The excitement over new vehicles combined with today’s technology is never-ending. Car shows and showrooms are filled with new and future models headed to market. The electric vehicle (EV) is one innovation growing in popularity, especially in Illinois. Between 2022 and 2023 sales of electric vehicles grew by 60% with 94,000 EVs registered in the state.     Table of contents What is an electric vehicle Types of electric vehicles 4 reasons why Illinois has a vested interest in electric vehicles What is the Illinois EV Car Charging Act about? How new EV charging act impacts HOAs ..read more

The U.S. drone industry is soaring high. Drones have become more accessible, the technology has evolved to a point where virtually anyone can learn to fly a drone, and companies are now using the machines to deliver goods, create maps, gather data and assist with safety procedures.         Download our free drone policy template     Also known as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or unmanned aerial systems (UAS), drones can be used for fun or for work. The Drones World reports that the U.S. has nearly 900,000 registered drones in its records ..read more

The irony. Your condo building stretches 20 storeys high, but it took less than 20 minutes for your floor to be engulfed by water.   When a pipe bursts in a condo building, it doesn’t take long for the water to fill up hallways, stairwells and individual units. The incident may end quickly, but the effects can be felt for weeks after the water has been cleaned up.    Table of contents What are the top causes of condo floods? Where are leaks most likely to start? Who is responsible for water damage? Insurance How costly is a leak or flood? What to do when a leak is discovered Ho ..read more

The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) aims to help detect and combat money laundering and terrorist finance, facilitate tracking money that has been sourced through criminal or terrorist activity, and safeguard national security and the U.S. financial system. This act came into effect in January of 2024, and businesses that meet certain criteria are expected to file a Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) report to the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) by January 1, 2025.    Table of contents Who is expected to file a report ..read more

Communities of all sizes have challenges, and large HOA communities have challenges multiplied due to their large volume of members and size of communities. Table of contents Large HOA community challenges and solutions Poor Communication Property Management Managing Rule Breakers Managing Monies Booking Amenities Security and Safety Choosing the right solutions for large HOA communities There are between 7000-9000 large-scale associations in the US, according to Foundation for Community Association Research. These associations manage budgets of over $2 Million/annually, with over 1000 ..read more

Large associations manage thousands of homeowner-related activities and massive properties with multiple neighborhoods. In fact, large-scale community associations, like master planned communities with sub-associations typically have a minimum of 1000 homes or a minimum of 1000 acres with an annual budget of 2 million dollars or more according to the Community Associations Institute. Table of contents What is membership software? Top membership software features large associations benefit from Other tools used by large associations Large associations must use tools to manage their communitie ..read more

Large associations, also known as large-scale associations, have committee structures that reflect the size and operation of their large, planned community. Committees are important for effective operation of planned community living because they are formed to facilitate and accomplish tasks that support the HOA board and lead to a cohesive and pleasant living environment. Table of contents What is a large association? Committee structures for large associations that work Important committees in large associations Keys to effective committees Committee structure for large associations make a ..read more

Many are familiar with the term homeowners’ association (HOA). HOAs started multiplying quickly in the 1960s as the Federal government encouraged large residential housing developments. Today, over 74 million Americans live HOAs, condominium communities, or cooperatives. Table of contents What is a homeowner’s association? What is a master association? Why is a master association necessary? How master associations and sub-homeowner associations work together Where do member fees go in a master association community? Key differences between a master association and homeowners association comm ..read more

A reserve fund is like a nest-egg for associations. Every HOA needs ones for unexpected events and major expenses. The money invested in this fund comes from owners’ monthly fees, which are split between the operating budget and the reserve fund. The money put into the reserve fund accumulates over time so that when the HOA needs to replace mechanical equipment or a roof, the funds are available to pay for the repair without having to ask for a special assessment. Table of contents What is a reserve study Benefits of a reserve study How do you know if your reserve is adequately funded? Apply ..read more

There is a saying that goes, “Rules are made to be broken.”  Sometimes this is true, especially when society and times are changing so fast.  Some rules that were appropriate from the past no longer apply. These changes can affect individuals and certainly HOA (Homeowner association) communities where many people live in a community and share common spaces. Download our free HOA Amendment template For example, with the introduction of electric vehicles (EV) and a significant number of HOA residents  purchasing them, HOAs have had to develop new EV policies  to accommodate h ..read more