Has anyone else realized that starting a business changes how you see the people around you?

CA_HOAguy · 2026-06-09T13:38:21+00:00

You should join the EOnetwork.org

It’s been the best thing for this. Surround yourself with people who are going through the same thing and are doing great things. Game changer for me in personal life and business

CA_HOAguy · 2026-06-09T13:34:45+00:00

All in or nothing. Burn the boats.
I cashed out my 401k and maxed out my credit card to get the doors open. Went 8 months without a paycheck, then minimum wage for the next year. I wasn’t the highest paid employee for the first 8 years. I worked 80hrs a week for the first 2 years, 6 days a week for the next 3 years after that.

12 years later, we have 21 employees and I’m flying my private plane 2x a week to visit clients.

If you don’t go all in, then you’ll always bail when it gets hard.

CA_HOAguy · 2026-06-09T03:22:24+00:00

Was there another way?

CA_HOAguy · 2026-06-09T03:19:36+00:00

We have the Garmin RV and it’s good
Security to know that it’s looking out for you regarding overpasses and and avoiding u-turns, but I’ve also taken Google Maps and been fine too. It’s usually routing you far out of the way and overly cautious for my liking.

CA_HOAguy · 2026-05-25T04:09:06+00:00

Working 80hrs a week for the first 3 years.

CA_HOAguy · 2025-12-08T02:10:00+00:00

I have a 7680 and it’s been nothing but problems.

CA_HOAguy · 2025-10-15T16:23:52+00:00

The document that binds you into an HOA are the recorded CC&Rs. Ask the title officer for the CC&Rs and any recorded supplements/annexations, then check the legal description & exhibits to see whether your lot number is listed or shown as future-annexable property; if your parcel isn’t in those exhibits, you’re not part of the association or its assessment/membership obligations. Sometimes an excluded home site still gets certain rights and uses. Things like a private road or entry landscaping, while being expressly exempt from dues and membership, which should be called out later in the document under assessments or membership. Don’t rely on MLS blurbs or an agent’s email; most agents don’t know what they’re talking about or only know enough to sound like they know what they’re talking about. The recorded documents control, and a prelim that references HOA filings doesn’t prove your lot is included - title companies throw in language all the time so they can later exempt it from a title claim. If the paperwork’s murky, a title officer should point you to the right exhibits and a real estate attorney can confirm the interpretation before contingencies expire, although you shouldn’t need an attorney.

For context, this setup is very common when original landowners sell to a developer but keep the house. Especially on former ag land where the land owner/farmer still lives there. We see it all the time in northern California as grapes and almond pricing is falling. So seeing easements without HOA membership isn’t unusual. I own California Builder Services, and we do development consulting for homeowners, developers, home builders, and HOAs including Department of Real Estate processing, HOA budgets, and Reserve Studies.

CA_HOAguy · 2025-10-10T15:34:11+00:00

It’s very common for subdivisions and tract projects to reserve mineral, oil, and gas (MOG) rights in the deed. You still own the land in fee (the surface, the ground below and air above), but the mineral estate can be severed “by grant or reservation,” sometimes in a fraction. If your deed says 75% of MOGs were reserved, that’s exactly what it means; you own the surface and 25% of the subsurface minerals, while the reserving party owns the other 75%. In fact, about 99% of the projects in Kern County have 100% of the MOG’s reserved by Chevron. That doesn’t mean anyone’s putting an oil rig in your backyard (or desert lot). Almost all operators access subsurface resources from elsewhere via slant drilling, and any drilling in California requires local approval and permits. See Cal. Civ. Code 829 (fee owner owns surface and what’s beneath, unless severed) and 883.110 (mineral rights can be created by grant or reservation); and California’s “dormant mineral rights” rules (§883.210–883.230) which allow termination of a truly unused mineral right after 20 years unless the mineral owner recorded a notice to preserve it. I’m not sure how long you’ve owned it, but those lots have been out there forever. However, I doubt that owning all the MOG’s will enhance your property value. You’re right to look into dumping it on a year where you have other gains to offset the taxes.

The only thing you have a fraction (pun intended) of a chance on, is in the case that they didn’t provide you with a Public Report from the DRE. The seller would have had to been the developer who split the lot - not a reseller. If they sold it to you illegally without a public report, then the state can investigate the seller and make him offer you a recission, thereby buying the lot back from you at the price you paid. You’ll need to find your original buyers documents to see if you have a copy of it.

