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	<title>Texas &#8211; HOA ALLIANCE</title>
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	<title>Texas &#8211; HOA ALLIANCE</title>
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		<title>New name? Here&#8217;s the name recommended to replace Fort Hood</title>
		<link>https://www.hoaalliance.org/new-name-heres-the-name-recommended-to-replace-fort-hood/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[HOA Alliance]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 31 May 2022 13:01:12 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Texas HOA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Texas]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.hoaalliance.org/?p=319863</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[KVUE Currently, Fort Hood is named after a Confederate general. If approved, the post will be renamed after the first Latino to become a four-star general in the Army. Written By: KVUE &#124; Source:]]></description>
		
		
		
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		<title>9 Tips for First-Time Home Buyers in Austin, Texas</title>
		<link>https://www.hoaalliance.org/9-tips-for-first-time-home-buyers-in-austin-texas/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[HOA Alliance]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 23 May 2022 14:23:43 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Texas HOA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Texas]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.hoaalliance.org/?p=319672</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Green We can’t tell you how many people have come to us saying they’re tired of paying rent. Every month, they felt like they were throwing money away when all along, they could have been investing in their future. Buying a house isn’t a minor decision. Many factors have to be considered, such as which neighborhood you want to live in, and the various types of loans that are available to you. Before you jump into anything, take a look at these nine tips for first-time home buyers in Austin, Texas . **1. Know Your Budget** If you haven’t already created a budget, that’s the place to start. You should have a solid grasp of your financial condition before you try to secure financing for a home. Make a list of all your monthly bills, including rent, utilities, subscriptions, memberships, and regular loan payments, as well as any other outlying financial obligations. Then factor in the amount of your monthly take-home from your job or jobs, depending on how many people are in the household. Is any money left over at the end of the month? Would you include additional payments for your savings, 401k, or other form of retirement plan? **2. Secure Your Savings** The current state of your financial situation will say a lot about whether you’re responsible enough to manage a monthly mortgage. Most homes under a conventional loan require at least a minimum of 20% down. Lenders don’t typically allow you to use their loan for the down payment. They prefer to see that you’ll have the financial substance to ensure you’re a qualified candidate. If putting the down payment on your dream home would leave your savings completely tapped out, it might be worth waiting until you’ve saved a bit more. **3. Decide on a Neighborhood** Austin is a beautiful city with a lot of different neighborhoods to choose from. They also come with their particular range of price points. How much you can realistically afford might be the determining factor regarding which region you shop. Think about your non-negotiables. Do you want to live near the city center to be close to your downtown job? Are you hoping to start a family and would therefore lean in the direction of a more residential character? Maybe you’re a lover of the great outdoors and crave solitude. An area that’s a bit more secluded might be what you’re looking for. Taking the neighborhoods into consideration with their attendant cost will help you narrow down where to start your house hunt. **4. Choose a Home Type** Aside from the region where you’ll settle, you’ll also want to decide what type of home would be best for your future needs. There’s a wide range of homes for sale in Austin, Texas . Multi-family homes, for instance, will allow you the potential to renovate and rent out a portion of your home. That’s a great way to generate passive income. Condos and townhomes have their own perks that usually entail various amenities, such as pools or fitness centers. However, this also means there will probably be some pricey HOA (Homeowners Association) fees. **5. Get Pre-Qualified** If you want a seller to take you seriously, get pre-qualified for a loan. A seller will favor the highest bidder if that party presents evidence of access to the necessary funds for closing. Make sure before you start house hunting or even come close to putting an offer down that you’re backed by pre-qualification from a lender. **6. Figure Out What You Can Afford** Once you’ve calculated your budget and have identified what size of loan you could qualify for, start doing the real math for what you and your family can realistically afford. Just because a lender says you can obtain a $300,000 loan doesn’t mean you want to spend that entire amount on the house. You should be aware of other expenses, such as furnishings, lawn equipment, utilities set-up, car registration if you’re moving from out of state, and potential repairs or renovations that didn’t get negotiated during closing. Usually the buyer is responsible for paying the closing costs, so you’ll want to preserve at least 1% to 2% of the cost of the house for that purpose. Plus, the more unnecessary money you take out, the more you’ll have to pay back over time with the accrued interest. **7. Hire a Real Estate Agent** If you’re a first-time homebuyer , you shouldn’t try to handle the entire process yourself. You might be thinking you could save money if you avoid having to pay a Realtor, but there are several other legal facets an agent can’t help you with. Not to mention they’re apt to catch a lot of things you won’t. Home inspections can be tricky, and having a real estate agent that keeps your interests in mind will ensure the seller doesn’t take advantage of you. Experienced agents have the skills and qualifications to negotiate a fair price, and get you the most bang for your buck. Make sure to hire a professional and licensed real estate agent. **8. Speak with Multiple Lenders** A secured loan starts when you head to the bank. Be forewarned: You shouldn’t sign with the first lender you meet. Get quotes from multiple lenders to get a solid sense of how much you could take out and what their interest rates are. Trust goes only so far when in terms of your perceived ability to pay back the loan, as well. The lender will need to see substantial data, such as your credit score and your last two years of employment. Here’s a tip about speaking with different lenders. Try to visit as many as you can on a single day. If each lender runs a credit report, it won’t hurt your credit score if a series of them are ordered on the same day. **9. Get to Closing** Last, but certainly not least, the moment you’ve been waiting for: It’s time to]]></description>
		
