A Day in the Life of an Association Manager

Don’t you hate having to argue with your neighbors?

You’re lucky you don’t have to do it professionally.

The main task of the association manager of a community management company is to resolve community conflicts. From taking complaint calls to replying to angry emails, they often deal with their resident issues daily.

Who is an Association Manager?

When neighborhood associations face problems or wish to improve the conditions, they hire a professional community management company. They call in businesses like the Community Management Associates to aid the community volunteers and board of directors in matters of finance and administration. As a result, the community association management company sends an association manager to survey the respective neighborhood. Agents with high experience and well-honed communication skills represent the firm. They are the mediators between the residents/board and their parent company.

Community Management Company Associate Manager: A Day in the Life

Associate managers have a broad spectrum of roles to fulfill in the community neighborhood. They take care of everything from solving petty misunderstandings to formulating the budget for the entire community. Residents and the community welfare take central focus for these managers. Any feedback or complaints is quickly brought into consideration or resolved. But among their roles, community finance and neighborhood management are their primary areas of work.

Management Work

The maintenance and renovation within the community fall under the responsibility of the associate manager. If a roof leaks or a pipe break, he is the first individual the resident contacts. The manager is always patient and actively work towards solving the problem in such cases.

Their service also includes acting as a mediator between residents and service vendors. The manager also has to resolve any conflict that may arise between them. Bill delivery, repair of communal areas, health inspections and venue organization are the other areas they must handle.

Financial Work

The essential financial roles that the associate manager must fulfil are maintaining community funds, registering bills, and sharing tax histories. Sometimes, the boards of directors involve them in brainstorming the annual community budget. In such cases, the manager may assist in formulating loan applications to meet the financial needs. Regarding accidents with the residents in the community, the insurance company usually contacts the company manager for deeper insight.

Tough Love

Juggling bills and answering phone complaints are not the only thing an associate manager handles. Maybe it’s that guy from B-3 who plays rock at the oddest hours, or perhaps it’s the gentleman who always keeps the gate unlocked- there are times when the residents need a bit of tough love. These are the moments when associate managers come in most handy. For the community directors and the board, these people are neighbors and acquaintances. These community association members live next door to these people. Any harsh language and chastisement can lead to a detriment in the relationships. Therefore associate managers from companies like Community Management Associates are hired to do the tricky bits.

Simply informing residents about the rules or scolding them is not professional. All good managers have excellent interpersonal skills that open up communication. They must make residents aware of their mistakes while still maintaining a good relationship for the sake of the future.

End of Day

As a result, an ordinary day of an associate manager is anything but boring. Things don’t get slow in the block, from meeting contractors for repairs to putting out sudden fires to simply having a stimulating conversation.

Keeping the Peace Difficult Conversations with Neighbors

Keeping the Peace: Difficult Conversations with Neighbors

In community residences, good fences do make good neighbors.

But with some pressing issues when you have no choice but to be vocal about your problems.

Community boards and homeowner associations often hire third-party services like Community Management Associates to have these difficult conversations.

These people are professionals who assist homeowners’ associations (HOA) in improving the community.

Advice from a Community Management Company

The associate manager is their primary point of contact. Aside from accounting and management experience, they must also have well-developed communication skills. This particular skill set is necessary to maintain a professional relationship with the residents.

Here’s how managers keep things cordial while still being stern.

Never Be on the Offensive

It is crucial to be open to resolution when raising an issue with your neighbors. Make sure your priority is solving the problem. Never use it to vent at your neighbor.

Blindly reacting in the heat of the moment does more harm than good. You want a dialogue, not an argument.

Do Not Add Past Grievances to the Issue at Hand

This piling up of old complaints is the worst thing you could do. An allegation immediately puts your neighbor on the defensive.

Your conversation should only center around the issue at hand. People often make the mistake of pulling other residents into the mix. Instead of strengthening your argument, this only makes your neighbor feel attacked.

They are more likely to lash out in anger, turning your issue into a full-blown fight.

