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Quarterly, practical guidance for HOA boards & property managers. No fluff… just field-tested insight.
Skim the exact email here… or open it in a new tab if embeds don’t behave.
Most HOA problems don’t come from bad planning. They come from underestimating risk… in scope, in severity, or in how quickly conditions are changing.
Across California and Nevada, we see boards doing the “right” things on paper… reserve studies, maintenance reviews, vendor conversations, annual planning sessions. And yet projects still stall, budgets still stretch, and timelines still slip. The common culprit is simple: issues are known, but not truly understood.
“Most HOA emergencies don’t come out of nowhere… they come from issues that were underestimated early on.”
Most boards are aware of maintenance concerns: early dry rot, roof wear, drainage issues, exterior deterioration, life-safety items that “should probably be addressed soon.” But awareness alone doesn’t equal understanding.
Without deeper visibility, boards often underestimate issues:
Q1 is when that gap either closes… or quietly widens. Early in the year, boards still have leverage: assumptions can be tested, scope can be refined, and timelines can be adjusted.
Once engineering, permitting, or bidding is underway, flexibility disappears. Costs harden. Timelines lock. Options narrow. That’s why Q1 is the highest-leverage moment to pressure-test what you think you know.
One HOA waited until April to begin planning a project that required engineering and permits. As deeper requirements became clear, timelines slipped, the construction season was lost, and the project had to be rebid the following year… increasing total costs by nearly 10% without any change in scope.
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Q1 Trusted Partner: MindMe Technology
MindMe helps boards see what isn’t obvious yet… how conditions are changing, where risk is accelerating, and which issues deserve attention before they become emergencies. We co-developed a straightforward Q1 checklist to help boards pressure-test assumptions and confirm plans reflect today’s conditions… not last year’s snapshot.
Pressure-test assumptions before costs harden and timelines lock
If your board is heading toward bids, engineering, or permits, a short planning conversation can help you spot where hidden risk is still sitting inside the “known issues.”
Book a CallPrefer email? Contact Paul at paul@reevesadvisors.com
Most HOA emergencies don’t come out of nowhere. They come from issues that were underestimated early on. Q1 is your opportunity to see clearly, plan accurately, and avoid reactive decisions later in the year.
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Know another board member or property manager who would benefit from this? Forward this brief… helping more communities avoid costly mistakes is why we publish The Board Brief.
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