Monday, December 16, 2013

What To Know About Hiring A Community Association Management Group

By Cornelia White


Living in a condo, townhouse or home complex or development that is managed by a homeowner group has a lot of significant benefits. The Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&Rs) keep the community running smoothly and ensures a uniform look. But sometimes the work to keep everybody in compliance can overwhelm the Board of Directors and that is when it makes sense to get help from a community association management group.

Often board members are ill-equipped or not prepared to deal with major complex or maintenance issues. It can also be very difficult to dispassionately deal with other members, who also are neighbors and friends. A community association management group (CAMG) relieves this burden. A CAMG will take responsibility for the administrative, maintenance, financial and communication duties and provide solid counsel for board members on critical decisions. The group's managers are also available in emergency situations.

Financial oversight is a core area of responsibility for a property firm. Developing comprehensive reports is time consuming and many times board members do not have the background or time to do this properly. This can lead to poor decision making or dissatisfaction among homeowners. The firm's administrative team will work with the board to develop and produce the needed reports and help ensure smart decisions are made.

Unfortunately we live in a litigious society and each decision the board makes can lead to potential legal issues. Having a property-management firm available to review decisions can take the risk out of decision making. The group will advise the board on the legal and financial implications of decisions based on experience.

Regular inspections of the property is another duty this type of firm takes on. The group's team is experienced in identifying potential issues before they become major problems or emergencies. The manager will also make sure all vendors have undergone close scrutiny and are fully screened. If major repairs or upgrades are needed, the firm can manage the entire process from RFP development to getting bids to managing construction.

One of the areas that is a source of constant complaint among homeowners is the lack of communication and understanding about the board's decisions. Using a community association management group will help eliminate this problem. Board members generally just do not have the time or skills to develop comprehensive reports to members. All this can be handled efficiently and effectively by the group.

One of the most beneficial services is being on-call for emergency situations. There is nothing more frustrating for a homeowner than trying to track down help in the middle of the night during an emergency. Having a single point of contact that is available 24/7 is invaluable to the association's membership. The CAMG's team will promptly take care of any emergencies. They also have a wide range of resources to call on to address any issue.

Hiring a community association management group simply makes sense. Unfortunately managing expectations of owners and dealing with issues and requests has become a full-time duty, something board members are not equipped to deal with. A CAMG will help home and property owners avoid the risks associated with any legal disputes by providing valuable counsel. The financial and property-management aspects will ensure a well-run complex and high owner satisfaction.




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