Management Company Archives - CMA | Community Management Associates

What Makes CMA Different?

What makes CMA different?

If your community is considering a new community association management company, as the leader in association management throughout the southeast, Community Management Associates may be the solution your association has been searching for. 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 we serve to make a difference from within. Choose CMA and get the level of service your community deserves.

Unmatched expertise!

CMA belongs to several chapters of the Chamber of Commerce, the Community Associations Institute in Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, and Alabama, and many other licensing organizations in the southeast. Our community association managers meet or exceed the state licensing and certifications requirements in every state we serve. They have the professional skill set to help communities thrive. The PCAM designation is awarded to the top managers that specialize in community association management. CMA is proud to hold the highest number of PCAMs of any association management company in the region. Our experienced managers have advanced skills to tackle any situation that comes their way. We make it a point to assign communities to managers based on geographical proximity so the community receives the best possible service and our managers spend less time in traffic!

How do we ensure excellence?

CMA hires talented state licensed community association manager 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. Not only will your community have access to your assigned association manager, but each community association manager is also supported by our client services team and a supervising manager to assist residents and board members as needed. CMA also offers after-hours emergency call service to handle emergency calls during non-business hours. CMA is always available for your community. We are always looking for inventive, highly motivated professionals interested in community association management to join our team. Find your career with CMA.

We offer a wide range of services!

One of our main strengths at CMA is that we offer customizable service solutions to meet the unique needs of each community. Whether your community needs full service with concierge staff, financial only or developer management through the turnover process, CMA can customize a solution for you. We know that every association has its distinctive characteristics, and we want to preserve those details and character. We strive to ensure that you are proud of your home and community by offering a wide range of services. Whether you need help for property management in Atlanta, August, Birmingham, Nashville, Destin, Santa Rosa, or Naples, we are always here for you. Our customer service is ready to answer your calls. Some of our popular services include:

We help Homeowners Associations operate smoothly so they can maximize their resources and keep the community financially secure.

Training for new board members.

Our team of talented managers will be able to gauge the needs of the community preemptively. CMA will handle all communication efficiently to ensure that your owner residents are heard.

Accurate and transparent association accounting of financial records is vital to community association management. Our in-house financial experts will provide you with 24/7 financial visibility so you know how your association funds are being handled. Newer or smaller management firms with less oversight and experience can’t provide your community with the same financial peace of mind as CMA.

We can help you with payroll, assessment collection, annual budgeting, special assessments, capital improvement loans, insurance reviews, annual contract reviews, and many other important association functions.

You can contact us here!

Fall Landscaping Ideas for HOAs

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.

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.

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.

Are You Unhappy With Your Community Management Company?

Working and living with a management company is a complex matter. It can bring peace of mind because you can forget about complex administrative duties. However, it can also cause more stress than it should.

The main reason why the latter is a common occurrence is improper practices. A bad management firm will create more problems than it solves. Thankfully, you’re not alone, and there are a few things you can do to solve that.

What are the most common complaints about community management companies?

There are many articles going through the staple complaints people have toward their management company. A simple Google search yields several results, but some are definitely more common than others.

If you’re unhappy with your association, chances are it’s because one or more of these reasons. If that’s the case, then we have good news for you; they’re easier to solve than you might think.

Lack of communications

The most common complaint people have from their management company is that they feel like they don’t care about them. That’s easy when the company doesn’t respond to inquiries and requests in a timely manner.

Delays in problem resolution

Property management is complicated, as you need to keep many variables and services in mind. Bad tactics result in problems going unresolved and homeowners feeling neglected. Most commonly these problems are quick to fix, but inefficiency prevents that.

Lack of respect toward homeowners

Dealing with a community is difficult, and management companies can deplete their patience quickly. The result is that they tend to treat everyone rudely, even those who didn’t present any issues before.

Maintenance inefficiency

Maintenance problems are the easiest way to make an unhappy community. Not only does it feel like neglect, but it also makes the entire residence look deteriorated. Even smaller problems add up quickly.

Bad vendor selection

Finally, not hiring the right vendors breeds a plethora of other issues. Poor results and sketchy staff makes the board lose the community’s trust, so having a good contacts database is vital.

What can you do about it?

We’ve helped several clients resolve their issues with their management company. Most of these cases came from the same roots: choosing the wrong company and a lack of communication.

The latter is easily the most important, as it can also exacerbate other problems unnecessarily. Therefore, we have three tips from our own experience for how you can rid yourself of that stress.

Screen your management company

Make sure you ask for previous references and evaluate the company in the areas that you care about the most. That’s the first step to guarantee community satisfaction from your management company.

Communicate with everyone

Any good company has the right communications channels set up. Going for a firm with plenty of options to get in touch with them should be a priority if you want to avoid issues.

Set clear rules

Make sure everyone knows what they’re supposed to do, both the company and homeowners. Transparency and compliance helps in keeping everyone happy.

Rental Property Investment Tips for Nashville

Why keep money in banks when you can invest the smart way? Investing in rental property can be a good economic decision that can help you save more. It’s easy to find experts recommending rental property investment with the benefits including financial leverage, easy property management, and demand.

Are you thinking of stepping on the pedal too to save more money?

Property management in Nashville continues to look promising. According to the Nashville Business Journal, Nashville is a great real estate market to consider right now due to its popularity peak.

That said, rental property is a significant first-time investment, even if you’ve done it in another city already. Therefore, we’ve compiled several tips to make property management for Nashville easier.

Assess your finances before trying anything

Even Investopedia’s tip list mentions this within its first entries. You need to make sure your financial stability can support this investment. First, ensure you pay off all debts.

Then, evaluate your responsibilities as a landlord. That doesn’t mean just focusing on the right mindset and nothing else. You need to understand the expenses required for property management in Nashville, like CAM (common area maintenance) and HOA fees.

Identify your target investment

After you’re sure you can do it, you must recognize what to invest in. That means picking a neighborhood and the type of property you want to buy. Thinking about the kind of tenants you’d prefer is also useful.

However, it’s not just picking between apartments and houses. You should assess the entire space: number of rooms, construction materials, parking, size, and more.

Research the market to find opportunities

The most important part of making any investment is to assess trends and chances. Forecasts related to property management in Nashville are vital to help you make your final choice.

Right now, Nashville is expected to increase in home prices for over 5%, totalling more than 9% after last year’s rise.

Calculate your cap rate

Your capitalization rate is your possible profits from your property’s next income. The Balance defines it as the return rate you can make from a cash-bought house.

To calculate it, you must compare your renting price, expenses, and its purchase price. After subtracting your expenses from its rent, divide the result by your purchase price. The result is your cap rate percentage.

A word of caution though – there’s no “right or wrong” cap rate. It’s up to you to decide what makes an attractive return.

The 1% rule

As a side note, the same article from The Balance also mentions the 1% rule. It basically says that, if your monthly rent makes up (sans expenses) is at least 1% of its price, it’s worth looking more into it.