The budget season for 2026 is here, and Washington State community associations (HOAs and Condos) are facing unprecedented financial pressures. From Seattle to Blaine, boards must be prepared to enact significant assessment increases, driven by surging regional costs and the state’s changing legal landscape. If you are a unit owner in the Pacific Northwest, expect [...]
The Washington State Legislature has accelerated the application of the Washington Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act (WUCIOA) for all existing Homeowner and Condominium Associations in the Pacific Northwest. This means that compliance with significant new requirements for meetings, governance, and transparency is now mandated by January 1, 2026—two years earlier than originally scheduled. As your [...]
Across the thriving metropolitan areas of the Pacific Northwest, particularly in King, Skagit, Whatcom and Snohomish, condo buildings are visibly aging. The mild, yet persistent, damp climate of Western Washington accelerates the deterioration of building envelopes, leading to systemic issues like moisture intrusion, failing siding, and deck rot. This structural decay—referred to as deferred maintenance—is [...]
Hiring a professional to conduct your condominium or homeowners association reserve study is a critical investment for your Pacific Northwest community's financial health. The information provided by a qualified firm is essential for long-term planning, helping your board avoid costly mistakes, special assessments, and potential liability. Given the unique weather, construction types, and specific state [...]
The 2026 changes to the Washington Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act (WUCIOA), primarily through Senate Bill 5129 (SB 5129), do not generally impose new reserve study requirements on most small associations in 2026, but they do significantly alter the criteria for a small plat or miscellaneous community to be exempt from many WUCIOA provisions, including [...]
Here are some changes that will apply to all Washington State communities as of January 1, 2026: Meetings and Member Participation: All communities, including older ones, will be required to hold an annual meeting. The notice period for annual and special meetings will be standardized to no less than 14 days and no [...]
House Bill 1403: Simplifying Condominium Construction Statutes This is a significant change aimed at addressing the lack of new condominium construction in the state by reducing liability for builders. The bill, which took effect on July 27, 2025, amends the Washington Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act (WUCIOA) and the Condominium Act. Changes to Warranties: The [...]
With reports indicating the Trump administration is planning to privatize Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Many homeowners in Washington state are wondering what this could mean for them. These two government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) are the foundation of the American mortgage market, buying loans from lenders and providing the liquidity that makes home financing accessible. While [...]
Preserving Property Value Property value in an association-governed community depends on more than market trends or location. It relies heavily on how well shared infrastructure is maintained. When amenities decline, resale values follow. A reserve study protects against that downward slide by ensuring necessary repairs and replacements are adequately funded and timed. Deferred maintenance signals [...]
Property owners in Skagit, Island and Whatcom counties, take note: significant changes are on the horizon for how common interest communities operate, with many new provisions of the Washington Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act (WUCIOA) set to take effect sooner than anticipated. This impacts condominiums, plat communities, and other homeowner associations (HOAs) across our region, [...]