2021 is quickly coming to a close, and before the holiday rush starts, we wanted to remind you of some important HOA tasks to tackle before the year is up! Start looking at and having conversations about the problems and solutions you’re seeing, the to-do lists that need to be completed, budgeting, and planning for the upcoming year now, so you’re not in a jam in the days before the new year starts.
1. Review Rules and Regulations
Spend time digging into the rules and regulations and take a critical look at how things are worded and if those rules and regulations have been enforced this year. Find which ones are still relevant as they are, which ones need minor adjustments, and which ones should be taken out or completely restructured. There were a lot of HOA laws that went into effect in Texas, so make sure that your rules and regulations are compliant with those new laws.
2. Complete Projects
Don’t go into the new year with a long to-do list. Try to wrap up any important projects before the year is over, and don’t overlook or put off maintenance tasks. A small project now could save you from needing to take on a bigger project in the future.
3. Make an Annual HOA Calendar
We don’t mean that you need to design and distribute a 12-month calendar, but lay out how many times a year your HOA board would like to meet, and see if you can’t get meetings on the books for the upcoming year. This will help board members plan for their year when they know which days they need to be in town. There are likely to be meetings that pop up along the way, but this helps get everyone on the same page and decreases the likelihood of miscommunications.
4. Set Goals
A new year is a great opportunity to create new goals. It gives everyone something to work towards and gets everyone in the right state of mind. Have everyone bring in ideas on what they would like to see the HOA look like. Would you like residents to be more involved? Would you like to see more funds added to the reserve? Are you hoping there is an easier way for the board to help with minor transgressions between neighbors? Is it your desire for there to be an easier way to communicate with the neighborhood about events, board meetings, etc.? Create a space to talk about what you would like to see your HOA work on in the next year and the steps you could take now to make those things happen.
5. Notify Homeowners
It’s crucial that your homeowners are well-informed about what the HOA is up to. Communicate any changes, goals, and important details the community should know about. Open the door to receive questions, comments, concerns, and ideas, and respond to residents in a helpful and professional manner. End the year off on a positive note with homeowners and get them excited about the upcoming year.
The end of the year is a great time to reflect. These important HOA tasks to tackle before the year is up are a great place to start to ensure you kick off 2022 on a great note. If your HOA has questions about how to plan for the new year or how to manage the day-to-day duties, contact Prism Realty Management. Give us a call at 512-676-5842 — we’d be happy to talk to you about who we are, the services we offer, and our process.
