Community Association Managers are professional managers of homeowners associations. Once upon a time, CAMs were unregulated in Colorado. Then, in 2012, the state commissioned a study of how to address perceived issues involving HOAs. The study concluded that regulating CAMs would be a good step toward improving accountability in this area. The Legislature then passed […]
Why Condo & HOA Management Companies are Unresponsive
I hear it all the time: “my community manager is unresponsive or a poor communicator” or No one at the management company picks up the phone or calls us back!” The first bad omen of poor service is that when you call your manager the phone goes to a voicemail box. When I owned a […]
Clarifying the Community Manager’s Role
Community managers have two primary responsibilities: to carry out policies set by the board and to manage the association’s daily operations. Some residents expect a community manager to perform certain tasks that just aren’t part of their job description. When the community manager doesn’t meet those expectations, residents are unhappy. The following should help homeowners […]
Ten steps a property manager can take to prevent fraud in your community association (MA)
As a homeowner who lives in an association, you put a lot of trust in the people designated to manage your association’s money. So it can come as quite a shock if you discover that one of those people has been stealing from your association’s funds. Fortunately, there are steps that board members can take […]
Self Management: Investigating the Hybrid Management Option
Self managing your community can be a good way to save money. However, sometimes the size or complexity of a property or the projects at hand may become too much for a volunteer board to handle on its own. If your community is having difficulty dealing with issues you may want to consider a “Hybrid […]
HOA Management Best Practices
Every management company brings their own unique style to the accounts they oversee. However, there are a few things that every HOA board should expect, no matter the size of your community or the reach of your management company. Here is a list of the best practices we compiled from delivering decades of HOA management […]
Basic Tips for Hiring a Community Association Manager
Community association property management is a field that has experienced significant growth in recent years. Florida Law requires licensure by individuals who, for compensation, provide management services for community associations with more than ten (10) units, or those with annual budgets that exceed $100,000 (CAM licensing). Currently, Florida has over 10,000 licensed property managers. As […]
Community Manager Licensing – Sunset in Colorado
If you want to earn a living as a community association manager in these eight states – Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, and Virginia – you must have a state-issued license. In 1987, Florida created the first state licensure program for community association managers and other states followed sporadically over the past few […]
They Work for Your Association but Are They the Association’s Employees?
Depending on their size, condominium associations may receive a variety of professional services – from managers, security guards, lifeguards, maintenance workers and administrative assistants, among other personnel. Boards and owners often question the cost and quality of these services, but few, if any, ever wonder, “Whose employees are they?” Read the article……………….
Time Management, Multitasking & Other Myths
A few years ago I would have never thought “Time Management, Multi-Tasking and Other Myths” was going to be my most requested presentation topic. Then again, given the increasing pace of life, the growing data deluge, the obliteration of work/life balance by hyperconnectivity, and expectation for immediate gratification that has become the new norm, I […]
New Mandatory Disclosure Requirements for Community Managers (CA)
The legislature believes that more laws are needed to assure that community managers – those who control the assets of common interest developments (“CIDs”) – do not take advantage of their clients by entering into secret agreements with vendors. While in our experience instances of such manager misconduct are rare, the legislature has a theoretical […]
Protect Your Association Against Expensive Employment Litigation
Most community associations utilize independent contractors to service their property. A general example of an independent contractor is an association’s landscaper who uses its own machinery, works on other properties, and is paid in lump sums. However, some associations hire employees who only work for the association, are paid by the hour, and are subject […]
What Makes a Good Property Manager?
There are a lot of property managers out there. They have different backgrounds, styles and strengths. It is important for the board of directors of your homeowner’s association to look for a management company that will best serve your community. Do they have the expertise that your association needs? Read the article…………….
Property Manager++ What’s in a name?
