What resources are your association and the community utilizing to keep your HOA in top-notch condition? There are three important services to keep in mind in order to increase property value, attract prospective members, and keep current members satisfied: pest control, gutter cleaning, and power washing. These services often get taken for granted. In fact, they may even get pushed off until there’s a big problem when they should be used to help maintain the property instead.
Pest Control
There are a number of pests that can invade a property from cockroaches to termites to rats and raccoons. These pests can not only cause damage but can also be a health issue. And equally concerning is that property owners aren’t always aware there is a pest issue until it’s grown into a bigger problem. That’s why it’s important to have periodic inspections. This allows you to catch a problem in the early stages and deal with it head-on.
But, who has to pay for pest control services? In the case of HOAs, this can really depend on the state laws and your governing documents, so it’s important to do your research. Typically, HOAs are on the hook for any common areas. However, make sure to do your research and while searching for these answers, it’s also good to know whether the HOA pays or the homeowner if any temporary relocation is necessary. If pest control isn’t covered in the by-laws, it’s important to consider amending these to add stipulations in case the situation should arise.
Cleaning the Gutters
Gutters can often be forgotten about. It’s not like gutters are at eye height, so we can’t necessarily see build-up until it’s overflowing. The problem is when gutters aren’t regularly cleaned it can result in some unpleasant problems. Going back to the topic of pests, gutters filled with rotting leaves can attract unwanted critters to your building. The rotting leaves can also result in mold growth within gutters. And when gutters get filled and clogged up, it can lead to excess water on your roof or your driveway. When gutters get too heavy, they might pull off. This can cause roof damage as well.
You can see why regular gutter maintenance is so important, but you may be wondering who is responsible for it. It’s important to look over your governing documents about this. Usually, if the homeowner owns the home then they’re on the hook for it. However, if your homeowners live in a condominium, then your HOA is probably responsible for this maintenance. Make sure to do some research before assuming the correct answer though.
Power Washing
Power washing the exterior of the property can really help curb appeal. Consider power washing outdoor structures, pathways, and buildings. Power washing helps remove unsightly and unhealthy residue like mold, mildew, dirt, pollen, dust, and grime. It helps give new life to surfaces. This will ultimately make a community look more beautiful, keep the property value up, and help you attract more members to your community. Again, check your governing documents to see who pays for what when it comes to power washing within your community.
Overall, these are just three of the services your HOA should be prioritizing. While they can sometimes take a back seat, they shouldn’t. You can see how each service helps you maintain your property and avoid more costly issues down the road.
We know that managing and maintaining an HOA is a lot of work. However, it doesn’t have to be. Please reach out to us at PMI. We can make sure that everything is taken care of and that your property retains its beauty. We are also very knowledgeable and experienced with reading and understanding governing documents. And we keep up with the current laws. We’ll make sure that you follow any applicable laws to help avoid any legal issues.
Beyond maintenance, we also work hard to help the community stay satisfied. We have the commitment and tools to provide excellent communication. Our goal is to answer within 24 hours. We also have a commitment and ability to deliver transparency. PMI provides a monthly financial packet to each board member. It includes a number of documents, including the financial statement so board members can see the HOA fee income and the expenses to vendors or service providers such as utilities, landscapers, snow removers, etc. Once the board approves, the monthly financial reports are uploaded to the portal so all community members can see them. So, not only can we ensure that your property is maintained well, but we can make sure that the correct party is handling the expenses, and the board (as well as the community) is kept up to date on all the financial reports. Learn more by visiting our website today at https://www.propertymanagementinc.com/.