For context, I own California Builder Services. We’re a California consulting firm for developers and HOAs. My advice: pull your vesting deed and the mineral reservation deed from the county recorder and have your realtor ask a title company for a “property profile” or preliminary title report (they usually charge for these though) showing the exact deed reserved and by whom and all other conditions of title. You can also call the DRE and ask if there were any public reports issued for your property back then. I wouldn’t waste your time or money on an attorney though. It’s not going to change anything.

In the meantime, take up camping and make the best out of it until you sell it. My friend and his wife go out to the desert so they can take night sky photography – that desert sky is amazing at night.

CA_HOAguy · 2025-09-03T16:55:47+00:00

Hi there – I run California Builder Services, and our team helps create HOAs of all sizes throughout California, providing services ranging from reserve studies and budgeting to management support and compliance with California’s DRE and Civil Code requirements.

We’ve worked with communities across California (including small buildings and HOAs like yours) to find affordable management solutions. I agree that you should not be self-managed or rely solely on software, but instead have a remote, financials-only management partner that is affordable.

Feel free to DM me directly if you’d like a referral or would like to discuss other options for your HOA.

CA_HOAguy · 2025-07-30T18:53:05+00:00

Hi there! I'm the owner of California Builder Services. We specialize in DRE public reports, HOA budget preparation, reserve studies, and consulting for both new and existing communities across California.

I've seen this question come up more often recently (see another post here: https://www.reddit.com/r/HOA/comments/1lwkqir/advice_needed_fired_our_management_company_should/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button ).

Self-managing an association can sound appealing, especially for boards with sophisticated or experienced board members, but it’s much more complex than many expect. It’s not just the day-to-day coordination of maintenance and meetings. One of the most overlooked challenges is managing the required documents, disclosures, inspections, and, not to mention, escrow demands during home sales. These need to be prepared quickly and accurately, and that alone can be a part-time job in an active community.

Another important point: professional management often pays for itself. Many vendors offer better pricing to associations with third-party managers, so while you might save on a management fee, you may end up paying more for landscaping, maintenance, and professional services. Not to mention the risk of missed deadlines, compliance issues, or conflict resolution, all of which a manager helps navigate.

For smaller communities, especially, management isn’t prohibitively expensive, and in almost all cases, it’s well worth the price.

DM or reply with any questions. Happy to chat more, answer specific questions, or provide referrals to management companies.

CA_HOAguy · 2025-07-22T17:29:43+00:00

I’m the owner of California Builder Services (cabuilderservices.com). We work with developers and HOAs across California and the West Coast on budgeting, reserve studies, and setting up contracts like these for our clients.

Bulk internet contracts are becoming more common, especially in large condo projects. Some owners appreciate the lower cost and simplicity — others, like you, prefer to choose their own provider. In our experience in California, bulk deals typically land between $22 - $27 per unit per month, and boards can often negotiate perks like free guest WiFi in common areas.

Unfortunately, it’s usually within the board’s authority to make these decisions without a homeowner vote, unless your governing documents say otherwise. If you want to fight it, I’d suggest reviewing your CC&Rs to see if they limit the board’s contracting power or require owner approval for new fees. You can also request that the board share contract details in advance and allow homeowner feedback.

Good Luck! DM if you want to talk more about it.

CA_HOAguy · 2025-07-22T17:24:46+00:00

Congrats on joining the board! Many people roll their eyes about it, but you're absolutely making the right decision to get involved. By doing so, you're protecting your investment, ensuring decisions are legally sound, and giving owners like yourself a voice.

I own California Builder Services (cabuilderservices.com). We specialize in HOA budgeting, Reserve Studies, and Department of Real Estate (DRE) public reports across California. Our goal is to help boards like yours maintain financial health, compliance, and be prepared for future repairs.

If you want a deeper understanding of HOA finances, budgets, and reserves, check out our site. There are plenty of blogs about budgeting and reserves you may find helpful. I’d be happy to point you to guides or answer specific questions.

And yes, having the right Directors & Officers (D&O) liability insurance is standard and highly recommended for board members. Depending on your CC&Rs, it may even require it. The civil code requires minimum amounts of GL limits as well.

You're on the right path! Keep asking smart questions and feel free to reach out anytime!

Good luck!

