HOME SWEET HOA
Welcome home! Moving into a community with a homeowners’ association (HOA) has many benefi ts, including increased camaraderie, stable property values, and convenient amenities. However, with this lifestyle, homeowners have specifi c responsibilities and must do their part to preserve the neighborhood’s quality and value.
At Blackstone Management, we have decades of experience helping new homeowners acclimate to HOA living. From rules and regulations to dues, amenities, and services, there’s much to learn about associations and homeowner expectations. Use this checklist to guide you through all the must-dos as you settle into a new home in an HOA.
GET YOUR WELCOME PACKET
A welcome packet is a comprehensive guide the HOA provides to new homeowners. With it in hand, you’ll have all the information you need about your community. Think of it as an HOA operating manual, like the ones you might have to set up furniture and appliances. The difference is that instead of assembly instructions, the welcome packet includes information you will likely refer to frequently.
Governing Documents: The rules and regulations that homeowners must follow.
Contacts: Key HOA and community contacts.
Community Calendar: Dates for meetings and events and maintenance schedules.
Amenities Guide: Information on the community’s amenities and how to access them.
Maps and Directories: Neighborhood layouts and a resident and service provider directory.
You should receive your welcome packet from HOA leadership as soon as you move in. If you don’t get yours, check the HOA website or contact management.
When you move into an HOA, you agree to abide by the rules and regulations. These guidelines facilitate a harmonious living environment and help maintain property values. Though you might be tempted to brush them aside, new homeowners should, at the very least, understand the rules most relevant to them to prevent issues and conflicts. There are usually guidelines on things like lawn care, parking, and noise. You can find your community’s rules and regulations in the governing documents, which can be accessed:
READ THE RULES
• On your HOA’s website. Many communities have an online portal for documents retrieval.
• In-person at your HOA’s offices. Physical copies can typically be requested.
• In your welcome packet. Governing documents are often included for easy reference.
SET UP YOUR UTILITIES AND SERVICES
Identify which utilities you need to set up in your new home, such as:
• ELECTRICITY
• WATER
• GAS
• INTERNET
• CABLE
Ensure timely activation to avoid interruptions or fines, and review payment timelines. In addition to utilities, find the schedule for services like trash pickup. You’ll also want to locate your nearest fire department, police station, and hospital. With this information handy, you can respond quickly in urgent situations, enhancing the safety and security of your household and HOA.
All HOA homeowners must pay assessments to their association on a monthly, quarterly, or yearly basis. While they vary across associations, these payments can go towards:
• Common area maintenance
• Amenity upkeep
• Community security
• Insurance
• Utilities
Ensure you’re informed about other potential expenses, such as fi nes for rule violations. No matter what you’re paying, familiarize yourself with the different payment methods available. Check if your community collects payments in-person or online, and consider enrolling in automatic payments so you don’t miss deadlines.
BLACKSTONE MANAGEMENT IS MOBILE:
Blackstone Management is committed to developing innovative technology to enhance the experiences of every owner, tenant, board member and client. Our exclusive mobile app was launched in 2014 to provide better access to the information our community members need and want. We’ve never rested there. Updates, improvements and brand new features are added whenever we believe they will be a benefi t.
FOR OWNERS AND TENANTS
• View account information
• Make payments
• Report a violation
• Request maintenance
• Parking Pass Requests
• HOA Alteration Request
The Blackstone Management app allows owners and tenants to log in and take control of their accounts. We have found that more than 60% of unit owners prefer to use a mobile app to make payments, request services and report violations. Users can also submit Alteration requests right from their phones or tablets, giving them the power to always have full access to features they need.
INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO YOUR HOA
Getting to know your HOA board members, staff, and neighbors helps you form bonds and instills a sense of community. To say hello, attend HOA meetings or social events. At board meetings, you’ll get crucial information, become acquainted with leadership, and learn how the community functions. At social activities, you’ll have an opportunity to foster connections with fellow residents.
At various events, you’ll likely meet:
• The board of directors. A group of volunteers authorized to act on the community’s behalf to create and enforce guidelines, set goals, and protect homeowner rights. An HOA board is usually comprised of a president, vice president, treasurer, and secretary.
• Management company. The company hired to fulfi ll duties that board members can’t carry out.
• Your community association manager. The face of the management company, responsible for assisting with operations and advising the board.
• Your property manager. The person overseeing physical properties, working with homeowners, new and old, to ensure the property is well-kept.
• Service providers. Landscaping, pool services, maintenance, waste management, restoration, and construction partners and vendors that support the community.
FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH THE AMENITIES
Amenities are one of the best parts of HOA living. By joining an association, new homeowners may gain access to private features
Available amenities vary by association, but may include:
• Pools
• Fitness centers
• Clubhouses
• Walking paths
• Playgrounds
• Picnic areas
• Basketball/tennis/ pickleball courts
Understand all the amenities your community offers and visit them frequently. They should be some of the best parts of community living, curated specifically for resident enjoyment. Learn their hours of operation, availability, and rules, like reservation requirements or guest policies.
While you should spend time exploring and enjoying your HOA, checking out your surrounding community is important, too.
Look for:
• Restaurants
• Shopping centers
• Farmers Markets
• Parks
• Schools
• Movie theaters
• Pet care stores
• Doctors/dentist offi ces
EXPLORE THINGS OUTSIDE OF YOUR HOA
Ask neighbors for their recommendations and favorite spots. Your HOA may even have partnerships with businesses that offer resident discounts. By engaging with the broader community, not just the HOA, new homeowners enrich their experience and build more fulfi lling lives in their new neighborhood.
Founded in 2007 Blackstone Management, LLC is a full-service real estate Management and Investment fi rm that operates Residential and Commercial properties as well as Owner Associations in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
Blackstone Management, LLC currently serves numerous customers with all sizes of portfolios and employs award-winning professionals and Maintenance staff.
Our community managers are certifi ed by the Community Association Institute (CAI) along with other professional credentials relating to the property management and asset management industries.
