For many house and condominium owners, homeowners associations are common partners in preserving property values and ensuring that residents follow a variety of rules and regulations to maintain appearance and quality of the neighborhood. Homeowners association management helps keep communities in San Diego and cities around America from falling into decline.
Homeowners associations are cooperative organizations that exist for the benefit of every resident. While not always appreciated by everyone, they uphold a contract that homebuyers agree to when they purchase a new house. The details of agreements are typically well defined and negotiated prior to any contract, though associations may amend the provisions over time.
An important part of real estate values and property maintenance, a homeowners association can be a time consuming and involved undertaking for residents. Relying on a professional real estate company to manage the association can be both functional and cost effective for residents.
Delegating Responsibilities
A governing board with functional bylaws and regulations that can be enforced by legal means, a homeowners association can bring in a management company to enforce rules, provide maintenance of common areas, and conduct upgrades of community-owned roads, parks, or other facilities. When residents do not have time to attend to business matters related to HOA concerns, a management company will provide a representative whose voice carries the authority of the entire community.
A homeowners association can delegate a variety of responsibilities to a management company, but should retain control of certain important board functions. Among the many functions of an HOA, the board should:
- maintain control of those functions specifically enumerated in the governing bylaws as being reserved for the board
- retain control of certain budgets and expenditures
- arrange and oversee annual audits
- retain authority to waive or change rules
Homeowners associations typically have a board of volunteer residents who are elected to serve the offices defined in the bylaws. Some larger associations have the luxury of a paid staff member responsible of a variety of clerical duties and enforcement.
However, not every resident who lives next to neighbors wants to be in a position of possible conflict. Very often, hiring a management company to enforce rules eliminates community tensions and gets quicker results. Some homeowners associations evolve to become highly contentious and politicized organizations.
Bringing in outside consultants and managers can alleviate resident resistance to rules, regulations, and enforcement action by neighbors. Management companies have legal teams and professionals who are skilled and knowledgeable. Many times, a management team provides an HOA with support and guidance through difficult decisions and enforcement actions to ensure the best possible outcome for the community.