HomeHerald Blog
Expert guides for HOA board members. Practical advice on dues collection, violation management, communication, and running your community without burning out.
Different HOA Dues for Different Units: 2026 Guide
Can an HOA charge different dues to different units? Yes. Here's how to bill by unit type, charge opt-in services, and apply special assessments - itemized for residents, without a property manager.
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Why New HOA Homeowners Violate Rules in Their First 90 Days (And How to Prevent It Before Closing)
New owners drive a disproportionate share of HOA covenant violations in their first three months. The cause is information, not malice. Here's the fix: get the rules in front of buyers before they close.
Read moreHow Self-Managed HOAs Lose $1,800 a Year at Closing (And How to Stop It)
Most self-managed HOAs leak revenue at every sale: missed transfer fees, unrecovered prorated dues, and balances that never get attached to the title. Here's where the money goes and how to capture it.
Read moreHow HomeHerald Logs Every HOA Transaction (Property Ledgers + Trust Accounting)
Every HOA payment, fine, assessment, and amenity charge is logged in real time across two ledgers. Residents see their balance. The board sees every dollar. No more 'did my payment get received?'
Read moreThe HOA Welcome Letter Template Every New Homeowner Should Receive (Free Template Included)
A great HOA welcome letter sets the tone for a new owner's first 90 days. Here's a free template, what to include, what to avoid, and how to deliver it before the buyer's first violation.
Read moreHow to Manage Your HOA From Your Phone: A Tour of the HomeHerald iOS App
A walkthrough of the HomeHerald iPhone app. Approve payments, send violations, post to the board, RSVP to events, and run your community from your couch. Free on every plan.
Read moreReal Estate Agents and HOA Boards: A Better Workflow for Closing Requests
The current closing-request workflow between listing agents and HOA boards is broken. Here's the cleaner version: agents get a private HOA portal on day one. No more 14-day waits or 9pm emails.
Read moreAmenity Automation
Book, pay, and unlock your HOA amenities automatically. Cleaning deposits auto-refund. Smart lock codes work offline. Free in every HomeHerald community starting today.
Read moreHow to Install igloohome for HomeHerald: Smart Lock Setup Guide
Step-by-step guide to installing an igloohome smart lock and connecting it to your HomeHerald community. Hardware list, iglooaccess setup, pairing, troubleshooting.
Read moreHOA Estoppel Letter vs. Listing Monitor (Herald Welcome): What Buyers Actually Need at Closing
Estoppel letters are legal certifications. Herald Welcome delivers informational closing prep (covenants, dues balance, welcome letter) to the listing agent on day one. Here's how they're different, and why most HOAs need both.
Read moreIntroducing Herald Welcome: HOA Closings Without the Phone Tag
HomeHerald's new Herald Welcome catches new for-sale listings in your HOA and gives the listing agent a private portal with covenants, the welcome letter, and the property's current balance. Closings get faster. New owners arrive informed.
Read moreEverything HomeHerald Does: The Complete 2026 HOA Platform Guide
5 almost-autonomous AI agents, native iOS and Android apps, shared board email inbox, automated dues across email, text, push and physical mail, lost-pet vision matching, free for 50 properties. Everything HomeHerald does for a self-managed HOA.
Read moreThe Hidden 6 Hours: Why Volunteer HOA Treasurers Burn Out
Volunteer HOA treasurers were promised an hour a week. They're at six. Here's where the time actually goes and how to get Sundays back.
Read moreDo HOAs Still Need QuickBooks? An Honest 2026 Comparison
Most self-managed HOA boards pay $30 to $90/month for QuickBooks plus a bookkeeper. Here's what they actually use, what they don't, and what HomeHerald replaces.
Read moreHomeHerald vs the World: 2026 HOA Software Feature Comparison
Side-by-side HOA software comparison: HomeHerald vs PayHOA, AppFolio, Buildium, CINC Systems, Condo Control, and the spreadsheet stack. Pricing, AI, mobile, financials, governance, vendors, data ownership. May 2026.
Read moreIntroducing the HOA Email Inbox: A Shared Board Workspace With No Shared Password
HomeHerald's Email Inbox is a shared HOA board mailbox with software-mediated access, full per-user audit trail, AI auto-categorization into five buckets, off-platform payment matching for Venmo and Zelle, and AI Reply that drafts answers from the HOA's own documents. Free tier.
Read moreHow to Reconcile Your HOA's Bank Statement in 10 Minutes
Step-by-step monthly bank reconciliation for HOA treasurers. The volunteer-friendly version that doesn't require a CPA, QuickBooks, or a Sunday afternoon.
Read moreYour HOA's Data Belongs to Your HOA: A 2026 Portability Pledge
Most HOA software won't let you take your data with you. HomeHerald's stance: every community on every plan, including Free, can download a full backup of every record, anytime, in a format any developer can read. Here's why it matters.
Read moreHOA Event Management with RSVPs: Introducing Community Events
HomeHerald's new Community Events tool lets HOAs schedule meetings and events with one-tap RSVPs, automatic day-before reminders, calendar export, and live attendance rosters. Free for 50 properties.
Read moreHOA Voting Software with Audit Trail: Introducing Community Voting
HomeHerald's new Community Voting tool runs board resolutions and community-wide HOA votes online with non-anonymous ballots, instant tallies, and printable audit PDFs. Free for 50 properties.
Read moreHOA Work Order Software That Vendors Actually Use (2026)
HOA work order software that dispatches by email - no vendor portal, no logins. AI triages, threads replies, and closes the financial loop. Free for up to 50 units.
