Homeowners associations (HOAs) have become increasingly popular over the recent decades. With well-maintained amenities and shared areas, rules that benefit property owners, a safe, welcoming neighborhood that’s perfect for raising a family, and more, there’s a lot to love about living in an HOA community.

There’s more to HOA communities than meets the eye, however. Below, we list down 10 little-known yet fascinating facts about HOA communities.

1. Of 92 percent of HOA community residents, 70 percent consider living in such communities a positive experience.

2. 90 percent of HOA community residents have a good relationship with their association’s board of directors. 88 percent are of the opinion said board endeavors to serve the community’s best interests.

3. 76 percent of such residents believe the rules and regulations of their HOA enhance and protect the value of their property. This is because HOAs usually don’t allow homeowners to make extreme aesthetic or structural modifications to their homes.

4. 22 to 24 percent of United States citizens live in HOA communities.

5. Every year sees the establishment of over 8,000 new HOA communities across the United States. In fact, there are now an estimated 344,500 communities governed by HOAs. This is an enormous rise in the number of such communities in the country, especially considering there were only around 10,000 of them in the 1970s.

6. Homes in HOA communities are often higher in value than homes in non-HOA communities. As of 2017, HOA community homes have a value of $5.88 trillion.

7. There are currently between 7,000 and 8,000 HOA management companies in the United States. They provide employment to between 95,000 and 100,000 people.

8. HOA communities boast a multitude of amenities, including parks, basketball courts, tennis courts, football fields, swimming pools, barbecue pits, walking trails, clubhouses, playgrounds, playrooms, gardens, cafes, business centers, and more. You can also expect recycling bins, cooking classes, art workshops, pet-grooming services, and the like.

9. Today, many HOA communities encourage eco-friendly solutions to common issues, such as solar panels and the use of energy-efficient appliances. They also prioritize the development of green systems, such as water irrigation that prevents the wasting of water and drastically lowers your water bill.

10. HOAs host community activities, gatherings, and festivals to give residents opportunities to form friendships with their neighbors. This strengthens the sense of community within the neighborhood.

If you’d like to know more interesting facts about HOA communities, please don’t hesitate to contact So Cal Property Enterprises, Inc. through its corporate website or give us a call at (888) 828-9444. We’d be happy to hear from you!

When a Home Owner’s Association (HOA) is unable to effectively juggle managing a corporation and ensuring a community’s needs are met, it turns to an HOA management company for assistance.

An HOA is generally responsible for the maintenance of the community’s amenities and other shared spaces. It also enforces rules, collects fees, covers continuing expenditures, and amasses the funding for larger expenses. These functions are overseen by the HOA’s board of directors, which is comprised of volunteers from the community. As you can see, the board has a multitude of obligations to attend to.

Thankfully, HOA management companies are licensed to provide much-needed aid to HOAs. Read on to know the responsibilities of such companies, and why they can be of great benefit to HOAs.

Neighborhood management

The failure of homeowners to observe the HOA’s rules can lead to poorly maintained facilities, unkempt parks, and more—all of which can cause a reduction in the community’s value.

Thankfully, HOA managers help the association enforce their rules in an effective manner. Their responsibilities include conducting investigations regarding issues related to maintenance and rule violations; ensuring service providers adhere to contractual specifications when caring for pools, lawns, and other amenities and common areas; and coordinating tasks authorized by the board of directors.

Administration

HOA management companies also provide expert administrative services. Through adept communication and organization, managers excel at supervising operations designed to maintain and improve the state of the community.

In addition to assisting the board in their preparation of the yearly financial plan, HOA managers can provide regular management reports; schedule and participate in board meetings; communicate with homeowners regarding their specific concerns; and help enforce the community’s rules as mentioned above.

Accounting

Most HOAs know the handling of association and community finances can be a complex affair. HOA management companies can help simplify matters by managing the community’s bank accounts; providing accurate estimates of expenditures related to community maintenance; generating financial statements on time; reviewing monthly fees; offering direction when it comes to preparing the board and community’s long-term financial plan.Of course, not all HOA management companies are the same. While the above list discusses their basic services, you can expect different companies to have other ways of contributing to the maintenance and betterment of the community.

