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Can your HOA qualify for a loan? Learn why your reserve study is key to financing projects and securing better loan terms.

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

HOA boards often wonder: Can our association qualify for a loan? This Week, Robert Nordlund talks with lending expert Walter Block about how lenders evaluate HOAs. Learn why reserve studies play a huge role in approval, what factors like delinquencies and occupancy mean, and how projects and repayment terms are structured. Water also goes over roof replacements, emergency repairs, and how how to secure financing and keep your community on track!

Get in Contact with Walter: walter.block@bancofca.com

Chapters From Today's Episode:

00:00 Why do HOAs sometimes need loans even with reserves?
00:39 Intro to Walter Block
03:44 What minimum size must an HOA have to qualify for a loan?
05:33 How do delinquencies and owner occupancy affect approval?
07:15 Why does the reserve study matter so much to lenders?
09:07 How are projects and loan amounts structured for HOAs?
12:26 What are typical HOA loan terms and interest rates?
14:34 Can HOAs borrow for projects not in their reserve study?
18:21 AD Break - Community Financials
18:53 How quickly can an HOA qualify and get loan approval?
21:24 What surprises can derail a loan during projects?
23:36 How are loans repaid—dues, special assessments, or both?
24:47 Why should associations use a separate account for loan funds?
27:13 How did disasters like Champlain Towers affect lending?
30:24 Why is owning real estate always expensive for HOAs?
32:40 What’s the final takeaway on HOA loans and reserve studies?

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. Please seek advice from licensed professionals.

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Julie Adamen

Kevin Davis, CIRMS

Robert Nordlund, PE

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HOA Board Hero Dulce Warren sits down to explains why fairness & listening matter most for effective HOA leadership!

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

HOA Board Hero Dulce Warren shares this week with Julie how fairness, listening, and ethics guide her approach to leadership. Dulce shares how she was tested leading on her HOA Board with tough issues like parking disputes and snow removal. She also explains how living and serving in the same place can lead to tricky situations where board members MUST balance boundaries and community harmony. These attributes allow HOA boards to be built on respect and service for your entire community!

Chapters From This Episode:

00:00 What responsibilities do HOA board members take on?

00:57 Introduction to this week’s HOA Board Hero Dulce Warren

02:15 Why did Dulce say yes to becoming a board member?

03:40 How did communication improve when Dulce set up direct contact with owners?

05:32 How did her nursing background shape her HOA leadership style?

07:29 Why does Dulce emphasize peace, privacy, and respect for homeowners?

09:19 How does her HOA handle rules, documents, and fairness?

10:11 How did she address parking complaints fairly?

12:57 What are some of the toughest issues her HOA faced?

14:47 Ad Break - HOA Invest

15:24 How did switching management companies improve service?

18:13 What professional experiences taught Dulce fairness and boundaries?

21:15 What advice does Dulce give new or potential board members?

25:09 Why should homeowners join their HOA board?

27:02 What happens if no one serves on the board?

27:38 Why does Dulce see board service as an ethical obligation?

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. Please seek advice from licensed professionals.

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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Julie Adamen

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Lower the temperature at your HOA Board meetings! Kevin Davis shares his mindfulness tools to pause, breathe, and respond with clarity!

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

HOA Board tensions don’t have to run the show. This week Kevin Davis shares that he has special training as a mindfulness facilitator at UCLA. He shares practical ways to slow reactivity and make better decisions. Learn the STOP technique (Stop, Take a breath, Observe, Proceed), a short pre-meeting meditation, and simple kindness practices that de-escalate conflict and protect your board culture. Show up present, focused, and calm so your community gets your best!

Show Notes:

Mindfulness is being present on purpose. Our bodies are always in the present—but our minds often drift to:

The past, which can bring worry or regret r r the future, which can trigger anxiety or fear. When we’re grounded in the present, we are less reactive and more responsive—especially in challenging situations.

Mindfulness Tool: The STOP Practice: A simple tool for staying present in moments of uncertainty: S – Stop, T – Take a breath, O – Observe what’s happening (inside and out), P – Proceed with intention. This short pause helps you respond—not react.

Mindfulness for Board Meetings: Begin meetings with a few minutes of breathing. This settles the body and calms the mind—leading to: Better focus, better conversations and more productive meetings.

End the meditation with a moment of kindness, such as silently wishing others: May you be well. May we work with ease and calm.

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