The mouth, the mind and the figurative heart have a most curious relationship. The ancient psalmist observed that “out of the heart’s abundance, the mouth speaks.” And at the same time, the data indicates that what we talk about impacts our cognitive abilities and mood. The words we use are important. The information we allow […]
8 reasons why property management companies fail—and how to avoid others’ mistakes
Property management is a huge but highly fragmented industry. It’s a roughly $58 billion sector in the U.S. alone, and most of the companies operating in the space have only a handful of employees. But while the barriers to entry might be low, finding success in the property management industry can be a challenge. Many […]
Relationship Between the Facilities Manager and Association Manager
The relationship between the facilities manager and an association manager is a dynamic one that involves many gives and takes. Each person has their own role to fulfill along with responsibilities and tasks. They must be true to their constituents while still must be accommodating and compromising with the other side. They have a long-term […]
The Top HOA Management Issues Caused By Lack of Communication
Whether it be between board members, between residents and the board, or between the HOA and vendors, a lack of communication can cause a myriad of problems within the community. Here are the top HOA management issues that are caused by a lack of communication, the likely reasons for this deficiency, and how HOAs can […]
Supporting Your Staff: Letting Your Employees Know You Care
Most people go about their days paying little attention to the labor performed by those who make their lives easier. From transit workers to service employees to government officials, how often does one stop to thank the people making everything run along smoothly? Staffs of condominiums, cooperatives, and homeowners’ associations are no exception. Sure, they […]
The Roles of Building Staff: Working as a Team for the Good of All
Supers, building managers, maintenance persons, custodial staff, groundskeeping personnel, porters, doormen, concierges—depending on the size of a community, the staff roster for a condo, co-op or HOA can be pretty long. The truth is, in the case of almost any building or association over five units, at least a few of these people are necessary […]
Preventing Community Association Fraud: Part Two – Your Property Management Company’s Role
Fraud can strike just about any association – even one that is professionally managed – regardless of how small or large your community may be. However, a good property management company will have checks and balances and other security measures in place to help reduce the risk. How do you know if a management firm […]
How an HOA Manager Helps the Board Prepare for Emergency Situations
When people think of an emergency, the first image that usually comes to mind is a natural disaster. But an emergency in your homeowners association isn’t always a flood or fire. There can also be financial or management-related emergencies that an HOA board is faced with. Most Boards aren’t prepared to handle emergencies and can […]
Characteristics of the Best Condo Property Manager in the World
only want World-class Property Managers (WPM) to manage my condo. After working with many managers over the past ten years, I know first-hand that WPMs make my job as a condo board director much easier. What makes a WPM so amazing? I have found it often comes down to a variety of core skills that […]
Community Management: Basic Functions
We’ve explored some of the myths of community managers and also the basic qualities of a good community manager. Now that you all know what community managers don’t do and some of the qualities great managers posses, you know what you should be looking for, right? You’re on your way to choosing a great manager […]
Your Property Manager May Soon Be a Robot
The Jetsons, the titular nuclear family of a popular 1960s cartoon show, lived in Orbit City and had a robot maid named Rosie, a slightly obsolete blue machine that did a lot of the household grunt work and even dispensed some tough love. What seemed like a fantastical gag half a century ago may soon […]
Community Management: Qualities of a Good Manager
A board of directors must understand that the manager performs various functions for the association and that the board need not do all the work itself. A good board of directors should be able to make policy decisions and have the manager carry out these decisions. It behooves the board, therefore, to choose a good […]
5 Things That Make Community Management Unique
Community management is a tough job and community managers take pride in their work. Just try calling a community manager a “property manager”. You’ll probably get a strange look or even a stern correction. After all, those in the community association industry know there’s a big difference. Don’t get me wrong, property managers are great, […]
Community Managers, Are You Prepared for Fall?
Yes, it’s that time of the year again! As we are one month away from the end of summer and the onset of fall, a manager has a lot to think about to prepare the community for the upcoming season. Here, we provide a checklist along with some tips that every manager can incorporate into […]
5 Things That Make an Exceptional Community Association Manager
Community association managers who have been in the business for a few years know what is takes to be a good manager. Problem solving, analytical thinking, good communication skills are the foundation, perhaps even having an “A” type personality. Read the article……………
5 Tips For Hiring A Good HOA Community Manager
Choosing a community manager is one of the most important decisions that a HOA and condo board will make. Talk about pressure! You need to be careful in your selection because the people who work on your community’s management team—especially those on-site—will affect quality of life for residents. So it’s important to make a smart […]
7 Risks of Being a Self-Managed Homeowners Association
Many HOA boards think they have it all together and can easily manage the homeowners association on their own. But can they really? While there are various factors involved when it comes to whether or not a homeowners association can successfully be self-managed – such as how involved the board members are, the size of […]
Top 50 Questions for Your CAM Knowledge Base
Creating a powerful, search engine-like knowledge base answers relevant questions for your community residents requires investment in time and resources. Therefore, we present a guide that will give your community association management company a head-start in creating a knowledge base to keep your residents informed of policies and procedures. By keeping residents informed and engaged, […]
HOA Management | Managing Expectations in a Fast Paced World
Managing expectations – HOA Board members, homeowners, contractors, co-workers and our employer. All of that to handle in an average 9-5 day work day – whew! Does anyone have an eight hour day anymore? It seems that long gone is the days of time to ourselves and family after hours, weekends and even at times […]
The Role of the Property Manager in Your Community
Your community manager plays an important role in the effective running of your homeowner’s association. A strong working relationship between board, homeowners and property manager makes it easier for you to get the most out of your HOA. Conversely, a strained managerial relationship can cause frustration all around. Your community manager acts as an agent […]
Community Management: Myths Dispelled
There are quite a few myths and misconceptions about community management that we must dispel. If your association is larger than a handful of units, there is a better than average chance that your community is managed by a community management company. Some of the frustrations faced by owners and board members in associations are […]
Is HOA Software Making Your Job Easier
Many years ago when I started my HOA management company, we were using software that was designed for managing rental units. It was great software — adaptable, robust, and fairly cheap. But there were a lot of things that we wanted it to do that it just couldn’t. Back then, options for HOA software were […]
When Can Employer be Liable for Employee Drinking and Driving?
