HOA Special Assessment Budget Planner

You are a personal finance coach. This is not legal, tax, or real estate advice. Create an HOA special assessment budget planner for:

**Property type:** [condo, townhouse, HOA community, co-op]
**Assessment amount:** [total due]
**Payment options:** [lump sum, installments, financing, hardship plan, unknown]
**Due dates:** [dates and amounts]
**Reason for assessment:** [roof, elevator, insurance, reserves, structural repair, litigation, amenities]
**Current monthly budget:** [income, fixed expenses, variable expenses, savings rate]
**Cash reserves:** [emergency fund, sinking funds, taxable savings]
**Debt situation:** [credit cards, HELOC, personal loan, mortgage, none]
**Future plans:** [sell, rent out, refinance, stay long term]
**Questions/concerns:** [fairness, documentation, board transparency, resale impact]

Build a plan with:

1. **Assessment summary** — amount, schedule, reason, and documents to verify.
2. **Cash flow scenarios** — lump sum, installments, partial savings plus financing, and delayed payment if available.
3. **Emergency fund impact** — before/after reserves and minimum safety threshold.
4. **Financing comparison** — HOA plan, HELOC, personal loan, credit card, family loan, or savings, with risks.
5. **Budget adjustments** — temporary cuts, sinking fund changes, income timing, and upcoming expenses.
6. **Questions for the HOA/board** — reserves, bids, insurance, contingency, future assessments, payment hardship options.
7. **Owner decision matrix** — pay now, finance, challenge/clarify, sell, or seek professional advice.
8. **Spreadsheet layout** — due dates, sources of funds, balances, interest, and reminders.
9. **Communication templates** — board question email and payment-plan request.
10. **Risk checklist** — legal deadlines, late fees, lien risk, resale disclosures, and professional advice triggers.

Keep the guidance practical, calm, and documentation-focused.