Property Management Blog

Around a third of Washington's homes are situated in homeowners associations, according to Seattle Agent Magazine. This highlights the need for quality community managers.

Sadly, many of the HOAs in Washington and around the country provide unsatisfactory service to residents. If this describes your situation, it usually comes down to poor HOA leadership from your HOA board of directors.

The best way to make positive change is to hire HOA management services. In today's post, we'll discuss some of the key neighborhood management benefits your community will see when you hire professional help. Keep reading and you'll be able to turn your HOA around sooner rather than later.

HOA Accounting Services

All HOA homeowners pay monthly dues to enjoy the perks of their association. The funds are pooled together to pay for things like property and community maintenance, new amenities, and repairs.

If the money isn't being properly managed, the funds won't be enough to cover what the community needs. In the end, it's the community that has to pay. The HOA will be forced to raise HOA fees to compensate for their own financial mismanagement.

One of the top advantages of HOA managers is that they'll bring accounting expertise to the table. They'll quickly assess your community's financial situation, performing fee collection, bookkeeping, and budgeting duties that can improve the financial health of your HOA.

Improved Maintenance

Community maintenance is crucial for a couple of reasons. First, it ensures homeowners feel safe and comfortable in their community. Second, it generates interest from outside investors.

When people want to buy into your community, it boosts property values for the entire HOA. Some communities have property values as much as 4% higher than similar non-HOA homes.

To enjoy a well-maintained community, you need local vendors. A community manager will bring strong vendor relationships to your HOA. Whatever your community needs will be a call away for the right HOA management service.

HOA Governance

One area where HOA leaders really let homeowners down is governance. HOA boards are made up of volunteer homeowners. It creates a strange power dynamic when they have to enforce the governing documents on their rule-breaking neighbors.

However, if rule breakers aren't punished for their actions, they'll continue annoying other homeowners and creating havoc in the community. A good HOA manager will run your community by the governing documents everyone's agreed to follow. They'll punish bad actors and create a more calm and cohesive community overall.

The Top Community Managers in Vancouver, WA

Great community managers can quickly implement the tactics discussed here and fix your HOA once and for all. They'll provide strong leadership and bring your HOA board to a level every community member is happy with.

For communities in Vancouver, the best option for HOA management is Invest West Management. Our comprehensive HOA management services include everything we've mentioned here and so much more.

We're also part of one of the country's largest property management groups. Contact us today to discuss your needs and we'll tell you how we can help.

There are more than 358,000 U.S. neighborhoods governed by a homeowners association (HOA). There are many advantages to living in an HOA, including a higher standard of living and retention of property values.

HOAs are operated by dues paid by residents, who expect value from their contributions. This includes things like holiday decorations for the neighborhood. Meeting such high demands can be stressful for the HOA.

If you are a board member looking for HOA holiday decorating guidelines, keep reading. Below are several that will help you make your Vancouver community festive, fun, and safe.

Check HOA Festive Rules

Holiday decorations compliance should be at the top of your list. The neighborhood may already have in place holiday decor rules HOAs must follow.

These include for grounds, buildings, and common areas. They may relate to color schemes or the types of decorations allowed.

For instance, an HOA may restrict the use of overtly religious displays by the HOA. Others may permit them, as long as are tasteful and inclusive of the diversity of residents' beliefs and traditions.

Communicate Changes to Residents

Like with any other event or project, make sure to communicate the holiday decor plan with community members. Give them dates for when displays will be put up and taken down, and abide by this plan as closely as possible.

Prioritize Safety

Be sure that your holiday decorating plans do not jeopardize the safety of the community. Electrical wiring in common areas could be a hazard for pets or young children who use the space. Consider any potential fire hazards and take precautions to eliminate them.

Ensure decorations do not obstruct walkways or entrances to buildings. Also, make sure there is no danger of them falling from a height or toppling over.

Limit Noise and Light Levels

Many holiday displays include festive lights and music. If you decide to have this in areas near residences, be sure these elements are not disturbing the people who live there.

