Category: Community Association Management

Fall Landscaping Ideas for HOAs

Autumn Homes

With fall’s agreeable temperatures enticing people to get outside, now is the perfect opportunity to refresh your neighborhood’s landscaping for a more visually appealing and welcoming atmosphere. Read on for information on what to do before tackling a project and a few simple fall landscaping ideas to boost the appearance of your community.

Any homeowners’ association (HOA) or condominium association (COA) strives to create a warm and welcoming environment where residents can make the most of community living. An inviting community encourages homeowners to take advantage of shared amenities, engage with neighbors, and enjoy the comforts of their neighborhood after a busy day.

What to Do Before Tackling a Landscaping Project

Before diving into these fall HOA landscaping ideas, review the landscaping rules in your governing documents for prior approval before making any changes to your landscape. Your community’s regulations will help you maintain your community’s consistency and avoid designs that disrupt the neighborhood’s aesthetic. For example, your HOA may require all landscaping to follow an approved color palette. This ensures that outdoor areas around the community are cohesive and complementary.

Because every community is unique and has its own style, following your HOA’s landscaping maintenance guidelines is vital. Remember, what works for a neighboring association may not be best for yours. Use your HOA rules to guide you as you look for new fall landscaping plants, flowers, and other ideas for community grounds.

Once written approval is obtained from your community, put the project out to bid with reputable and vetted licensed and insured service providers. Once a contractor is selected, make sure the contractor is aware and follows all community guidelines.  Whether you are hiring a professional contractor, or tackling the project yourself, prior to starting any work, find out if your project needs a local county permit and call 811 to locate and mark all underground utilities prior to any digging.

Fall Landscaping Ideas for HOAs

By making small changes around the neighborhood, you can quickly—and easily—transform how your community looks and feels. Here are four ways you can take advantage of the season and enhance the community’s overall aesthetic.

1. Outdoor lighting.

When it comes to fall landscaping, simple lighting updates will make a big impact. Better outdoor lighting can have a dramatic effect on outdoor landscaping, help you save on energy costs, and make the community safer. Here are some ways to upgrade your exterior lighting:

  • Set lights to a photocell sensor or solar timer. These devices automatically turn lights on when it gets dark and off when extra light is unnecessary. They not only save energy, but also enhance safety and security—nothing looks more inviting than well-lit streets.
  • Stay on top of replacing bulbs. Changing a single bulb at a time can be costly, so have all bulbs inspected and replaced as needed this fall. This will typically allow you to purchase bulbs in bulk, providing a savings opportunity.
  • Switch to energy-efficient lighting. The pricing and quality of light-emitting diode (LED) and solar lighting have significantly developed over the last decade. To save on energy, consider migrating to LED lamps in your existing fixtures or replacing them with solar lighting.
  • Add uplights and spotlights in outdoor areas. Beautiful outdoor lighting highlighting community trees, fountains, and other landscaping features can instantly boost curb appeal and security.

According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), a nationwide survey showed that homebuyers’ most-wanted outdoor feature was exterior lighting. With such an important emphasis on lighting, upgrading your HOA landscaping lighting may be worth the effort.

2. Plant trees.

You can easily add to your community’s ambiance and increase property values with trees. With fall’s mild temperatures and ripe soil, now is the perfect time to plant them. However, the placement and size of trees are crucial. Although you should incorporate a balance of plants and trees, confirm the species and types don’t grow so big that they overcrowd and block homes or buildings. Plant trees that offer minimal fall landscaping maintenance and draw attention to community structures and shared areas.

Depending on your location, popular tree types that may be a great addition to your community include:

  • Crabapple trees
  • Magnolia trees
  • Oak trees
  • Palms

In addition to improved community appearance, research shows that neighborhoods with thriving trees may also experience less crime than communities with no trees. While you should check your governing documents for restrictions and defer to your landscaping vendor on what trees work best in your community, it’s something to think about as you move forward.

