation! Call our 24/7 voicemail line at (805) 203-3130 or send an email or voice memo to podcast@reservestudy.com [podcast@reservestudy.com] Nominate yourself or a Board Hero you Know! Board Hero Nominations [https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5SJS7B9] Boardmember Merch [https://boardheroes.sellfy.store/] Store! Connect with Hosts on LinkedIn Julie Adamen [https://www.linkedin.com/in/julieadamen/] Kevin Davis, CIRMS [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-davis-98105a12/] Robert Nordlund, PE [https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-nordlund-pe-rs-5119636/] Support Our Sponsors Association Insights & Marketplace [https://www.ourfipho.com/] Association Reserves [https://www.reservestudy.com/] Community Financials [https://communityfinancials.com/] Kevin Davis Insurance Services [https://www.kdisonline.com/] Stoke Light Video & Marketing [https://stokelight.com/] The Inspectors of Election [https://inspectorsofelection.com/]

162 | Handle Conflict at HOA Board Meetings WITHOUT The Drama

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2173556/fan_mail/new] The best HOA board meetings handle disagreement without creating division or drama. Learn how to handle conflict! ✅ Is a Reserve Study right for you? 👉 https://www.reservestudy.com/ [https://www.reservestudy.com/] I'm here today for Episode #162 with a return special guest, Jim Slaughter, who joined us in the early days of the podcast for Episode #7. He is the President of Law Firm Carolinas, practicing throughout North and South Carolina. He regularly speaks on issues of real estate and community association law, and has written hundreds of HOA and condo articles. He has served as the National President of CAI’S College of Community Association Lawyers,  President of the North Carolina Chapter of CAI, and President of the American College of Parliamentary Lawyers. Jim is nothing short of an expert; he is certified as a professional parliamentarian, professional registered parliamentarian, educator, and has written four books on running effective meetings. He holds a special position as the person to serve on the most parliamentarian organizations, from small HOA boards to annual meetings of 8,000 delegates. Today Jim joins us to help you successfully run orderly HOA board meetings that frame your association in a positive light, guiding your association into the future. Chapters: 00:00 Why should HOA board meetings sometimes become more formal? 00:57 Who is Jim Slaughter and why does his experience matter? 05:00 Do HOA boards really need to follow Robert’s Rules? 06:07 How formal should small HOA board meetings actually be? 07:18 Why do larger HOA meetings require more structure? 09:43 How can small boards stay casual but still professional? 11:05 What rights do homeowners have during board meetings? 13:54 How can unanimous consent speed up meetings? 15:58 Why do good agendas make meetings easier to manage? 17:32 What should HOA meeting minutes actually include? 19:21 How can chairs clearly guide motions and voting? 21:37 Why does a calm chair create better meetings? 22:41 How do HOA boards handle disruptive members? 24:30 Ad Break - Community Financials 25:20 When should a board become more formal during conflict? 28:09 Should HOA rules change because of difficult personalities? 30:02 How should chairs respond to disruptive behavior? 31:12 Why is de-escalation better than confrontation? 32:06 When should HOA meetings use security presence? 33:55 Why do homeowners behave better in fair meetings? 34:07 How should board members handle disagreements professionally? 35:57 Can avoiding meetings become a fiduciary issue? 36:28 What final advice helps HOA boards run successful meetings? The views & opinions expressed in this program are those of the Hosts & Guests, intended to provide general education about the community association industry. The content is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual or organization. Podcast Links: Full Episode List [https://www.hoainsights.org/] Watch On Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPQc4d3KbcskG7XNc9flke9zro4EJCnF_] Engage in the conversation! Call our 24/7 voicemail line at (805) 203-3130 or send an email or voice memo to podcast@reservestudy.com [podcast@reservestudy.com] Nominate yourself or a Board Hero you Know! Board Hero Nominations [https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5SJS7B9] Boardmember Merch [https://boardheroes.sellfy.store/] Store! Connect with Hosts on LinkedIn Julie Adamen [https://www.linkedin.com/in/julieadamen/] Kevin Davis, CIRMS [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-davis-98105a12/] Robert Nordlund, PE [https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-nordlund-pe-rs-5119636/] Support Our Sponsors Association Insights & Marketplace [https://www.ourfipho.com/] Association Reserves [https://www.reservestudy.com/] Community Financials [https://communityfinancials.com/] Kevin Davis Insurance Services [https://www.kdisonline.com/] Stoke Light Video & Marketing [https://stokelight.com/] The Inspectors of Election [https://inspectorsofelection.com/]