Keep music levels to a minimum and ensure no bright lights are shining directly into windows or blinding drivers as they pass by. Use timers to shut down the displays during late-night hours to further limit the chances of disturbances.

Choose Eco-Friendly Options

Another good rule of thumb for holiday decorating is to limit waste. Where possible, choose recyclable decorations. Consider using LED lights and, again, put them on timers to minimize energy waste.

Quick Cleanup

A final HOA holiday decorating guideline is to have the neighborhood back to pre-holiday status early in the new year. Line up volunteers and have a plan in place to take down, store, or dispose of decorations soon after the holidays.

Neighborhoods with decorations left up for many weeks following the holiday give off an appearance of laziness. Timely deconstruction of displays will get the project behind you and make sure your community members are happy.

Learn More About HOA Holiday Decorating

HOA holiday decorating is a great way to add fun and cheer to your neighborhood. Follow the tips above to ensure a safe, enjoyable environment for your community.

For more than 40 years, Invest West Management has been providing the highest quality real estate management assistance to clients throughout Washington and Oregon. We offer a range of services, including managing Vancouver, WA, HOA guidelines and providing board resources. Reach out to us today to learn more.

According to The Foundation for Community Association Research, around a third of Washington's homes are in homeowners associations. But how many of these homeowners are actually happy with their HOAs?

All over the country, homeowners report widespread HOA mismanagement. An association is only as effective as the people running it, so if you aren't getting what you want out of your HOA, it might be time to change some strategies.

In today's post, we'll go over some of the top strategies for association management group success in Vancouver. With the right HOA management techniques and association leadership strategies, there's no telling where your HOA could go from here. Keep reading and get the effective community management you've always wanted.

Strong Communication

At the heart of all good homeowners associations is communication between management and homeowners. If you don't have open lines of communication, management will make decisions that aren't always in the best interest of homeowners.

The best way to get everyone on the same page is through HOA meetings. If you can keep meetings organized, you'll hear from homeowners on all of the most important issues. Once you have their opinions, you can make informed decisions about how to proceed with running the HOA.

Prompt Fee Collection and Accounting

HOA fees pay for everything the community needs. If you don't have a strong collection process, you won't just lack funds, you'll also confuse homeowners. You should collect fees at the same time each month and deal with missed payments promptly.

Once you've got the money, you'll need good accounting methods to ensure you're maximizing it. Mishandling money will result in having to raise fee amounts, which will only frustrate homeowners who are on a budget. Take fee collection, bookkeeping, and budgeting seriously and you'll use the money wisely.

Adherence to Rules

The governing documents of an HOA tell homeowners how to act. When you've got upwards of 50 homeowners living under a set of rules, rule breakers become commonplace. It's how you deal with them that sends a message to the larger community.

When you're a volunteer HOA board member, it's tricky to issue penalties to your neighbors. If you fail to deal with bad actors, however, you'll lose the faith of community members who follow the rules. Don't be afraid to issue fines and penalties to set a precedent of compliance in your HOA.

Regular Maintenance

One of the biggest joys of living in an HOA should be the community itself. If it's well-maintained, safe, and comfortable for homeowners, they'll feel as though they're experiencing the best of HOA living.

When you fail to take HOA maintenance seriously, it can get out of control quickly. You need to keep local vendors on a regular schedule, whether it's garbage pickup or landscaping.

An Association Management Group Can Help

Running an HOA is a complex and all-consuming task. It's no wonder that so many associations are frustrating their homeowners. If you follow these tips, yours can be as effective as any in the state.

Of course, the other option is to hire an association management group to help. At Invest West Management, we're Vancouver's top option for HOA management, offering all of the services mentioned here and more. Contact us today to learn how we can turn your community into a success story.

If you have a homeowners association in Vancouver, WA, you may be looking for ways to streamline your operations. In Washington, approximately 31.2%, or 944,000 homes, are in an HOA.

There are many benefits of association management for your neighborhood, which will provide immediate improvements.

Read on to discover five ways association management services can improve efficiency and make your life easier.

1. Better Data Management

Expert association management services provide a streamlined, centralized way to manage member data. You can also keep track of vital information like financials, specific property violations, architectural requests, and much more.

