Choosing a Provider for Property Management in Scottsdale AZ
Even if you haven’t been a Scottsdale HOA board member for long, you likely already realize that the level of service from your management company makes a big difference. Financial management, vendor management, knowing and complying with local and state regulations, and legal documentation are some of the really important tasks handled by a management company. So when you search “property management scottsdale az” and dozens of companies come up, how do you choose the best one?
There are many HOA management companies in Arizona, because nearly all communities are managed by an outside company. However, all of these property management companies are not created equal – not by a long shot. They differ on many factors, including:
- Years of experience
- Customer service
- Approach
- Results
- Responsibility/responsiveness
- And more!
Keep reading this article to learn what to look for and how to sift through all the options for property management companies in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Experience Matters…Quite a Lot!
There is so much to be aware of when it comes to managing a community. When someone first starts out in property management in Scottsdale or surrounding areas, it feels a little overwhelming. It takes a few years on the job dealing with a variety of issues firsthand for a person to build confidence and deliver excellent service. This is why you do not want to hire a company that is run or staffed by people who are new to the industry. If one or two team members are new but leadership has decades of experience, you should be good.
We do not recommend hiring a company that seeks to “cut their teeth” on your property. You will be disappointed and your HOA and community could suffer. Once issues arise, it’s more difficult to fix them. Poor vendor relations, ignored repairs, or being out of compliance are not small issues. All of these are likely when dealing with an inexperienced HOA management company.
Dig into Their Results
Do your research on the client history of every property management company you’re considering. While no company will have perfect reviews, they should have a majority of positive reviews. Look for reviews that list how the management company specifically solved problems, dealt with conflict, remedied the issues of past managers, or improved the community. If the management company truly provided value, there should be more to say in reviews than “They did a good job.”
Check out our testimonials to see examples of reviews that specifically reference how we did our job well.
Consider looking them up in the Better Business Bureau. Ask around to anyone you know on other Scottsdale HOA boards. They may have first-hand experience of the companies you’re considering.
Lastly, ask the management companies you’re considering for letters from past clients. You can also ask for a list of other properties they manage, although some may not be comfortable sharing this.
Being thorough on the front-end can save you a lot of work and heartache on the back-end if you choose the wrong partner for property management Scottsdale AZ.
Set the Bar for Service and Transparency
The dues paid by Scottsdale HOA residents are higher than almost every other state, according to this article. That means your residents’ expectations are likely lofty for how their community is handled. You can’t afford to hire a sloppy property management company that abuses funds or ultimately costs the HOA more money by ignoring issues. Especially if you are coming out of a negative experience with another management partner, it’s important to present high standards.
Be sure to communicate your expectations for service and transparency. Regarding service, let your prospective management companies know you want responsive communication. This includes expediency for handling resident requests as well as HOA board concerns. Transparency should look like frequent and detailed updates about what is being addressed, the status of any repair projects, deadlines for compliance and legal requirements
Determine Your Scope & Ensure The Property Management Company Can Deliver
Just as not all HOA boards require comprehensive management services, not all property management companies can deliver the full range of HOA-related services. You might only be searching for HOA bookkeeping or vendor management currently. Our suggestion is to choose a company that offers all services your board could need, even if you don’t need them right now. That way you have the option to scale up or down if the situation changes.
Comprehensive HOA management offerings (such as the services offered by United Community Management) include:
- Financial Management, including HOA Bookkeeping
- Investment Account Management
- Physical Property Management
- Vendor Management
- Board Member Training
- Home Owner & Tenant Education
- Compliance with Local Regulations and Legal Requirements for HOAs
- Governing Document & Legal Document Preparation
Be sure that your board has a clear idea of the services you need, so you can communicate those to all prospects. Ask prospects if they already have experience in each area in which you’re pursuing their support.
Save Yourself the Time
If you want to work with one of the leading HOA management companies in Scottsdale and surrounding areas, you can save yourself the headache of further research by working with United Community Management. But we don’t suggest working with us just because we said so. Read our reviews. Look us up on the BBB. Ask around about us to anyone you know on a local HOA board. We are confident you’ll like what you see and hear.
When you’re ready to discuss your HOA with us, contact us or request a proposal.