Free Virtual Learning

A few months ago, during a routine property walk through a quiet single-family neighborhood near Dublin, we noticed a home that stood out — but not for the right reasons. The lawn was overgrown, weeds were choking the flower beds, and a couple of trash cans had been left at the curb for days. Under strict enforcement, this would typically trigger a violation notice and a potential fine. But a quick conversation with the homeowner revealed a different story entirely: she was a

They tell you that buying a home is about safety. About putting down roots, locking the door at night, and knowing you are standing on your own piece of the earth. What they don’t always tell you is that when you sign those papers, you are also signing up to share governance with the people across the hall. Writing this makes our entire team uncomfortable. It is the most vulnerable, most controversial piece we have ever put into the world. In our industry, property managers a

When homeowners pack into a standard board meeting and start demanding an audit, the collective stomach of the leadership team usually drops. Heads turn to the treasurer, minds flash to dense stacks of bank statements, and everyone prepares for a grueling, expensive deep dive into the general ledger by a certified public accountant. Decades of property management experience across Central Ohio have taught us a secret about these tense situations. When residents demand an audi

In January 2025, a 6-building garden-style condo association in Westerville needed a massive asphalt replacement project. The board was organized, so they began scoping the work immediately while a winter snowstorm covered the property. By utilizing the winter downtime, our property management team gathered three highly competitive bids from Columbus contractors who were eager to lock in work for their upcoming spring schedules. The community saved exactly $14,500 compared to

Intro In August 2024, a long-time resident in a 24-unit brick walkup in Grandview Heights noticed that a first-floor patio had cluttered boxes and unraked leaves sitting there for three weeks. Instead of knocking on the door or offering a hand, the resident sent three notes in five days to our office demanding immediate fines for curb appeal violations. It turned out the homeowner was recovering from a sudden illness. A fifteen-minute assist from a neighbor would have solved

Here’s a scenario that’s more common than you might think. Last spring, a board president from a community in Westerville called our office with a problem that felt minor at first — a landscaper’s aerator had clipped an electrical line running to the community entrance feature. The aeration was a routine $600 job the board had approved without a second thought. The repair bill? Nearly $4,200. Three weeks without entrance lighting. One very uncomfortable letter to the comm

Well maintained Central Ohio condominium community with freshly paved asphalt and recently audited maintenance, reflecting strong financial controls. In June 2024, an eight building garden style condo association in Columbus faced a sudden financial hurdle. Their community dumpster rental costs spiked unexpectedly. The board was stretched tight on cash and split three to two on a vote to delay standard pressure washing just to cover the overage. We stepped in on an intake cal

In May 2022, a board member at a six building garden style condo association in Westerville noticed a small patch of peeling paint near a second story window frame. It looked minor, the kind of thing that could wait until the next budget cycle. By the time November winds began to whip across Central Ohio, that tiny gap had let in enough moisture to rot the interior framing. The result was a $4,200 repair bill for a single unit, and the board still split three to two on the em

A Tuesday Morning in German Village August 2024. A board president of a 24 unit brick walkup off Beck Street called us on a Tuesday morning, frustrated. Two owners had been leaving notes on each other windshields for five days. The last one was taped to a side mirror with shipping tape. He wanted to start fining people. We talked him into a different first move. Saturday at 9 a.m., two pots of Stauf’s, a folding table, and a sign that read Guest Parking, Let’s Sort It Out. Si

If you serve on an HOA board in Central Ohio, you have probably felt the weekly pull of decisions that should not be on your plate. You volunteered to lead, but the role started to look more like a help desk. Nowhere does that show up more clearly than in landscaping, where a single line item quietly drives property values, resident sentiment, and how much of your evening you give back to the community. Curb appeal isn’t a luxury. At least not for the boards I’ve watched succ

Compliance Season Is Here; and That's Actually a Good Thing The grass is greening up. Garage doors are open on weekends. Folks are out edging flower beds, touching up paint, and finally getting to that mailbox post that's been leaning since February. Spring in Ohio means one more thing for HOAs: compliance season. I've been managing community associations in Central Ohio for fifteen years, and every April I have the same conversation with boards across the region. Nobody on a

