Three Easy Steps to understand a Reserve Study

Over the years we’ve helped hundreds of clients prepare and plan for future expenditures with Reserve Studies. Reserve Studies serve as a “Road Map” to guide an association through the ups and downs of the uncertain future. However, understanding a Reserve Study is not always the easiest thing to do. Most Reserve Studies are approximately 40-60 pages long! From funding methods to percent funded levels, board members and managers have their work cut out for them.

Here are 3 easy to remember tips to help you understand your Reserve Study:

1. Don’t stumble with the percent funded level

The percent funded level is a good measure of the association’s overall financial health, but not the ultimate purpose of a Reserve Study. Understand that percent funded levels will fluctuate over time (30-year period typically) and the 100% funded level is a constant moving target. Read the percent funded level, understand that 70% and above is “Strong”, 30%-70% is “Fair” and 0%-30% is “Poor”. Make note of it and move on.

2. Read the Asset Inventory

This section contains the most detail and information about your community. Each page lists the location, condition, age, and replacement cost, for that specific asset. This should be used as a planning/budgeting tool for the future. Equipped with this knowledge, associations can make educated budgeting decisions to maintain the functionality and appearance of their community well into the future.

3. Understand your Reserve Study has a shelf life

One very important aspect to Reserve Studies is that their relevance fades over time. Just as your Operational budget requires an annual review, so too does a Reserve Study. Increasing labor costs, changes in economic trends, increases in petroleum products are all factors which affect the accuracy of your Reserve Study. With changes being constant, it is very important to have your Reserve Study reviewed by a credentialed specialist every year and obtain a with-site-visit every three years.