Living Life in an HOA Community

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If you own a home in a community, chances are you are living in an HOA (Homeowners’ Association)

There are many pros and cons of living in an HOA. Over the years the resident’s sentiments about living in an HOA have changed. Many homeowners now feel that living in the protection of an HOA-governed community is best for their livelihood and their home value. More and more homeowners are not opposed to living according to HOA rules because enforcement of the regulations is set in place to protect their property values.

According to the CAI 2022 HOMEOWNER SATISFACTION SURVEY-National research and analysis for condominiums, homeowners’ associations, and housing cooperatives show that 68% of residents say the rules in the community protect and enhance property values. https://foundation.caionline.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/FCARHomeownerSatisfactionSurveyResults2022Final.pdf

A great majority of homeowners enjoy the amenities that are managed by their HOA for their enjoyment. Families enjoy HOA life and buy into HOA communities to have a safe neighborhood to raise their children. Families enjoy meeting new friends and neighbors for social engagement and attending holiday gatherings. Retirees buy homes in HOA communities to enjoy recreational activities and services that may not be available in other neighborhoods. All ages enjoy amenities such as golf courses, community playgrounds, parks, a community pool, a clubhouse, a gym, and security services.

As the world we live in is changing, security is becoming a bigger issue for homeowners.

Here are a few common security measures that HOAs may implement:

1.    A Neighborhood Watch Group

2.    Security Patrol Service -HOAs may hire private security or hire a security company to provide this service and respond to security concerns.

3.    Security Cameras around the common areas to monitor suspicious activity.

4.    Provide Security Education

5.    Install and maintain neighborhood lighting for greater neighborhood visibility.

HOA Assessments are a topic some HOA residents are not fond of. Once they realize the value for what they receive, many are favorable. 58% of residents say their association assessments are “just the right amount” and 59% of residents say their association should insist that every homeowner pay assessments, involving attorneys only if delinquent accounts are not brought up to date after sufficient notification. This is according to the CAI 2022 HOMEOWNER SATISFACTION SURVEY - National research and analysis for condominiums, homeowners’ associations, and housing cooperatives.

AMG Has Been Transforming Community Management Since 1985

We are community focused.

AMG completely understands the true meaning of “home is where the heart is,” and takes very seriously the responsibility for keeping homes and neighborhoods running smoothly. Our community managers are highly sensitive to the needs of each of their communities, understanding their unique goals and objectives. We are dedicated to building relationships and helping neighborhoods transform into close-knit, thriving communities.

Paul Mengert, President of Association Management Group Interviewed With Melissa Painter at Fox 8 News.

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Paul Mengert, President of Association Management Group Interviewed with Melissa Painter at Fox 8 News to promote Run on the Runway. The event will be held on March 25, 2023, on the airport’s 9,000-foot parallel runway. This certified run will benefit The Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC, Greensboro Urban Ministry, and Open Door Ministries of High Point. 

Here are a few talking points from the interview and facts about the event.

This is the 14th annual Run on the Runway

  • The first run was held when the runway opened in 2010

  • As of this year have raised $1 million to fight hunger

  • Have raised over $130,000 this year over 50 sponsors.

  • Run committee raises the funds, then distributes them equally to Second Harvest, Greensboro Urban Ministries, and Open Door Ministries of High Point

  • We have about 1,500 people registered to run or walk to fight hunger and there is still time to participate.  You can walk up and register on Saturday.  Arrive early because participants are bused out to the runway and traffic gets backed up the closer it gets to race time.

  • Lenny Peters Foundation and Bethany Medical are presenting sponsors.  Thanks to Lenny Peters Foundation and Bethany Medical for their support

  • Events are 10K/5K/Mile Run or Walk/5K untimed sponsored walk to raise additional money to fight hunger.

  • We may have a state record broken at the Run this year.  Dot Sowerby is participating and turned 90 on March 16. If she runs as well as she did this past weekend she will break the NC USATF state record for 90-94-year-old women.

  • Race day registration/Check-in: 8:15 AM – 9:30 AM

10K Race Start: 9:00 AM

5K Run/Walk Start: 9:20 AM

5K Walk-Only Untimed Start: 9:25 AM

Kids Dash:  10:00 AM

1 Mile Start: 10:15 AM

Awards Ceremony:10:20 AM

To learn more about this event visit https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/Greensboro/PTIRun

Hiring the Right Community Manager

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As a homeowner, being part of a homeowners association (HOA) can have many benefits. It can provide a sense of community, help maintain property values, and give you access to shared amenities and services. However, managing an HOA can be a complex and time-consuming task, which is why many associations hire a professional HOA manager.

