Taking a Look at What Defines Modern Community Management
Community management among HOAs in Tacoma, WA, and nationwide has come a long way in recent years. With the rise of technology and the ever-changing needs of today’s residents, traditional HOA management practices are being revolutionized by modern approaches, leading to better communication, increased customer satisfaction, and more efficient processes.
While there are countless factors in the evolution of the community management industry, we’re taking a closer look at what defines modern community management and how it has transformed the way HOAs are managed nationwide.
The Emergence of Modern HOA Management
Homeowners associations as a concept are only about a century old, with the first HOAs being traced back to the early 1900s in Pasadena, CA. Although they were initially slow to gain traction, HOAs boomed in the 1950s and 1960s, along with Southern California’s new home construction following World War II.
Homeowners associations were a solution for several key needs, the largest of which was the lack of municipal development in the area. By establishing HOAs, residents could control their new communities and achieve a standard of living that cities could not guarantee.
Today, an estimated 61 percent of new U.S. housing is within an HOA. Modern residents recognize the value of HOA living, with community associations consistently preserving property values and maintaining a high standard of living for their residents. As Americans have embraced HOAs, community associations have continued to grow larger, and these communities have, in turn, turned to professional HOA management companies to sustain themselves and thrive with a large population to manage.
To effectively manage such large communities across the country, successful HOA management companies have turned to a couple of key tools to improve resident satisfaction and overall quality of life.
Five-Star Customer Service
One of the tools that HOA management companies utilize is five-star customer service. In today’s competitive market, residents expect the best, and community management companies are constantly striving to improve their customer service to match and exceed resident expectations.
With an emphasis on creating a positive and welcoming community, modern HOA management firms understand the importance of excellent customer service in retaining satisfied residents. Today’s community managers must provide not just the basic necessary services but also quick and thorough follow-up, advice, guidance, and proactive anticipation of future needs.
Modern HOA management also needs to be completely personalized. Every community is unique, and community managers must therefore adapt to the specific needs and preferences of each community. By taking the time to understand the community and its residents, managers can provide tailored solutions that improve the overall experience for residents.
At The Management Trust, we have a team of dedicated employee-owners who live in the same communities they work in. This makes them acutely aware of each region’s problems and preferences and uniquely motivated to solve them proactively and efficiently. Whereas other HOA management companies simply react to their residents’ requests, we anticipate the needs of our residents and strive to think differently and do more for our communities every day.
Convenient Electronic Tools
With an increasing number of homeowners relying on technology to get things done, many HOA management companies are opting to modernize operations to get ahead of the competition and provide a better experience for members. Convenient and efficient digital tools not only make the job easier for community managers but also free up more time and resources to allow them to focus on providing high-quality services to residents.
One of the most common examples of these implementations is online community resources such as websites and portals. Community websites that are updated and user-friendly can keep residents updated on all the latest neighborhood happenings, creating transparency and acting as the first line of defense against any resident questions. Member portals are also hugely beneficial, allowing residents to log into personal accounts and handle administrative tasks such as paying dues, updating contact info, reviewing a work order status, or submitting questions to their HOA management.
SMS communications solutions further elevate community management services by enabling 24/7 communication with residents. Smart text-messaging helpers such as The Management Trust’s Trusty provide a convenient way to get answers to basic homeowners association inquiries. With Trusty, residents can receive community notices, manage payments, submit maintenance requests, and more right from their phones at any time or day of the week.
If you want a modern HOA management partner that will prioritize resident satisfaction and boost your community’s success, look no further than The Management Trust. We’ve been an industry leader for over 30 years, with more than 1,500 communities served nationwide. To learn more about our full range of community management services for Tacoma, WA, HOAs, including 24/7 resident communication, call The Management Trust at 253-472-0825 or fill out our online contact form today.
