Community associations, including homeowners associations (HOAs), have become very popular in Phoenix, AZ.
Indeed, Phoenix Agent Magazine reports that almost one in every three homes in the state is part of an HOA. A top reason for this increasing popularity is that homes with HOAs are, on average, worth around 4% more. The communities also have fantastic amenities like green spaces, gyms, clubhouses, and pools.
However, homeowners can only enjoy those benefits with effective community association management strategies.
Our team at PMI PHX SW has shared this guide discussing those tactics, so please read on.
Use of Innovative Owner Portals
Owner portals are websites/platforms specifically for a community's homeowners/residents. They feature innovative software technologies that often allow account holders and users to:
- Make real-time payments for HOA fees and dues
- View account histories (e.g., transaction records and receipts for paid HOA fees)
- Reserve community amenities
- File property maintenance requests
- Update owner information (e.g., change or add phone numbers)
- Request for an architecture review
- Report or respond to violations
- Ask questions
All of the above contribute to better HOA community governance by saving time and providing convenience. For example, residents will likely feel satisfied with the association if they don't have to pay HOA fees and dues in cash in person. They'll also likely pay on time since they can do it online and in real-time.
Reporting violations online also helps with governance since the reports are in real-time. Thanks to this, board members can respond to and address them promptly.
Clear and Transparent Communication
Poor communication between homeowners or residents and HOA board members can lead to:
- Homeowner/resident dissatisfaction
- Unhappy residents who may no longer care about following the association's covenants
- Poor attendance during HOA board meetings
- A lack of homeowner/resident contribution to community planning strategies
- Decreased home value as dissatisfied homeowners intentionally disobey architectural rules
An example of poor communication is when the HOA board fails to explain the covenants in plain terms. It could be even worse if a resident accidentally violates a rule (after misunderstanding it) and then gets forced to pay hefty fines.
Residents already pay many fees that homeowners without HOAs don't. Especially in Arizona; per AZFamily.com, the state has the second-highest HOA fees in the country, at $448 a month. So, requiring owners to pay even more fines for an issue they could've avoided will likely lead to disputes.
For that reason, effective community association management must prioritize clear and transparent communication. Board members must use plain language in the covenants, letters, portals, and notes.
Ready to Satisfy Your Community Association Management Needs?
Clear, transparent communication and owner portals are crucial to community association management. They're effective strategies because they help streamline and improve community governance.
So, if your association is ready to enjoy better community management through those tactics, partner with us here at PMI PHX SW. We're a locally owned full-service association management firm. We specialize in administrative, financial, and building maintenance management.
PMI PHX SW is also a proud member of PMI, one of the fastest-growing companies in the country. For over 20 years, PMI has helped improve and perfect the association management industry.
Reach out today for a bid or ask about our Phoenix association management services!
