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HOA Insights: Common Sense for Common Areas

HOA Insights: Common Sense for Common Areas

By: Hosts: Robert Nordlund Kevin Davis Julie Adamen
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We exist to help all 2 million volunteer HOA Boardmembers nationwide have the right information at the right time to make the right decisions for the future of their community association. Stay with us weekly for actionable insights that minimize stress, avoid catastrophes, and protect property values!

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Episodes
  • 164 | "Preferred" HOA Vendors May Not Be Your Friend

    164 | "Preferred" HOA Vendors May Not Be Your Friend
    Jun 29 2026

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    Are your HOA vendors truly serving your community or just benefiting from a trusted relationship? Listen to find out the signs that might be costing your association!
    ✅ Is a Reserve Study right for you? 👉 https://www.reservestudy.com/

    This week, Robert sits down with Board Hero, Peter Isakovic, a homeowner and board member from Colorado. He serves on the board of the CAI Rocky Mountain Chapter, and came to our attention as the author of a recent article for Common Interest, “Are ‘Preferred’ Contractors Preferred?”. The cautionary article discussed the importance of upholding the standard and integrity of your HOA’s vendors, while creating the best outcome for your community’s health and financial future. HOA Insights continues to set you up for success, ensuring you make the best financial decisions for your community by understanding blind spots that could be costing you money.

    Chapters:

    00:00 Why homeowner trust matters in HOA leadership
    00:52 Introducing Peter Isakovic and the HOA vendor problem
    03:41 How Peter got involved with his HOA board
    06:21 Why homeowner voices matter in community associations
    08:27 Running your HOA like a business
    10:00 Why board members need to question vendors
    12:25 When a management company relationship goes wrong
    14:10 Death by a thousand paper cuts: hidden HOA costs
    16:52 The $28,000 front door that raised red flags
    18:18 Facing HOA financial reality and homeowner pushback
    21:23 The importance of transparency with homeowners
    22:48 Sponsor Break - Association Reserves
    23:19 Reviewing invoices and finding costly mistakes
    25:12 Curiosity, courage, and effective HOA leadership
    27:18 Building trust through visibility and communication
    28:01 Why proper licensing and insurance matter
    29:27 Contract language can make or break your HOA
    31:10 Building your own trusted vendor network
    34:21 Final lessons for protecting HOA finances
    35:41 Closing thoughts and key takeaways

    The views & opinions expressed in this program are those of the Hosts & Guests, intended to provide general education about the community association industry. The content is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual or organization.

    Podcast Links:
    Full Episode List
    Watch On Youtube

    Engage in the conversation!

    Call our 24/7 voicemail line at (805) 203-3130 or send an email or voice memo to podcast@reservestudy.com

    Nominate yourself or a Board Hero you Know!
    Board Hero Nominations

    Boardmember Merch Store!

    Connect with Hosts on LinkedIn

    Julie Adamen

    Kevin Davis, CIRMS

    Robert Nordlund, PE

    Support Our Sponsors

    Association Insights & Marketplace

    Association Reserves

    Community Financials

    Kevin Davis Insurance Services

    Stoke Light Video & Marketing

    The Inspectors of Election
    Show More Show Less
    37 mins
  • 163 | How a Florida HOA Lost 2 MILLION to Fraud

    163 | How a Florida HOA Lost 2 MILLION to Fraud
    Jun 22 2026

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    A Florida HOA lost $2 million to HOA board fraud. Learn the warning signs before it happens to you.
    ✅ Is a Reserve Study right for you? 👉 https://www.reservestudy.com/

    Episode #163 might just be our craziest story yet, and in a new fashion! Kevin Davis tells a story of how an unchecked board president can put you and your community in grave financial danger. This episode covers how a Florida HOA lost nearly $2 million when a small group on the inside used shell companies, hidden records, and control of the board to drain the association’s funds. When we learned what happened, we knew our listeners needed to hear this story so you can recognize the red flags early and protect your own community.

