Send us Fan Mail

Fannie Mae’s 2027 changes could impact HOA lending standards nationwide. Here’s what boards need to know.
✅ Is a Reserve Study right for you? 👉 https://www.reservestudy.com/

🏠 Condo Status Finder: https://singlefamily.fanniemae.com/condo-status-finder

✉️ Fannie Mae's March 18th Lending Letter: http://www.reservestudy.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/LL-2026-03-Project-Standards_Insurance-03-18-26.pdf

Today we have on the show Jodi Horne, she's principal of single family collateral risk management at Fannie Mae, and that's a long title, but what that all means is that she's the one at Fannie Mae ultimately responsible for lending standards affecting community associations and their latest lending standard update in particular, so at any time Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac make an adjustment to their lending standards. It sends ripples throughout the community association and the entire lending industry. So, to lower your anxiety and to hear what's really going on, we have Jodi here on the program today, speaking publicly on this issue.

Chapters:
00:00 Why is Fannie Mae changing reserve requirements?
00:51 Who is Jodi Horne and why does this update matter?
04:03 What role does Fannie Mae play in HOA lending standards?
05:05 Why did Fannie Mae decide to make this change?
07:45 Why should HOA homeowners care about these requirements?
08:42 What are the two major reserve policy changes?
12:24 When do the new reserve requirements take effect?
14:22 Is this a national standard or a regional change?
15:24 Ad Break - Association Reserves
15:56 Why was the reserve threshold increased from 10% to 15%?
17:58 Who reviews reserve studies and reserve funding levels?
19:06 What qualifies as an acceptable reserve study?
20:45 Why is baseline funding no longer acceptable?
24:05 How do associations support mortgage financing eligibility?
25:23 How long did it take to develop these changes?
27:00 Was the Champlain Towers collapse the reason for this update?
28:59 What should HOA boards do next to prepare?
30:49 Where can boards find the Fannie Mae resources discussed today?

Podcast Links:
Full Episode List
Watch On Youtube

Engage in the conversation!

Call our 24/7 voicemail line at (805) 203-3130 or send an email or voice memo to podcast@reservestudy.com

Nominate yourself or a Board Hero you Know!
Board Hero Nominations

Boardmember Merch Store!

Connect with Hosts on LinkedIn

Julie Adamen

Kevin Davis, CIRMS

Robert Nordlund, PE

Support Our Sponsors

Association Insights & Marketplace

Association Reserves

Community Financials

Kevin Davis Insurance Services

Stoke Light Video & Marketing

The Inspectors of Election

Send us Fan Mail

Think your HOA contract covers everything? Many boards misunderstand what “full service” means…

With us today is Rolf Crocker, the president of Omni Community Management, an association management company located in Northern California. This week we thought we would regale you with all of the information we have about HOA management companies, their relationships with HOA boards, and how an HOA contract might not be what you think.

Chapters:

00:00 Why is there a bandwidth problem in HOA management?
00:54 What does “full service” HOA management really mean?
04:12 What is portfolio management and how does it work?
05:58 Why is time the only real “widget” in management?
06:54 Why can’t small HOAs expect unlimited service?
08:35 Should boards create a wish list before hiring management?
10:01 Why is HOA management still partially self-managed?
11:14 Why do board expectations suddenly change over time?
13:00 Why are some HOA management tasks billed separately?
14:44 Why do rising labor and operating costs matter to HOAs?
17:50 Why is trust essential between boards and managers?
19:15 Ad Break - Community Financials
19:46 Why can’t boards always choose their portfolio manager?
22:27 What is the “span of control” problem in management?
24:24 Why is finding great HOA managers becoming harder?
27:29 How did HOAs become such a massive institution?
30:43 Why are volunteer HOA board members so important?
31:27 How much influence do HOA board members really have?
32:42 What is the biggest takeaway for HOA boards and managers?

Podcast Links:
Full Episode List
Watch On Youtube

Engage in the conversation!

Call our 24/7 voicemail line at (805) 203-3130 or send an email or voice memo to podcast@reservestudy.com

Nominate yourself or a Board Hero you Know!
Board Hero Nominations

Boardmember Merch Store!

Connect with Hosts on LinkedIn

Julie Adamen

Kevin Davis, CIRMS

Robert Nordlund, PE

Support Our Sponsors

Association Insights & Marketplace

Association Reserves

Community Financials

Kevin Davis Insurance Services

Stoke Light Video & Marketing

The Inspectors of Election

Send us Fan Mail

Small HOA board mistakes can become massive lawsuits! See how poor decisions escalate legal and financial risk.
✅ Is a Reserve Study right for you? 👉 https://www.reservestudy.com/

Poor HOA board decisions can quickly escalate into lawsuits costing tens of thousands, or even millions, of dollars. Learn how communication failures, inconsistent rule enforcement, deferred maintenance, discrimination claims, and breaches of fiduciary duty create serious legal and financial exposure for community associations.

Chapters
00:00 Why should HOA boards get training and advice?
01:10 What happens when an HOA board makes no decision?
03:08 How much does a ‘simple’ HOA claim really cost?
04:21 How do procedural mistakes create HOA lawsuits?
08:35 Why is communication critical for HOA boards?
09:56 How can small HOA conflicts become six‑figure lawsuits?
11:18 How do special assessments trigger HOA legal disputes?
12:47 Why do HOA disputes get more costly over time?
15:00 How do inconsistent HOA rules create liability?
15:50 When should an HOA board call attorneys or risk managers?
22:38 Ad Break - Kevin Davis Insurance Services
23:04 What really causes million‑dollar HOA lawsuits?
24:12 How does structural damage becomes a legal disaster?
26:57 How do discrimination claims impact HOAs and boards?
28:57 What is breach of fiduciary duty for an HOA board?
29:23 How can HOAs end up on Fannie Mae’s blacklist?
30:52 How can HOAs reduce lawsuit risk?
32:18 Why HOA board education and training are necessary

The views & opinions expressed in this program are those of the Hosts & Guests, intended to provide general education about the community association industry. The content is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual or organization.

Podcast Links:
Full Episode List
Watch On Youtube

Engage in the conversation!

Call our 24/7 voicemail line at (805) 203-3130 or send an email or voice memo to podcast@reservestudy.com

Nominate yourself or a Board Hero you Know!
Board Hero Nominations

Boardmember Merch Store!

Connect with Hosts on LinkedIn

Julie Adamen

Kevin Davis, CIRMS

Robert Nordlund, PE

Support Our Sponsors

Association Insights & Marketplace

Association Reserves

Community Financials

Kevin Davis Insurance Services

Stoke Light Video & Marketing

The Inspectors of Election