HOA Self Management?

As we begin 2013, many can only hope that his year will bring better economical conditions than previous years.  In the recent recession, many businesses have survived only by drastically cutting costs.  However, where homeowner associations are concerned, self management is not the answer.

In an article titled “The Myth of HOA Self Management,” the author states that the myth of HOA self management was started in the 1960s by developers which stood to profit from the decreased costs of self management.  As many HOA boards went forward with self management, they found the path of self management full of pitfalls and dead ends.

An unhappy truth of HOA Management is the need to collect delinquent payments.  This requires a high amount of diplomacy and very thick skin.  How many board members want to walk next door, knock on their neighbor’s door, and tell their neighbor that they are behind on their association payments?  What kind of community environment does that create?  Is it worth the money that might be saved?

The article went on to say that “…the two most emotional reasons that even the smallest HOAs should be professionally managed: Money and Rules. No neighbor should have to collect money from or enforce rules on another neighbor since the actions are predictably confrontational.”

LandArc has more than 25 years of experience in the property management industry.  This experience simply cannot be matched by volunteer boards of HOA communities.  Within the last year, LandArc has proven our excellence in crisis management when one of our communities was damaged in a tornado last year.  Our response to that situation gained us the business of a neighboring HOA community.  What board member would be able to handle managing the cleanup and reconstruction of not only their own home but their neighbor’s homes as well?

Self management is not the answer to reduced costs and will lead to more headaches.  To read more about the myth of HOA self management, click on the following link:

http://realtytimes.com/rtpages/20020123_selfmanage.htm

Tornado Hits Us Hard In Dexter

LandArc developed a Severe Storm Action Plan for our communities years ago.  Unfortunately, we had to use it last week.  The Tornado that ripped through Dexter, Michigan found its way through the heart of Huron Farms, destroying a number of homes and leaving a wake of debris that spread throughout the surrounding area.  Our team immediately jumped into action, assisting with the cleanup effort, guiding owners through the insurance claim process, and working with local officials to help manage the restoration process.

Few management companies have the capacity to deal with issues of this magnitude.  Fortunately, our maintenance operation and expertise allowed LandArc to be a valuable resource to a community in its time of need.  We never wanted this kind of catastrophe to test our capabilities, but we didn’t hesitate when it became necessary.  We were even asked to provide input to Dexter about their recovery plan.  In the words of a local official, “You manage communities larger than our entire village.” 

Although the work of property management can be mundane, the opportunity to make a difference exists in the unforeseen and our ability to deal with it.  Our heartfelt sympathies and prayers are with all of those affected by this disaster.  We are so sorry for their loss and working hard to make it a distant memory.  The motto that appears on our literature says it best: “Serving Your Community – Protecting Your Investment”   Today we did more than just say it, we proved it.