How to Be Sure You're Hiring the Best Ahwatukee HOA Management Company
Of all the areas in Phoenix Valley, Ahwatukee is known for its family-friendly atmosphere, stunning natural beauty, and opportunities for outdoor activities. It’s no wonder so many communities have sprung up with Ahwatukee HOA boards to care for them. Residents want to protect the high-quality living experience of their community, and they appoint HOA boards to handle that.
But, the job is a big one. Like nearly all cities across Arizona, Ahwatukee HOA boards almost alway hire an HOA management company. This property management partner is incredibly important when it comes to maintaining the safety, beauty, comfort, and expectations of a community.
Unfortunately, not all HOA management companies are effective. In this article, we’ll help HOA board members understand what to look for (and what to avoid!) in an HOA management partner.
Show vs. Tell: Do They Have Client Testimonials?
An Ahwatukee HOA management company worth its salt should have a list of happy past and current customers and the testimonials to show for it. Their reputation should reflect their effectiveness. Many companies can talk the talk and put together an impressive presentation. To find out if they actually walk the walk, do the following:
- Ask for client referrals
- Actually call the referrals
- Read reviews
- Ask your network about them
- Look them up on the Better Business Bureau
Don’t take them at their word that they’re experienced, capable of delivering excellent customer service, and responsive to a community’s needs. Do the due diligence to make sure they are. That way you will end up with an HOA management partner you can trust! If you want examples of glowing testimonials from residents, HOA board members and vendors, check out ours!
Communicate High Expectations for an Ahwatukee HOA Manager
Research shows that the dues paid by Ahwatukee HOA residents are higher than almost every other state. This means your residents’ expectations will be higher too. As an HOA board member, you do not want to deal with unhappy homeowners or live in a community dealing with the fallout of an inexperienced or negligent property manager. The negative consequences of such a management company can include:
- Financial mismanagement,
- Poor vendor relations
- Failure to comply with government regulations
- Property damage and more.
This is not a time to be accommodating. Communicate all your expectations up front to candidates for your HOA management partner. Let them know what you expect and how you will be measuring their success.
Observe their Sales Process
How do they treat you while they are wooing you as a potential client? If a property manager’s communication is weak or they don’t follow through on what they say they will during the sales process, you can bet it will only get worse once you’re a paid client. Let them show you how they will treat you by observing how they treat you from your very first contact and through the proposal process.
Choose Experience Over Zest
It’s great if an HOA management team is enthusiastic and positive. A good attitude goes a long way. But if they don’t have actual HOA and property management experience, they cannot provide what you need. We already discussed the rightfully high standards your residents will have for how their community is managed. You cannot afford to be part of a newbie’s learning curve.
While it is fine to have some employees who are new to Ahwatukee HOA management, there must at least be an experienced manager or owner. This person should be closely involved in the day-to-day to support, guide, and teach new employees.
In an ideal world, hire a HOA management company with an entire team of experienced professionals. United Community Management has a combined 80 years of experience on our team, with our founder bringing 30 years herself. This experience is critical for a property manager to be able to manage the regular upkeep, finances, compliance, and more, as well as any unexpected issues that crop up. And unexpected issues are bound to arise. When they do, you want someone who can remain calm and collected while putting together a solution that benefits your community for the long-term.
Do You Feel Equipped to Hire a Management Company for Your Ahwatukee HOA?
We hope you feel like you have some tools to help sort through the numerous HOA management companies in Ahwatukee. If you’re ready to work with a trustworthy, experienced, and reputable company, we’re right here waiting for you. Simply call our office or use our Request a Proposal form. We are eager to show you the difference of working with United HOA Management.