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Author Archives: Brian P. McLean
Businesses and Daycares
I am often asked whether the operation of a daycare in an HOA breaches a restrictive covenant that forbids the operation of a business in a residential home. The answer is, it depends. Quote of the Day: “Operate more like … Continue reading
Posted in Restrictions and Rules
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Administrative Posting
A number of users have subscribed to this blog, and I appreciate the support and comments. Because of an increasing number of spambot registrations, I’ve increased security on the registration page and deleted dozens of what appear to be spam … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
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Hot Roofs, Cool Roofs, and a New Moon
Shingle roofs or composite roofs? Cool roofs or hot roofs? Gryffindor or Slytherin? To be or not to be? Continue reading
Posted in Legislation, Restrictions and Rules
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What is a Reserve Study?
Sound long-term financial planning can make the difference between thriving or becoming a neighborhood paperweight. Continue reading
Greedy HOAs Foreclose for Profit? Come On
Homeowner associations are not greedy because they conduct nonjudicial foreclosures for nonpayment of assessments. In the real world, not the journalistic world where loss of ownership is equated with homelessness, the remaining owners, some of whom are on fixed incomes and have budgeted carefully their whole lives, often empty their bank accounts in an effort to keep the association on life support. When the pool of paying owners gets smaller, the remaining owners drown. Continue reading
Posted in Finance
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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
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
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
Posted in General
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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
Posted in General
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Foreclosure Rates in Washington Climb
Associations should continue to take rational steps and shore up defenses against the eroding mortgage landscape while educating Washington owners about rational choices during a period of shrinking incomes, prices, and resources. Continue reading
Posted in Finance
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