Category Archives: General

FHA Condominium Project Approval – Status

Thank you Andrew Fortin, CAI (quoted in full): Today, FHA announced a revised schedule for condominium project approval expirations and urged all condominium communities wishing to retain FHA approval to complete the recertification process. CAI strongly encourages all condominium communities … Continue reading

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Videorecording Meetings

In Washington State, owner associations are still private organizations. As such, they are not subject to public open meeting laws of the State. Continue reading

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CA Law Day A Smashing Success! (And more on association reserve funds)

I think it’s important that Association’s maintain current reserves studies to know and understand the true costs of ownership. Continue reading

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Zen and the Art of Condominium: the Time for Termination

Zen and the Art of Condominium: the Time for Termination In this sometimes funny, sometimes tragic presentation, attorney Brian P. McLean of Leahy McLean Fjelstad will discuss in a workshop setting how community association managers can increase their value to … Continue reading

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Tears for Fears: Managing a Condo Through Financial Crises

Bert Caldwell of the The Spokeman-Review (Spokane) recently interviewed me as spokesperson for the Washington Chapter of the Community Associations Institute regarding the current real estate financial crisis and how it is affecting condominium associations and ownership. His article was … Continue reading

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Water One Casualty of High Foreclosure Rates

Water One Casualty of High Foreclosure Rates by Brian P. McLean, Leahy.ps Imagine you live in a condominium, you pay your assessments like clockwork, and you arrive home to find your water turned off because of non-payment. That’s what happened … Continue reading

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What Makes Homeowner Association Meetings Work

Suddenly, over the horizon, you spot a mob of homeowners marching upon you. They are leaving a rooster tail of dust. They are a cacophony. You could leave but you have your duty. You pull out your unthumbed book on parliamentary procedure and begin to practice “point of order.” What happens? Continue reading

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Renting in Non-Condo Homeowner Associations

Renting in Non-Condo Homeowner Associations By Brian P. McLean, Leahy.ps In Washington State, there is no blanket restriction in RCW 64.38 (HOA Act) on either the rental of single-family homes or the authority of the homeowner association to restrict rentals. … Continue reading

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Yurt Association Law: Developer v. Association Attorneys

Yurt Association Law: Developer v. Association Attorneys Brian P. McLean, Leahy.ps In Washington State, there’s a palpable and sometimes hostile split between attorneys who represent developers and attorneys who represent owner associations (particular construction defect attorneys). (As for attorneys who … Continue reading

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“It’s Alive!”

The New Homeowners Association – a Burdened Creature, Tripping down Sequoia Lane, with a Knife in its Back by Brian P. McLean, Leahy.ps When it comes to homeowner associations, governments are struggling. Competing camps, conflicting policies, and the end result: … Continue reading

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