		
		
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		<title>How investors are causing headaches for Memphis area home buyers</title>
		<link>https://www.hoaalliance.org/how-investors-are-causing-headaches-for-memphis-area-home-buyers/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[HOA Alliance]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 20 Apr 2022 22:06:31 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Tennessee HOA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[US News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TN HOA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Texas]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.hoaalliance.org/?p=232601</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Written by Brad Broders &#124; MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The struggles continue for many across the Mid-South as they try desperately to buy a home, but ultimately fall short. With demand far outpacing the available supply of homes for sale, prospective buyers face another obstacle: outside investors buying homes straight up with cash, sometimes without even looking at the property. Two people from the same family were stung recently by cash buyers. Retha Winfield is one of them. &#8220;It&#8217;s been depressing. I&#8217;ve cried, I&#8217;ve given up. I&#8217;m just tired and it&#8217;s not fair,&#8221; Winfield told ABC24 Wednesday. Despite her best efforts, she&#8217;s still not able to fully live out her American Dream: buying a home. &#8220;It&#8217;s heartbreaking. It really, really is,&#8221; Winfield added. &#8220;It&#8217;s hard.&#8221; For more than a year, the semi-retired nurse considered more than 100 homes, with three agents. She&#8217;s still renting, despite being pre-qualified. &#8220;One of the houses the agent suggested I bid $50,000 over the asking price,&#8221; Winfield said. &#8220;I did, and I still didn&#8217;t get it. Somebody came in, I was told from another country, paid cash.&#8221; Winfield isn&#8217;t alone.  Her own sister and brother-in-law recently lost out on a home in Oakland, despite bidding $35,000 above asking price. The buyer: another outside investor. &#8220;It was everything we wanted,&#8221; George Powell said. &#8220;We were exhilarated, on pins and needles to get it, and you know, thinking we&#8217;d get some consideration. And this cash offer came in and it was like, &#8216;aww, man&#8217;, this was the house we wanted.&#8221; Memphis realtors said right now, prospective home buyers are at a disadvantage because there just isn&#8217;t enough inventory. While spring and summer usually brings out more &#8216;For Sale&#8217; signs, realtors aren&#8217;t sure it&#8217;s enough to fix the problem of people being outbid by outside investors. &#8220;People just have to be patient,&#8221; Cassandra Bell-Warren with 4 Success Realty said. &#8220;This market is different. I&#8217;ve talked to agents who have been in this market 40 years and they&#8217;ve never seen this.&#8221; That realtor said it&#8217;s on the Mid-South market&#8217;s sellers to resist the temptation of cash offers from investors who often waive both the appraisal and inspection. &#8220;I think that sellers should be sure to consider those people that are trying to join the market as homeowners,&#8221; Bell-Warren added. For Winfield, her quest for home ownership continues, despite setback after setback. &#8220;People coming in other countries even paying cash for houses in America,&#8221; Winfield said. &#8220;I worked hard all my life. Never asked for anything.&#8221; Housing market experts said supply chain issues for things like lumber are also making new affordable housing less affordable for would-be buyers. View the 2022 Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends report provides insights into differences and similarities across generations of home buyers and sellers. https://t.co/4ZevjKG7lz — NAR Research (@NAR_Research) March 29, 2022 Source: Local Memphis]]></description>
		
