HOA pt 2 - is a Prop Mgt co really needed?

M.D. Holloway · 10-14-2006, 07:44 PM

So I was nominated and voted in as the VP of our HOA. The Prop Mgt co contract expires. Should we use a property management company or go private? Keep in mind - all parks and roads are maintained by the town, we do not have a community pool. Not sure what the benefits are to having one. Any ideas?

legion · 10-14-2006, 07:46 PM

Any ideas what the current prop. management company does?

M.D. Holloway · 10-14-2006, 07:55 PM

Best I can tell is that they do drive-bys and check to make sure eveybody is in compliance with the arc design criteria - if not, they send out rather harsh toned letters. The letter that flag lady got was actually the reason way the ***** hit the media. Her feelings were hurt! They also take care of the accounting. Not much bills to pay really.

I'm not really seeing what value they bring aside from acting as a buffer between the board of directors of the HOA and the home owners.

lendaddy · 10-14-2006, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by LubeMaster77

I'm not really seeing what value they bring aside from acting as a buffer between the board of directors of the HOA and the home owners.

I am willing to bet they are worth twice what they charge for this service alone.....life is too short for that crap.

10-14-2006, 08:13 PM

Mike - I was just installed as veep of my hoa as well. We don't have a prop mgmt group, but we also don't have stringent deed restrictions. If you take over, all the officers should get some type of ins to cya - especially if you watchdog.

M.D. Holloway · 10-14-2006, 08:24 PM

Its already sizing up to be a major pain in the arse. This jackass from the old board and his witch wife have been given serious crap cuz they got voted out. 2 weeks into this and I think it is gonna be a major time chew I won't be compebnsated for. This goes against my new mantra "Daddy Don't Do Gratis!". I'm such a sap, I never should have listedn to my Wife and her silly friends - see what happens when you have a huge ego that needs constant feeding!

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

Geez, my wife was the opposite. She fobade me to become an officer of the HOA, just for that reason of uncompensated time.

Seriously, find a good management group. They are the "City Manager" and take care of the day to day crap. If they aren't taking care of the day to day crap, replace them.

You and the other 'bored' membered should be setting policy and settling disputes, then use the management group to implement said decisions. When all else fails, delegate!

And at least you're only VP. not as big a target as the pres! Of course, you don't get the perks either...blue stained dresses...wait, you already have more of that then we should know!

shoemakj · 10-15-2006, 06:28 AM

Go with the prop mgmt group. They insulate you have having to deal with your so-called "neighbors." I was asked to be on the board of our HOA when our development was new. I said OK because I wanted to have some say-so in what we were doing. Bad idea. Mostly had to deal with a bunch of whiny-azz people who didn't have time to serve on the board, but had plenty of time complain to & about those who do.

I finally resigned after receiving, via e-mail, threats of legal/physical action against me (printed and saved for future reference) for not voting on a parking plan that was in clear violation of state law.

--Jim

M.D. Holloway · 10-15-2006, 06:57 AM

I signed a code of conduct letter - seez if I try to intimidate or act unprofessionally the bored can kick me out - that is my out without being a weakarse quiter!

nota · 10-15-2006, 08:55 AM

disolve the HOA AND SAVE THE FEES
AS THEY ARE JUST A COMMIE FRONT GROUP

lendaddy · 10-15-2006, 08:57 AM

Dissolve the HOA and form your own government with your neighbors. I can put you in touch with a guy that's done it.

Moneyguy1 · 10-15-2006, 09:48 AM

HOAs vary. We have one (if you can call it that) with no dues and no rights to tell you what color, what kind of plants and all that petty srap. It is volunteer, and does a mighty good job of keeping our medians clean and free of debris and even offering to act as go-between if neighbors have a problem. When we were house hunting six years ago, experience in real estate dictated we did NOT want a dues collecting dictatorship limiting our choices. We are intelligent enough and considerate of our neighbors. Most people are, and municipalities generally have laws that cover things that are truly hazardous or that reduce property values (junk cars, etc).

1973911s · 10-15-2006, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by legion
Any ideas what the current prop. management company does?

I served as my board president, and being in the property management business, they do alot more than you think. They keep you out of trouble with HOA laws.

Michael