Community management is an art as much as it is a science. Nurturing a vibrant HOA or condominium community requires dedication, empathy, and strategic thinking. However, even the most well-intentioned community managers can stumble into pitfalls.
In this guide, we help you navigate the tricky waters of community management by explaining the most common community management mistakes, and we also provide solutions to help you overcome them.
Common Community Management Mistakes to Avoid and How to Solve Them
Your Board should do its best to avoid the common community management mistakes described below. However, if you do make these mistakes, all is not lost. Just apply our tips for how to solve the problem, and your community will be back on track in no time.
1) Poor communication.
The best community associations have great communication skills. Poor communication can lead to resentment and a sense that the Board is not acting in the best interests of homeowners and residents. In this vein, the most common mistake that Boards make is failing to communicate clearly and regularly with the people in the community.
- To Solve the Problem Set up a regular communication schedule in clear and consistent channels. For example, you could send out quarterly newsletters or emails and use social media to promote regular community meetings.
2) Inadequate financial planning.
Insufficient budgeting, failure to collect dues promptly, and not planning for unexpected expenses are all common issues in community associations. Most HOA Board members are volunteers, meaning there may be no one on the Board with financial expertise. This issue can lead to financial mistakes that can have long-term consequences for the community.
- To Solve the Problem Unless a Board member is willing to become a financial expert, you should consider hiring a third party that has the expertise your community needs. These professionals, such as those at ACRI Community Realty, can help you develop a comprehensive budget that accounts for regular maintenance and reserves for emergencies.
3) Board dysfunction.
When people work and live together, there are bound to be conflicts from time to time. However, you do not want those conflicts to spin out of control. Boards that have a lot of conflicts of interest, power struggles, or lack of cohesion can hinder effective management and be a determent to the community.
- To Solve the Problem The best way to solve this issue is not to let it become a problem in the first place. Therefore, you should foster a culture of collaboration and professionalism amongst your Board members. You should also provide training and support to ensure all Board members understand their rules and to establish clear processes for conflict resolution.
To have a well-run and cohesive HOA, condominium, and townhome community, you need to avoid the pitfalls discussed in this article. Use our tips to ensure they are never a problem.
You can also contact ACRI Community Realty for a personalized management plan. Let us help you make your community the best it can be.