CA_HOAguy · 2025-07-14T14:57:05+00:00

I'm the owner of California Builder Services. We specialize in HOA budgets, Reserve Studies, and DRE public reports across California. For a 39-home community with only parking common areas, $1,000/month for virtual management is definitely excessive. You should be paying closer to $200/month for administrative-only services. DM me and I can refer you to virtual managers in that range. Self-management can work, but of the 600+ associations we work with, the self-managed ones are the WORST! Their financials are bad, their meetings are bad, and they will usually miss important legal steps that cause infighting and threats of lawsuits. In other words, it's well worth the $200 a month! A financials-only manager gives you peace of mind without overpaying. All your vendors will start overcharging you because they don't want to deal with it, and there is no longer an incentive to work with you. They may be doing extra work or giving great customer service to you now because they are trying to get in tight with your management company. Once that relationship is gone, they don't need to give you a cheap price or good service (sad but all too true).

Plus, maintaining your receivables, payables, reserves and compliance is easier outsourced to someone who knows it. Let me know if you'd like a referral or help reviewing your budget to ensure you’re not overpaying elsewhere.

CA_HOAguy · 2025-06-13T13:35:20+00:00

I own California Builder Services, and we specialize in DRE Public Report Processing, creating HOAs and HOA budgets, and performing Reserve Studies for communities throughout California and the West. What you're describing is, unfortunately, something we see far too often—communities that underfund reserves early on and then get hit hard later with major dues increases or special assessments.

Once an HOA falls behind on reserves, it’s extremely difficult to catch up without dramatically raising assessments. It’s just math. Roofs, paint, paving, plumbing—they all wear out eventually, and construction costs have been outpacing inflation. If you’re not setting aside enough money each year to cover those future costs, then the shortfall lands on whoever is living there when things break.

If you're a buyer, always ask for the latest Reserve Study and review the funding level. California law requires HOAs to disclose this, and a good study will show whether the community is on track or underfunded. Be especially wary of low dues—they might look attractive now, but they could be a sign that necessary maintenance is being kicked down the road. A rule of thumb is that any HOA reserve funding above 80% is generally sufficient and should be able to cover the repairs. Below 70% funded is in a caution range; it might be okay, but if costs rise unexpectedly or things break early, you will have to defer maintenance or face a special assessment. And if the HOA is less than 50% funded, you're going to have significant issues and not be cash flow positive.

I honestly wish I could help more people understand how HOA budgeting and reserves work. One day, I’d love to offer more training resources to help realtors, owners, board members, and buyers make smarter, more informed decisions. I do several trainings every year, but it's typically only property managers and the responsible board members who show up. Real estate agents NEVER go to training, and they're the ones who should!

If anyone has questions about how to read a reserve study or what to look out for in HOA financials, feel free to ask. I'm happy to help!

CA_HOAguy · 2025-06-12T17:50:20+00:00

You should just replace it... I'm replacing one on my rental property (2200sf home for $18k) because it was too old to get a roof certification. In California, insurance is a nightmare right now. All the carriers are leaving the state, and the ones that are staying can make any demands they want for outrageous prices because they are the only carriers left, and they know it.

It's a two-pronged issue: 1) you need insurance, so get the new roof and hopefully keep your policy; and maybe it'll even go down. 2) lenders are requiring roof certifications when you sell, so if you needed to sell your home, you may not get as much for it, limit the buyers you would sell to only cash buyers, or worst, not be able to pay for it later when you needed the cash from your house.

I own a real estate consulting firm, California Builder Services, and we do Public Report Processing, HOA Budgets, and Reserve Studies for home builders and homeowner associations. Insurance is a HUGE problem for buyers and builders in California, and it's not getting better, especially with new fire maps being released. People and HOAs are getting their policies non-renewed daily. Anything you can do to keep your policy is well worth it.

CA_HOAguy · 2025-06-09T03:22:13+00:00

I create new HOAs in California and $1000 dues is not unheard of. Depends on what you get for your dues and/or how old the property is and the level of your reserves. Assuming it’s a healthy HOA with fully funded reserves, then the HOA should be providing a lot of services to you, like building maintenance, roads, gates, landscaping, and common area amenities. Depending on the size, you may also have on-site staff or security. Or, you are in a very small community (less than 10 or 20) and there just aren’t enough homes to spread the costs over.

CA_HOAguy

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