Try to See Things from Their Perspective

For example, water from your upstairs neighbor may be trickling into your terrace daily. Instead of stomping there to argue, investigate a bit. They may be simply be watering plants, unaware of any issues downstairs. You can now calmly approach them after being adequately informed of the situation.

Sometimes conflicts may be unavoidable. A neighbor’s damaged car may block your gate.

In such cases be as accommodating as possible. Chances are they’ll do the same for you when the time comes.

Build a Healthy Relationship

Say hello when you run into them, help them carry luggage upstairs when possible. This practice helps build healthy rapport.

So, when the time comes, they are more likely to be amenable to your grievances.

Keep Track in Case of Repeated Offenses

Some neighbors don’t seem to get the memo. If they are not open to resolving things peacefully, make it a point to note down details.

Since the culprit has chosen to ignore your repeated requests, you can inform the associate housing manager about the issue. Since it solidifies your argument, your log is sure to come in handy during this time.

File a Complaint with the Board Only as a Last Resort

Inform the board only if the issue with your neighbor persists despite your repeated requests. Filing a complaint can damage relationships and should be done only as a last resort.

After deliberations, the community members and the board to discuss your issue may introduce new penalties and fines preventing such violations in the future.

This decision affects the entire community rather than just you and the offender. So, it is essential to make communication and resolution the primary weapons in your arsenal.

What Does a Community Management Association Company Do

What Does a Community Management Association Company Do?

Ever wondered why your cul-de-sac was so peaceful growing up? No fights, clean lanes, friendly neighbors- your local community association probably had something to do with all this.

Local Community Associations

Neighborhood homeowners play an essential role in maintaining common spaces and improving community welfare.

A community association comprises volunteers, as well as elected and mandatory members. Larger communities often have member fees, while smaller neighborhoods are mostly civic bodies.

When to Hire a Community Management Association Company

With an efficient community association at the helm, people don’t easily notice things like property taxes or association fees and vendor rates. It is when this system breaks that they realize the importance of their roles in their daily lives.

In dire cases, a community management association company is called to help oil the gears of this resident community.

Role of the Community Management Association Company

It offers assistance to the HOA (homeowners association) in administration or finance. This service helps the community association a great deal. More prominent neighborhoods benefit particularly from the budget sessions and vendor billing tips that the company associate provides.

Community management association companies have been around for some time. Businesses like Atlanta’s Community Management Associates have over three decades of experience.

They are usually hired by overworked community presidents or stressed boards of directors. And after signing relevant paperwork, the company starts on its role.

Role of Community Association Company Manager

A community association manager is dispatched to the neighborhood as a representative. The manager also helps the struggling local association in tasks like neighborhood budget planning, professional billing and common area maintenance.

While his roles may include finance and administration, his goal is always to enrich the entire community.

Finance and Administrative Skills

The company manager is skilled in community management while being an expert in negotiations and conflict resolutions. If the board of directors are hesitant about loan applications, they can consult with the community association manager.

The same can be done for advice on tax returns, service contractors and venue management.

All good community management association companies interact with the people of the neighborhood. The residents provide crucial feedback on necessary changes for protection against vandalism or the monthly billings.

Importance of Community Management Association Company

A neighborly bond is a valuable thing, but it can be a con in some instances. Community volunteers and the board of directors are often reluctant to broach the topic of finance with their fellow residents.

Hiring the service of a management company like Community Management Associates can easily solve this problem. A third party will have no problem talking bills, fees and finance with the neighborhood residents.

Even tricky conversations regarding complaints and fines can be presided over by the community management association company. The manager relieves an enormous load off the community president/board’s back. As a result, they can focus on more important work like budgets and community safety.

Hiring a community management association company is the answer if you want your neighborhood to work like well-oiled clockwork.

What to Look for When Selecting an Association Management Partner

Managing a community is hard work. From maintenance issues to complaint resolution, it is easy for untrained local volunteers and homeowners to get overwhelmed.

Why Do You Need an Association Management Partner?

In many community bodies, the board mainly consist of homemakers who volunteer for the role. They lack proper training in accounting and conflict management.

