Web-Based Management Hits HOAs Mr. Johnson recognized the “ping” coming from his phone. To him, the phone connected him to various people and companies, and would send a ping message when something of importance occurred. Upon swiping his phone, Mr. Johnson discovered that he hadn’t paid his homeowner’s dues, and was sent a text by the management service. Although receiving text messages is quite common, he set up similar alerts with his homeowners association, similar to his credit card and bank accounts, in the event something involved his finances. Accessing and exchanging information in today’s instant information world has never been easier and more convenient, and Mr. Johnson represents a majority of Americans who sync mobile communication into their lives. Nonetheless, most homeowners who live in a subdivision have been resistant to utilize the power of the Internet due to the mystic about the function of their HOA boards. Most of that distrust comes from their ignorance into understanding the role of a board and the dynamics inherent in a common interest development. With the web, a natural bridge between homeowner and their board was created, yet the anxiety of sharing information persisted. Most homeowners would rather not share their contact information, as many think a Board member’s job is to collect dues and chase homeowners for payment. As we know, Board members are unpaid volunteers who, like you and me, are attempting to impose some order into their somewhat sedate subdivision, but more importantly, have a higher wiliness to persevere property values. Conversely, Internet savvy homeowners are pushing for accountability and transparency of their HOAs and questioning the antics and politics of their association. They, too, are concerned with their community’s culture and livability of their subdivision. Thus, the web is a prime opportunity for integrating an online management tool that creates a solution for the administration activities of their subdivision to the doubt and ignorance of their homeowners. Like Mr. Johnson, homeowners who have a vested interest in their communities, can quickly access information and be better informed about the decisions that affect them. For instance, many complaints are of a homeowner’s ignorance to the functions, processes and the governance of their HOA Board. Likewise, many HOA boards lack the necessary resources or a Board member was voted in because they were a reluctant neighbor who stepped-up or who may not have the appropriate knowledge to govern correctly. The web makes an ideal tool to bridge the doubt of homeowners and an ideal vehicle for providing the resources necessary to share with their membership. The web allows remote access from any mobile device, as well as a platform to share relevant financial reports, collection and compliance logs, amendment files and so forth. Much like accessing your online bank account, a member can see realtime activity of the management of their subdivision, what decisions were made, what decisions are being discussed, what activities are planned within the community and where their dues’ monies go.
Today’s HOAs are savvy to reach into the Internet to stay informed, and a more informed subdivision, the higher the correlation to compliance and collection rates, and the preservation of property values. One example is MGM Association Management who has been the innovative leader in providing state of the art services such as a web-baed, online service. For those subdivisions who want to continue to selfmanage, but are limited in time and resources, the online management service provides a definite solution. MGM supports and assists homeowner’s association board members in a variety of community-interest developments, i.e., business parks, executive centers, subdivisions, townhouses, condominiums, apartment complexes, and community developments. MGM has been providing the tools for association board members to better manage, so that they can focus on more relevant issues to keep their community thriving. To learn more about HOA online management or how MGM can assist your homeowners association, we encourage you to contact us at www.gomgm.com or call Toll-Free (866) 833-3330.