3 Tips for successful community scheme management
Omar Kinnear, founder of ResidentPortal, a cost-effective, web-based communication portal for community schemes, offers some tips for successful HOA management, some crucial ones of which are supported by ResidentPortal.
Find the right estate manager
Kinnear believes the starting point is to find the right estate manager. “Your estate manager will go a long way to supporting the success of your HOA – that is, if he or she is the right fit,” he notes. “Two similar candidates might both possess the same experience and qualifications, but one will be a better personality match for the association.
“It’s important to take the time to carefully evaluate each manager’s hard and soft skills to determine which candidate will be the strongest asset in addressing your HOA’s short-term needs and long-term goals.”
HOAs must feature open communication
When people know what’s coming and understand what’s going on, they are more engaged and happier homeowners, Kinnear believes.
“Successful HOAs are those that can anticipate potential hiccups and communicate this information to the membership. In this regard, communication systems like ResidentPortal are proven to greatly both streamline upward and downward communication between estate management and members,” says Kinnear.
He points out that members who feel involved are most likely to give their best contribution, which translates into a more effective process. “One way to ensure that all members have a chance to voice their opinions on plans and goals, is to use surveys. ResidentPortal includes a customised survey feature that allows for management to gauge residents’ opinions on any need that may arise.”
Find the right property management agency
The most advanced property management companies can add value to their services by being clued-in to general goings-on among residents within an estate, which will not only enable them to find an estate manager of the right fit, but also assist estate management to proactively deal with more serious issues that crop up from time to time.
Kinnear points out that HOA directors are volunteers who offer their services in addition to holding down their normal jobs. “The more proactive their managing agent, therefore, the more appreciative the HOA will be of their services, which is likely to result in long-term loyalty.”
ResidentPortal pioneered a move to include a white label portal for managing agents that gives portfolio managers a bird’s-eye view of daily communications within an estate, so they can react quickly when the need arises.
“Adding more value, owners’ statements can also be integrated with the system for emailing to residents, no matter what platform is in use by the managing agent,” he says.
Kinnear concludes: “A combination of the right estate manager, open communication and a hands-on managing agent will go a long way to ensuring a well-managed HOA and a contented resident community.”
ABOUT ResidentPortal
ResidentPortal is developed and managed by Sandton-based software consulting and development company, Business Xponent Solutions (BXS). The estate communication platform is one of the products emerging from 20 years of experience in the software industry of its founder, Omar Kinnear. One of the original developers of the SARS eFiling platform, Kinnear brings to ResidentPortal a wealth of knowledge of system performance and security.
Since 2016, more than 100 complexes are using ResidentPortal, and are benefiting from the way the full-featured Standard and Pro packages are simplifying the lives of residents and management in estates and sectional title complexes.
For more information, contact: Omar Kinnear, 078 798 3378
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