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Is this why HOAs make headline news?

News media love controversy, when people are at odds with one another. That's why HOA residents battling their association generates headline news.

Outside sources often influence the content and tone of stories, where particularly compelling -- often critical -- commentary about an HOA by managers and residents of other associations is featured in TV and newspaper stories. Officials representing the HOA that's in the news may be quoted, but more often than not, the tone is set by outside sources.

This isn't unusual, it happens all the time in business. In news about a particular business firm, outside sources -- executives with competing firms, industry analysts or activists -- often play a major role in stories. They're quoted more extensively and their observations can significantly influence public opinion and brand image of the company that's at the heart of the story.

If businesses are having a tough time, what can HOAs do?

Anticipating potential issues can be helpful. This isn't always easy, but if you can see ahead to issues that might boil over, you'll know what you could be facing at some point. Evaluating possible issues may take a team effort involving board members, your property manager and perhaps an HOA attorney.

Looking ahead may help your HOA avoid problems, especially when you see things that might be addressed before they boil over.

And keep prepared statements in mind. Those general -- even innocuous -- statements described elsewhere in this site that say a little something in response to questions without saying more than can be said.

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