HOA Strategic

A zombie statue named "Clawed" has been living, so to speak, in the front yard of a Nashville home in an HOA community for five of the past 10 years, according to stories in a number of news media. In the stories, the Zombie is shown clawing his way to ground level through what looks to be bark chips surrounding a small tree or shrub. But now, the HOA is requesting that Clawed be laid to rest, so to speak. In other words, the homeowners association wants the zombie to be gone for good. Is this a classic conundrum, or what? With HOA policies on one hand and something humorous on the other. There's this observation in Clawed news -- "the homeowner's association needs to lighten up a little bit." Now, HOA property managers and attorneys would probably suggest that policies should take precedence. Because policies and rules are important. And they are important! But then there's the PR side of the situation whereby calling for the zombie's demise,...

by Harvey Radin   You're just residing in a homeowners association like your neighbors. Until that day you're talked into running for election to the HOA board. And you win! Then you discover you're a face of your HOA community. You're on the front line when neighbors have issues. And if a particularly thorny issue escalates and everyone, your neighbors and even news media, wants your side of the story, are you ready for prime time? To put this in perspective, even if you're not ready, you're in good company. Lots of people, even CEOs in business, are reluctant spokespersons thrust into a challenging role. But the fact remains that whether you're a CEO or a director on an HOA board, what you say, how you say it and how you act can influence opinion. So, like a kid playing tag, you're it, you and others serving with you on the board. Unless there's someone else, a professional property manager or an attorney, who can speak on behal...

One of the big short-term rental companies is getting tons of publicity about this contest involving humans and sharks. But hey!! What if sharks have concerns like lots of people have? Like these concerns about overnight renters and vacationers taking over residential neighborhoods, including HOAs.