But with so many HOA management companies and individuals to choose from, how do you select the right one for your community? Here are some factors to consider when selecting an HOA manager:

1. Experience and Credentials: Look for an HOA manager who has experience managing communities similar to yours. They should also have the necessary credentials such as being licensed and insured.

2. Communication: Communication is key when it comes to managing an HOA. Make sure the HOA manager you choose is responsive, keeps you informed, and is easy to contact.

3. Services Offered: Different HOA management companies offer different services. Make sure the company you choose offers the services your community needs, such as financial management, maintenance and repairs, and dispute resolution.

4. Reputation: Check the company's reputation by reading online reviews or asking for references. You want an HOA manager who is respected and has a track record of success.

5. Cost: HOA management fees can vary greatly. Make sure you understand the fees and what services they cover before signing a contract.

6. Compatibility: The HOA manager you choose should be someone you feel comfortable working with and who is compatible with the community's culture and values.

7. Availability: Make sure the HOA manager you choose is available when needed, especially in emergency situations.

In conclusion, choosing the right HOA manager is crucial for the success of your community. Take the time to do your research, ask questions, and find an HOA manager who is experienced, communicative, and compatible with your community's needs and values.

Paul K. Mengert is the CEO of Association Management Group, Inc. (serving the Carolinas) and was the Community Associations Institute’s educator of the year. 

5 Helpful HOA Board Meeting Tips

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HOA board meetings are conducted with only the executive board present. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss topics pertaining to the operation of the association. This may include business operations, financial expenditures, voting on action items, delinquent assessments, legal issues, or other confidential topics.  AMG knows executive Board members need tools to help them perform their duties right away. We have prepared a Board Member Toolkit to help our community leaders be more effective.

Here are 5 tips to help board members have more effective meetings.

1.       Always Be Early. When the board meeting has a scheduled time, all members should arrive early so the meeting can be formally called to order at the designated meeting time. It is very important that all board members are in place when the meeting is formerly called to order.

2.      Always Be Prepared. Arrive at the board meeting ready to do business. Be prepared for the meeting and be well versed on the agenda if it was provided in advance.

3.      Be Prepared to Conduct Business. The HOA board meeting is a formal meeting, and its purpose is to conduct business. It is essential that each member come with the attitude to conduct business. Learn more about Board member ethics in our Toolkit.  

4.      Follow Carefully as the HOA President or Designated Leader Directs the Meeting. Most formal board meetings follow Parliamentary Procedure. AMG offers a Toolkit with The Best Information on Parliamentary Procedure.

5.      Help Your Board by Being a Good Board Member. Make it a priority to be in attendance at all board meetings. These helpful Guidelines will be a valuable resource for conducting a meeting.

This list is a good place to start if you are a new board member, and it can be a great reminder for seasoned board members. If all board members work together the board can be very effective in conducting business for the operation of the HOA.

Association Management Group has prepared a Board Education & Toolkit for HOAs. Over the last 30 years, it has become clear to AMG that well-informed executive Board members make better community leaders.

AMG knows executive Board members need tools to help them perform their duties right away. The following are six tools that Board members tell us they appreciate. Read Here

Proposal: Cap corporate landlords at 100 homes

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Democratic lawmakers in some of North Carolina’s fastest growing cities want to ban corporate landlords from owning too many rental homes in areas like Charlotte and Raleigh. Rep. Kelly Alexander, D-Mecklenburg, introduced the Home Ownership Market Manipulation Act last week to cap — at 100 — the number of single-family homes that people or businesses can buy in the state’s most populous counties. The measure, co-sponsored by Democrats in Mecklenburg, Guilford and Cumberland counties, is unlikely to pass the Republican-controlled legislature. But it’s the first such proposal aimed at combating the growth of Wall Street-backed firms that have converted tens of thousands of homes to rentals across the country over the past decade.

Read more at: https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article272559767.html#storylink=cpy



CAI is being awarded a prestigious award from the Public Affairs Council (PAC) - the Lobbying Strategy Innovation Award for our Condominium Safety Policy Response and Initiative

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I am honored to share that CAI is being awarded a prestigious award from the Public Affairs Council (PAC) - the Lobbying Strategy Innovation Award for our Condominium Safety Policy Response and Initiative – in response to the tragic Champlain Towers South condominium collapse. This is a prestigious award program recognizes three top organizations each year for their work in grassroots, communications, or lobbying strategy innovation. The 2022 Innovation Award Category winners include:

Lobbying Innovation: Community Associations Institute

Communications Innovation: AAA (The Auto Club)

Grassroots Innovation: Feeding America

The Condominium Safety Public Policy Initiative was developed under the leadership of Peter Kristian, AMS, PCAM, LSM (Chair) and the Government & Public Affairs Committee over a five-month period with the engagement and leadership of more than 600 volunteers who dedicated hundreds and hundreds of hours to develop a solid and sound public policy that has now been adopted by several states and continues to be considered and adopted by legislatures.

