The Uncommon Area

The Uncommon Area is a leading HOA podcast for board members, community leaders, and industry professionals looking for clear, practical guidance on homeowners association management. Hosted by Matthew Holbrook, CEO of Action Property Management, the show breaks down complex HOA topics including governance, financial management, insurance, legal issues, and community operations. Each episode features expert guests from across the industry, offering real-world insights, proven strategies, and fresh perspectives to help you run a more effective, well-managed community. Whether you're a board member, property manager, or homeowner, this podcast delivers actionable advice you can actually use.

The Uncommon Area is a business podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 0 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Unknown Host hosts The Uncommon Area, a business show with 0 episodes published.

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  The Uncommon Area

  HOA Reserve Funding: Is 70% a Myth? | Ep. 101

  Sep 29, 202656 min

  Is 70% funded really the gold standard for HOA reserves? In this episode of The Uncommon Area, Matthew Holbrook sits down with Andrew Stoutenburg of Reserve Advisors to take a closer look at what percent funded actually measures, where it falls short, and why many well-run communities never climb above 30% funded. As Andrew puts it, the goal is having the right money at the right time. Matthew and Andrew cover why even brand-new communities need a reserve study, how percent funded is calculated, and what it really means to be adequately funded. Andrew also breaks down the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac move from 10% to 15% of condo assessments going to reserves, the difference between Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 reserve studies, and how boards should handle repairs, upgrades and aging systems like plumbing. In this episode: - Why reserves matter from day one - How percent funded works and where it can mislead - Reserve rules in Texas and California - New Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac condo requirements - The three levels of reserve studies - Repairs vs. replacements vs. upgrades - The five or six assets that drive your reserve funding Chapters 00:00 Welcome to The Uncommon Area 00:24 Why every association needs a reserve study 01:11 New communities and owners who plan to move 04:16 What percent funded means 08:30 Where percent funded falls short 09:56 What "safe" and adequately funded really mean 12:29 Baseline threshold and full funding plans 18:07 Reserve rules in Texas and California 18:55 New Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac condo requirements 22:49 When lenders expect a reserve study 25:29 Level 1 reserve studies 27:01 Level 2 updates with a site visit 29:05 Assets that were never reserved for 31:19 Why maintenance records matter 33:32 Major repairs vs operating expenses 39:01 Upgrades vs capital improvements 43:31 The 30 to 40 year funding horizon 45:21 Focus on your five or six biggest assets 48:10 Level 3 updates without a site visit 50:17 Portfolio managers and reserve study data 53:46 Closing thoughts More on Andrew at Reserve Advisors: https://www.reserveadvisors.com/who-we-are/our-team/andrew-stoutenburg-pe-rs/ Follow The Uncommon Area for expert-led discussions on HOA law, governance, and property management best practices. Rather watch the episode? Subscribe to our YouTube channe l or go to our page . Have a topic you’d like covered? Email us at marketing@actionlife.com or follow us on Facebook , Instagram , or LinkedIn .

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  The Uncommon Area

  Do HOAs Still Need to Comply with the Corporate Transparency Act? | Ep. 100

  Sep 15, 202622 min

  What does the Corporate Transparency Act mean for HOA and condominium association boards? In Episode 100 of The Uncommon Area, Matthew Holbrook sits down with Phoebe Neseth, Vice President of Government Relations for Community Associations Institute, to discuss the Corporate Transparency Act and the important updates surrounding its application to community associations. The conversation explores why the CTA raised concerns for volunteer HOA board members, including personal information requirements, ongoing administrative responsibilities, potential penalties, and the possibility that federal compliance requirements could make it even harder to encourage homeowners to serve on their boards. Phoebe also explains CAI's advocacy efforts, including work with Congress, the U.S. Treasury Department, and federal litigation. She shares the current regulatory status discussed in this episode, pending legislation, and why community association leaders should continue paying attention to this issue. Follow The Uncommon Area for expert-led discussions on HOA law, governance, and property management best practices. Rather watch the episode? Subscribe to our YouTube channe l or go to our page . Have a topic you’d like covered? Email us at marketing@actionlife.com or follow us on Facebook , Instagram , or LinkedIn . 01:03 Introducing Phoebe Neseth and the Corporate Transparency Act 01:52 What is the Corporate Transparency Act? 02:20 What beneficial ownership reporting requires 03:17 What is FinCEN? 04:08 Why the Corporate Transparency Act affects HOAs 04:48 Why homeowners associations were included 05:29 Why CAI opposed applying the CTA to community associations 06:28 How HOA boards differ from corporate boards 07:28 Privacy concerns and administrative requirements 08:20 Why the CTA could make volunteer recruitment harder 09:47 CAI's three-pronged approach 10:13 Working with Congress on an exemption 11:02 Meeting with the U.S. Treasury Department 11:30 Filing a federal lawsuit 12:47 The Treasury Department pauses CTA filing requirements 13:35 The major update for HOAs and U.S. corporations 14:28 Is the Corporate Transparency Act still law? 15:11 H.R. 425 and Senate Bill 100 16:00 Why CAI supports repeal legislation 17:21 Why this update matters for HOA board members 18:33 What community associations should watch next 20:14 Final thoughts and advocacy update

