If you're a community association manager, you want to provide an inviting place to call home. From groundskeeping to budget management, however, there's a lot to juggle. How can you do it all effectively?
Read on to find an informative guide covering best practices for community association managers!
Communicate Well
Effective community leadership starts with good communication. Both board members and residents will want to hear from you about various issues. And they'll want to hear from you regularly.
Communicate using emails, social media, or newsletters about community developments. For instance, maybe you need to close the pool for renovations. Or maybe you're planning some updates to other community spaces.
Respond quickly to resident requests or concerns. Doing this well can keep residents happy and create a thriving community.
Stay Organized with Technology
Juggling financial reports and resident questions can get challenging as a community association manager. That's why one of the best community management tips is to embrace technology. Let software offer a helping hand!
Association management strategies include using software to collect dues and manage finances. Allowing residents to pay monthly dues online, for instance, is a significant convenience.
You can also use software to help communicate with your residents. Share updates on construction projects or meeting times. And use software to track data about vacancies or utility bills.
Prioritize Financial Management
Even if you're not a trained accountant, you can still be a responsible fiscal steward as a community association manager. That means keeping financial records that include items like maintenance expenses. And you'll need to account for income from dues and other fees.
All of these items should be compiled into financial reports that will play into association board management. Plan on sharing these with the board at meetings. You can use this information to determine annual budgets and plan for long-term costs.
Work with Vendors
Inevitably, you'll encounter HVAC problems in a community clubhouse or need to handle grounds maintenance. Plan on having a list of vendors you can turn to.
When it comes to property management best practices, a big one is to be prepared. You don't want to face a busted pipe and not know which trusted plumber has 24-hour availability. Instead, you want to have an established relationship so you can call and get help right away.
Engage the Community
Especially for individuals who've just moved to your community, engagement is key. You want them to feel like part of the community and get involved.
Host barbecues and meet-ups that bring individuals together. Create a community garden or walking club. And form a committee of people to help plan these events.
If you host meetings that are open to community members, market them. Use social media posts or posters to spread the word. Then you'll get more individuals to attend and have a stake in their community.
Review This Community Association Managers Guide
Community association managers should be excellent communicators who bring people together. Use software to stay organized. And plan on updating financial reports to meet with the board. If that sounds overwhelming, don't shy away from getting professional support.
At PMI PHX SW, we have over two decades of experience in property management. Let us help you maximize your investment with professional services and communication. Contact us today to learn more!
