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Keeping Your Residents Engaged with Community Amenities

January 1, 2021 BLOG Feature

Homeowners and association leaders alike will tell you: amenities can make or break a community. This doesn’t just mean which amenities you offer, but also whether those amenities are consistently accessible and well-kept. Imagine it’s a hot summer day, and you decide a nice swim would be perfect. You change, gather your towel and accessories, and head down to the pool—only to find a dreaded CLOSED sign hanging on the door. Or you walk into the fitness center, ready to break a sweat, and find all of the treadmills out of order.

You may be thinking, “What does this have to do with my community?” Choosing the right HOA management company to oversee your amenities is just as important as which amenities you decide to offer. A good management company will understand the strategy and execution of a thriving community, especially when it comes to perks for your residents.

Amenities Need Skilled Maintenance

No matter what type of amenities you provide, they’re going to require regular maintenance and upkeep. And you’ll need skilled workers who are properly trained in maintaining each one. Swimming pools need constant chemical and temperature balance and need to be cleaned regularly and correctly to avoid more expensive issues. Playgrounds and parks need proper landscaping and irrigation. An HOA management company not only has experience maintaining amenities, they’ll also have established connections with qualified and trustworthy contractors.

Of course, all of this maintenance comes at a cost. A good association management company will have the knowledge and foresight to help you plan for these needs financially. They can help you manage a budget that allows for scheduled upkeep as well as unpleasant surprises, like a busted sprinkler line.

Logistics Are Key

Before you think about maintenance and repairs, you need to make sure your amenities are built to last, and to provide the most value to your residents. Running trails sound great, but does your neighborhood have the space and aesthetic needed to create valuable trails?

The logistics that goes into planning and creating new amenities can be overwhelming and time-consuming. Unless you’re an all-around expert, you probably won’t understand the intricacies of surveying an area or a building to determine if it’s suitable for a project. Working with an experienced association management company affords you not only their staff’s expertise, but they also usually have solid connections with skilled professionals in a variety of fields.

Rules (And Legalities) Matter

Setting (and enforcing) rules on your neighbors can be challenging—not only are you navigating social relationships, but you also have to know what authority you actually have, and how to avoid legal issues. An HOA management company can help you communicate with members who are delinquent on dues or repeat offenders of association rules. Association managers are well-versed in working with residents and knowing which amenity privileges can be revoked and which ones cannot.

Maneuvering the complexities of member relationships shouldn’t cause a headache. Having someone in your corner to help coordinate communication and keep you compliant is a huge stress reliever.

Know What Your Residents Want

What exactly is the definition of amenity? Without getting too technical about it, an amenity is a feature that provides comfort, convenience, or enjoyment. But even deeper than that, you should be asking, “what do amenities mean to my residents?” The pool isn’t just a place to catch some rays. It’s a place where neighbors meet, friendships blossom, and children learn and grow. A park is where families grow closer, pet lovers nurture their furry friends, and sports enthusiasts engage in their favorite pastimes.

Having worked with many different communities, an HOA management company will know the ins and outs of current trends. You can benefit from knowing what amenities residents are looking for, what other communities are offering, and the pros and cons of different features. Not only does this give you a leg up in the industry, but it also keeps your residents happy—and you can’t put a price on that!

Choosing the right management company can take your amenities game to a whole new level. Learn more about how we can help make you an industry leader in member satisfaction.

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