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RESERVE STUDIES FOR THE FIRST TIME BUYER

 

 

 

First, it’s important to understand what a professional Reserve Study is and how an association benefits from having one. A Reserve Study is an independent long term analysis (generally 30 years) of association property that determines the amount of funds required to repair or replace the common elements of an association as they wear out over the life of the association. Examples of common elements include exterior walls, roofs, paving, elevators and swimming pools.

A professional Reserve Study is a key financial planning tool that helps the board fulfill its fiduciary responsibility to maintain the common property of the association. 

The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), in its Audit and Accounting Guide, “Audits of Common Interests Realty Associations” states the association’s primary duties are to maintain and preserve the common property”.  The professional Reserve Study becomes the blueprint for the ongoing financial well-being of the association that current and future boards rely upon. Legislation among the states has increased dramatically in recent years clearly defining the fiduciary obligations of boards and managers, and funding of reserves for replacement.  Among the states with legislation regarding reserves and Reserve Studies are California, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, Nevada and Virginia. 

 

The trend is certainly toward more stringent requirements. The purpose of these laws and the AICPA Audit Guide is to protect the investment of current and future association homeowners. 

 

 

KEY COMPONENTS OF A RESERVE STUDY

Determining an appropriate amount to reserve is dependent upon the amount of common property and that property’s condition. A Reserve Study conducted by a qualified firm will include:

 

ü  A complete inventory of all common elements subject to repair or replacement

ü  The useful lives of the common elements and. more important, their remaining

useful lives

ü  A determination of future replacement costs by element and by year;

ü  Relatively stable reserve budget recommendations for at least each of the next 30 years;

 

Some firms provide more insight by documenting the current condition of each element. Additionally, the Reserve Study consultant can analyze maintenance problems and use his or her expertise to provide engineering recommendations that will extend the lives of the common elements, thus saving the homeowners money.

 

WHY SHOULD WE HIRE A CONSULTANT?

Licensed engineers and architects with experience in performing Reserve Studies possess the best qualifications. These professionals are best able to provide you with an objective, independent, opinion for capital repairs and replacements over the life of your association.  An accurate Reserve Study ensures that adequate reserves for replacement will be available at any point in time, especially during those critical periods of heavy capital expenditures.  A properly funded reserve also treats current and future homeowners fairly.  Overfunding of reserves suggests that current homeowners are paying more than their fair share.  Reserving too little results in a deficit position or insufficient funds to cover the replacement of major items like a boiler or roof. The board is then left with the unpleasant task of special assessing the homeowners or borrowing.

 

With a professional reserve study, claims of financial mismanagement by current or future owners are greatly reduced because the board exercised sound business judgment and planned responsibly with expert advice.   Directors and Officers liability insurance helps protect board members from personal liability. However, litigation can still be very costly, time consuming and stressful. It is not uncommon for litigious issues to arise years after one’s tenure as a board member is concluded or moved away from the association. An independent Reserve Study will also satisfy the requirements of the AICPA Audit Guide. The audit guide states that disclosures should be made regarding the determination and adequacy of reserves. Additionally, the professional Reserve Study serves as the foundation for meeting state statutes that call for adequate or reasonable reserves.

The marketability of the homes is also strengthened by showing prospective buyers and their lenders that the association is properly managed. Today, more than ever, buyers and their lenders are more closely scrutinizing the association’s budget, current reserves, and long range projected expenses. Many banks now require independent reserve studies as a requirement for approving mortgages.

 

WHAT ABOUT UPDATING THE STUDY?

It’s important to update a Reserve Study every few years. Remember, a Reserve Study is a financial snapshot of the association. Periodic updates account for extended or diminished remaining lives of common elements due to such factors as maintenance practices, weather conditions; actual changes in inflation factors that affect local market rates for materials and labor; changes in fund interest earned; and changes in association property due to additions and deletions.  The update will also help maintain and confirm the financial well being of the association well into the future. This ensures that the association will have an accurate, perpetual financial planning tool that the current and future boards will rely upon with confidence.

 

HOW DO WE SELECT A QUALIFIED RESERVE STUDY FIRM?

Selecting the right Reserve Study consultant requires several considerations to obtain the service that best fits with the long term goals and objectives of your association.

 

ü  Develop a list of potential consultants Contact trade associations (such as Community Associations Institute, or CAl) for a list of qualified engineers and architects. Ask other consultants such as your lawyer or accountant. While they are not involved in these decisions, they will likely have other association clients that have hired a reserve study expert.

ü  Obtain written proposals.

ü  Make sure the fee quoted is a total fee. Ask the consultant to spell out the nature and estimated cost of expenses if the proposal quotes a flat fee plus expenses. Also, put an upper limit on the cost; i.e. “the total cost of the assignment will not exceed $__”.

ü  Review each firm’s qualification.

ü  Focus in on whether the firm has the necessary experience, specializes exclusively in Reserve Studies for associations, and is a member of (CAl) or the American Association of Cost Engineers (AACE).

ü  Get references

 

Many people believe that the vendors will “stack the deck” with favorable references. A small amount of probing on your part will provide invaluable insight. Ask the reference open-ended questions like, “Why did you select the firm you like best and least about the firm?” While the reference might be pleased with the service performed, it may be for reasons that are unimportant to you.

 

Professional Reserve Studies are now the key component in helping current and future association boards meet their fiduciary responsibility and comply with state statutes and the AICPA Audit Guide. Additionally, Reserve Studies minimize monthly homeowner contributions without the fear of special assessments, reduce claims of board mismanagement, and provide a valuable selling tool for prospective buyers and their lenders.