3. Tidy up and clear out foliage.

Preserve community grounds and ensure that common areas don’t have overgrown grass and unkempt landscaping. A property that looks like it’s not taken care of can leave a bad impression on potential homebuyers and limit resident satisfaction. Make an effort to keep neighborhood grounds tidy by:

  • Trimming trees and bushes
  • Cutting grass and tending to garden beds
  • Clearing out broken or dead branches and rotted wood

4. Refresh mulch.

Maintain plants in common areas throughout the season with a thick layer of mulch. A three-inch layer can drastically reduce weed growth, which will save on the cost of fall landscaping services. Also, healthy mulch offers a crisp, clean, and refreshed look to your community landscaping, which helps create the beautiful environment you want for your HOA.

However, avoid piling mulch up against tree trunks and shrub stems. This allows pests to burrow under the mulch and gnaw on the plants and roots. Leave at least an inch gap between the stem or trunk and the mulch for optimal plant health.

Improve Community Living with Regular Fall Maintenance

Updating your landscaping this season is a great goal, but keeping your community’s buildings, grounds, and systems in good working order this time of year is crucial as we head into winter. If you have any questions about your community’s guidelines, please contact your association manager.

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.

A Day in the Life of an Association Manager

A Day in the Life of an Association Manager

Don’t you hate having to argue with your neighbors? Hiring a professional management company can help keep the peace among neighbors!

The main task of a licensed community association manager with a professional community management company is to assist the board with the day to day operations and maintenance of the community and provide financial transparency to its members. Managers also help residents by taking calls, emails, handling property emergencies, and maintaining the standards of the community by sending out compliance communication to residents. Life as an association manager is full of rewards and many challenges!

Who is an Association Manager?

Community managers and management companies are the professional backbone of the associations they serve, providing the skills and expertise that are essential to the successful management of community associations. When neighborhood associations face problems or wish to improve the conditions of association common areas, they look to hire a professional community management company that is licensed by the state. Community Management Associates assist community volunteer board of directors in matters of finance and administration related to the association. 

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 drafting the annual budget for the community so the board can finalize. 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 to Look for When Selecting an Association Management Partner

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.

5 Best Practices For A Buyer To Seller Letter

Finding the house of your dreams can be bittersweet. On one hand, buying it is a major achievement, and the peace it brings is equal to none. However, losing the bid on that house can feel like your soul gets crushed.

That’s why prospective buyers often do everything they can to get that house. A buyer letter to seller is an excellent way to tip the balance in your favor. However, you need to know how to write it properly.

What exactly is a buyer letter to seller?

In competitive housing markets, which many states across the country are experiencing right now, it can be hard to find the right edge over other buyers. So many buyers are exhausted with finding a house they love, putting in an offer, only for another offer to be accepted. Clever has a great article explaining what these letters are. It’s essentially a complimentary letter for your offer directed to the seller. The goal behind it is to create a more personal connection with your seller.

So, these letters to the seller focus on triggering an emotional response. You want them to prefer you for more than your bid. The best letters can convince sellers to accept your offer, even if they have larger bids from other buyers.

Why should you care?

A buyer letter is a significant leverage if you write them correctly. You can add more weight to your offer after creating an emotional connection with a seller. Therefore, you don’t need to rely solely on your capital.

If no one uses these letters, the decision is a lot simpler for the seller. They just need to go for the highest bid. Therefore, this strategy can help you curb a significant disadvantage, especially if you’re somewhat low on funds.

The 5 keys for a good letter

Anyone can write a buyer letter to seller, but writing the perfect letter can be a challenge. You need to know which words you should use as well as which emotions you want to target.

Luckily, Investopedia has several tips you can use to craft a great letter. We’ll summarize them into the 5 main practices you want to implement.

Before diving into it, keep in mind that every seller is different. Not all of them will respond to the same triggers in the same way. It’s your responsibility to understand them and proceed accordingly.

Connections

Find something relating you and the seller together. Focus on these aspects to help them empathize with you. Universities, hometowns, and hobbies are a great start.

Conciseness

You want to cover all the aspects you need, but don’t make it too long. Keep the letter straight to the point. You don’t want the seller to feel bored reading it,

Positiveness

Don’t bring up uncomfortable topics. That includes previous lost offers. You don’t want to come off as dramatic or desperate.

Be engaging

Avoid generic sentences, like “I like your house.” Explain why you like it and how it fits your life goals. However, do avoid mentioning remodeling or any changes to it.

Proofread!

Before sending it, read everything you just wrote. You want to spot errors, sure, but your main focus should be on whether or not you’re sending the right message.