This award is dedicated to the memory of the 98 residents of Champlain Towers South who lost their lives, those who lost loved ones, and those who lost their homes in the tragic collapse in Surfside, Fla., on June 24, 2021.

Phoebe Neseth, Esq. CAI’s Director of Government & Public Affairs will be at the PAC Conference this week to accept the award on CAI’s behalf.

How to Keep Residents Engaged In Your Community

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neighbors walking down the street

Residents are the heart of any community. The community would not function without the engagement and buy-in of its residents. That is why you should foster a good community through resident engagement. 

Many communities saw a drastic drop in resident engagement with the rise of the Covid-19 pandemic. However, with infections leveling off in many locations, and the widespread availability of the vaccine, communities are beginning to open back up. That means you need to work to build up your resident engagement again. 

Tips for Keeping Residents Engaged 

Looking for ways to keep your residents engaged in your community? If so, try the following tips. 

1) Schedule regular activities.
Activities are a great way to keep your residents engaged. In-person activities allow your residents to meet each other. This social interaction creates important ties between the resident and the community. When residents feel a part of a community, they are more likely to engage with it. Barbeques, parties, and programs for children  are all ways to increase resident engagement. 

Also, you can plan activities around making your community nicer. These volunteer activities foster community engagement because the participants are directly working to make their community a better place. Tree planting, trash clean up, and other similar activities are very popular. 

2) Use social media.
When it comes to community engagement, social media is your friend. Use a couple different sites so that a wider group of residents frequents your pages. 

Remember that different demographics use different social media, so try to have a social media location for everyone. This may mean developing a community page on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. 

3) Talk to your residents. 
You will have a better idea of how to keep your residents engaged if you talk with your residents. Surveys, townhalls, and even informal conversations can help you determine what your residents want. 

Obviously, you will not be able to make everyone happy. But, if you are noticing certain complaints or requests coming up all the time, you should attempt to address them. When residents feel heard, they will be more likely to continue engaging with the community. 

4) Don’t forget online tools. 
We have already mentioned social media. However, there are many other online tools that you can use to foster good community engagement. Zoom, YouTube, and more provide a great place to discuss your community and engage your residents. 

For example, plan some community events to take place online. Many people are still worried about Covid-19 and may be more comfortable interacting with other residents online. Online organizational tools and web portals can also help you bring your community to a single online location. 

If you are looking for more community engagement tips, contact Association Management Group (AMG). We are North and South Carolina’s source for excellent property management. We provide administrative, fiscal, and facility services to our partner communities. We do the hard work, so your Board can focus on making the important decisions and engaging residents.

5 Reasons to Serve on Your HOA Board in 2023

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1. Help Keep High Community Standards

A primary duty as a board member is to uphold the standards within the development of the community. This is done by looking out for the best interest of the community in every area. Keeping high standards will keep property values steady, and even increase the value of the community.

When you volunteer to serve on the HOA board, you have an opportunity to have input and vote on issues that involve community regulations and standards.

When you serve on the HOA board, you can be more involved in your community’s endeavors to protect the investment of all residents.

2. Opportunity to Help Community Members

Most people like helping their neighbors in any way they can. If you like serving and helping your community members, then volunteer to serve on your HOA board. As a volunteer, you will be making decisions that will help others. There are those who do not want to participate, but those who are willing to volunteer can have a voice for others, share their concerns, and bring them to the board. As a member of the board, you may be instrumental in bringing on new volunteers and show the positive aspects of the HOA to residents.

3. Opportunity to Help Solve Problems Within Your Community

As a volunteer on the HOA board, you’ll no doubt become known in the community. Neighbors will confide in you with complaints and issues they feel are important.

It’s important to remain professional in these situations. This will give you an opportunity to be a part of solving community problems. A volunteer board member can bring awareness to problems that exist unbeknown to the board.

4. Opportunity to Grow New Skills

A great reason to serve on your HOA’s board is that you will grow a vast number of new skills. You will learn leadership skills, gain teamwork and team building experience, and experience how the board operations work behind the scenes. Your communication skills and ability to make decisions will prove to be a valuable asset. Formal meeting management may be a benefit to you. If you stay on the board, you may have the opportunity to be elected to a higher leadership position.

5. Take Part in Making New Rules and Change Existing Rules

By serving on your HOA board, you have an opportunity to create change in your community. As you learn how decision making is handled, you may have opportunities to vote on rules and suggest new rules to be voted on. There may be opportunities to make suggestions on new policies, to implement and help lead a committee to carry these policies out.

If you have been thinking about getting involved in your community, volunteering on your homeowner’s association board is a great place to start. Contact your HOA office and ask how you can get involved.