Having all your data in one location makes tracking this important information much easier. it also allows your staff and HOA board members to gain access to information and make updates as needed. This instantly improves the efficiency of your association and keeps everyone on the same page.

2. Association Management Services Automate Processes

One of the most important management service benefits is that it can help to automate time-consuming processes. Whether you're tracking violations or collecting dues, automating everything leaves out the middleman and saves you time.

Many management services use special software that identifies problems and issues notices electronically, an important benefit when time is of the essence. It also eliminates the need for individual board members to walk around the neighborhood and leave papers on the door. Setting up automated processes saves tons of time and reduces paperwork while ensuring everything is running smoothly.

3. Improved Financial Management

Another way to improve association operations is to implement financial tools that help with accounting tasks. Everything is done professionally, from budgeting help and financial reporting to accounts payable automation.

An in-house finance team that's part of your association management services is an incredible tool to add to your arsenal. They'll work with you to give you advice, implement effective accounting systems, and help your board keep track of its financial health.

4. More Self-Service Options

An effective HOA management service gives residents access to online portals. These portals allow residents to update their information, make payments, and access important documents.

Giving people the option to handle tasks themselves and on their own time results in happier association members. It also reduces the volume of administrative tasks you need to handle, while giving your residents instant access to things they need, whenever they need them.

5. Improved Communication

Perhaps the best way to boost association success is by improving communication. The right management team and system will include communication tools that let managers communicate with residents online.

You can also use this tool to talk to vendors and board members. Overall, it results in faster communication and a more open way of talking to people which is particularly helpful during emergencies and important issues that may arise.

Streamline Your Association Today

From better communication to more accurate accounting, there are plenty of benefits to using association management services. These services will make your association better for everyone.

If you have an association in the Vancouver, WA area, contact Invest West Management to find out how our family-owned business can help you today!

In Washington, around 950,000 of the state's 3 million homes reside in homeowners associations.

HOAs can provide homeowners with a unique set of benefits that they wouldn't get outside of the community. At the same time, they may provide frustrations that independent homeowners don't have to deal with. A lot of these issues come down to management and communication breakdowns.

If you're having trouble dealing with your community association, you could benefit from an HOA owner portal. Today, we'll explain the key features and benefits so you can decide if it's the right move for your HOA. Keep reading and start thinking about improving your community's quality of life.

An HOA Owner Portal Keeps You Informed

One of the biggest homeowner portal benefits is that you can stay informed of all the community's happenings. A lot of issues arise due to a lack of communication. Having this piece of HOA management software in place makes it easy for everyone in the community to stay in the know.

It's great for the HOA board as well. Whether they need to make an announcement to the whole community or reach out to a single homeowner, the owner portal gives them one tool to communicate effectively.

Submit Requests to the HOA Board

An important aspect of HOA living for homeowners is the ability to submit maintenance requests to the HOA board. Your HOA board should promptly respond to requests; the owner portal helps facilitate this.

The portal also lets you track the progress of your request. You can see if it's been received, whether someone's working on it, and when it's finished. Thus, you can stay on top of all your requests quickly and easily.

Pay Your Bills and Fees

All HOA homeowners must pay their monthly dues to experience all the community offers. Failing to pay your dues can result in penalties and put the community as a whole at a disadvantage.

Community management tools, like an owner portal, help remind homeowners when payments are due. Homeowners can pay their bills and any outstanding fees directly on the website. With the portal in place, board members won't have to chase as many homeowners down for their HOA dues.

Secure Communication

When communication is done through email or text, there's always the risk of a data breach. Cybersecurity is a major concern for homeowners associations, as it is with most organizations.

Among the biggest HOA website features is that they're secure. You should be able to send messages back and forth to the board and community members without having to worry about prying eyes.

Better Community Management for Your HOA

As you can see, a simple owner portal implemented on your HOA website can go a long way. If you've been looking for ways to boost communication and streamline your association, this will certainly help.