If you’d like to know more about the responsibilities of HOA management companies, please feel free to contact So Cal Property Enterprises, Inc. through its corporate website, or give us a call at (888) 828-9444. We’d be glad to hear from you!

One of the best things that an HOA’s Board of Directors can do for the association and its members is to hire the services of a property management company as they have the experience and expertise to handle not only the daily responsibilities of the homeowners association but more importantly, to expertly handle challenges as they come; which could include crises and disasters.

With that said, it’s important to be careful about the property management company you hire as their professionalism could either make or break your HOA. Remember that they are there to help you handle the responsibilities of an HOA. And on that note, here are the top four questions you should ask during the selection process:

1. What is the scope of your services?

First off, know that not all property management companies provide the same services, or if they do, the scope of each specific service may be limited compared to others. It’s important to know all the specifics of the services they offer, so make sure to write down the particulars you’d like to focus on and discuss each one with the property management company as thoroughly as possible.

2. How long have you been serving HOAs?

Often, longevity in any business and industry translates to good service. A business wouldn’t have survived for as long as it did if consumers/customers do not trust them and do not find their services/products reliable. This doesn’t mean however that a new player does not deserve to be considered. It’s always best to keep your options open, hence; the thorough vetting process.

3. Who are the professionals behind your management team?

There are two things to determine here. First, the type of professional service, i.e. accountant, finance expert, an on-site contractor for auditing HOA maintenance, and so on. Next, the actual professionals assigned to various aspects of HOA management. This should entail meeting some of them face-to-face for some of your questions.

4. How many HOAs does each team handle?

For your HOA to receive optimal services from the property management team assigned to you, you need to make sure that the team, especially the lead property manager, does not have too many jobs on their plate. You will need a property management team that will be available to you 24/7. While you may not need them on-site all day, every day, there are times when you need to contact them at ungodly hours for emergencies. They should be accessible to the HOA anytime.

If you wish to learn more about the services of a property management company, please feel free to send your questions online or contact So Cal Property Enterprises, Inc. at (888) 828-9444.

First, what is an HOA?

Briefly, a homeowners association or HOA is a non-profit organization established (usually by the developer and then passed on to the homeowners) to oversee the management of a particular residential community. An HOA covers condo units, single or multi-family homes, townhomes, and other residential property.

The HOA is primarily responsible for the following:

• Ensure that the community/neighborhood maintains a certain standard to make it up to par with other premier communities in the state and across America
• Reasonable fees are imposed on the homeowners, and dutifully collected on the agreed schedule
• Maintain peace and order in the community
• Ensure everyone’s safety and security within the community at all times

How does an HOA accomplish all these (and more)? Through bylaws and conditions, which are more formally known as Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions (CC&Rs). The stipulations covered in the CC&Rs may differ from one HOA to the next so homebuyers need to review these carefully before purchasing or leasing the property.

What does a property management company have to do with an HOA?

Most residential real estate today belong to an HOA, which means homebuyers and future homeowners will automatically become a member of the HOA once they decide to purchase or lease the property.

In a nutshell, a property management company will provide a professional team to oversee the day-to-day activities and responsibilities of an HOA. They help ensure that the HOA is fully serving its community according to conditions stipulated and itemized in the CC&Rs.

A property management team will especially be helpful in addressing complaints and concerns in a timely manner, which basically means as soon as they come. In doing so, they are preventing these issues from escalating and possibly turning into a costly legal dispute.

Here are other ways a property management company may be able to help an HOA:

1. Provide appropriate training for the Board of Directors, especially on finance and accounting
2. Review CC&Rs and suggest edits, updates, or removal of certain stipulations as deemed fit and necessary
3. Contact contractors, suppliers, and vendors for the HOA and its members, whenever necessary
4. Vet potential tenants for rental properties or potential buyers for houses for sale covered by the HOA
5. Ensure that members of the Board are dutifully performing their particular tasks, and assisting them if and when necessary

If you wish to learn more about how a property management company can help an HOA, please feel free to send your questions online or contact So Cal Property Enterprises, Inc. at (888) 828-9444.

In the United States, the rise in popularity of homeowner associations means an increasing number of Americans make their homes within such communities.

