Author: Robin Meadows

As we close out the year, the board would like to take a moment to look back at everything our community has accomplished together. We tackled big projects, made smart financial moves, and rolled up our sleeves as neighbors to save our community tens of thousands of dollars. Thank you to every homeowner and volunteer who helped make this possible!

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Roofing Project – Completed with Zero Debt

One of the biggest milestones this year was completing the roofing project. After careful planning, competitive bidding, and homeowner input, we successfully replaced all roofs with no out-of-pocket expense to homeowners.

• We avoided debt entirely and saved over $750,000 in the process.
• We have a 10-year workmanship warranty and have found a trustworthy, quality company to work with.

This was a huge win for our community and ensures long-term protection for our homes.

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Tree Trimming – Volunteer Savings

Before the roofing work began, a group of volunteers came together to trim trees and clear limbs away from homes. This essential prep work would have cost at least $15,000 if hired out. Thanks to our neighbors’ hard work, we were able to save significantly which frees up funds for other projects. Read more about the project here.

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Chip Drop – Beautifying the Neighborhood Together

So far, volunteers have spread seven piles of wood chips (about 120 cubic yards or ~540 wheelbarrow loads) around the neighborhood. That’s a savings of $20,000 in materials and thousands more in labor. The project is ongoing and is expected to be completed by the end of 2025. This project is a great example of what a little teamwork can do for our community and how volunteering can free up funds for other projects. See the update here.

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Irrigation Audit – Fixing Leaks & Improving Efficiency

One of our board members took on the task of auditing the sprinkler system. So far, three major leaks have been repaired, and dozens of sprinkler heads and nozzles have been replaced to optimize our water use. This behind-the-scenes work is already making our watering more efficient and helping us stick to the budget.

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New Partnerships & Cost Savings

This year also brought some changes in our professional support team—changes that are saving the community money every single month.

• New Property Management Company – We successfully transitioned to a new management company. The change has resulted in savings of $500 per month.
  
  
• New Lawyer – During the roofing project, it became clear that our previous lawyer did not have the community’s best interests in mind. We have since retained a new attorney who is better aligned with our needs.
  
  
• New Landscaping Company – Starting in October, we will be working with New Life Landscaping, a Hillsboro-based company. For the same scope of work as our previous landscaping company, the contract with New Life Landscaping will save the HOA $325 per month.

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Looking Ahead

In 2025, we made significant strides in managing our finances wisely, but more work needs to be done.

As we look toward 2026, the board is reviewing several projects that could help maintain and improve our neighborhood. Each of these projects is budget-dependent—meaning they can only move forward if the funds are available. Many of these projects will benefit from homeowner involvement to keep costs down.

Here are the top priorities being considered:

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1. Trim Limbs Overhanging Roofs

This will most likely be the #1 priority in 2026. Several homes have branches hanging over the roof, which can create extra wear, clog gutters, and even raise concerns with our insurance provider. Addressing this early helps us protect both our homes and our new roofs.

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2. Fascia & Porch Painting

When the roofs were replaced, some fascia boards and plywood were replaced. These fascia boards are painted but not in the same white color as the originals, so the neighborhood looks a bit mismatched in spots. In addition, the porches—last painted in 2016—are due for fresh coats to help preserve the wood and keep our community looking sharp.

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3. Gutter Repairs & Replacements

Some gutters are leaking and will need repair or replacement. Additionally, most homes have gutters that divert water onto the roof. In order to protect the roofs, the board would like to extend the gutters so they terminate in other gutters. Properly working gutters is an important maintenance item as they protect siding, roofs, and home foundations from water damage.

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What This Means for Homeowners

All of these projects depend on available funds, and in some cases, homeowner help will make the difference between “someday” and “this year.” Just like in 2025, when volunteers helped trim trees and spread chips, pitching in together could save tens of thousands of dollars, which frees up funds for other projects.

Besides helping spread woodchips, one item each homeowner can help with is reading and understanding the “Understanding the HOA Finances and its Future Obligations” (pw: rmhoa) post. This post breaks down the two budgets (maintenance and reserves) that the HOA operates from and the budgets’ relationship to the HOA’s governing documents.

Roofs, siding, landscaping, insurance, irrigation, and long-term repairs all come with costs. Some expenses happen every month – like insurance and property management -while others—like roofs and painting—come up only every 10–20 years. Planning for those big-ticket items takes foresight and discipline.

If we don’t plan ahead, homeowners could face two tough options:

1. Taking out loans (which means years of debt and interest payments), or
2. Charging special assessments (which can hit homeowners hard and unexpectedly).

Neither of these outcomes is ideal. That’s why staying on top of our finances today helps us avoid big headaches tomorrow.

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How You Can Help

Understanding our finances isn’t just the board’s job—it’s something every homeowner should care about. When you know where the money goes, you’ll see how decisions are made and why participation matters. Here’s how you can get involved:

• Read Updates on RobinMeadows.com: Keep up with board communications about the budget, reserve planning, and projects.
• Dig into the Numbers: Read the Understanding the HOA Finances and its Future Obligations post (pw: rmhoa)
• Attend Meetings: Your input helps shape priorities.
• Volunteer: Small efforts—like helping with landscaping or maintenance—can save tens of thousands which frees up funds for other projects.

The board will continue to review the budget and get estimates in early 2026. We will share updates as soon as we know what we can move forward with. We look forward to building on this momentum in 2026 and continuing to make Robin Meadows a beautiful, thriving place to live.