When you hire a community association management company to back up your board, putting an owner portal in place can be incredibly easy. At Invest West Management, we have an owner portal directly on our website, so you can get through to us, as well as your leadership for all of your HOA needs.

We've been the top HOA manager in Vancouver, Washington, for over 40 years now. To find out how our services can help your community, contact us today.

Around 2 million Washington State residents prefer living in an HOA. That's because these communities offer a host of benefits for residents, including higher property values.

To enjoy the perks of this lifestyle, homeowners must contribute toward the upkeep of the community and abide by certain rules. Those who don't can face serious consequences, such as an HOA foreclosure.

Read to discover more about this process and how to avoid it.

HOA Homeowner Responsibilities

Every HOA has a set of CC&Rs that dictate the homeowners' responsibilities. Paying HOA fees and assessments on time and abiding by community rules are part of these guidelines.

An HOA assessment is usually an extra fee for extensive repairs or upgrades to the HOA facilities. In Washington, the terms HOA fees and HOA assessments are used interchangeably.

If homeowners don't comply with the rules for maintaining their homes and using the HOA amenities, the HOA will issue them a warning. Non-compliance with this warning almost always leads to a fine.

Homeowners must pay any fines owed along with their HOA fees.

The HOA Foreclosure Process in Washington

If homeowners don't pay the amounts due to the HOA, the HOA board, or their representative, will resort to the usual fee collection methods. These include:

• Restricting their access to amenities
• Calling them to discuss a payment arrangement
• Sending letters demanding payment

If the homeowner ignores these collection methods, the HOA automatically gets a lien against the home and can ultimately institute an HOA foreclosure if the account remains delinquent for over 90 days.

The HOA board must unanimously agree to foreclose on a home before commencing legal proceedings. They must mail two preforeclosure notices to the homeowner, and the second one may not be sent less than 60 days after the first.

In Washington State, an HOA may pursue judicial or non-judicial foreclosure, and the HOA lien supersedes all other liens apart from government debt and pre-existing mortgages.

During a non-judicial foreclosure, the HOA sells the property via a third-party trustee instead of the court. In a judicial foreclosure, the HOA files a lawsuit requesting a foreclosure sale. If the homeowner doesn't respond, the HOA wins the case.

How to Stop HOA Foreclosure

A homeowner can fight HOA foreclosure if they feel their HOA has acted unfairly or illegally, or if they have not followed the letter of the law during fee collections or foreclosure proceedings.

The only other way to avoid an HOA foreclosure is by paying the amounts owed before the foreclosure sale.

Avoid Foreclosures in Your HOA

No HOA board wants to undergo the stress and unpleasantness associated with an HOA foreclosure. Hiring an effective HOA manager can help you do this.

Invest West Management's team of HOA managers can help you with timely fee collections and ensure you stay on the right side of the law when collecting past-due amounts. We have over 40 years of experience in real estate and take a hands-on, customer-centric approach to everything we do.

We can help you get your HOA back on track.

Around 38% of Vancouver households live in rental accommodation, meaning landlords must regularly inspect their properties.

Understanding what to look for during an inspection is essential for protecting your investment and keeping tenants happy. If this is your first time conducting a property inspection, you may miss glaring red flags that put your rental at risk.

If this sounds familiar, you've come to the right place. Here are three tips for performing rental property inspections.

1. Give Advanced Notice

Before conducting rental inspections, landlords must notify tenants in advance. In Vancouver, legally landlords must provide a written notice at least 24 hours before entry which details the date, time of entry, and reason. Also, landlords can inspect the rental property once a month during the tenancy.

Often, landlords require inspections before a tenant moves in or out. Property managers should do this because they know what to look for and can complete the paperwork in a timely fashion. Landlords may also want routine inspections to ensure it is in great condition.

Although it's not required, many landlords prefer having tenants present during the inspection. This lets both parties discuss the property and highlights any maintenance issues in the rental property.

But be fair with the scheduling. Avoid inspecting the property early in the morning, late at night, or during the holidays because it could upset the occupants. Instead, ask responsible tenants what time works best for their busy schedules.

