The origin of Valentine’s Day is a bit of a mystery. While February has long been celebrated as a month of love, St. Valentine’s Day, as we know it, blends both Christian and ancient Roman traditions. But who was Saint Valentine, and how did he become linked to this age-old celebration?

Origin Story 1: One popular legend suggests that Valentine was a priest in third-century Rome. Emperor Claudius II believed that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, so he banned marriage for young men. Valentine, seeing the injustice of this decree, secretly continued performing marriages for young couples. Once his actions were discovered, Claudius had him sentenced to death.

Other accounts point to Saint Valentine of Terni, a bishop, as the true origin of the holiday, who, like the priest, was beheaded by Claudius II near Rome. Valentine may have been executed for attempting to help Christians escape brutal Roman prisons, where they were often subjected to beatings and torture. One legend even claims that while imprisoned, Valentine sent the first "valentine" greeting. It’s said that he fell in love with a young girl—possibly the jailor's daughter—who visited him during his confinement.

The topic of declining common courtesy and polite communication has certainly been a prevalent discussion among professionals and the general public in recent times. There is a growing consensus that since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, a notable shift has occurred in the way many people interact with one another, with a marked increase in defensive, rude, and discourteous behavior. While it's understandable that the stresses and uncertainties of the past few years have taken a toll on everyone's mental and emotional wellbeing, that reality does not excuse the all-too-common displays of impatience, short-temperedness, and blatant disrespect that have become disturbingly commonplace in our daily lives. There is a pervasive sense that civility, empathy, and basic manners have taken a backseat to self-absorption and a hair-trigger defensiveness. This is not to say that every interaction is now fraught with rudeness, there are certainly still many people who strive to maintain composure, consideration, and courtesy in their dealings with others. However, the sheer volume of stories, and first-hand experiences of flagrant incivility has led to a widespread sense of desire to understand how address and respond to this troubling social trend.

Holiday decorations offer a festive way for associations to bring seasonal cheer and create a cozy, welcoming atmosphere in their communities. It has become important to recognize that community decorating has become complex, involving cultural sensitivity, timing, quantity, and quality. Before decorating community spaces, boards and residents should consider a few key guidelines.

Decorating Guidelines Decorations vary across communities, from modest lights to competitive displays between neighbors. Guidelines in association documents outline where decor is allowed, what type and size are acceptable, and how long it can stay up. Some associations are more restrictive to avoid clutter, specifying locations for decorations.

Timing also matters. Many associations limit holiday decorations to the period from Thanksgiving to shortly after New Year’s, echoing retail's early seasonal rollout. It is important to communicate the rules in your community especially if fines are involved.

Religious Considerations In diverse communities, not all residents celebrate the same holidays. To accommodate everyone, some experts recommend keeping themes neutral or allowing a range of decor options. The U.S. Supreme Court considers Christmas trees and menorahs displayed together to be secular symbols, allowing associations to include them as neutral elements. However, the type of community often determines decor approach: condominium associations usually keep decor neutral and minimal, while HOAs may permit homeowners more freedom in their displays.

CAI has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Secretary Janet Yellen, and the director of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. This action is being taken to protect our members from the burdensome and unnecessary requirements of the Corporate Transparency Act.

The act imposes new reporting requirements on many entities, including community associations. Under the law, volunteer board members of condominiums, homeowners associations, and housing cooperatives will be required to provide sensitive personal information to the federal government. These requirements were designed to combat illegal activities including terrorism financing and money laundering. The Treasury Department has taken a very broad approach to implementing this law, impacting organizations like community associations that are extremely unlikely to be engaged in such activities. We believe the application of the Corporate Transparency Act to community associations is an overreach and potentially unconstitutional.

CAI has worked with the Treasury Department for over a year to pursue a regulatory exemption for community associations but has been unsuccessful. Since the law’s implementation date for existing associations is rapidly approaching on Jan. 1, we determined that a lawsuit was necessary to protect community association rights and ensure they are exempt from the act.

