The Uncommon Area

HOA insurance costs are skyrocketing, and boards need to act before it impacts residents and budgets. In this episode of The Uncommon Area, host Matthew Holbrook talks with Cory Neubauer of NEXTIER Insurance Services about why premiums are surging, how to navigate admitted vs. non-admitted carriers, and strategies for risk management in high-cost markets. They cover the drivers behind rising premi...

Can an HOA restrict what homeowners say or display? In this episode of The Uncommon Area, host Matthew Holbrook sits down with attorney Sarah A. Paas of Tinnelly Law Group to unpack one of the most misunderstood issues in community living: free speech rights inside an HOA. They explore what the First Amendment actually protects, how California law extends additional rights to residents, and where...

California HOAs face major compliance and financial challenges under SB 326, the Balcony Bill. In this episode of The Uncommon Area, host Matthew Holbrook is joined by Ryan Darby, Regional Director at Action Property Management, and Tad Black, VP of Community Management, to explain how balcony inspections impact lending, insurance, and property values. They cover what qualifies as a compliant insp...

HOA elections can make or break community trust, yet many boards and managers underestimate the complexity of running them fairly. In this episode of The Uncommon Area, host Matthew Holbrook talks with Lisa Schwartz, founder of The Ballot Box, a firm specializing in HOA elections for over 18 years. They unpack everything from legal requirements and ballot security to electronic voting and common e...

 Clear, consistent communication is essential for successful HOA management. In this episode of The Uncommon Area, Matthew Holbrook and industry expert Julie Adamen discuss how proactive communication reduces homeowner frustration and increases engagement. They explore best practices such as using multiple communication channels, incorporating visuals, leveraging experts, and maintaining a posit...

 Electronic voting is coming to California homeowners associations! Starting January 1, 2025, HOAs will have the option to conduct elections through electronic voting, offering a modern alternative to traditional mail-in ballots. But what does this mean for board members and managers? Join Matthew Holbrook and Dennis Burke, attorney at Fiore Racobs & Powers, as they dive into the specifics o...

 In this episode of The Uncommon Area, Matthew Holbrook and guest Kate Kilanowski from Cagle Pugh dive into the common mistakes made by HOA board members and how to avoid them. Whether it’s navigating governing documents, managing communication, or finding the right balance between short-term and long-term decision-making, this episode is packed with insights to help HOA boards function more eff...

 This episode tackles the evolving nature of the HOA industry, recorded with a live audience at the Marconi Museum in Tustin, CA. Host Matthew Holbrook sits down with Steve Tinnelly from the Tinnelly Law Group to discuss the evolving landscape of HOAs in the U.S. With years of expertise, they explore how recent legislative trends, safety concerns, and community expectations are reshaping HOA gov...

In this eye-opening episode of The Uncommon Area, we tackle one of the most frequently asked questions in the world of property management: Are HOAs a Scam? Joining host Matthew is attorney Jeff Beaumont, who brings over 25 years of experience working with HOAs to this lively discussion. Recorded live at The Skybox in San Diego, in front of a group of HOA board members, this episode sheds light on...

 Welcome to the second episode of our HOA Management Podcast series on Reserve Studies, part of The Uncommon Area! In this episode, our host, Matthew Holbrook, is joined by Reserve Analyst Derek Eckert and Board Member J Parsons. This conversation jumps right into the deep-end, exploring the more complex details of reserve studies and how to use them in a more advanced and effective way. If you’...

 Welcome to another episode of The Uncommon Area with your host, Matthew Holbrook! In this episode, we’re diving deep into the world of reserve studies—a crucial aspect of managing homeowner associations (HOAs). Joining us is Mark Smith from Advanced Reserve Solutions, who brings extensive expertise in the field. Mark explains the importance of reserve studies and how they function as a financia...

Description (SEO-Optimized): HOA and homeowners association repair projects are getting more complex and more expensive. In this episode, host Matthew Holbrook sits down with attorney Dirk Petchul of Whitney | Petchul to explore how boards can navigate major repairs, comply with the Balcony Bill, and plan financially for aging infrastructure. Learn practical strategies for assessments, loans, and...

Join us as we dive into the crucial topic of neighborhood safety with Phil McMullin from Orange PD. From spotting red flags of criminal activity to the power of neighborhood watch, we uncover the key elements to keeping your community safe. Matthew and Phil explore the unique advantages of living in an HOA and how it fosters a culture of vigilance and security. Tune in to learn how to safeguard yo...

Join host Matthew Holbrook and HOA expert Mike Perlof as they explore the changing landscape of HOA and homeowners association management. Learn why manager and client turnover is rising, how community managers can avoid burnout, and the impact of Zoom and virtual meetings on board relationships. Mike and Matthew also share educational resources and strategies for improving service quality and cli...

 In this episode of The Uncommon Area, we discuss the relationship between real estate and homeowners associations. Our guest, Matt Luke, shares his unique perspective as a former professional baseball player turned real estate professional. With a background beyond real estate, Matt offers a unique perspective on strategic planning that applies to baseball players and homebuyers alike. Matt tel...

 Katie Quesada sheds light on the importance of storytelling in every industry, including HOA management. The post Stop Telling Boring Stories | Ep. 55 appeared first on Action Property Management .

 A discussion with hospitality expert Kevan White on how hospitality services are important to HOAs and what good service looks like. Key Topics Covered: Understanding hospitality in HOAs Crafting tailored experiences for residents Transitioning from hotel service to HOA environments Challenges and rewards of delivering top-notch service Importance of training and nurturing a hospitality culture...

Are your CC&Rs from the dark ages? Even if they are only 10-15 years old, they might be. Attorney Sandra Gottlieb talks about what you need to know about updating your CC&Rs to minimize problems that could arise from them being outdated.

New California case law changes the restrictions for an HOA board regarding how it may communicate and discuss HOA issues by email. Attorney Jeff Beaumont discusses what boards should consider with the new legal landscape on this topic. Resources: Beaumont Tashjian The information provided in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, medical,...

The insurance market for HOAs is very volatile right now. Jonathan Naranjo from Newfront Insurance discusses how various kinds of HOAs should think about budgeting for these important premiums. Resources: Newfront Insurance

Attorney Jeff Beaumont discusses the legal ramifications of budgeting mistakes that boards commonly make. He dives into topics such as borrowing from reserves and special assessments. Resources: Civil Code 5610 on Emergency Special Assessments Beaumont Tashjian: https://www.hoaattorneys.com/ The information provided in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute...

Don’t let your HOA get into a position where homeowners cannot get Fannie Mae re-fi’s and mortgages. Attorney Jeff Kerrane addresses how to avoid this pitfall for your HOA. Resources: https://kerranestorz.com/

Missing something small in a contract can lead to a very big consequence. Attorney Sandra Gottlieb talks about how to avoid big mistakes in contracts.

Questions don’t have to drag out your board meetings. Read Transcript Too many board meetings go way too long, and one of the main reasons is lack of preparation, and this can be true of both a manager and the board members. Managers, one of the most important things you can do is to find out what information your board members need in order to make decisions at the meeting, so be sure to give the...

A practical way to give attention to what really matters. Read Transcript If everything is a priority, then nothing is. Yet many associations and many managers operate as if everything is a priority. The reality is that neither board members nor managers have the bandwidth to pursue every objective in an association has equal priorities. However, too few managers and too few boards ever discuss ho...