    Chapters:
    00:00 How did the HOA hide records from homeowners and investigators?
    01:01 How did a Florida HOA lose $2 million to fraud?
    02:05 How did the fraud scheme begin before the president took office?
    03:09 How were shell companies used to siphon HOA funds?
    04:33 Why did homeowners begin questioning the HOA board?
    05:49 How did commingling funds help conceal the fraud?
    07:12 How were records hidden from homeowners and police?
    08:17 How did election fraud help keep the scheme alive?
    09:17 What happened after the board members were convicted?
    10:29 How did the HOA begin rebuilding after the fraud?
    11:57 Ad Break - Kevin Davis Insurance Services
    12:29 What insurance coverage should every HOA carry?
    14:26 Why is directors and officers insurance so important?
    15:36 How does board training prevent fraud and liability?
    17:54 Why should HOAs have a fraud prevention policy?
    19:10 Why is independent oversight critical for HOA finances?
    20:08 How does transparency help stop fraud before it grows?
    21:20 Why should boards always trust but verify?
    22:18 How can conflicts of interest create major HOA risks?
    23:24 What final lessons can HOA boards learn from this case?

    The views & opinions expressed in this program are those of the Hosts & Guests, intended to provide general education about the community association industry. The content is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual or organization.

    Podcast Links:
    Full Episode List
    Watch On Youtube

    Engage in the conversation!

    Call our 24/7 voicemail line at (805) 203-3130 or send an email or voice memo to podcast@reservestudy.com

    Nominate yourself or a Board Hero you Know!
    Board Hero Nominations

    Boardmember Merch Store!

    Connect with Hosts on LinkedIn

    Julie Adamen

    Kevin Davis, CIRMS

    Robert Nordlund, PE

    Support Our Sponsors

    Association Insights & Marketplace

    Association Reserves

    Community Financials

    Kevin Davis Insurance Services

    Stoke Light Video & Marketing

    The Inspectors of Election
    Show More Show Less
    26 mins
  • 162 | Handle Conflict at HOA Board Meetings WITHOUT The Drama

    162 | Handle Conflict at HOA Board Meetings WITHOUT The Drama
    Jun 15 2026
    Send us Fan MailThe best HOA board meetings handle disagreement without creating division or drama. Learn how to handle conflict!✅ Is a Reserve Study right for you? 👉 https://www.reservestudy.com/I'm here today for Episode #162 with a return special guest, Jim Slaughter, who joined us in the early days of the podcast for Episode #7. He is the President of Law Firm Carolinas, practicing throughout North and South Carolina. He regularly speaks on issues of real estate and community association law, and has written hundreds of HOA and condo articles. He has served as the National President of CAI’S College of Community Association Lawyers, President of the North Carolina Chapter of CAI, and President of the American College of Parliamentary Lawyers. Jim is nothing short of an expert; he is certified as a professional parliamentarian, professional registered parliamentarian, educator, and has written four books on running effective meetings. He holds a special position as the person to serve on the most parliamentarian organizations, from small HOA boards to annual meetings of 8,000 delegates. Today Jim joins us to help you successfully run orderly HOA board meetings that frame your association in a positive light, guiding your association into the future.Chapters:00:00 Why should HOA board meetings sometimes become more formal?00:57 Who is Jim Slaughter and why does his experience matter?05:00 Do HOA boards really need to follow Robert’s Rules?06:07 How formal should small HOA board meetings actually be?07:18 Why do larger HOA meetings require more structure?09:43 How can small boards stay casual but still professional?11:05 What rights do homeowners have during board meetings?13:54 How can unanimous consent speed up meetings?15:58 Why do good agendas make meetings easier to manage?17:32 What should HOA meeting minutes actually include?19:21 How can chairs clearly guide motions and voting?21:37 Why does a calm chair create better meetings?22:41 How do HOA boards handle disruptive members?24:30 Ad Break - Community Financials25:20 When should a board become more formal during conflict?28:09 Should HOA rules change because of difficult personalities?30:02 How should chairs respond to disruptive behavior?31:12 Why is de-escalation better than confrontation?32:06 When should HOA meetings use security presence?33:55 Why do homeowners behave better in fair meetings?34:07 How should board members handle disagreements professionally?35:57 Can avoiding meetings become a fiduciary issue?36:28 What final advice helps HOA boards run successful meetings?The views & opinions expressed in this program are those of the Hosts & Guests, intended to provide general education about the community association industry. The content is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual or organization.Podcast Links:Full Episode ListWatch On YoutubeEngage in the conversation!Call our 24/7 voicemail line at (805) 203-3130 or send an email or voice memo to podcast@reservestudy.comNominate yourself or a Board Hero you Know!Board Hero NominationsBoardmember Merch Store!Connect with Hosts on LinkedInJulie AdamenKevin Davis, CIRMSRobert Nordlund, PESupport Our SponsorsAssociation Insights & MarketplaceAssociation ReservesCommunity FinancialsKevin Davis Insurance ServicesStoke Light Video & MarketingThe Inspectors of Election
    Show More Show Less
    39 mins
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