Read moreWhat Makes HomeHerald Different: The Four Bets Behind the Platform
HomeHerald isn't different on a feature checklist - it feels different in practice. Four bets behind the platform: AI as the operating system, built for the volunteer board, every decision one click, and a written founder's promise.
Read moreHOA Treasurer Duties: Complete Checklist for 2026
The complete HOA treasurer duties checklist: monthly tasks, reserve reporting, audit prep, and automation that cuts the role from 15 hours a month to 3.
Read moreMississippi HOA Laws 2026: Self-Managed Board Guide
Mississippi has no dedicated HOA statute, so what actually governs your association? A Mississippi board president explains the real rules, risks, and compliance steps.
Read moreFuture of HOA Management: Why a 15-Year Board President Went Digital
An 18-year HOA board veteran explains why self-managed HOAs powered by AI software are the future. Robert Graham shares lessons from 15 years as president.
Read moreHOA Document Retention Policy: What to Keep & How Long
Build a compliant HOA document retention policy with our complete guide. Learn what to keep permanently, what to archive, and how to protect your HOA records with digital storage.
Read moreHOA Communication Best Practices
Email open rates hover around 20-25%. Learn multi-channel HOA communication best practices that actually reach every resident -- across 5 channels, from one platform.
Read moreWhy Self-Managed HOAs Are Ditching Spreadsheets for Software
Still running your HOA on Excel? Self-managed boards are switching to software with AI, automated dues collection, and real payment tracking. Free for up to 50 properties.
Read moreSelf-Managed HOA Transition: Leave Your Management Co
Ready to self-manage your HOA? Follow this 60-90 day transition checklist to leave your management company confidently. Free HOA software -- no credit card needed.
Read moreSelf-Managed HOA Guide: Save Thousands Without a Manager
Learn how self-managed HOAs save $250-$2,500/month, what's required, and whether DIY management is right for your community. Start free today.
Read moreDealing With Difficult HOA Residents: A Board Member's Guide
Proven strategies for handling difficult HOA residents -- from chronic complainers to rule violators. De-escalate conflicts, document everything, and protect your board with practical tools.
Read moreHow to Handle HOA Violations Fairly (Step-by-Step Guide)
A fair HOA violation process protects property values without creating conflict. Learn the complete enforcement framework, common violation types, and how AI keeps it consistent. Free tools included.
Read moreHOA Violation Letters That Don't Start Neighbor Wars
HOA violation enforcement doesn't have to create conflict. Learn how to write fair violation letters, build a consistent process, and use AI to remove personal bias from HOA enforcement.
Read moreHow to Manage an HOA Without Losing Your Weekends
Spending 15+ hours a week on HOA management? Learn how self-managed boards cut their workload in half with automation, delegation, and smarter tools. Start free.
Read moreHOA Board Member Burnout: Causes and Solutions
HOA board burnout leads to empty seats, poor decisions, and community decline. Learn the 7 causes and proven fixes to keep your volunteer board engaged. Start free.
Read moreHOA Annual Meeting Checklist: Plan & Run It Right (2026)
Plan a successful HOA annual meeting with our step-by-step checklist. Covers notice, quorum, elections, proxies, budgets, and follow-up. Free HOA tools -- no credit card.
Read moreHOA Board Meeting Tips: Run Meetings That Actually Work
Transform chaotic HOA board meetings with proven agenda templates, time management tips, and conflict strategies. Stop dreading Tuesday nights.
Read moreHOA Meeting Minutes: Template & Complete Guide (2026)
Master HOA meeting minutes with our free template and expert guide. Learn what to include, what to avoid, and how to stay legally compliant. Start Free today.
Read moreThe Hidden Cost of Late HOA Dues & How to Fix It
Late HOA dues cost more than the unpaid balance. Learn the real costs of delinquency and proven collection methods. Automated collection starts free.
Read moreHOA Reserve Fund Guide: Planning, Funding & Excel Templates
Learn how HOA reserve funds work, what a reserve study covers, and how to avoid special assessments. Protect your community's finances. Start free today.
Read moreHow to Collect HOA Dues: The Definitive Guide
Stop chasing neighbors for money. Learn how to collect HOA dues with automated reminders, flexible payments, late fees, physical mail escalation, and a clear collection policy.
Read moreHOA Financial Management Guide: Treasurer Tips That Work
Master HOA financial management with this treasurer's guide to budgets, reserves, and audits. Avoid costly mistakes. Start Free -- No Credit Card Required.
Read moreHow to Start an HOA: Complete Formation Guide (2026)
Step-by-step guide to starting an HOA -- from incorporation to your first assessment. Includes costs, legal docs, and tools to get operational fast.
Read moreHOA Board Member Duties: Complete Role-by-Role Guide (2026)
Understand every HOA board member duty from president to treasurer. Learn fiduciary obligations, time commitments, and how to automate the hardest parts of each role.
Read moreWhat Are CC&Rs? Plain-English HOA Guide
CC&Rs govern everything in your HOA, from fence colors to pet policies. Learn what they are, how to read them, and how AI can help enforce them consistently.
Read moreHOA CC&Rs Explained: Read and Understand Your Community Rules
Learn what HOA CC&Rs are, how to read them, and which sections matter most. Understand your community's governing documents with AI. Start free today.
Read moreHOA Management for Beginners: Complete Board Guide
New to your HOA board? This guide covers everything from CC&Rs to dues collection, violation management, and resident communication. Free software included.
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