If you want to be a better-informed HOA owner, board member, or buyer, the good news is that the resources are out there for free. The bad news is that ninety percent of “HOA content” online is generic and does not apply in California. The list below skips the generic stuff.
Podcasts
CACM Chat: The HOA Life
Produced by the California Association of Community Managers. Short episodes, California-specific, hosted by industry professionals. A few that are worth your time:
- Episode 1: The Story of CACM, useful background on the organization and the California HOA landscape.
- Episode 4: Don't Fake Your HOA Budget, a practical breakdown of how to build and present an HOA budget honestly.
- Episode 6: New HOA Laws Part 1, features Jennifer Wada, CACM's legislative advocate, on changes to California HOA law.
- Episode 10: Health and Wellness of Buildings and Community Managers, the people side of building management.
- Episode 12: A Leader Is More Than a Title, board leadership topics.
Full episode list: CACM Podcast.
Publications
Vision Magazine
CACM's quarterly trade publication. Mostly written for managers, but the legal and operational articles are useful for engaged board members. Recent issues are hosted on Issuu:
The Law Journal
CACM's legal-focused publication. Case law summaries, statutory updates, and analysis. Most relevant if your association is dealing with litigation, an unusual amendment, or a complex governance issue.
CACM publishes an updated Law Journal each year. The Spring digital edition typically lands in the first quarter.
CACM 2026 Educational Course Catalog
If you are a board member looking to actually learn the material a community manager learns, the course catalog lists everything CACM offers. Some courses are open to non-managers.
Other resources worth knowing
- The California Civil Code (Davis-Stirling sections). Free, on the California Legislative Information site. The actual statute. Useful for cross-referencing.
- The CAI (Community Associations Institute). National HOA organization with magazines, courses, and member resources. Less California-specific than CACM but useful for board education.
- California Department of Real Estate. Publishes guidance on HOA disclosures and broker obligations.
Why this matters for your home value
Owners who understand their association make better decisions. Boards that read industry publications make better decisions. Buildings with informed boards and engaged owners trade for more than buildings without them. This is not abstract. It shows up in dues, insurance, reserve adequacy, and resale value.
A standing offer
If you are an owner or board member trying to get up to speed on the basics, send me a quick note about your situation. I am happy to point you to the right starting place from this list.
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