What to stop doing

The Method requires not just new practices, but abandoning old ones. If your association does any of the following, stop.

Don't defer maintenance to keep dues low.

Low dues feel good today. Special assessments and deteriorating buildings feel terrible tomorrow. You're not saving money; you're borrowing it from future owners at a very high interest rate—and you're dragging down everyone's property values in the meantime.

Don't treat the reserve study as optional.

An annual professional study isn't a bureaucratic expense—it's the information you need to make good decisions. Operating without one is flying blind. Operating with an outdated one isn't much better.

Don't let reserve funds sit idle.

A zero-interest savings account is a slow leak. Inflation erodes your purchasing power every year. Conservative investment isn't optional; it's basic stewardship.

Don't rely on special assessments as a funding strategy.

Special assessments should be for genuine surprises. If you're using them for predictable expenses, your planning has failed. And every special assessment makes your building less attractive to buyers.

Don't hide information from owners.

Opacity breeds distrust. Distrust breeds conflict. Conflict makes it impossible to pass the dues increases you need. Transparency is your best tool for building consensus.