As I write this, I’m looking at all the devices sitting on my desk: a Blackberry, a Dell Notebook, a hard-wired phone, an iPod and a variety of chargers and USB cables for my current and previous cell phones and other electronic devices. My computer is set to receive e-mail, keep track of the market and gather news on world events while my Blackberry is waiting for calls and text messages from c... read more

In many homeowners’ associations, frustration is lurking just below the surface, waiting to explode into anger. Frustration is the result of unfulfilled expectations. These expectations can be reasonable or unreasonable, mature or immature. Mature expectations are thoughtful considerations colored by fairness. These folks will generally resolve their issues in a win-win fashion. Immature expecta... read more

Dealing with difficult people can be a challenge in any setting. But in community associations – where you’re often dealing with volunteers and don’t have the leverage that managers have with employees – there is an entirely new level of difficulty. There’s also a new level of opportunity. The key is common interest. Where we live means more to us than any other place... read more

Currently, one out of every three people in California live in some type of planned community governed by a homeowners association (HOA). More than 42 million people in the United States live under HOA rules. According to recent estimates by the California Department of Real Estate, up to 80 percent of all future residential communities will be common interest developments (CID) with an HOA. With ... read more