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Most underfunded HOAs stay stuck. This HOA Board Heroes story shows you how to break the cycle!
✅ Is a Reserve Study right for you? 👉 https://www.reservestudy.com/

Struggling with underfunded reserves, deferred maintenance, or the chaos of a self-managed HOA? In this episode, board hero Hal Hovey shares how his association went from $89 in the bank and no reserves to a healthier, professionally run community. Hal and Robert discuss the hidden risks of low dues and self-managed boards, how training and CAI resources can transform a board, communicating with homeowners about increases, projects, and transparency and also practical steps to move from survival mode to long-term stability!

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Why do HOA vendors need to understand HOA processes?
00:28 What makes someone a true HOA Board Hero?
00:58 How did deferred maintenance start this leadership journey?
04:20 What was wrong with the HOA’s financial planning?
05:30 How did poor financial oversight impact the community?
06:08 Why do many homeowners avoid board involvement?
07:54 Is lack of training the biggest HOA problem?
09:01 Why don’t board members realize they need training?
10:53 How can HOA boards access training and resources?
13:11 What free expert resources are available to HOAs?
14:51 How do boards begin to professionalize operations?
15:52 When does an HOA crisis force real change?
17:28 Why should HOAs hire experienced industry contractors?
17:55 How long does it take to fix a struggling HOA?
19:43 Ad Break - FiPhO Health Score
20:12 Why do underfunded HOAs struggle nationwide?
22:25 What challenges make serving on an HOA board difficult?
23:20 Why is transparency critical for HOA trust?
25:39 How does communication improve homeowner relationships?
27:03 How do you create unity between boards and homeowners?
28:32 What role does CAI play in supporting HOA leaders?
31:25 What resources can help HOA board members succeed?

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

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Julie Adamen

Kevin Davis, CIRMS

Robert Nordlund, PE

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Association Reserves

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Every HOA Board decision impacts home values and risk. Are you making the right ones?
✅ Is a Reserve Study right for you? 👉 https://www.reservestudy.com/

Kevin and Robert started this podcast in response to the tragic Champlain tower South collapse. They wanted to create another pathway where board members could be encouraged and equipped for the hard work they do, leading their associations into the future. So why take their advice? Why are they doing this? What's in it for you and your association? To make good HOA Board decisions that raise home values & lower risk!

CHAPTERS

00:00 Why Do HOA Board Decisions Matter for Property Values?
00:28 What Is HOA Insights and Why Was This Podcast Created?
00:52 Why Should Board Members Care About Training and Education?
02:10 What Is the Real Goal of HOA Board Leadership?
03:39 What Happens When Boards Make No Decisions at All?
05:15 Why Do Board Members Feel Overwhelmed by Responsibility?
06:25 Why Do HOAs Avoid Raising Assessments When They Should?
08:21 What Does It Mean to “Stumble Forward” as a Board Member?
09:39 What Happens When Rules Are Not Enforced Consistently?
10:22 How Should Boards Handle Difficult or “Nuisance” Members?
11:20 Can Problem Members Become Valuable Contributors?
12:29 What Happens When Boards Delay Maintenance Responsibilities?
14:55 Why Should Boards Avoid Escalating Conflict with Residents?
16:17 Why Do Good Board Members Sometimes Burn Out and Quit?
18:06 What Happens When a Board Member Tries to Control Everything?
20:26 How Can Boards Work Together Instead of Dividing?
21:26 Ad Break - Kevin Davis Insurance Services
21:55 How Do Well-Run HOAs Increase Property Values?
23:31 What Happens When Associations Ignore Small Maintenance Issues?
26:11 What Does “Taking Your Eye Off the Ball” Cost an HOA?
28:36 How Do Small Daily Decisions Impact Long-Term HOA Success?
31:02 How Do Consistent Good Decisions Build Strong Communities?
32:41 What Final Advice Helps HOA Boards Succeed Long-Term?

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

Podcast Links:
Full Episode List
Watch On Youtube

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

Nominate yourself or a Board Hero you Know!
Board Hero Nominations

Boardmember Merch Store!

Connect with Hosts on LinkedIn

Julie Adamen

Kevin Davis, CIRMS

Robert Nordlund, PE

Support Our Sponsors

Association Insights & Marketplace

Association Reserves

Community Financials

Kevin Davis Insurance Services

Stokelight Video & Marketing

The Inspectors of Election

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CAI just released free HOA Board Member Training that could change how your board leads. Learn more!
✅ Is a Reserve Study right for you? 👉 https://www.reservestudy.com/

We’re here today for episode 149 to share news about a new free course from CAI, the National Community Associations Institute. If you're not familiar with it, they're a trade organization. It's called Community Association Living and in their words, it's meant to be an accessible introduction for anyone wanting to know more about living in a community association. This can range from seasoned board members looking for more formal knowledge, which is you our audience, to homeowners thinking about volunteering, and this is your pipeline of new board members, all the way to folks thinking about buying in a community association for the first time. So today, we have two staff members from CAI to help describe and promote this course. Alden Michaels is the instructional design manager at CAI & Sean Coffers is their director of learning, and is relatively new after joining the CAI team in September of 2025 he's currently developing a variety of new educational programming for CAI membership, like this new course!

Chapters

00:00 What Is the Free HOA Board Member Training From CAI?
00:42 What Is the Community Association Living Course?
03:57 Who Is the Free CAI Course Designed For?
05:06 Why Do Many Homeowners Not Understand HOAs?
06:27 Is the CAI HOA Course Really Free and Accessible?
06:58 What Does the Online HOA Training Course Look Like?
07:49 How Is the Course Structured for Learning?
09:08 Why Did CAI Create This HOA Training Program?
10:19 Why Are Educated HOA Volunteers So Important?
11:50 What Makes This Course a Good Foundation for New Board Members?
13:19 What Training Comes After the Intro Course?
14:15 How Does CAI Train Community Managers?
15:39 What Is the Board Leader Certificate Program?
16:42 How Do People End Up Serving on HOA Boards?
17:26 How Long Does the HOA Training Course Take?
18:36 Why Should Homeowners Learn HOA Basics?
20:32 What Topics Does the Course Cover About Community Living?
21:08 Why Is Civility Important in HOA Communities?
21:30 Ad Break - Association Reserves
22:02 Do You Get a Certificate After Completi

Podcast Links:
Full Episode List
Watch On Youtube

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

Nominate yourself or a Board Hero you Know!
Board Hero Nominations

Boardmember Merch Store!

Connect with Hosts on LinkedIn

Julie Adamen

Kevin Davis, CIRMS

Robert Nordlund, PE

Support Our Sponsors

Association Insights & Marketplace

Association Reserves

Community Financials

Kevin Davis Insurance Services

Stokelight Video & Marketing

The Inspectors of Election