7 Crucial Questions to Ask When Hiring a Community Management Company

  1. Question #1: How long has your company been in business?

    You’ll often get the biggest benefits when you hire a company with extensive experience in all aspects of homeowner association management. And, while many companies provide community management services, they may also manage businesses such as landscape or pool companies. Generally, the most focused attention and affordable fees will come from companies that strictly concentrate on homeowner association management.

  2. Question #2: Does your company carry proper insurance?

    Your management company should have enough insurance so that your financial and physical assets are protected in a professional manner in accordance with industry standards.

  3. Question #3: What professional organizations does your company belong to?

    Involvement and accreditations from professional organizations demonstrate a management company’s commitment to clients and the industry. Some favorable organizations for Arizona community management companies include Arizona Association of Community Managers (AACM), Home Builders Association of Central Arizona (HBACA), Community Association Institute (CAI) and Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM).

  4. Question #4: Are you willing to allow us to meet the staff we’ll potentially work with?

    When you meet the people who could potentially manage your community, you discover their personalities and—more importantly—begin developing relationships. No longer are people just names. Instead, they become trusted community partners who you rely on to achieve your goals.

  5. Question #5: What provisions does your company have for ongoing training?

    Continuing training ensures the staff of your community management company stays on top of the industry’s latest laws and trends, while maintaining sound business practices. It also makes certain your prospective community manager is prepared to represent the values of your community.

  6. Question #6: What process does your company have in place to ensure effective communication?

    Communication plays an important role in the successful management of any community. As such, you should make sure a communication channel is in place that ensures your community’s issues are addressed immediately. In addition, a tracking system should be in place to identify when and where problems aren’t being resolved.

  7. Question #7: What are the fees for using your services?

    Representatives from your community management company should always be upfront about fees. No fees or cost of services should be hidden from your community.