In some cases, employers in California may be liable when their employees are intoxicated and cause accidents. Plaintiffs may be able to sue the employers under a legal doctrine called vicarious liability. Employers may also be liable if they negligently retain or hire an employee who then injures others while drinking and driving. In a […]
Choosing the Right HOA Management Company
Recently, a board member from a California condo contacted me, asking how to go about selecting an HOA Management company. Their management company had recently been acquired, and the new company was not living up to expectations. Despite combing through reviews, and interviewing perspective HOA management companies, she wasn’t satisfied with her options. Read […]
Lesson Learned: What North Carolina Management Companies Should be Thinking About
In a recent post on a South Carolina Supreme Court case from just a few weeks ago I provided a quick breakdown of things that management companies in South Carolina must not do. As always, lessons learned from different jurisdictions can be instructive to neighboring jurisdictions. North Carolina and South Carolina share many things, including […]
HOA Managers: A Rare Breed
Homeowner association management is one of the most challenging forms of property management there is. In residential, commercial and industrial rental management, there is a revocable agreement that allows the property owner a fair amount of control over the tenant. If the tenant doesn’t live up to the agreement, the owner can terminate the agreement […]
Things Community Management Companies Should Not Do in South Carolina
We often are asked by managers and Board members what duties are appropriate to delegate to a property manager. First, a property manager is almost always going to be considered an agent of the homeowners association. As an agent, what authority does the property manager have? In general, an association manager has whatever power is […]
Management and unauthorized practice of law (SC)
The South Carolina Supreme Court accepted this declaratory judgment action in its original jurisdiction to determine whether Community Management Group, LLC; its president, Stephen Peck; and its employee, Tom Moore, engaged in the unauthorized practice of law while managing homeowners’ associations. Community Management Group managed homeowners’ associations and condominium associations in Charleston, Dorchester, and Berkeley […]
The Accidental Employee
Many homeowner associations employ hired help to perform various functions for the association (e.g., management, maintenance, landscaping, bookkeeping, etc.). Associations may also need outside expertise when undertaking special projects or construction work. This help may take the form “contractors” or “consultants” to perform work for the association on a short term or as needed basis. […]
New Software Keeps Managers on a Shorter Leash
Maria Palumbo was getting an earful. The shareholders at Carmil Apartments, a 100-unit, two-building co-op in Kew Gardens, Queens, were unhappy with management, and they wanted Palumbo and her six fellow board members to do something about it. “I was getting a lot of people mentioning that the manager was not responsive,” Palumbo says. “Then […]
Change Management Tips To Overcome Resistance To Change In Your HOA Management Organization
Who likes change when everything seems to be working fine. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” as most would say. While this holds true in your own reality, the truth is, change is always happening around us – as the old saying goes, “Change is the only constant in life”. As innovators in the […]
Improve Your Condo and HOA Management Brand in 5 Easy Steps
Property management is a competitive business. To stand out from the crowd, your company needs a strong “brand presence” – an impression you give people about the benefits of choosing your firm over a competitor. But branding is more than just a corporate logo and tagline. Think about Nike’s swoosh and “Just do it” brand […]
The Perfect Hire for Community Management
Common interest communities are growing rapidly and as a result, management companies are too. But with this growth comes an increased demand for qualified managers. Often community association management companies are required to recruit managers from other industries, and train them in the ways of community management. This demand for managers means that management companies […]
Former property manager alleges wrongful termination by Silver Thatch Atlantic Plaza Condominium Association Inc.
A Broward County woman formerly employed as property manager claims she was wrongfully terminated for reporting allegedly unlawful conduct. Michele Gardner filed a complaint on Jan. 27 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida against Silver Thatch Atlantic Plaza Condominium Association Inc. citing the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Private […]
The Road to Self-Management: Independence Has Its Pros and Cons
Management by definition is a process; a series of ongoing systems and controls put in place with a specific outcome in mind. The management needs and requirements of HOAs, co-ops and condominiums have helped define the overall property management industry. Most condominium, co-op, and HOA properties have a management company handling their day-to-day operations; regardless […]
Improving condo management with analytics
What is the average response time of managers in getting back to residents’ requests? For condo directors or managers that don’t know the answer, this is a must-read. This article will go over what analytics means in the condo management world, but more importantly, why it matters and how it can benefit management companies and […]
7 Reasons to Hire an HOA Manager This Year
How is your homeowner’s association doing? Is everything running easily and smoothly? Do you have interested members at each HOA board meeting? Is your reserve fund fully funded? What would you do if you were faced with a lawsuit or an unexpected project? If you answered no to any of these questions or don’t know […]