2. Know What to Look Out For

The only way to make the inspection worthwhile is to know what to look out for. A good idea is to create a checklist to keep track of everything you come across, so it's easier to create a report.

Ideally, a property management company should either help you with this or do it on your behalf because they know what to inspect. Essential items include walls, ceilings, floors, and appliances. You should also inspect entryways as it's a surefire way to protect your property.

While you inspect every room, take photos of your findings. This serves as hard evidence for your inspection and works with a written description. In a worst-case scenario, tenants may claim that they didn't damage the property while moving out, so this protects you from false claims.

3. Create a Report

Once you've completed the inspection, create a detailed report. Your property manager, who would've likely completed it for you, will share the document with both you and the tenant. This should include the inspection's outcome and whether there are any issues.

How to Conduct Rental Property Inspections

Now that you understand why rental property inspections, it's time to hire a property management company to help you. These professionals will create a checklist and document everything for evidence.

At Invest West Management, we have 40 years of experience working with landlords in the Vancouver area, so both landlords and tenants are happy. If you need help with your property, we'd love to hear from you. Contact us today to chat with a member of our team.

Are you interested in investing in a rental property in Vancouver, WA? It's a great place to live and has an above-average median wage. As a result, your real estate investment can rake in a lot of cash.

However, if you're not strategic, you might find that your monthly rental income isn't what you'd like it to be. One of the best ways to succeed with your real estate investment is to assess its value.

This guide will show you how to determine the rental valuation of your property.

Here's what you must know:

What Determines Property Value?

You must first understand what causes a property value to increase. The first factor is your property's curb appeal in reality and online. If your property is attractive inside but ugly outside, you'll have to charge lower rent prices!

Location is another factor to consider. If your property is in a desirable location, its value can increase tremendously. A small apartment in the Downtown area might be more valuable than a small house in a distant area.

If your rental property is part of an HOA, this can also increase its value. HOAs play a crucial role in maintaining your property to certain standards.

Renters often want to be part of a community that keeps all properties inspected at all times. The major benefit of an HOA is that you'll always have others to ensure your property maintains its value.

You can always charge whatever price you wish. However, if you go well above a valued price, you may not find tenants. You'll have to offer more to your tenants if you want to charge higher prices.

Rental Valuation Methods

Now let's look at a few methods for rental valuation that you can consider. The first approach is the sales comparison approach. 

With this approach, you'll compare your property to other similar properties in the area. You can charge a monthly rental income based on what other landlords charge.

Another approach is the capital asset pricing model. You'll have to weigh the risks and opportunity costs. If your mortgage is $3,000 per month, can you charge a rental fee to cover this cost, for instance?

This is the riskiest model. You'll have to consider maintenance charges in addition to your mortgage.

The easiest method to consider is the gross rent multiplier approach. You'll determine how much rent you can likely collect each year. This amount is before taxes and other expenses. This is the simplest way to decide whether the property is worth your initial investment.

Start Investing Today

Now you can know how rental valuation works and the approaches to consider when investing in real estate.

Once you've determined which approach you want, you must also consider how you can increase your property's value. Your first step is to improve the curb appeal. If you're part of an HOA, they can assist you with maintaining high standards for your property.

Invest West Management has served many happy clients throughout the Vancouver area. We'll be glad to help you as well.

Contact us today!

Being an HOA homeowner requires some monetary dedication, but for good reason.

If you live in Washington, there's a good chance you are part of an HOA. Over 30% of homes in the state are in homeowner associations, ranking fourth among all U.S. states.

HOA fees in Vancouver, Washington, can make your community more desirable to live in, despite causing an increase in home costs.

HOA fees are regular payments you can make to a homeowners association. They will pay for a variety of maintenance tasks and recurring services. Keep reading to learn how they work.

How Do HOA Fees Work?

Homeowners will pay their HOA dues to cover property maintenance and upgrades monthly, quarterly, or annually. The exact timeframe can vary by community.

HOA fees are membership dues, but HOAs may also require special assessments to pay for expensive repairs. These are one-time fees that could arise due to unexpected budget deficits or natural disasters.