As a result, their community associations responsibilities are not executed efficient. In such cases, a third party enters to guide them and provide necessary assistance.

Many homeowners’ associations hire community management firms to improve, maintain and resolve community management.

After signing a contract, companies like Company Management Associates send a representative as a point of contact to advise and guide them. These are experienced agents excelling in finance as well as interpersonal skills.

With over 345,000 community associations in the country, there is plenty of demand for partners.

Homeowner associations must pay careful attention to these traits in management companies to bag the best of the lot.

The Business Model

Some companies have a fit-all approach to community management. They apply the same model to all localities and locations.

A model customized for a large community will not work for a minor association. The governing bodies in these communities are usually volunteers. They cannot dedicate the same amount of time to their responsibilities as their more formal counterparts in more prominent associations.

Small communities tend to be civic-oriented, while prominent neighborhoods focus more on finance and administration.

To get the best results, it is vital to choose a partner whose values align with those of the community.

Work History/Experience

Reviews from past customers are key to getting a ground-level knowledge of the company. A comprehensive of their daily workings can be unearthed with a bit of research.

Experienced companies like Community Management Associates are always more likely to be more efficient partners. With 32 years of professional management work, they know the little quirks acquired only with experience.

Larger, more established companies also have more employees. As a result, they have more varied talents and can provide a broader range of services.

Connections

From drain cleanings to gas leak repair, local service providers are crucial for every community. Almost every maintenance issue requires their service. So, a good association management partner must have a wide range of such connections.

Besides this, the service providers must be reliable and trustworthy. Sometimes these workers may get injured during work. If they are not appropriately insured, hefty charges may be incurred by the homeowners’ associations.

Therefore, it is essential to validate the certification, license and insurance of these service providers.

Relevant Certifications/Credentials

A partner must possess relevant documentation and certificates to back up their years of experience.

It is crucial to verify the company’s trade associations certifications. The Community Associations Institute (CAI) is a leading international trade organization focusing on developments.

The Professional Community Association Manager is a prestigious title that the CAI grants only select partners. If you find this tag on the company, their partner service is a cut above the rest.

Other noteworthy designations include Association Management Specialists (ACM) and Certified Manager of Community Associations (CMCA).

Latest Technology

Often, stagnation in technology goes hand in hand with the years in the industry. A working website and dedicated social media presence are the norms for most companies these days.

But only a few provide the best in the membership registration technology, emergency response and billing systems.

Keep your eyes peeled for these firms.

What Makes CMA Different From Other Association Companies

What makes CMA different from other association companies?

If you have been looking to consult a community association manager, you do not have to look further than CMA. We are reinventing the community management industry one step at a time. Our core values of loyalty, integrity, trust, mutual respect, and professionalism have helped us become trusted leaders in the industry. Client satisfaction is our primary objective, and we are willing to go the extra mile for all our valued customers. We actively participate in the communities to make a difference from within. We are involved in a variety of programs in southeastern America.

Our expertise is unmatched!

CMA belongs to several chapters of the Chamber of Commerce, the Community Associations Institute, and many other licensing organizations in the southeastern states. Our community association managers meet the requirements of every state. They have the professional skill set to help communities thrive with easy solutions. The PCAM designation is awarded to the best managers who have specialized in community association management. We are proud to inform you that we hire the highest number of PCAMs in this region. Our experienced managers have advanced skills to tackle any situation that comes their way. We make it a point to assign communities to portfolio managers based on their proximity to the location so that the community receives the best possible service.

How do we ensure our excellence?

CMA hires talented professionals who are willing to innovate. We focus on the combined strengths of the team as a whole, allowing everyone to share their new ideas and initiate valuable collaborations. You might be a perfect fit for CMA if you are an inventive, highly motivated professional.

We offer a wide range of services!

