The HOA industry is in a very active phase of consolidation with mergers and acquisitions. But even as larger management corporations take over longstanding medium and small businesses, newcomers are entering the scene. Host Tom Freeley sits down with Laura Hurtado, CCAM-PM.CI, who recently launched Synergy Management Group in San Diego. After working many years in the industry managing all types of communities—from onsite self-managed to high rise, large scale and commercial associations—Hurtado broke out on her own to start a small business. Hear about her journey to becoming an entrepreneur, and what she’s doing to set her company apart.

Links & Resources:
Visit us at www.cacm.org
To listen to other podcast episodes, go to https://cacm.org/podcast/
Follow us on social media: @cacmchat
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cacm/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CACMchat/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cacmchat/
X: https://x.com/CACMchat

Homeowners’ associations should set aside anywhere from 15 to 40 percent of their annual budget to adequately fund reserves, says Reserve Specialist Matthew Swain. However, many boards and associations kick the can down the road and avoid setting aside money into their reserve fund because they don’t want to increase assessments. But if you treat reserves like an impound account on a mortgage, it will be easier for boards and associations to pay expenses when components fail or need to be replaced or repaired. In this episode, host Tom Freeley and Swain discuss how to approach a reserve budget, what a reserve study should cover, the three- part test for reserve studies, and national reserve study standards.

Links & Resources:
Visit us at www.cacm.org
To listen to other podcast episodes, go to https://cacm.org/podcast/
Follow us on social media: @cacmchat
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cacm/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CACMchat/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cacmchat/
X: https://x.com/CACMchat

In part two of this 2024 legislative update, community management executive Joseph Price weighs in on the balcony bill, the CID repair bill and the electronic voting bill, all which were recently signed into law. What now? How do you start to implement at the association level? It’s not going to be plug and play. Plus, the deadline to comply with the Corporate Transparency Act looms large and association boards have to act sooner rather than later. As it currently stands, there are no exemptions for homeowners’ associations. Take the time to learn about new legislation and the steps you will need to take, host Tom Freeley advises.

Links & Resources:
Visit us at www.cacm.org
To listen to other podcast episodes, go to https://cacm.org/podcast/
Follow us on social media: @cacmchat
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cacm/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CACMchat/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cacmchat/
X: https://x.com/CACMchat