		
		
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		<title>Casino Insider: San Manuel’s Las Vegas property sets a reopening date</title>
		<link>https://www.hoaalliance.org/casino-insider-san-manuels-las-vegas-property-sets-a-reopening-date/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[HOA Alliance]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 09 Apr 2022 22:01:48 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[US News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nevada HOA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[NV HOA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Texas]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.hoaalliance.org/?p=188987</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Find out what the casinos are doing for Easter, a new mural at Agua Caliente Rancho Mirage and more. Casino Insider is a weekly newsletter with all the best bets for food, entertainment and fun at Southern California’s casinos. It’s delivered to your inbox on Thursdays. Subscribe now . This Oct. 3, 2018 file photo shows the Palms Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. The Palms Casino Resort Las Vegas will open Wednesday, April 27. (File photo by MARK RALSTON/AFP via Getty Images) The Palms Las Vegas is set to reopen on Wednesday, April 27. The Las Vegas property is owned and operated by the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, who also own and operate Yaamava’ Resort &#38; Casino in Highland. The newly revamped property includes a resort pool area featuring a multi-level, 73,000-square-foot space, two main pools, 39 cabanas, several restaurants and more. Source: OC Register]]></description>
		
		
		
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		<title>How To Create A Safety Checklist For Your Rental Property</title>
		<link>https://www.hoaalliance.org/how-to-create-a-safety-checklist-for-your-rental-property-2/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[HOA Alliance]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 17 Feb 2022 19:29:39 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Texas HOA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[US News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TX HOA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Property Inspection]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Texas]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Property Management]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.hoaalliance.org/?p=30532</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Landlords and property managers are responsible for maintaining safe, habitable dwelling units for their tenants. Keeping a property safe requires maintaining structures, land, appliances, and tending to problems like mold. Texas state law requires that you provide a safe, habitable home for your tenants that meets the following general requirements: Structural elements are in good repair, secure, and safe. Cemented areas aren’t uneven or broken, presenting a trip and fall hazard. There is a proper sewer or septic connection. Electrical work has been professionally completed and is safe. The HVAC system is working and safe. A proper installation of the water heater, whether it uses a tank or is tankless The property is free from environmental contaminants like exposed asbestos, mold, and lead paint. Pests are kept out of the home. Staircases are in good repair. A safety checklist will help you manage your property Even when you prioritize safety, sometimes elements slip through the cracks. By creating a safety checklist, you’ll have an easier time performing move-in and move-out safety inspections without skipping any important details. With a thorough inspection, you can quickly address issues before they cause harm to your property or your tenants. Here’s a basic checklist for you to use and modify as needed for your properties. 7 Indoor safety elements to check 1. Electrical outlets Checking electrical outlets is easy. Get a GFCI tester and plug it into each outlet to make sure it’s properly wired and grounded. Testers are around $10-$15 at your local hardware store. 