What to Know Before Hiring an HOA Management Company
Hiring the right HOA management company is critical to retaining the value of your community while keeping the neighborhood running smoothly. As a trusted partner in The Triangle area, Block & Associates has been a leader in property management since 1996. Before hiring an HOA management company, it’s vital you know how to vet potential management companies and what key questions to ask to ensure you choose the best one for your community.
Below, Block & Associates Realty provides everything you need to know before choosing an HOA management company.
How to Vet an HOA Management Company Before You Hire Them
Ensuring your HOA is in good hands can be daunting. It requires finding the right HOA management company to meet your neighborhood’s specific needs. Evaluating their experience, services, and commitment to community success can help narrow your options.
Here are several steps to help you vet an HOA management company before signing a contract:
1. Check Their Experience & Reputation
Start by researching how long the company has been in business and its track record in your area. A well-established company has years of experience, so you know they can handle HOA management. It’s also a good idea to ask for references or look for reviews from other communities to get a sense of their reputation.
2. Verify Their Compliance with Local Laws
HOA management involves navigating various state and local regulations. Make sure the company you hire complies with all North Carolina real estate laws and HOA rules.
3. Ask About Communication Methods
A management company should maintain clear communication with board members, residents, and vendors. Strong communication should occur through a variety of methods, including phone, email, and online submissions. Newsletters and notices should also be sent to keep residents informed about important updates.
4. Investigate Their Vendor Network
A good management company should have a reliable network of vetted and insured vendors. An HOA management company could partner with providers who offer price discounts with no markup on invoices, ensuring cost-effective service for repairs and maintenance. Ask potential management companies how they select vendors and whether they provide itemized estimates for any necessary work.
5. Review Their Inspection and Maintenance Processes
Routine inspections and proper maintenance keep a community in top shape. Your HOA management company should hold thorough third-party move-in and move-out inspections and assess property damage. They can also handle security deposit disbursement and maintain vacant properties to uphold compliance with HOA standards.
Questions to Ask a Property Management Company
Before making your final decision, you must ensure the management company can meet your HOA’s needs. Here are some questions to ask:
How Do You Handle HOA Violations?
It’s good to know how a company manages violations of HOA rules. Your management company can work directly with homeowners associations to enforce rules and resolve code violations, ensuring your community stays on track.
What Are Your Fees and Services?
Understanding what services are included in the contract and what might come at an additional cost is essential. Ask about their fee structure and whether services like vendor management, legal support, and emergency maintenance are part of the package.
How Do You Handle the Eviction Process?
If rental properties are involved, you must know how the company handles evictions. They should have access to top-tier law firms and help guide owners through the eviction process if necessary.
How Do You Manage Security Deposits and Inspections?
Security deposits and regular property inspections are part of maintaining rental properties. The company should handle move-in and move-out inspections, handle security deposit itemization, and ensure everything is legally compliant and fair for both owners and tenants.
What Communication Tools Do You Use?
Effective communication is part of managing any HOA. The company should have multiple ways for residents, board members, and vendors to stay connected, ensuring that no detail is overlooked and that community matters are resolved efficiently.
Choose Us for HOA Management Services
Block & Associates has been a trusted partner in property management in The Triangle since 1996. With over 80 years of combined experience, we offer free property evaluations, compliance with North Carolina real estate law, and a dedicated team that provides personalized attention to every community. From handling HOA violations to managing communication with vendors, our team ensures that your community runs smoothly and complies with all local regulations.
Need HOA management services? Call Block & Associates today to schedule a consultation.