Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac finance nearly half of all U.S. home purchases. Recent changes to federal condo lending guidelines bring new flexibility to Pacific Northwest (PNW) communities—along with a major surge in reserve funding requirements. For condo boards across Washington and Oregon, taking proactive steps today is critical to maintaining financing eligibility and protecting [...]
One common question Washington HOA and condominium boards face is who is responsible for sewer line maintenance? The answer depends on the community's governing documents, the location of the sewer line, and Washington State law. In single-family HOAs, homeowners are generally responsible for sewer lines located within their individual lot. The association typically maintains sewer [...]
In the Pacific Northwest, condominium associations face unique challenges that directly affect insurance risk. Our region's persistent rainfall, windstorms, seismic activity, and coastal environments accelerate the deterioration of roofing, siding, decks, windows, plumbing, and other common area components. A professionally prepared Reserve Study by Pacific Crest Reserves provides insurance carriers, brokers, and association boards with [...]
At Pacific Crest Reserves, we help condominium and homeowner associations throughout the Pacific Northwest navigate the long-term financial and physical needs of their communities. Reserve studies are a critical planning tool—yet we regularly see well-intentioned boards make decisions based on common misconceptions that create major financial and maintenance hurdles down the road. Here are the [...]
We frequently get the question "do we have to do a reserve study" or do we have to maintain a HOA? While it is technically possible to dissolve an HOA in Washington State, doing so is a massive legal, financial, and logistical uphill battle. More importantly, completely dissolving the entity usually creates a whole new [...]
When a pipe fails, Boards often reflexively point the finger at the unit owner to protect the Association's budget. However, in Washington, determining liability for a $50,000 deductible requires a much higher burden of proof than simply "it happened in your unit." The Burden of Proof for Negligence To legally shift the cost of a [...]
If an association is deemed "un-mortgageable" (non-warrantable) by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, the impact is often immediate and structural, affecting everything from property values to the legal liability of the board. Because these two entities back the vast majority of conventional loans in the U.S., losing their stamp of approval effectively severs the community from [...]
Financing rules for condominium and homeowners associations are tightening in 2026. Updates from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are no longer just guidelines—they directly affect whether buyers in your community can obtain a conventional mortgage. For board members, this isn’t just a financial detail—it has real implications for buyers getting loans on units, property values, [...]
SB 5796 rewrites the rules for every homeowner association and condominium in Washington State. Here's what board members and association managers need to know — and do — before January 1, 2028. If you serve on an HOA or condominium board in Washington State, a major legal deadline is approaching. On January 1, 2028, Senate [...]
In the unique climate of the Pacific Northwest, where moss grows on everything and the rain never truly stops, "maintenance" is a year-round battle. For many Washington State associations, the debate between utilizing a volunteer workforce versus hiring professional contractors is a constant struggle between saving money and managing risk. While we applaud many associations [...]
