In this inaugural episode of Hey Neighbor, Denise Haas sits down with Dawn Bauman, Chief Strategy Officer of the Community Associations Institute (CAI) and Executive Director of the Foundation for Community Association Research.

Dawn shares why the HOA model is misunderstood, how COVID and shifting social norms are still reshaping neighborhood life in 2025, and what it really means to be a “good neighbor” today. She dives into why enforcement shouldn’t be about fines, how modern board members need to think more like CEOs, and why understanding the financial and emotional cost of community living is key to a healthier future.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro

(01:51) Community challenges in 2025

(02:45) Covenant enforcement issues

(06:11) Economic, social, and environmental shifts post-COVID

(15:38) The origin and value of HOAs

(26:24) A developer's perspective on condominiums vs. apartments

(28:28) Future of community living

(29:39) Neighborly tips

Connect with our guest:

Dawn Bauman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawnbauman/

Learn more about the Foundation for Community Association Research: https://foundation.caionline.org/

Connect with me:

Denise Haas on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denise-haas-aa908219/

Learn more about Five Keys: https://www.fivekeyscm.com/