Reserve Planning Isn’t a Formula: What Condo Boards Need to Know Now

In this episode of Planned, Not Panicked: The Condo Owner Podcast, Alec and Candace unpack the realities of reserve planning and budgeting in today’s condo environment. Drawing from a recent SPS Reserves & Budgets Roundtable, they explain why there’s no universal “right” reserve percentage—and why many communities are facing growing gaps between where they are and where they need to be.The conversation covers major shifts in lending requirements, including anticipated increases to reserve contribution thresholds, rising construction and insurance costs, and how deferred maintenance can directly impact financing and property values. You’ll also hear practical strategies for closing reserve gaps over time, the role of preventative maintenance, and how boards can communicate budget increases clearly and effectively with owners.If your community is grappling with rising costs, reserve shortfalls, or uncertainty about what “adequately funded” really means, this episode offers clarity, context, and a realistic path forward.