Confessions of an HOA Manager

Everyone in community association management has heard it. The word that stops a board meeting cold, derails a perfectly reasonable conversation, and somehow ends up meaning everything and nothing at the same time. Transparency. In this solo episode, Leslie Alvarez unpacks what transparency actually means — legally, practically, and professionally — and what it absolutely does not mean. She also s...

Twenty-eight years in this industry will teach you things no training ever could. In this solo episode, Leslie Alvarez pulls back the curtain on what community association management really looks like from the inside — the complexity, the human moments, the skills nobody thinks to mention in the job description, and the deeply rewarding work that keeps great managers coming back year after year. S...

Property manager. Community association manager. LCAM. These terms get thrown around like they're interchangeable — and Leslie Alvarez is here to set the record straight. In this solo episode, Leslie breaks down the real difference between managing a rental property and managing a community, why the distinction matters more than most people realize, and the one credential she keeps seeing list...

A flooding unit. A force entry. Two sheriffs at her side. And a homeowner standing frozen in the middle of the room — eyes open, completely still, not saying a word. In this episode, Leslie sits down with Shanna, a CAM with 15 years in the industry, to talk about one of the most unforgettable moments of her career — and the calm, steady professionalism it took to see it through. It's a story a...

One board member. A parade of managers reduced to tears. Three resignations on the spot at an annual meeting. And one question that changed everything. Bill Overton joins Leslie Alvarez for a candid conversation about toxic board dynamics, what they really cost management teams, and the moment he decided enough was enough. #hoa #condominium

What happens when a board decides to fire the property manager and take over operations themselves? Spoiler: it's rarely what they expect. In this episode, we're talking to Maureen about the reality of self-managed communities—the appeal, the pitfalls, and the hard truths boards need to hear before making the leap. From governance missteps to operational chaos to the moment they realize th...

In this episode of Confessions of an HOA Manager , Leslie sits down with longtime industry leader Marcy Kravit to talk about the realities of building a career in one of the most demanding professions most people never fully understand. From career growth and leadership challenges to burnout, personal loss, and reinvention, Marcy shares the moments that shaped her both professionally and personall...

What starts as a complaint about feral cats quickly becomes something no one saw coming. In this episode, Leslie Alvarez shares the story of a homeowner who wasn't just frustrated — she was convinced. Convinced the cats were watching her. Convinced the HOA wasn't doing enough. And convinced that anyone who owned a cat was part of the problem. What looks like a nuisance complaint turns into...

During the early days of COVID, community associations found themselves navigating something no one had ever prepared for. Mask mandates. Closed amenities. Restricted access. And a constant balancing act between safety, rules, and emotions. In this episode of Confessions of an HOA Manager , Leslie shares the story of a condo community trying to enforce pandemic safety policies when an owner’s visi...

What happens when fear takes over… before the facts are clear? In this episode of Confessions of an HOA Manager , Leslie is joined by Lisa, a seasoned community association leader, to share a moment that began as a routine board meeting—and quickly escalated into something far more serious. A report of a potential threat near the clubhouse sent tension through the room. Decisions were made quickly...

After 28 years in community association management, I’ve learned one thing for sure… You never really know what’s behind the door. Back when collections looked very different than they do today, there were times when the process required more than just letters and emails—it required showing up. In this episode of Confessions of an HOA Manager , I share a real story from early in my career that sta...

Everyone sees where you are—but not how you got there. In this episode, I’m sharing the real story of how it all started—from becoming a young mother and navigating uncertainty, to stepping into an industry I knew nothing about and building a career from the ground up. This isn’t just about where I began—it’s about the moments that forced me to grow, take risks, and move forward before I ever felt...

After 28 years in community association management, I’ve seen just about everything… But this one? This one hit a little closer to home. When a homeowner walked into the office to report “gang activity” in the community—complete with photos and emails sent all the way up the chain—you’d expect something serious. What we found instead… was something very different. In this episode of Confessions of...