These are a few examples of what regular HOA fees cover:

• HOA management company fees
• Cash reserves
• Utilities (electricity, water, sewage, etc.)
• Lawn care and landscaping
• Security services
• Common areas and repairs (swimming pools, tennis courts, basketball courts, clubhouses, dog parks, gyms, etc.)

Some HOA fees cover trash removal, pest control, and snow removal to directly benefit the homeowner.

Average HOA Fees in Vancouver

In Washington, the average monthly HOA fee is $388. This is slightly below the national average of $390.

In Vancouver specifically, you can expect to pay more or less of the average based on your zip code. HOA fees vary based on these factors:

• Cost of real estate in the area
• Cost of living in the area
• Included amenities and services

Vancouver has a high cost of living, compared to the national average. This could cause fees to go up in the area, especially if the association provides more services and amenities.

HOA fees tend to increase as inflation does. This is due to the rise in the costs of repairs and materials.

Can You Avoid HOA Fees?

Property value is high in HOA communities because of access to resources. To get these resources, residents living within the community must pay their membership fees and special assessments.

You cannot avoid HOA fees as it is part of the agreement you sign to live in the HOA community.

Washington state allows a private HOA organization to pursue legal action against delinquent HOA homeowners. The HOA can get a lien on your home if you don't pay your dues.

How Can HOA Management Help?

An HOA management company can help you stay up to date on your HOA fees and dues. At Invest West Management, we are celebrating 40 years of property management services for homeowners associations and beyond.

HOA fees can be a little concerning without the right management keeping track of them. With our focus on integrity and ethics, you can trust that your fees are going towards services that benefit you and your community.

Request HOA management services from us today to get started!

About 29 percent of the U.S. population lives in a community governed by a homeowners association (HOA). That amounts to 258,000 neighborhoods and condo complexes, and more than 74 million residents.

There are many advantages to an HOA. These include standards that help make the neighborhood a better place to live and keep home values up. There are a lot of responsibilities to serving on an HOA board of directors as well.

Below are the main duties and functions of a typical HOA board. Keep reading to find out what you can expect in your Vancouver, Washington, neighborhood.

Grounds Maintenance

One of the main responsibilities of HOA board members is ensuring the upkeep of common grounds and buildings. Examples include scheduling landscaping for green areas or maintenance for entryway gates.

It often means staying on top of HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and pest control for communal buildings. This responsibility extends to any amenities in the community as well.

Fitness centers, swimming pools, walking trails, and dog parks all require regular upkeep. It is up to the HOA board to see that this is carried out.

Planning Community Improvements

Besides regular maintenance, HOA boards are responsible for making community improvements. These might include adding amenities that residents want or finding solutions to problems in the neighborhood. Common examples are potholes or dilapidated sidewalks, which are typically owned by the association.

All this can entail meeting with and deciding on the right contractors. It might also involve scheduling and overseeing volunteer work days for community members.

Managing the Association's Budget

Almost everything mentioned above requires money, which comes from annual dues paid by residents. The HOA board is responsible for managing these funds, ensuring they go to the best uses for the community. This includes maintenance and improvement projects, as well as HOA insurance policy premiums.

This requires some basic level of accounting and bookkeeping. It also involves presenting an annual budget to community members and getting their feedback on it.

Enforcing Community Standards

A final major responsibility of HOA boards is enforcing community standards. These cover everything from lawn maintenance to permissible paint colors for homes. These differ from one community to the next, as they are decided upon by residents themselves.

This also can involve levying and collecting fines for HOA community members who fail to meet standards or who have not paid dues. In rare cases, this could require seeking liens or other legal mechanisms for residents who do not abide by community rules.

Get Assistance Accomplishing HOA Board Responsibilities

Now that you understand the functions and responsibilities of an HOA board, you can plan accordingly. Keep in mind that an elected board is usually made up of volunteer community members. An experienced HOA management company can provide support and alleviate a lot of time and work for them.

Invest West Management is a local, family-owned real estate business with over 40 years of service to our clients throughout Oregon and Washington. We offer a range of services, including association management and HOA board member resources. Reach out to us today to set up a free consultation.