Guide 02 of 03

Reserves and funding

Every board argues about dues. This guide replaces the argument with numbers: what your reserve study says, how reserve funds differ from operating cash, what underfunding actually costs, and when a special assessment is the honest answer.

5 articles24 min totalBeginnerUpdated Oct 2022
By the end you’ll be able to
Read your reserve study and explain it to a neighbor
Keep operating and reserve money in their right places
Recognise the risks of underfunding before they become assessments
Read in order
Article 1 · Reserve studies2 min
Making Sense of Your HOA Reserve Study

You joined the HOA board to make a difference, and that’s great! You also joined to have some fun. And that reserve study doesn’t look like fun. It’s complicated, but the reserve study is nothing to fear. It’s also not something to avoid. It’s an important financial planning tool for your HOA and shared property. We…

Article 2 · Funding strategy5 min
Operating Funds vs Reserve Funds: Understanding Your HOA Fees

Nobody enjoys paying fees. That’s just human nature. But it’s a lot less painful when you know where your fees are going, what they pay for, and how you benefit from their use. HOA funds are a perfect example. We may grumble when they’re due, but it helps when we know how they are used to benefit our community. Your…

Article 3 · Funding strategy5 min
What are the Risks of Insufficient HOA Reserve Funds?

So it looks like your homeowner’s association has some projects to be done. The roof on a common building is on year 15 of its 20-year lifespan. The pool house needs painting. And hasn’t there been talk of building some new walkways in the greenspace? How do you know if your HOA has the money to fund these big projects…

Article 4 · Funding strategy6 min
A Board Member’s Guide to HOA Budget Planning

Preparing a budget for the new fiscal year can seem like a daunting task. Especially if you are a volunteer board member trying to find the time and the patience to put together your HOA budget. If you are struggling to get started with preparing your HOA budget, check out the tips in this article below! Budget…

Article 5 · Funding strategy6 min
Understanding HOA Special Assessments: A Guide for Homeowners

The one thing every homeowner in an HOA agrees on is that they don’t want to pay extra fees. There may be disagreements over what those fees pay for, but no one ever asks to pay more. But unexpected costs are part of HOA life. That’s why you need to know about special assessments. What is a Special Assessment? A…

Up next
Guide 03 · Projects and operations
Open guide →