As an organization formed by a property developer, the homeowner association, or HOA, is extremely useful in that it helps said developer in the managing, marketing, and selling of homes. However, HOAs provide a number of benefits to homeowners, as well, so much so that many actively seek to purchase homes that are members of such organizations.

Below, we list the top 4 pros of living in an HOA community.

1. Amenities

An HOA will provide homeowners access to a variety of amenities, such as clubhouses, basketball courts, tennis courts, football fields, swimming pools, playgrounds, playrooms, gardens, parks, cafes, business centers, and more. You can also expect recycling bins, cooking classes, art workshops, pet-grooming services, and the like. Such features offer a cheaper and more convenient alternative to seeking similar facilities and niceties outside the community.

2. Good neighborhood

Every good HOA imposes regulations designed to improve safety and homeowner experience in the community. Anything that diminishes the quality of life—from littering to disruptive behavior—is prohibited and penalized. To ensure fairness and preserve the best interests of the entire community, the rules are applied to every homeowner. Homeowners are also given the chance to air their grievances and participate in the betterment of the neighborhood.

3. Resolution of issues

If any problems arise between homeowners, the HOA intervenes to resolve the dispute. For example, you can approach the HOA if your neighbor tends to play obnoxiously loud music at night. Depending on the situation, the HOA may enforce relevant rules, or help the aggrieved parties come to an amicable settlement by finding a solution that benefits all affected by the issue.

4. Property value protection

To ensure the value of the property doesn’t diminish, homeowners aren’t allowed to make aesthetic or structural modifications to their homes without the HOA’s approval. Guidelines also exist that advise homeowners on how keep their homes clean, safe, and visually appealing in a way that conforms with the community’s high standards.

In short, an HOA can vastly enhance your experience within a community. To make sure an HOA meets your specific needs, it’s a good idea to research on it before purchasing your new home.

If you’d like to know more about HOAs and property management, please feel free to contact So Cal Property Enterprises, Inc. through its corporate website, or give us a call at (888) 828-9444. We’d be glad to hear from you!

In an HOA-managed community, there are certain rules that need to be followed, and usually, these are strictly implemented, which means you could either get sanctioned or fined/penalized, or worse, kicked out.

HOA Rules

What are some HOA rules? Here are the most common or what are generally included in the Homeowners Association Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions (CC&Rs):

1. Fees

This is one of the first things that will catch your eye when going over your contract to buy or rent a property within an HOA-managed community. Fees are collected from every homeowner on a predetermined schedule (monthly, quarterly, annually or other specific schedule). The fees may cover basic maintenance and repair, emergency funds, and other expenses. It’s important to check exactly what the fees are for and if there are other fee obligations that homeowners may be required to pay on a given situation or circumstance.2. Property maintenance

HOAs are quite specific about property

maintenance, both the exterior and interior of the property. There are certain restrictions regarding what you can put or plant on your front yard, what shades of paint you can use on exterior walls, garage gates, and every other detail that the HOA may feel necessary to control and oversee.

3. Animals

If you’re a pet owner, it’s important to check restrictions regarding pet ownership. There are some HOAs that rule against owning large dogs, certain types of animals, and such. There may also be specific spots in common spaces where pets aren’t allowed so check these as well. Fees may also be collected for your pet’s “share” on property maintenance expenses.

4. Household size

Another important item to check on the CC&R is household size or the number of occupants allowed per home. Some only allow a family of four plus one pet, others more, and others even less. Sometimes, there are also restrictions on the number of overnight guests (yes, surprisingly). Usually though, household size is determined by property size so basically, a bigger house may be allowed to have more occupants compared to a smaller-size house.

5. Cars and parking

HOAs have rules about car ownership, too, and in general, it has something to do with parking and garage. Basically, if your property only has a one-car garage, then one car is all you’re ever going to be allowed to own or at least park in your garage because curbside parking isn’t allowed.

There are just five of the HOA rules that are generally included in CC&Rs. There are more that you may need to thoroughly check and review.

In the United States, more and more homes are becoming members of homeowner associations (HOAs). HOAs ensure the maintenance of shared spaces in neighborhoods, as well as provide amenities such as health clubs, parks, swimming pools, child playrooms, and more.

