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HOA Pencil Sharpening: Crunching The Numbers

Written By: Richard Thompson
Friday, June 29, 2018

Now is the time when most homeowner associations count last years costs and crunch next years numbers hoping to squeeze blood out of a turnip. Often its so dry, there isnt even any turnip juice left much less any O positive. But crunch you must. Here are some of the ways to make the cash flow more freely.

Adjust by Inflation. This is a no brainer. Check the area Consumer Price Index - CPI and raise all budget items by at least that amount. An exception is utilities which often enjoy a larger rate increase based on the utilities the utility companies expect not to sell added to the cost of maintaining antiquated power generation plants plus a fudge factor they hope to slip by the utility rate commission a bit of budget humor.

Add a Contingency. A contingency is 5-10 of the total budget which is used to either cover all those things you forgot to include or could not foresee.

Looking Back for Future Savings. Next years budget should be based on prior years experience. Do a side by side comparison of the last three years actual costs. You may learn something like seeing large and unnoticed utility cost variances. You may catch a cost savings that got passed by unscrutinized.

Leave Out Potential Income. Late fees may not happen so dont count on them. Besides, its a bit insulting to plan on owner delinquency.

Assign Expenses by Category.

1. Administrative. Management Contract, Legal, Reserve Study, Accounting, Office Supplies, Postage

2. Utilities. Water/Sewer, Electrical, Phone, Gas, Cable amp; Internet

3. Maintenance. Landscape Contract, Gutter Cleaning, Pool Maintenance, Elevator Maintenance, Janitorial.

4. Reserve Contribution. To fund painting, roofing, fencing, etc. See Reserve Study for details.

Itemize Significant Expenses. Its important to know where significant monies are being spent. For example, rather than lumping everything into "General Repairs" divide it among "Plumbing Repairs", "Electrical Repairs" and "General Repairs". If this hasnt be done in the past, start doing it in the future. In other words, when a significant bill is paid, assign it a proper description so that next year the Budget Committee can assess whether there is a trend.

Reserve Intelligently. Reserves are funds collected to pay for periodic maintenance and repair to roofs, siding, paint, pools and other common area components. Its critical that these >

Include Board Education. While the board members are unpaid volunteers, the HOA should invest in educating them to improve their performance. Attending seminars and joining Community Associations Institute will all return enormous dividends as director competence improves.

Other Cost Cutting Hints:

Irrigation Water Costs. Does your system have a rain override that kills the sprinkling cycle when appropriate? You would be amazed how cheap this technology is. Budget for and get it installed before the next irrigation season.

Control Pool Temperature. A solar blanket can pay for itself very quickly. A 3-5 degree reduction in pool temperature heating can result in significant savings.

Solar Pool Water Heating. A pool is one of the HOAs biggest energy hogs. Solar heating can significantly reduce this cost and pay for itself in a few short years.

Lighting Conservation. Swap all common area incandescent lighting for compact fluorescent or other higher lumen/lower wattage alternatives. Add solar or clock devices to control exterior lighting.

Pay for leaky faucets and toilets. Even though fixing unit owner plumbing is not an HOA responsibility, the resulting water bill is.

Install Programmable Thermostats. For common hallways and clubhouses, these inexpensive controls can slash heating and cooling costs.

Xeriscape. This concept reduces landscape turf area in favor of local, drought resistance bushes, plants and ground covers. Besides reducing or eliminating mowing costs, water savings are impressive.

Sharpening the HOA budget pencil is not near as hard as you thought, now is it? When you see the savings pile up, that pencil will be your best friend.

For more innovative homeowner association management strategies, subscribe to www.Regenesis.net.





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