No matter if you live in a single-family home, a luxury high-rise, a 55+ community, or a townhome, your community has its own unique culture, and lifestyle programming can help enhance it. Often called common-interest communities, these types of neighborhoods are becoming more popular among homebuyers. In fact, over 25% of homeowners now live in such communities, and 60% of new homes are being built in these settings. So, what makes these communities special, what benefits do they offer, and how can your manager or management company support a vibrant lifestyle?

Lifestyle communities often include one, or more of the following:

· Amenities :Swimming pools, gyms, tennis courts, sports courts, clubhouse facilities, workspaces, and entertainment areas.

· Activities: Recreational and social activities to help residents stay active and engaged.

· Clubs: Groups of residents that share a common interest or hobby.

· Events: Events and functions to gather residents together.

The Benefits of Lifestyle Shared Communities

· Financial: A buyer tends to get more house and incur less maintenance expense by living in a shared community.

Did you know that the majority of newly developed homes nationally, include a Home Owner’s Association (HOA)? It is important to do your homework when buying into any HOA including High Rise Condominiums, Townhomes, Active Adult Communities, and even Single-Family Neighborhoods. Here are some questions you should ask…

1. Ask About the Fees

The most important question is to ask about the monthly fees. How much are the dues, what do they cover, and how often are they due? Consider these fees along with your mortgage and taxes in your decision to buy.

2. Review the Governing Documents

Every HOA is governed by a distinct set of documents, sometimes referred to as Covenants, Conditions, & Restrictions (CC&Rs), that define the authority of the association. In short, these documents detail what homeowners can and cannot do, as well as what the association is responsible for maintaining and insuring.

3. Is the Community Financially Sound?

Reviewing the financial documents of an association ensure your community is financially sound. Ensure there is a properly funded reserve fund and/or capital improvement account for future upkeep and projects. Accounts receivable balances will ensure your neighbors are current with their payments, and the annual budget will allow you to see what your monthly dues are covering.

Effective community management hinges on a delicate balance of responsiveness and strategic planning, particularly when dealing with unwelcome visitors like pests. Whether it's dealing with pesky intruders or tackling more serious infestations, swift and efficient resolution not only preserves the quality of life within the community but also safeguards property values and resident satisfaction. In this comprehensive guide, we explore the best practices for managing exterminator requests, offering expert insights and actionable strategies to streamline the process and ensure the well-being of the community.

1. Prevention is the name of the game

A top notch community management company will always contract with an exterminator that performs regular service checks. Consistently monitoring for cracks or holes in the exterior where pests can infiltrate will prevent any infestation.

2. Targeting the Nests

Between the general nuisance and concern for an allergic reaction, the most common type of service request is for bees, wasps, and other stinging insects. While preventative treatments are available for crawling insects such as ants and spiders, there is no such option for flying insects. In this case, the nest needs to be located and targeted. Requesting pictures of the nest, or utilizing a good landscaper to hunt for their location are always recommended.

One of the board’s most important responsibilities is the management of community finances. Residents are relying on the board and the management company to ensure the protection of their investment and quality of life, all while controlling spending. This has become increasingly challenging as of late, with rising insurance costs, capital reserve legislation, and higher inflation. Before you can make sound financial decisions for your association, you first have to understand what your monthly financials are telling you.

Balance Sheet

A balance sheet is a report that outlines a company’s finances such as assets and liabilities. Your assets summarize cash you have in various accounts as well as money owed to the association. If your association possesses other assets like office equipment, gym equipment, etc. these may also be listed in the asset section of your Balance Sheet. Your liabilities reflect monies owed to outside parties. This may include any outstanding bills, wages, or community loans. In summary, the balance sheet reflects your community’s total net value.

Income Statement vs. Budget

An income statement represents a community’s income and expenditures for a given period of time as compared with an annual budget. Having a properly developed balanced budget is critical in the value of this report. One should investigate any line item that is significantly different than budget. Significant overages can highlight cash flow issues, bill payment issues, or project opportunities. The bottom line summarizes the profit or loss that your association is experiencing for the current fiscal year.