As not everyone understands what an HOA is, however, we’ll be answering 7 of the most frequently asked questions about HOAs in today’s article.

1. What is an HOA?

In real estate development, the property developer sets up a non-profit organization known as an HOA for marketing and selling homes in a residential area, as well as developing and managing the community. The homeowners vote in the HOA’s board of directors, which makes sure the association abides by the non-profit or corporation laws of its state.

2. How much will be being part of an HOA cost?

On average, HOAs charge a monthly fee of around $125. However, dues vary depending on your community’s location and what niceties your HOA provides. HOAs of townhomes or condominiums may charge more as fees will likely incorporate insurance and the maintenance of the building’s communal spaces.

3. Is it necessary to pay HOA fees?

Yes; even if you don’t avail of the community’s shared amenities, you are obliged to pay fees from the moment you occupy a home belonging to an HOA.

4. What kind of rules must I follow in a community belonging to an HOA?

HOAs create rules designed to encourage homeowners to take good care of their homes and communal spaces. Others help maintain the consistency of the neighborhood’s appearance and ambience. Examples of rules include prohibitions against littering, excess noise, unkempt lawns, and the keeping of dangerous animals.

5. What if I break the rules or fail to pay HOA fees?

Late payments or other infractions are often handled quietly, usually via courteous notices that are issued by mail or in person to the homeowner. Continued violations will incur additional warnings before the HOA decides to take more drastic measures.

6. How are rules enforced by HOA boards?

The association will work with you to settle any contentious issue but may be forced to pursue legal action in extreme cases. Until issues are amicably sorted out, an HOA may put a lien on your home.

7. Will HOA charges influence how much money a bank will lend me?

Yes, lenders take into account considerations such as insurance, taxes, and HOA fees, which will determine the amount of money a bank will loan you.

If you have any questions about HOAs or HOA regulations, please feel free to contact So Cal Property Enterprises, Inc. through its corporate website, or give us a call at (888) 828-9444. We’d be glad to hear from you!

In real estate development, the property developer establishes a corporation known as a homeowner association (HOA) for managing, marketing, and selling lots and homes. To fulfill their many duties in an efficient manner, associations often enlist the services of HOA managers.

Over the years, HOA management has grown into an expansive industry that constantly finds itself adopting new techniques to meet new challenges as they crop up. For this reason, the industry has steadily evolved with the times. In today’s article, we’ll be examining the 4 major ways HOA management is evolving.

1. Flexible and creative problem-solving

HOAs often must contend with complex, time-consuming bureaucratic processes. Property management enterprises can ease this burden by being flexible, creative, and proactive problem-solvers.

Effective HOA management companies are constantly looking for ways to respond to every individual association’s unique needs. They examine concerns from various angles and determine methods of solving problems that don’t interfere with current operations. This way, managers can help associations become more efficient at making decisions and taking action.

2. Focus on people and relationships

Because dealing with homes is an extremely personal issue, HOA management is essentially an industry revolving around people and the relationships built with them. It’s therefore of utmost importance that managers can understand how human emotions and motivations factor into people’s needs and decisions.

Today, property management companies assess managers for their certifications, experience, personality, and ability to preserve smooth relationships with others, then match them with the appropriate associations for the best results.

3. Providing exemplary services

To succeed, HOA managers must do more than just offer basic services such as giving business advice and administrative support; they must also provide guidance and insight to help associations develop more robust communities. For example, today’s most distinguished managers can come up with innovative ideas designed to enhance community engagement and help homeowners get the most out of their homes. Such managers can be expected to do far more for HOAs than low-tier companies will.

4. Focus on long-term relationships

The best management companies often seek to build long-term relationships with HOAs. This is because reputable property managers aim to assist associations with their multiple obligations and make great efforts to keep up with and evolve with the HOAs they’re working with. Such companies perform a range of services, from the obvious to the less noticeable, and ensure every facet of your business is given the attention it deserves.

If you have any questions about HOAs, please feel free to contact So Cal Property Enterprises, Inc. through its corporate website, or give us a call at (888) 828-9444. We’d be glad to hear from you!

