Touch ups, renovations, and remodelings are great ways to give your house a facelift and also help increase the home's value.

As part of an HOA, you have agreed not just to decide to start a renovation or property addition without clearing it with the community first. So whether you are thinking of adding a new addition or simply building a shed in the backyard, your plans must be submitted to the HOA beforehand.

When disputes happen, it's best to approach the problem with a three-step, problem-solving approach called alternative dispute resolution (ADR).

Ensuring that you are on top of your HOA’s covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&Rs) is a homeowner’s responsibility. Even if you went over the rules when you first moved into…