Top 5 Reasons Your Association Needs ECHO

Published in the ECHO Journal, June 2013

5. Managing an HOA is difficult. Doing it alone is impossible. With ECHO, you’re not alone!

Did you know that there are over 45,000 homeowners associations in California? And some of them face the same challenges you do, and have figured out how to move forward. ECHO is a community of associations committed to supporting each other and improving HOA life in California. We were founded by board members like you: committed, concerned, and looking for answers.

4. Every year, the California Legislature rewrites the rules for your HOA. ECHO gives you a voice.

Everything changes in January. You probably know that the Davis-Stirling Act—the statute that dictates how all California homeowners associations must operate—has been completely rewritten, and will be effective January 1, 2014. We are helping our HOA members prepare for the changes. But did you know that there are routinely over a dozen bills active in the California legislature that may affect how your association operates? ECHO and its contract advocate work tirelessly to ensure that your rights are protected and your concerns addressed. Our website includes all the news you need to know about what the legislature is up to, and how you can participate in the debate.

3. You know what’s in your budget. ECHO shows you what’s missing.

Here’s what you probably already know: the Davis-Stirling Act requires associations to conduct a Reserve Study every three years. That study analyzes your association’s major components (e.g. roofs, pools, etc.), predicts how long they will last, and how much they will cost. The study also provides a recommended “reserve contribution” to stay ahead of those costs.

But here’s what you may not know: simply complying with the statutory requirements WILL leave your community short! Did you know your association is not required to look on the roof or in the crawl spaces to see if there is dry rot or deterioration? Or that some reserve studies use Google Maps to view your buildings? Did you know that your association is not actually required to fund its reserves in order to pay to replace decaying building components?

The study you purchase may be cheap, and it may comply with the law, but you could have a disaster on your hands. Let ECHO break down the complicated math and expose the missing parts. A little education could mean the difference between a bill for $20,000 and a small monthly increase of $15. ECHO looks beyond what the law requires to help you understand what you should be doing.

2. A single lawsuit can crush your association. ECHO helps keep you current, compliant, and out of court.

Sealed ballots, annual disclosures, meeting agendas, hearings, 30-day notices, collections policies – all burdens of association living, and all required by law. We understand that perfect compliance with the law feels impossible. But we also know what happens when you don’t comply: failure to follow the law, in its smallest details, is an invitation for litigation. And litigation can turn your community into a debtor’s prison, with the association coffers drained to pay for a lawsuit and lawyers’ fees.

ECHO takes the mystery out of compliance. Get to know the rules, and learn how to make them work for you and your neighbors. Good policies combined with open access to information and decision-making can free your Board to plan and act for the community without fear of reprisal.

1. ECHO is your HOA’s community, library, and champion. Use us!

ECHO offers a huge variety of tools to learn, socialize, and to advocate for your community. See how we reach out to our members, and to your neighbors.

The ECHO Journal: 40 years of professional guidance.

The ECHO Journal brings you monthly articles with in-depth discussion of contemporary issues facing California homeowners associations. We vary the article content to ensure we cover a bit of something that everyone can learn from. And we feature the best experts in the industry, so you know you can rely on their advice. During the legislative year, we share the most current status on bills affecting HOAs, along with ECHO’s position. We update you on our Seminars and other important events, to which you are always invited. And our corner bookstore brings you the best in association management guidance, at discounted prices. The Journal also links you to professionals who are eager to share their expertise with you.

The ECHO Website: instant information, instant community.

The ECHO website, www.echo-ca.org, gives you immediate access to articles, legislation, video, upcoming events, and more. Read the ECHO Journal in electronic form, and select from more than 100 issues, all searchable via our index. Or search for brief answers to your questions through keyword and topic searches. Want to know what laws apply to a particular subject? We have all the codes relevant to HOAs searchable on our site, with expert interpretation right on the same page. Our HOA Advocacy page is updated daily, and provides the latest news, insights, position papers, and suggestions on contacting your legislators to voice your opinion. Or if you prefer in-person instruction, view our upcoming educational seminars. Find the speakers and topics important to you and plan ahead to attend. And coming soon will be our very own HOA social network, where you can share experiences to gain new insights from owners in associations just like yours. Securely manage your membership, and start growing your community.

ECHO Regional Seminars and Trade Shows: in-person training.

In 2012 ECHO hosted an Annual Seminar and five half-day Regional Educational Seminars. In 2013 we have expanded to two trade show size Annual Seminars, eight half-day Regional Educational Seminars, and two San Francisco luncheons. On August 23, 2013, we will host our first ECHO San Jose Annual Seminar and Trade Show, featuring over a dozen of the industry’s top experts discussing a wide array of topics, along with over one hundred professional vendors showcasing their services and eager to talk with you to help solve your issues. Stay tuned for 2014. We’re sure to have a seminar near you. Find our event schedule is in every ECHO Journal, or on the website along with easy online registration.

ECHO is your community! Please look over our resources with a FREE 30 day trial membership, and let us show you how your association can benefit from ECHO. Sign up today at www.echo-ca.org