Property management is the process of managing real estate available for lease and involves overseeing routine operations such as collecting rental payment and looking for potential occupants for a space. The property manager often manages another entity or party’s property.

It’ll take more than one article to discuss everything property management entails, but today, we’ll be discussing the major types of services property managers provide.

1. Property assessment

Property managers examine properties inside and out and prepare necessary documentation about their findings. This allows them to determine what repairs or improvements the property may need to enhance the monthly rent while ensuring good ROI. They also do extensive research to figure out a fair yet desirable rental rate for the property.

2. Marketing

Managers are responsible for creating marketing and advertising campaigns designed to inform people about available properties and encourage them to rent them. They also cooperate with realtors, communicate with potential tenants, ensure properties are as alluring as possible, and more.

3. Tenant selection

To determine if a potential tenant is the ideal candidate to lease a property to, the manager investigates their background to confirm their identity, credit history, income, and other pertinent details.

4. Dealing with tenants

Managers help tenants move into and out of properties, collect rental fees, and evict those guilty of infractions. These processes require a lot of paperwork, communication with the tenants, and in the case of evictions, coordination with law enforcement and the court.

5. Inspections

Properties require regular inspections to ensure they’re in good condition and free of possible hazards. Managers also look out for lease and code violations.

6. Maintenance

In case properties need repairs or remodeling, managers provide and supervise various maintenance crews. They establish policies designed to prevent repairs and determine when repairs are required. They build a network of trusted contractors and assign tasks to the right people. They’re also responsible for clearing outdoor areas of trash, debris, leaves, or snow.

7. Assistance with legal issues

In case of litigations or legal disputes, managers provide owners advice and refer them to qualified attorneys.

8. Assistance with financial matters

Managers provide accounting services, document expenditures, make annual financial reports, and more.

Of course, property managers provide such a wide range of services that the above list is by no means a complete list of their responsibilities and duties. If you’re eager to know more information about property management, please feel free to contact So Cal Property Enterprises, Inc. through its corporate website, or give us a call at (888) 828-9444. We’d be glad to hear from you!

So you’re thinking of moving into a smaller house, or you’re looking into buying your first-ever home, and it happens to be in a developed community. Naturally, one of the major “stumbling blocks” to making the move is the HOA fee that you’ll be paying monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually, depending on the HOA’s fees collection schedule. You have to make sure that you can afford the HOA dues on top of your monthly expenses. This is but one of the many other concerns regarding homeowners associations that home buyers look into to help them with the decision-making process.

And if you’re a home buyer with similar concerns, these answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about HOAs might be able to help you:

1. Can I check the HOA’s CC&Rs before buying a property?

Yes, you may and should check the HOA’s CC&Rs before buying or even renting a property. CC&Rs are the homeowners association’s covenant, conditions, and restrictions that every homeowner must adhere to, and these include everything that “dictates” each homeowner’s stay in their property, from dues to be collected to standards for maintaining the front lawn and the exterior of the house, and such.

For transparency purposes, the HOA’s CC&Rs must be fully disclosed to the buyer/renter BEFORE closing the deal. If these aren’t made available to you before closing the sale/deal, this is a red flag you shouldn’t ignore.

2. What factors should I check regarding HOA fees?

There are three general things that you should check regarding HOA fees, and again, it’s better to perform this routine check before buying/renting the property to avoid future issues. The three things you should check are: fees too low, fees too high, and homeowners’ rate of compliance.

Briefly, an HOA fee that’s too low might mean that the HOA isn’t collecting for emergency repairs and maintenance, or other improvements, which means that when these needs arise, you may be asked to pay an additional fee. On the other hand, if the fee is too high, you might not be able to afford it for the long term, which could mean an accumulation of unpaid dues that could result in a dispute, or worse, foreclosure.

And finally, the homeowners’ rate of compliance on payment of HOA dues can immediately tell you whether or not the HOA’s finances are in dire straits. If 15% or more of the homeowners aren’t paying, it could mean that the HOA’s financial standing is in the red.

3. Should I still pay HOA dues even if I have no plans of using the pool and other common areas?

Yes; fees are implemented on every homeowner regardless of whether or not common areas and facilities will be used. As a homeowner, you are expected to pay for the maintenance and upkeep of these common areas.