A Reserve Study helps you to anticipate and prepare for repair and replacement expenses at your property. All buildings begin to physically deteriorate the moment they are completed, making the need for repairs not a question of if but when? This is where a Reserve Study comes in, turning these projects into predictable expenses, rather than a financial surprise.

As we look towards the final months of this year, it’s time to begin planning for 2020 and consider the important role of HOA Reserve Studies. An updated Reserve Study guides your association to have sufficient funds before a major physical asset fails. Otherwise, you’ll be forced to scramble for additional funding to cover essential common area repairs and replacements that are both inevitable and predictable.

Choosing to live in a condominium complex or gated townhouse community certainly has many perks as to the maintenance of the property. As part of such a community, homeowners enjoy care-free living while the homeowners association or HOA is tasked with ensuring that all of the common areas of the property are well-maintained and cared for.

Reserve Studies are intended as a tool to anticipate and budget for the expense of repairing, refurbishing, or replacing common areas in an Association-governed community. In order for these shared locations to be properly maintained, enough funds must be allocated to “reserves” so that any deterioration and/or damage that occurs on the property may be fixed in a timely manner.

A Reserve Study is a tool to analyze and assess the physical health of any property. In the case of Association-governed communities like condos, co-ops, HOAs, OAs, POAs, and PUDS, the property’s future is in the hands of the Board of Directors. A Reserve Study that is up to date and relevant on an annual basis safeguards board members from any liability that may arise from any evidence that the reserves have been mismanaged or poorly maintained.

A significant deadline is rapidly approaching: the 3/15/2012 date when the higher 2010 ADA standards apply to all new and altered recreational facilities.