2. Fireplace or wood stove Have a professional come in and check your fireplace or wood stove. You’ll want to make sure there are no leaks in the chimney or the door. Fireplaces and wood stoves produce carbon monoxide (CO), which is deadly in large amounts. Leaks in the chimney can cause CO to fill the room and collect at dangerous levels. To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, always install a carbon monoxide alarm near the source. It’s also a good idea to suggest that your tenant install an alarm in every bedroom where someone sleeps. You should also have the chimney professionally cleaned before renting the unit. A creosote buildup can cause a fire in the chimney that can spread quickly to the house. 3. Walls and baseboards Check the baseboards to make sure the trim is still present all the way around. Make sure there are no holes in the wall. If you discover a hole that was patched by a tenant, you might want to open it up and check inside. Sometimes tenants stuff the walls with flammable materials when performing DIY repairs. 4. Doors Are the doors hanging correctly? Are the hinges intact? Do all doors open and close properly? Do the locks work? Functioning doors are important. An unsecure door could leave your tenant vulnerable to an intrusion, and a door that won’t open easily could become an evacuation obstacle in a fire. 5. Ceilings Check the ceilings for signs of water damage. If you find any evidence of a leak, address the issue quickly. Leaks that appear small aren’t always small. Address any bare dangling wires or fixtures dangling by their wires. 6. Floors Are the floors sloping or squishy? A sloping floor can be a sign of structural damage. If the floor is soft, you might have water damage underneath the flooring. 7. Smoke detectors Test all the smoke detectors in the home and make sure they’re working properly. If any are missing or broken, replace those units. Eight outdoor safety elements to check 1. Cement patios, sidewalks, etc. Broken cement is a trip hazard. If you have any cement sidewalks or patios on the property, make sure they’re in good repair. 2. Walkways and stairs Check all outdoor stairs for structural integrity and make sure the railings are secure. If your steps are smooth, make them safer by adding grip tape or another anti-slip application. 3. Nearby trees Are there any dead or dying trees nearby that might fall on the property? If so, have them removed immediately. Since dead trees are hard to spot without experience, always get a professional to check for dead trees. 4. Windows Do the windows close securely? Do the locks work properly? Check all windows for functionality and drafts. If they’re drafty, have them sealed. If your windows slide horizontally, consider providing additional window locks for your next tenant. 5. Balconies Check the balcony to ensure it’s safe and in good repair. Check the railings and repair any loose screws or spots where the railing feels loose. 6. The roof Your roof is critical. Have your roof professionally inspected to ensure you don’t have any major problems like worn-out singles. If you have moss on your roof, don’t power wash it or knock it off with a brook. You’ll ruin your shingles if you use force. Instead, sprinkle Moss Off or a similar product and wait for the next rain. It will take longer to go away, but you won’t ruin your shingles. 7. Landscaping Trim all hedges and trees so your tenants can pull into and out of the driveway with full visibility. If anything is blocking the view of the sidewalk or road while on the property, consider removing that tree or shrub. 8. Outdoor lights Outdoor lights are important for your tenants to see at night. Whether you’ve got motion detector lights or a simple porch light, make sure all outdoor lights are functional. Six appliances to check Add these six appliances to your safety checklist: 1. Water heater Whether you’ve got a tankless water heater or a traditional tank, check for pressure, leaks, and functionality. Flush the system to remove sediment, test the safety relief, and set the temp below 120 degrees Fahrenheit. 2. Stove If you provide a stove for your tenant, it needs to be fully operational. Replace parts that don’t work or are broken, like burners or flints. 3. Plumbing, including toilets and sinks Check the water]]></description>
		
		
		
