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HOA incivility can spread fast in your community. Learn when tension becomes toxic and how boards can lead with clarity, kindness, and control!

✅ Is a Reserve Study right for you? 👉 https://www.reservestudy.com/

Incivility inside an HOA is more than bad behavior. It’s contagious, corrosive, and can quietly undermine leadership and decision-making. Robert and Kevin explore how disrespect escalates, why tone matters during tough decisions like special assessments, and how board members can reset community culture. Remember: kindness is not weakness!

Chapters:

00:00 Why does incivility feel worse in HOAs than anywhere else?
03:56 What exactly counts as incivility in a community association?
04:56 Why is incivility contagious while nuisance behavior is not?
06:07 How does disrespect lower the emotional temperature of a community?
08:02 Why does kindness change assessment collection and enforcement?
08:45 How does tone shape how homeowners receive bad news?
09:41 Why do special assessments amplify incivility?
11:05 How can boards communicate bad news with compassion?
11:50 Why does leadership tone start inside the board room?
13:43 How does compassion reset HOA culture?
14:38 Why does simply acknowledging concerns calm conflict?
15:47 Why is assuming good intent a leadership skill?
16:59 How does fiduciary duty override personal disagreement?
18:36 Why do professional opinions defuse board conflict?
20:29 What is the communication stop sign and why does it matter?
21:12 When should boards pause meetings to cool things down?
22:40 Ad Break - Kevin Davis Insurance Services
23:09 How do boards proactively set expectations for kindness?
24:36 Why do vision and mission statements influence behavior?
25:55 How does celebrating small wins improve community culture?
26:53 Why does kindness make collaboration possible?
27:42 How can boards make kindness contagious again?
28:10 Why is civility ultimately a choice for leaders?

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

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Roof replacements are one of the biggest HOA decisions. Learn what HOA Boards need to know and prepare before timing, budgeting, or hiring go wrong!
✅ Is a Reserve Study right for you? 👉 https://www.reservestudy.com/

Replacing a roof is one of the most expensive and risky decisions an HOA Board will ever make. In this episode, roofing expert Jeremy Lara from Baja Roofing shares what boards need to know before relying on a reserve study, choosing contractors, or waiting too long. Learn how timing, maintenance, transparency, and communication determine whether a roof project protects your community or creates costly emergencies that future boards regret!

Chapters:
00:00 Why do HOA boards struggle with roof replacement decisions?
00:47 Intro to Guest Jeremy Lara from Baja Roofing
03:58 How should boards interpret roof timelines in a reserve study?
05:42 Where should boards find reputable roofing professionals?
06:43 When is the right time to start seeking roofing advice?
08:01 What are the telltale signs a roof is reaching end of life?
08:45 Why should board members see roof conditions firsthand?
10:21 Is it cheaper to replace a roof early or wait too long?
11:59 What does proper annual roof maintenance look like?
13:28 How can poor maintenance void roofing warranties?
14:58 Should multi-building HOAs replace all roofs at once?
16:09 How does inflation affect long-term roofing costs?
17:31 Why do roofing materials and brands matter?
18:32 How can boards vet roofing contractors effectively?
19:55 Why do low bids often lead to costly change orders?
21:05 Ad Break - Community. Financials
21:36 Why should HOA boards hire independent project oversight?
24:21 How does daily photo documentation protect HOAs?
26:29 What board behaviors make roofing projects fail?
28:13 Why waiting until it rains is the most expensive mistake?
29:45 How do roof decisions impact future HOA boards?

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

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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

Stokelight Video & Marketing

The Inspectors of Election

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AI, incivility, and staffing shortages… these are the top trends community associations must prepare for in 2026!
✅ Is a Reserve Study right for you? 👉 https://www.reservestudy.com/

2026 is not business as usual for community associations (but neither was last year!). Robert, Kevin, and Julie break down the three biggest trends shaping the year ahead, including rising incivility, misuse of AI, staffing challenges, and growing financial pressure. So how HOA board members like yourself can protect trust, fulfill fiduciary responsibilities, and lead with clarity as communities face higher costs, older infrastructure, and increasing complexity. Preparation today determines stability tomorrow!

Chapters:

00:00 Why are Community Associations entering 2026 under more pressure?

00:51 Why did Robert, Kevin, and Julie gather to discuss future trends together?

04:07 Why is incivility the number one threat facing associations?

04:49 How did COVID permanently change HOA behavior?

06:45 Why can’t boards control others, only their reactions?

07:35 Why are board members always being watched?

08:33 How does better communication lower community tension?

09:57 How can boards release pressure before conflict erupts?

10:13 Why is leadership a political role in associations?

12:34 How does having a clear goal stabilize HOA decision making?

14:03 Why do vision and mission statements lower the temperature?

16:21 How long does it take to repair trust in a community?

18:26 Ad Break - Association Reserves

18:57 Why is financial stress amplifying community conflict?

19:21 Why is AI not a defendable position for HOA decisions?

21:02 How should boards actually use AI safely?

23:59 Why does fiduciary responsibility still require human judgment?

25:15 Why is staffing becoming a crisis for HOAs?

27:17 Why do boards struggle to recruit and retain volunteers?

30:24 Why are older associations facing greater financial strain?

33:43 Why must assessments rise as associations age?

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

Stokelight Video & Marketing

The Inspectors of Election