As the weather warms and summer beckons, community pools become havens of activity and relaxation. However, opening a community pool entails more than just unlocking the gates and filling it with water. It requires careful planning, attention to detail, and adherence to safety standards. Here, we outline the top five most common errors to avoid when preparing to open a community pool.

1. Not Securing the Pool Contract Early

The earlier the better for securing pool contracts. Taylor Management Company starts our pool opening processes, starting with securing the contract, in early March. This guarantees the community is top of the list and avoids unnecessary delays. If a community is unhappy with their current pool company, the manager should request a minimum of three (3) RFPs from reputable pool companies. This should be done in the beginning of the calendar year. Pool companies can have a limited roster of clients. If your management company waits too long, it could mean you aren’t able to open your pool.

2. Excluding Service Details in the Contract

With over 320 communities in our roster, we have managed hundreds of pools of varying sizes and needs. It's essential to detail all expected services provided by the pool company in the contract. These should include opening and closing dates, a cleaning schedule, with vacuuming, skimming, and chemical testing. Additionally, all pool equipment, such as pumps, filters, and heaters, should be evaluated and tested before opening to avoid delays if equipment is non-operational and needs servicing or replacement. A good manager will understand all requirements needed in a pool contract or RFP, and ensure the vendor follows through on contractual obligations.

The rise of community associations across the U.S. holds promise for management companies in 2024—but companies also need to be prepared to face a unique set of challenges in the coming year.

Which opportunities and obstacles will association managers face in 2024, and how are they adapting their strategies in this evolving environment? HomewiseDocs surveyed more than 1,100 association management professionals and board members to find out exactly that.

Here are the five trends that our research predicts will shape the community associations industry in 2024, from new opportunities for growth to a greater need for operational efficiency during the ongoing labor shortage.

1. Management companies see tremendous opportunity for growth as HOA development continues.

A survey from HomeWiseDocs found that portfolio growth is community association management companies’ #1 priority for 2024—and a full 91% of community association management companies plan to expand their portfolios over the next two years.

It’s the time of year when many community associations welcome new board members. It also is a great time to review conflicts of interest and how to avoid them.

Community association board members are considered fiduciaries. Fiduciary duty is the highest standard of care imposed under law, and it occurs when one or more persons are responsible for the money or property of another. The fiduciary is expected to be honest, free from fraud, and faithful to his or her obligations.

As defined by the Oxford Dictionary, a conflict of interest is a situation in which a person is in a position to derive personal benefit from actions or decisions made in their official capacity. Accusations of self-dealing or conflicts of interest sometimes arise during the vendor hiring process. Board members who profit financially or who have friends or family members who may profit financially from hiring a vendor risk putting their own interests before those of the community.

That vendor in question may wind up being the best fi t for the community, but there are steps that need to be taken so the hiring process is fair and equitable. To ensure the community comes first, board members should:

Being an effective HOA board member means staying organized and on top of all the rules and guidelines that keep your association running. At the heart of this organization are HOA governing documents.

Each HOA is slightly different, and the intricacies behind each set of regulations and guidelines can be complex, but a basic understanding of the different types of documents and their purpose can save your board a world of confusion and headaches.

So, if you’re wondering, “What are HOA governing documents?” You’re not alone.

What Are HOA Governing Documents?

HOA governing documents are the official rules of a community, set down on paper (or these days, more likely digitally) and agreed upon by homeowners in the community and HOA board members.

HOA documents play an essential role in ensuring a community's flawless functioning and maintenance by providing guidelines and regulations to help maintain property values and promote a harmonious living environment. But communities don't run on documents alone.

In fact, many HOA boards choose to partner with an outside HOA management company since working with a reliable HOA management company can significantly assist in efficiently managing the community's day-to-day operations, ensuring that rules are enforced, and addressing any issues that may arise.