May 11, 2026
On March 18, 2026, Fannie Mae issued Lender Letter LL-2026-03 and updated its condominium lending guidelines. In addition to expanding the waiver of project review in condominiums with 10 or fewer units and retiring the limited review process on August 3, 2026, Fannie Mae’s 2026 condominium lending updates may significantly impact how condominium associations budget for reserves, maintain insurance, and…
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July 11, 2024
Should You Discount Assessments for Board Members? When managing a community association, the question of whether board members should receive discounts on their assessments can arise. While it might seem like a small gesture of appreciation for their volunteer service, there are several reasons why this practice is not in the best interest of the community. Legal and Financial Implications…
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February 16, 2024
How to Fix the Roads in your Condo or HOA: Increase Assessments or A Special Assessment District? The majority of new residential condominium and subdivision developments in the State of Michigan are established with private roads. When a new condominium project or subdivision is established with private roads, the roads are typically identified as a “common element” or a “common…
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August 23, 2023
Guidelines for Preparing Your Association Budget Preparing an annual budget is essential for the financial stability of community associations. However, not all associations know how to effectively create an association budget. To help you with this task, here are some guidelines that will make preparing your budget a straightforward process: Create a Budgeting Committee: While it’s the board’s responsibility to…
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August 1, 2023
Enhancing Community Safety and Financial Planning: New Reserve Study Standards Community Associations play a vital role in managing and maintaining the shared assets of their members. However, ensuring the safety and longevity of these properties requires meticulous planning and budgeting. In response to the tragic incident at Champlain Towers South, the Community Associations Institute (CAI) has taken decisive steps to…
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August 1, 2023
What Your Condo Association Needs to Know About the New Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Lending Guidelines The Surfside condominium collapse led to significant reform in the condominium lending industry. In Lender Letter LL-2021-14, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac implemented temporary lending guidelines in 2021 for condominium purchasers that desired to secure a mortgage as was previously discussed in…
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