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  The Uncommon Area

  HOA Budgeting Basics | The Uncommon Area Ep. 99

  Sep 1, 202638 min

  Most HOA boards read the budget every month. Almost none read the balance sheet, and that is where financial trouble actually shows up first. Host Matthew Holbrook talks with Stacie Donnelly, CFO of Condominium Financial Management, and Bob Spillar, a longtime HOA board member and California Legislative Action Committee member, about what to check on a balance sheet before approving next year's budget, including unfunded reserves, prepaid insurance, cash basis versus accrual basis budgeting, budget surpluses, reserve funding, California's budget mailing deadline, and how to read an accounts receivable aging report. Follow The Uncommon Area for expert-led discussions on HOA law, governance, and property management best practices. Rather watch the episode? Subscribe to our YouTube channe l or go to our page . Have a topic you’d like covered? Email us at marketing@actionlife.com or follow us on Facebook , Instagram , or LinkedIn . 00:00 Cold open and welcome 00:25 Framing the topic: budgeting and financial planning 00:38 The number one red flag: the balance sheet 01:46 Balance sheet 101: what board members should actually look at 03:15 Educating newer board members on financial reporting 05:05 Case study: how a prepaid insurance policy should behave 07:21 Accounts receivable and how to read an aging report 13:10 Cash basis vs. accrual basis budgeting 14:10 Why accrual still matters at year end audit 14:59 Should a surplus reduce next year's assessments 19:58 Common mistakes in reserve funding 22:17 The deferred maintenance analogy 23:21 A real world reserve percentage example 24:28 The five assets that drive most reserve funding 26:10 The most frustrating part of the annual budget process 27:20 Key data points that move next year's budget 28:35 Why timeliness makes or breaks a budget cycle 29:34 California's budget mailing deadline explained 31:11 The cost of missing the deadline: the 20 percent cap 32:53 Advice for an incoming board member 34:22 Where boards make their biggest financial mistakes 35:16 Wrap up and final thoughts

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  The Uncommon Area

  Are We Thinking About HOAs All Wrong? | Ep. 96

  Jul 21, 202651 min

  Are homeowners associations businesses, governments, or something entirely different? In Episode 96 of The Uncommon Area, Matthew Holbrook sits down with attorney David Graf, partner at Moeller Graf, to explore one of the most important questions in community association management. Together, they discuss why the most successful HOAs require more than sound finances and legal compliance. From stewardship and fiduciary duty to communication, compassion, and community reputation, this conversation challenges conventional thinking about what it means to lead an association well. You'll hear practical examples of how boards can reduce conflict, build trust, and make decisions that strengthen their communities for the long term. Whether you're an HOA board member, community manager, homeowner, or industry professional, this episode offers a fresh perspective on creating communities where people truly love where they live. In this episode: Are HOAs businesses, governments, or something else? Why stewardship creates stronger communities How communication can reduce conflict Balancing fiduciary duty with compassion Why reputation matters more than many boards realize Subscribe to The Uncommon Area for conversations that help reimagine HOAs and equip leaders to build stronger communities. Follow The Uncommon Area for expert-led discussions on HOA law, governance, and property management best practices. Rather watch the episode? Subscribe to our YouTube channe l or go to our page . Have a topic you’d like covered? Email us at marketing@actionlife.com or follow us on Facebook , Instagram , or LinkedIn .

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  The Uncommon Area

  How Can $1 Protect Your HOA? | Ep. 95

  Jul 8, 202630 min

  How do homeowners associations make sure their voices are heard when new legislation is proposed? In this episode of The Uncommon Area, host Matthew Holbrook is joined by Mike Perlof, Director of Client Services at Fenton Grant Law Group and President of the Community Associations Institute (CAI) Orange County Chapter, along with Cory Neubauer, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Nextier Insurance Services and an active volunteer leader with CAI-CLAC, the California Legislative Action Committee. Together, they discuss how CAI-CLAC advocates for California community associations, educates legislators, and helps shape legislation that affects millions of homeowners. They also explain the Buck A Door program, which encourages HOAs to contribute $1 per door, per year or more to help fund legislative advocacy that benefits community associations throughout California. Whether you're a board member, community manager, or industry professional, this episode offers valuable insight into how advocacy works, why it matters, and how you can help strengthen the future of California HOAs. Resources HOA boards, community managers, and industry partners are encouraged to support CAI-CLAC's Buck A Door program by contributing $1 per door, per year or more to help fund legislative advocacy for California community associations. Donate / Learn More https://caiclac.com/donate/ Watch the CAI-CLAC Explainer Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbpAVkszcEA The Buck A Door program is a simple way for California HOAs to support legislative advocacy that directly impacts community associations across the state. CAI-CLAC monitors proposed legislation, educates lawmakers, organizes grassroots outreach, and advocates on issues affecting HOA governance, insurance, assessments, board operations, property rights, and community living. Even a small annual contribution can make a meaningful difference when communities across California participate. For example, a 100-unit association contributing $1 per door would provide $100 annually toward advocacy efforts that help protect and strengthen the HOA industry. CAI-CLAC is not a political action committee and does not contribute to political campaigns. Donations support legislative advocacy, education, communication, lobbying efforts, and grassroots outreach on behalf of California community associations. Mike Perlof: https://www.fentongrant.com/personnel/mike-perlof/ Cory Neubauer: https://nextierins.com/about-us/ Follow The Uncommon Area for expert-led discussions on HOA law, governance, and property management best practices. Rather watch the episode? Subscribe to our YouTube channe l or go to our page . Have a topic you’d like covered? Email us at marketing@actionlife.com or follow us on Facebook , Instagram , or LinkedIn .

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