One of our main strengths at CMA is that we offer customizable services to suit the unique needs of all our clients. We know that every association has its distinctive features, and we want to preserve those details. We strive to ensure that you are proud of your home which is we offer a broad range of services. Whether you need help for property management Atlanta or any other southeastern state, we are always there for you. Our customer service is always ready to answer your calls about any query you might have. We will respond within a business day. Some of our popular services include:

We help Homeowners Association-s operate smoothly so they can maximize their resources and keep the community healthy. We can train board members in particular areas.
Ensuring the safety of the community is important to us. We can program your security systems and control them minutely with the help of our advanced technologies.
Our team of talented administrators will be able to gauge the needs of the community preemptively. They will handle all communication efficiently and ensure that nobody feels unvalued.
We have a capable engineering team to look over the planning and development of the community.
Community accounting comes with a unique set of challenges, and our in-house financial experts will help you navigate it. We can help you with payroll, assessment collection, annual budgeting and many other facets of accounting.

You can contact us here!

Boosting Neighbor Participation in HOA/Condo Meetings

Homeowner engagement is one of the main pillars of a strong community. New homeowners need to be involved in the community and participate in HOA meetings often. However, many people are reluctant to be social at first. With 57% of Americans admitting that they know only some of their neighbors, it is a sign that sometimes people need a nudge to go the extra mile.

As more homeowners begin to participate in HOA meetings, you will be able to collect feedback and create a well-managed community. If you are looking to boost attendance at your HOA/condo meetings, you can use the following tips.

Welcome the new homeowners

Many homeowners like to be formally welcomed into the neighborhood. It helps them recognize the role of the HOA in the community. You can send a welcome package curated by the HOA, so the new homeowners feel validated. Make sure to include items that feel personal to the community.

Host social events

Neighbors need to meet each other and establish camaraderie to create a thriving community. HOA meetings will see higher attendance when the neighbors feel as if they are doing something together for the community. Organize a few social events throughout the year so that homeowners in the neighborhood get a chance to get acquainted.

Widen the scope for participation

The prospect of simply attending meetings might not be appealing to many. You will benefit from providing them with an incentive to attend the meeting. Consider the broader interests of the community and how the residents can actively participate in decision-making. Creating volunteer committees will provide homeowners an avenue to engage with the community further. Committees allow everyone to share the responsibilities and have regular interaction.

Depending on the activities and interests of the board, you can start a Neighborhood Welcome Committee, a Landscape and Beautification Committee, a Homeowner Education Committee, a Finance & Budget Committee among others. This will help to foster a sense of community and responsibility which will increase participation in HOA meetings since everyone will want to stay updated in regards to their committee.

Regular communication

The HOA has to maintain regular communication with each of the homeowners to keep them interested. Social media and emails have made it so much easier to broadcast information and keep everyone in the loop. You can issue a notice about the next HOA meeting and include the time and date so that more people are aware of it. Keep improving your communication methods.

Be punctual and respect everyone’s time

A board meeting should begin and end at the specified time. Homeowners like to know how much time they will be spending at the board meeting so they can arrange their schedule accordingly. Shorter and crisper board meetings will see higher attendance. If you develop a reputation for disrespecting everyone’s time, then homeowners will be less likely to get involved in the proceedings.

Reward engagement

Once the attendance of your HOA meeting goes up, you have to maintain the upward trend. Show appreciation for the attendees so they continue to show up.

Boosting neighbor participation in HOA meetings will aid swift progress. Property management Atlanta encourages higher meeting attendance for a stronger community.

How to Bring Your Neighborhood Together

A study by the General Social Survey claims that 33.33% of Americans have never interacted with their neighbors. This is an alarming increase compared to the data collected 40 years ago, in which the number was 25%. With the emergence of social media apps like Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, creating natural and personal connections can seem more challenging.

When homeowners feel disconnected from the neighborhood they are living in, they don’t feel the need to protect their community. This can hamper the reputation, growth and asset value of your HOA.

The onus lies on the Board of large HOAs to bring people residing in gated communities together by instilling within them a sense of belongingness.

What can you do to create a sense of community within a large HOA?

Here are some excellent ways to integrate your community by increasing homeowner participation.

1. Organize events

Community events are a great place for homeowners to mingle and get to know each other. You can hold events either on festive holidays or any other day of your choice. Having fun activities and functions that require group participation can help individuals interact and form connections. You can hold numerous events like bake sales, sports tournaments, community pool parties, movie nights and so much more.

