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AI, incivility, and staffing shortages… these are the top trends community associations must prepare for in 2026!
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2026 is not business as usual for community associations (but neither was last year!). Robert, Kevin, and Julie break down the three biggest trends shaping the year ahead, including rising incivility, misuse of AI, staffing challenges, and growing financial pressure. So how HOA board members like yourself can protect trust, fulfill fiduciary responsibilities, and lead with clarity as communities face higher costs, older infrastructure, and increasing complexity. Preparation today determines stability tomorrow!

Chapters:

00:00 Why are Community Associations entering 2026 under more pressure?

00:51 Why did Robert, Kevin, and Julie gather to discuss future trends together?

04:07 Why is incivility the number one threat facing associations?

04:49 How did COVID permanently change HOA behavior?

06:45 Why can’t boards control others, only their reactions?

07:35 Why are board members always being watched?

08:33 How does better communication lower community tension?

09:57 How can boards release pressure before conflict erupts?

10:13 Why is leadership a political role in associations?

12:34 How does having a clear goal stabilize HOA decision making?

14:03 Why do vision and mission statements lower the temperature?

16:21 How long does it take to repair trust in a community?

18:26 Ad Break - Association Reserves

18:57 Why is financial stress amplifying community conflict?

19:21 Why is AI not a defendable position for HOA decisions?

21:02 How should boards actually use AI safely?

23:59 Why does fiduciary responsibility still require human judgment?

25:15 Why is staffing becoming a crisis for HOAs?

27:17 Why do boards struggle to recruit and retain volunteers?

30:24 Why are older associations facing greater financial strain?

33:43 Why must assessments rise as associations age?

Podcast Links:
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