Water submetering usage reports and financial analysis for Columbus Ohio HOA and Condo associations. If you’re on an HOA or condo board in Columbus, Ohio and your financials never quite seem to line up, water submetering may be part of the reason. We see this kind of issue often in the communities we manage. The occupancy is steady, the assessments are coming in, and yet the numbers still feel off. When we dig into it, water is often one of the first places we find a gap. Tha

Managing an HOA or Condo Association is more than just landscaping and pool maintenance; it’s about fiscal responsibility. As tax season and financial audits loom, boards often find themselves overwhelmed by complex IRS filings and compliance requirements. This week, we are excited to highlight our partnership with Devin and Co ( https://devinandco.com/ ). If you haven’t subscribed to their newsletter yet, you are missing out on some of the most insightful financial strategie

Serving on your HOA or Condo Association board doesn’t have to take over your life. In fact, with smart time management and the right support from a professional property management company, you can make confident decisions and keep your community thriving in about one hour a week or less. Here’s how you can make that happen. 1. Delegate Daily Operations to Your Property Management Partner The most successful board members know that efficiency begins with trust. A reliable co

Community association management becomes significantly more challenging when budgets spiral out of control. Board members often find themselves caught between maintaining property values and keeping assessments reasonable, particularly when unexpected expenses arise or reserves fall short. Effective financial oversight requires more than good intentions. Without proper systems for budgeting, record-keeping, and expense controls, even well-meaning boards can face delinquencies

Annual meetings are an important moment for any condominium or homeowners association. They give residents the opportunity to elect board members, review the past year, and set the direction for the future. For boards, however, annual meetings often come with something else: leadership transition . Some board members step down, new volunteers step forward, and the responsibility of guiding the community changes hands. When handled well, this transition strengthens the communi

Serving on the board of your condominium or homeowners association is an important role. Board members help guide the financial health, maintenance, and long-term success of the community. But it’s also important to remember something that often gets overlooked: Serving on an HOA board is a volunteer position. Board members are neighbors who care about their community. They are not full-time property managers, accountants, maintenance coordinators, or customer service represe

In many condominium and HOA communities, leasing starts small… and then quietly grows. Before the board realizes it, investor ownership has increased, lender questions start surfacing, and communication becomes harder. At Capital Property Solutions (CPS) , we believe lease tracking shouldn’t be reactive, it should be proactive, accurate, and consistent. That’s where our IMPACT Analysis – Leases comes in. Why Accurate Lease Tracking Matters Lease tracking isn’t about restrict

Federal taxes are one of the most misunderstood responsibilities of community association boards. Many board members assume taxes are “handled by the CPA” and never think about them again, until an unexpected tax bill or IRS question shows up. The reality is that informed boards make better tax decisions , reduce risk, and avoid costly surprises. This article breaks down the basics every HOA and condo board should know, without accounting jargon. Why Community Association Tax

A real-world look at our first 60 days of association management Changing management companies is one of the most consequential decisions a board can make. For many communities, it follows years of inconsistent enforcement, unclear communication, or frustration with annual meetings and financial reporting. At Capital Property Solutions (CPS), we approach every transition with the same goal: restore clarity, consistency, and confidence—quickly and sustainably . This case study

Most community association boards don’t wake up thinking, “Our collections policy is broken.” They think, “This is how it’s always been done.” That’s exactly why collections quietly become one of the biggest drags on cash flow, reserves, vendor relationships, and ultimately resident trust. At our company, we decided to take an analytical approach to dues collection analysis. Instead of doing what everyone else does, we flipped it on its head. Introducing the IMPACT Analysis™

Serving on a Homeowners Association (HOA) or Condo Board in Columbus, Ohio, can be both fulfilling and challenging. While board members...

One of the most valuable services offered by an HOA management company in Columbus, Ohio, is vendor management . Whether it’s hiring...

In Columbus, Ohio, condo community maintenance is more than just mowing lawns and taking out the trash. It’s about ensuring that the...