2. Create shared spaces

Ensure that your community has ample common spaces for homeowners to meet and interact with each other informally, especially if you are a large HOA. Shared spaces can include recreational facilities like spas, theater, game rooms, gymnasiums, libraries, or sporting arenas. Allow residents to utilize these spaces for organizing events.

3. Create channels for communication

Create a group on WhatsApp, iMessage or any other app of your choice for homeowners to interact with each other and communicate their questions and grievances related to the community. Residents may take contact details of each other and create personal connections through such channels.

4. Build a tradition

Plan out annual traditions that homeowners are excited to attend. This could be anything from a yearly movie screening, a book fair, or a new year’s party. You can even make your community unique by creating special traditions such as sending cards to homeowners on their birthdays or having homeowners share their secret recipes.

5. Have a welcoming committee for new homeowners

This is a small gesture for new residents to feel welcome and participate in the association. You can either host an ice-breaking party or have a small group of people visit their home with goodies and welcome treats.

6. Website

You can create an official website for your HOA to serve multiple purposes ranging from homeowner’s query forms to dispute resolutions, parking, club memberships or participation in festivities. You can even use the website to update homeowners about upcoming events and the regulations they need to abide by. This will restrict conflict among homeowners and increase community participation.

Take the help of our community association managers at CMA to have homeowners feel invested and contribute to the overall success of your community.

Condo Safety Resources

The recent incident of the Florida building collapse has left people in shock. Homeowners are beginning to question the safety of their own condos. As a result, they are now more willing to be proactive about their safety and security. Residents and homeowners want to take responsibility for their own well-being and ensure that no accidents happen. Every single community member needs to take the appropriate measures and participate in community building safety. Whether it is condo safety Atlanta or condo safety Augusta, everyone should take it seriously.

Ask the important questions

While different states have put forth different clauses and requirements for building safety, some standard guidelines can be followed by everyone. Every community member, regardless of where they live, should ask the following questions:

What are the steps that have been taken to make the building safe?
How much investment has been made into safety equipment and protocols?
Is there a financial reserve plan for repairs and replacements?
Are the community guidelines updates regularly?
How often should professional engineers inspect the structural integrity of the buildings?
What are the resources set aside for any accidents?

What can you do?

As a homeowner, you do have a say in how the condo operates and you should utilize that power.

Homeowners have to familiarise themselves with their rights and responsibilities.
Attending board meetings is essential because it is the easiest way to convey your grievances to the condo committee with the support of other homeowners. You will have the stage to present your problems and fears openly.
Do not ignore communication from the community and stay up to date with the latest developments.
Do not be afraid to ask questions during community events.
Be prepared to fund reserves for necessary replacements and repairs.

Do your research!

Being self-sufficient will help you take the best decisions for yourselves. You can do your research online or you can even ask the condo manager to provide you with resources that you can study. This will also encourage your neighbors to do the same and the management will go the extra mile to take proper safety measures. We have linked some resources for you below:

You can also access more resources here.

Responsibilities of the Board

Board members should keep an eye on the needs of the condo and take measures before it is too late. They should schedule inspections every other month to find out whether there are any structural problems that have to be resolved ahead of time. It is important to review the reserve plan and ensure its efficacy. The reserve funding plan should be implemented using the best practices. Being transparent about funding and resources with residents and homeowners will make the process smoother. Frequent communication is key. Formulating a disaster management plan can also prove to be helpful.

Everyone deserves to feel safe in their own living space. Stay aware and take initiatives to secure your future.

You’re a New Volunteer Neighborhood Board Member: 5 Things You Should Know

The neighborhood board requires active participation from members so that there is continuous improvement. If you have chosen to become a volunteer board member, you should know your duties and responsibilities clearly. It is important for you to be efficient at what you do and remain approachable to homeowners.

