Helping you understand community association business with industry leading insight.
2026 Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Lending Changes What Condominiums Need to Know
In this video, we break down everything you need to know about the latest updates affecting condominium communities — from key changes to condo approval requirements and what makes a project eligible (or ineligible) for conventional financing, to special assessments, reserve fund requirements, and structural safety standards.
What is the Purpose of Reserve Funds?
Reserve funds are set aside to plan for the future. They are designated savings accounts that allow associations to prepare for major repairs and replacements of common-area assets as they age. Even components considered “long-lived,” such as underground utilities, will eventually require maintenance or replacement.
Funding Reserves: Balancing Affordability, Risk, and Mortgage Eligibility
In this session we discuss three approaches to addressing reserve fund shortfalls - Project deferral, repair vs replacement, and additional means of funding.
How to Effectively Use a Reserve Study Report
Reserve studies provide a comprehensive report containing what may seem like an endless amount of information about your association, and can be understandably intimidating to digest. While all the details provided are valuable, reading and utilizing a reserve study report doesn’t have to be an overwhelming task. If you’re looking to get to the meat and potatoes of your report, this guide is for you.
Selecting a Reserve Study Professional
As the community association industry continues to realize explosive growth - 70 million Americans now live in a planned community vs. 10 million nearly 40 years ago.
Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac Policy Changes
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have announced significant updates to their lending requirements, focused primarily on condo project standards and property insurance rules.
Reserve Study & Funding Trends: What Board Members and Managers Should Take Away
Recently, the Foundation for Community Association Research released a Snap Survey looking at reserve study and reserve funding trends across community associations. This survey provides a helpful pulse check on how associations are approaching reserve studies and funding, and where the biggest friction points remain.
Signs Your Association is Underfunded
While there are obvious indicators of underfunding, others are less visible but just as detrimental. So, what exactly are the signs of an underfunded condo association or HOA?
Reserve Advisors Expands Engineering Capabilities with Acquisition of Waldman Engineering Consultants
Reserve Advisors, a leading provider of reserve studies, announced the acquisition of Waldman Engineering Consultants, Inc.
Bridging the Gap: What to do When Reserves Fall Short
In this session we discuss three approaches to addressing reserve fund shortfalls - Project deferral, repair vs replacement, and additional means of funding.
Condominium Financial Management: Integrating Reserve Studies for Long-Term Success
Managing the finances and reserve funds of a condominium association involves more than just paying bills and collecting dues; it also entails maintaining a comprehensive financial plan to ensure long-term stability and protect property values.
The Rising Cost of Inaction: How Industry Trends Are Elevating Capital Planning
With personal budgets tightening, every decision is under greater scrutiny, from dues increases to the timing of capital projects. While temporarily limiting assessment increases or delaying projects may seem like a low-risk way to support residents in the short term, the potential consequences can be far more significant.
Community Associations: Engaging Residents in Reserve Planning
Reserve planning is a pillar of responsible and effective management of any community association, but the process is often a mystery to those who fund reserves – the residents.
Navigating Condo Risk: Insurance, Lending and Capital Planning
In this session we discuss a dynamic housing landscape and the challenges condo owners face from increasing insurance premiums to lending restrictions.
Case Study: How Engagement Leads to More Actionable Reserve Studies
In 2022, a prominent 36-story high-rise condominium association and its adjoining garage association in downtown Chicago completed their first reserve study. Unfortunately, the firm they chose to complete this study left the board questioning the quality and usability of the report, leading the association to doubt the value of reserve studies altogether.
Capital Planning for HOAs: How to Build a Long-Term Funding Strategy
Capital planning is one of the most important, if not the most important, responsibilities of an HOA board. Going beyond the day-to-day routine operation of the community, capital planning focuses on the long-term physical and financial health of the community, as well as proactive planning for the replacement of major community assets.