News and Updates

What used to be “fire season” now stretches nearly year-round, and HOA boards throughout the state are discovering that fire preparedness has evolved from a community service issue into a legal necessity. When Good Intentions Meet Legal Reality Community management professionals throughout California have witnessed the legal landscape around fire safety shift dramatically over the… Continue reading Fire Season Preparedness: Your HOA’s Legal Obligations in California

One of the most common challenges HOA boards face is getting meaningful input from your community beyond the usual complaints and concerns. When boards operate with limited feedback, they’re essentially flying blind. Decisions get made based on incomplete information, leading to community pushback, wasted resources, and frustrated homeowners who feel unheard. But here’s the thing:… Continue reading Community Feedback That Works: How to Collect (and Use) Homeowner Input

Last month, the board of a 120-unit condominium complex in San Diego received a shock that’s becoming all too familiar across California. Their reserve study, completed just two years earlier, projected $180,000 for roof replacement. But the actual bids are over $280,000. This was not an isolated incident of contractor price gouging but the new… Continue reading Rising Construction Costs in California: Why Your HOA’s Reserve Study May Be Underestimating Future Expenses

So, you’ve got a new board member in your homeowners’ association (HOA). That’s a good thing because you have fresh eyes, new ideas, and someone willing to step up for the community. But if they’re greeted with a stack of bylaws, budget spreadsheets, and a calendar full of meetings… chances are, they’ll feel overwhelmed before… Continue reading Onboarding New HOA Board Members Without Overwhelming Them

Let’s be honest—most people don’t grow up dreaming of working in HOA management. But for a lot of professionals, it turns out to be a career that offers purpose, variety, and steady growth. If you’re organized, good with people, and want work that actually matters, this might be the career path for you. Let’s break… Continue reading Thinking About a Career in HOA Management? Here’s What It’s Really Like

Being on the homeowners association (HOA) Board is not easy. If you’re feeling stretched thin, missing meetings, or starting to think, “Why am I even doing this?” — you might be dealing with board burnout. And you’re not alone. Here’s how to spot it—and stop it—before it gets worse. 🔥 Common Signs of Burnout •… Continue reading How to Avoid HOA Board Burnout

Let’s be honest: just about every community these days has a Facebook group, a chat thread, or a neighborhood app. It’s quick. It’s convenient. And whether we like it or not — most homeowners are already there. For HOA Boards, social media can feel like both a blessing and a headache. Used right, it’s a… Continue reading Social Media and HOAs: How Boards Can Use It (Without the Headaches)

Lately, many HOA Boards are getting the same unpleasant surprise: insurance premiums are going up—and fast. In some cases, policies that were stable for years are suddenly jumping by 20%, 30%, or even more. If your HOA recently opened a renewal notice and felt the sting, you’re not alone. But why is this happening? Let’s… Continue reading Why Are HOA Insurance Premiums Going Up? What Board Members Need to Know

If you’ve ever wondered who to call when the sprinklers won’t stop running, or why you’re paying monthly dues when your street looks the same, you’re not alone. HOA management can feel like a behind-the-scenes operation—but it impacts everything from how clean your common areas are to how smoothly your Board meetings run. Whether you’re… Continue reading 10 Most Common Questions About HOA Management—Answered

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is showing up in tools we use in our daily lives; managing communities is not an exception. From smart maintenance tracking to 24/7 homeowner support, artificial intelligence is helping HOA managers and boards work smarter, not harder. It also raises an important question: how do we use homeowner data responsibly? Let’s deep… Continue reading AI and HOA Data: The Possibilities and What to Watch Out For

If you’ve ever lived in a community with a homeowners association (HOA), you know how important it is to have things running smoothly: clean common areas, timely repairs, clear communication, and a team that genuinely cares. Behind that smooth operation is a team of HOA professionals working quietly (and sometimes not-so-quietly!) to keep everything in… Continue reading What Makes a Great HOA Management Team Member?