These are the five things you should know as you accept this new role:

You cannot focus on personal interests

When you join the board, you will be subjected to a lot of different opinions. Homeowners and other board members will expect you to side with their personal interests. You have to remain as neutral as possible. You should focus on serving the best interests of the association as a whole.

It will not be possible for you to cater to individual people. Be wise and use sound judgment to make the correct business decisions for the association based on the available resources and circumstances.

You have to provide residents with participation opportunities

Residents and homeowners will be more willing to participate in the community and work together if they feel included in the board decisions. Give them a chance to comment on the matters facing the board so that they feel valued.

You can organize events for residents where they can participate and have an open discussion without any bias. Suppressing someone’s opinions directly can lead to backlash for you.

You cannot accept gifts from residents

With great power comes great responsibility. As a board member, you will have the ability to take decisions that affect the entire community. It is likely that you will have residents coming to you for support. They might even offer you some gifts in exchange for your help.

However, it is unethical for you to accept any direct or indirect gifts from residents, vendors and owners. It can be seen as bribery since you are in a position of power. You must politely decline any gifts that come your way.

Always stand by the board

There will be times when you might not fully agree with the decision of the board. You might be in the minority in regards to a particular action. However, you always have to speak in support of the board. You have to uphold the singular voice of the board to avoid confusion. You have to accept all the duly-adopted board decisions even if you have personal objections.

You cannot engage in any personal attacks

Maintaining composure and being charismatic will help you a good board member. You cannot engage in personal attack or issue threats to get your away. You have to follow the code of conduct with residents, owners and other board members.

Also be particular about maintaining confidentiality of the board meetings. Leaking information without the permission of the board can lead to penalty.

You have to remember that you are accepting responsibility when you become a voluntary board member and remain committed to it. Property management Atlanta expects voluntary board members to be ethical and efficient.

Best practices for building community with neighborhood social events (during and post COVID)

The pandemic has not only affected the mental and physical health of millions of people worldwide but also considerably weakened our sense of community by limiting our social interactions. Although people have continued to remain in touch virtually, there is no substitute for actual human gathering to foster a sense of togetherness within a community.

Neighborhood social events you can organize to build community within your HOA

Social events and activities go a long way in bringing people together. Here are a few ideas for events you can conduct within your community while maintaining appropriate COVID-19 protocol.

1. Community BBQ

There is nothing like a good BBQ to celebrate the resuming of regular activities after a year-long pause. Since BBQs are open-air, the chances of contamination are a lot less. Residents may use their own plates and cutlery and take care of disposing of them too. They can take out mats or even set up individual grills in their backyard.

2. Outdoor movie night

Set up a screen or a projector by your community’s ground or poolside and ask residents to maintain social distancing norms while enjoying a movie together.

3. Arrange for community drives

You can schedule drives to a nearby waterfall, hill or any scenic attraction by asking residents to take their vehicles together. Residents can even choose to decorate their cars based on a common theme. This will be a great way to have fun together while maintaining social distancing.

4. Organize game nights through video conferencing

Thanks to technology, you can still enjoy the thrill of a game night while maintaining social distancing. Ask residents to join in on a Zoom call to conduct quizzes and fun contests or catch up with each other’s lives.

5. Organize a photo scavenger hunt

Since coronavirus norms won’t allow you to get together and enjoy a good-old scavenger hunt freely, you can instead conduct a photo scavenger hunt. This will require you to give out a list of things on your community Facebook page or social media group. As residents come across these items on your community campus or even unique objects inside their own homes, they can post a picture of it and tag you.

6. Organize community gift exchanges

This can be an exciting way for residents to feel a sense of belongingness to their neighborhood community. Get residents to exchange small surprise gifts with each other through shipping or mail. You can even ask them to leave the gifts by each other’s doors.

7. Create groups online

Create groups on social media apps for residents to connect and stay updated on each other’s health and general well-being. They can even post selfies, photos or share memories on these groups to keep in touch.

When it comes to restricting the spread of the deadly Coronavirus inside your community, HOAs have a lot on their shoulders. Feel free to take the help of our community association managers and community leaders to help you conduct social neighborhood events safely amidst the pandemic and well into the future.