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		<title>How and Why Houston Landlords Should Help Tenants Avoid Eviction During the Pandemic</title>
		<link>https://www.hoaalliance.org/how-and-why-houston-landlords-should-help-tenants-avoid-eviction-during-the-pandemic/</link>
					<comments>https://www.hoaalliance.org/how-and-why-houston-landlords-should-help-tenants-avoid-eviction-during-the-pandemic/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[HOA Alliance]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 13 Nov 2021 21:00:52 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[US News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Property Management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Texas HOA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eviction]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Texas]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Houston]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.hoaalliance.org/?p=19722</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Renters all over the world are in major financial trouble and can’t afford to pay rent. Millions of people across the U.S. have lost their jobs. The 2020 stay-at-home orders and economic shutdowns have forced tens of thousands of small businesses to close their doors permanently. Houston is no exception. Normally, you’d evict tenants for non-payment of rent. However, the CDC has issued a nationwide moratorium on evictions for non-payment of rent when the tenant can’t cover the obligation because of the pandemic. This means you can’t evict a tenant for not paying rent if they lost their job because the employer had to close the business. In theory, an eviction would free up your property to rent to another person, but in reality, you might not be able to find another renter for a while. People aren’t generally looking to move right now. Your unit might sit vacant for several months. By that time, the pandemic could clear up and society might possibly start to return to normal. It’s not your job to help your tenants avoid eviction, but if you choose to do so, you might well benefit along with your tenant. Evictions involve lawsuits and they’re often expensive, time-consuming, and messy even in the best of times. Here’s what you can do to help your tenants avoid eviction during the pandemic, and keep things under control until the economy starts to reemerge. 1. Play by the national rules The CDC’s moratorium rules are cut and dried: You can’t evict a tenant for not paying rent if their non-payment is caused by coronavirus-related circumstances. However, the situation became a little more complicated in Texas this year. In February, a federal judge ruled that the eviction moratorium is unconstitutional because it interferes with private property rights. Although this might sound like good news, you probably shouldn’t read this as a free pass to start evictions. You might still end up in legal trouble if you evict a tenant while the CDC’s moratorium remains in place. A tenant could sue you and it would be up to a judge to determine whether you broke the law. Even if the judge were likely to rule in your favor, you still might not be able to get your eviction lawsuit heard because the court system is backed up. You could waste a lot of time, money, and energy. It’s safer to hold off on evictions until we all know for certain that they’re worth pursuing. The ruling is relatively new and it may not have the real-world impact you’d expect. 2. Inform renters of Texas’s new rental assistance program Tell your tenants about the new state-sponsored rental assistance program. They might not be aware of it. A state-sponsored rental assistance program was launched in 2020, but tenants could get relief only if their landlord signed up for the program. Unfortunately, many landlords refused to participate. Others didn’t know they had to sign up and tenants didn’t know how to apply. In an effort to help tenants pay rent and avoid eviction, the state of Texas just launched another program, this time with stricter requirements. This program doesn’t require landlords to participate in order for tenants to get help, however. The program began February 15, 2021 and will provide $1.3 billion in rental assistance to tenants who make no more than 80% of their county’s median income. It offers the following benefits to tenants: Assistance to pay rent all the way back to March 13, 2020 Assistance to pay up to 3 months’ rent, current or future The ability to reapply for more assistance in the future Assistance will cover up to 15 months of rent Although this new program will help tenants without requiring landlords to sign up, it’s not easy to qualify under the income requirements. For example, the income cap for a family of four in Houston is $63,000. Officials estimate around 80,000 households may qualify for assistance. Tell your tenants about this program and send them directly to the Texas Rent Relief Program’s website, where they can find out whether they qualify and how to apply. 3. Don’t evict tenants for petty lease violations One might argue that every lease violation is technically a big deal because it represents a broken agreement, in all honesty many of them are not that major from the perspective of the bigger picture. For example, if your tenant isn’t allowed to have pets and you’ve just discovered they have a dog, you might consider modifying their lease. People are going through some rough times right now and your renter might find comfort in having a dog or cat for companionship. Pets have been proven to reduce stress and improve a person’s mood. If you discover your tenant has violated the lease by getting a dog or a cat, why not go easy on them? Consider adjusting the lease to accommodate for a well-behaved animal. If the person can’t afford to pay a pet deposit, you might consider waiving that as well. If you choose to allow the pet, make sure you create an addendum to the lease and provide a copy to the tenant so he or she knows for sure you’re not going to seek eviction over their new pet. 4. Offer some kind of help There are valid reasons not to help your tenants during the COVID-19 pandemic. But many other reasons could make helping your tenants a win-win situation. For example, offering discounted rent could get your tenant to start making payments. Some tenants have avoided paying partial rent because they didn’t think their landlord would accept incomplete payments. Communicate with your non-paying tenants to find out whether they can pay a reasonable portion of their rent. You may never manage to collect all the back rent anyway, so you might as well offer a discount to generate some income. 5. Work with a property management company One of the best ways to avoid non-pandemic-related evictions is to screen]]></description>
		
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