Managing Communities in Florida
The magnificent state of Florida draws evermore residents of all ages. From Miami to Jacksonville to Orlando and Tampa, the housing market has responded and grown to accommodate the rush of newcomers.
And many of them must live in or they prefer to live in planned communities governed by HOA boards and community associations. What’s less understood is that Florida community managers actually make Florida neighborhoods enjoyable and livable.
In a Major Thriving Industry
In a recent report, provided by CAI, we find that 74.2 million Americans, nearly a third of the U.S. population lives within 358,000 homeowners associations, condominium communities, or housing cooperatives. HOAs comprise 58%–63% of that total, followed by condominium communities (35%–40%), and cooperatives at (2%–4%). The estimated value of homes in community associations has reached nearly $11 trillion. Homeowners contribute an estimated $106.4 billion in assessments to fund essential maintenance of these communities which are run by 55,000 to 60,000 association managers.
Without the associations, Florida or California local governments would not be able to meet the demands of residents.
States with the Most Community Associations
Not surprisingly perhaps, given the massive housing markets and rental markets in Florida and California, that we find the most HOAs and community associations located there.
California has more than 49,000 associations involving 14,069,000 residents, while Florida has slightly fewer at 48,000 associations serving 9,567,000 residents. That’s a third of the US total in just two states.
According to FloridaRealtyMarketplace.com, HOA management fees range between $100 to $350, for most associations yet can reach $400 to $800 for larger associations with significant features and amenities (swimming pools, clubhouses, recreation facilities).
HOA Fees Provide Funds for Management
With respect to cities, HOA fees per homeowner in various major cities might range between $200 and $500 per month. Residents have high expectations for service, so it’s important for Florida HOA managers to be able to present and communicate the value of their services expertly in order to keep cash flowing and gain homeowner cooperation.
The quest today in Florida is to acquire sufficiently trained and capable staff to manage them. Yet, unfortunately, traditional management practices are resulting in exhausted personnel as associations grow and tasks and expectations increase. As staff face burnout, boards must investigate and utilize modern digital management software platforms to greatly improve efficiencies, cut costs, and meet stringent data security guidelines.
The prevalence of single-family houses and new housing developments in these two states means management teams are needed to help communities operate functionally. Gone are the days when municipalities were responsible for high-level services and now offer only bare-bones services. Communities must form their own management association, hire teams and service vendors, and manage in accordance to applicable laws and bylaws.
Association Management Regulations
Florida’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), via the Regulatory Council of Community Association Managers, regulates the licensure of community association managers. In most circumstances, community association managers in Florida must be licensed in order to carry out their duties as a condo, HOA or community manager.
Homeowner association regulations are set and governed by the Florida Senate. Their provisions lay out how association boards will operate their association and the processes, obligations, and management prohibitions.
If you are planning a community in Florida (builder/developer) or are given the task of creating one, you’ll need to arrange to create an organization, acquire licensing, and use legally compliant software to manage it.
Who Should Manage Your Association
According to Myfloridalicence.com, a licensed Florida community association manager is a person hired to manage a community association with more than 10 units or with an annual budget above $100,000.00. Community association management includes mobile home parks, planned unit developments, homeowners associations, cooperatives, timeshares, condominiums, or other residential units that are part of a development.
Self-Managed Association Management is a Good Idea Today
There are plenty of reasons to create your own management team and use a solution such as ManageCasa to run it. The efficiencies gained via software allow you to have more responsive management and more funds for amenities and services.
Boards do not have to hire a management firm. You can hire a team within your community association business (non-profit employees). However, if management is outsourced to a private company, that firm’s manager then must acquire a community association management license.
The community association manager can manage association budgeted funds and petty cash; prepare budgets or other financial documents, decide on how or notify on meetings, conduct those meetings, coordinate maintenance for the residential development, and carry out day-to-day services.
A great way to learn more about association management in Florida is by attending the many conferences and expos that happen throughout the year. There are association expo events in Tampa, Orlando, Miami, and other locations throughout the state.
Find out more about improving your association, what an association manager is, association insurance required, and what to look for in professional-level HOA/Association management software.
Are you operating in Florida and need to know more about how to make your transition to modern community association software? See out association product features now.
We’re here to help. Call us now at 415 800 1245.