After the pandemic, many HOAs were able to rise better and stronger. It is undeniable that the unprecedented event in our history has left us nothing but meaningful lessons in management. Fast forward to 2025, HOA management is expected to be more organized, responsive, and proactive, and many are stepping up with the help of… Continue reading HOA Management Trends in 2025

At Grayson Community Management, we work with boards across California, and we’ve seen what works (and what doesn’t) during the first few months. Here’s a simple guide to help your new board focus on what really matters in those critical first 100 days. ✅ 1. Get to Know Your Governing Documents Your CC&Rs, bylaws, and… Continue reading First 100 Days: What HOA Board Should Prioritize

HOA dues keep your community running. The funds that were collected from the homeowners are used to maintain landscapes and to cover insurance, utilities, and essential repairs. So when a homeowner falls behind on payments, it can put pressure on the board and the entire budget. Here’s a simple guide to help HOA boards in… Continue reading What to Do If Homeowners Aren’t Paying Dues

Not all community newsletters get read. Some get skimmed, many get ignored, and others go straight to the trash. Here are a few simple, practical tips from the Grayson Community Management team to help HOA boards write better newsletters that connect with homeowners and get the message across. 1. Keep It Short and Easy to… Continue reading Tips for HOA Boards in Creating Community Newsletters That Actually Get Read

Homeowner complaints are part and parcel of managing any HOA. Board members are often the first point of contact for issues involving noise, landscaping, parking, or rule enforcement, and your response can directly impact the community’s overall trust and satisfaction. Here are some practical, real-world strategies our team has compiled to help in responding to… Continue reading Handling Complaints: Practical Guide for HOA Boards

We often hear the terms HOA board and HOA manager used together. But what exactly does an HOA manager do? Are they just an extra expense? Or are they actually a smart investment that helps streamline the daily operations of your community? The truth is, HOA managers are there to help. And for many California… Continue reading Why Do You Need an HOA Manager?

HOA board meetings can sometimes feel longer than they need to be. You start with good intentions, but before you know it, two hours have passed and the real decisions haven’t even been made. At Grayson Community Management, we work with HOA boards across California, and we hear it all the time: “We want shorter… Continue reading How to Run More Efficient HOA Board Meetings

[San Mateo, CA] — Grayson Community Management (GCM) is reinforcing its ongoing commitment to serve HOA boards across California with dependable, responsive, and relationship-driven community management. GCM continues to focus on what truly matters to board members: clear communication, transparent financials, and support that’s tailored to the unique needs of each community — big or… Continue reading Grayson Community Management reinforces commitment to California HOA Boards with Steady, Personalized Support

How Grayson helps HOA boards stay connected — and how boards can do the same for their homeowners If you’ve ever served on an HOA board, you know how quickly things can get overwhelming — missed emails, unclear updates, and last-minute decisions. It’s frustrating. And honestly? It doesn’t have to be that way. At Grayson… Continue reading Great Communities Start with Great Communication

May is here, and that means one thing for HOA boards across California. It’s time to get your community in top shape before summer hits. At Grayson Community Management, we know how busy this season can get: residents are excited to use the pool, patios, and playgrounds, and expectations are high. The best way to… Continue reading May Maintenance Must-Do’s: Get Your Community Summer-Ready!

As California’s HOA boards juggle more responsibilities than ever, Grayson Community Management is stepping in with clear, hands-on support to ease the pressure and keep HOA boards on their feet. From vendor delays to legal compliance headaches, HOA boards across the state are facing mounting challenges. After working with dozens of local communities, Grayson has… Continue reading Grayson Community Management Identifies Top Challenges Facing HOA Boards in 2025 — And Steps Up With Solutions That Actually Work

Homeowners Associations (HOAs) exist to secure and preserve the functional wellness of community of homes, including subdivisions, condominiums, townhomes, or planned community. According to Legal Sources (HG.org) HOAs are needed since the 1960s because: They helped developers by allowing them to transfer the day-to-day operations of their properties to an association of the property homeowners… Continue reading How Do Property Managers Help HOAs?