All HOA communities that look attractive, peaceful, and well-kept have one thing in common: a professional and organized team in the background that ensures they stay that way.
If you want the same for your HOA in Fort Worth, there is one secret weapon to make life easier: an owner portal. Here's what you need to know about these portals and the top five features to look for in a tool.
1. Online Payments
Offering residents the chance to pay HOA fees online is a convenient and welcome solution for many. It means residents can pay from anywhere, even when on vacation.
It also makes it easier for both the HOA board and residents to track. Plus, it will help speed up administrative work when the board needs to produce financial reports.
Choose a payment system that accepts many forms of payment, including credit cards and bank transfers.
2. Document Storage
An online portal is ideal for storing documents related to your HOA.
It's centralized, making it easy and fast for anyone to access the necessary information. Plus, it's secure, so important or sensitive documents won't fall into the wrong hands.
Residents can also use this to search for information related to their property, like regulations. So, it will cut down on administrative work for all involved.
Furthermore, it has an environmental benefit, as you won't leave hundreds of sheets of paper lying around.
3. Maintenance Requests
One of an HOA management team's most demanding jobs is managing requests and issues reported by residents. Any portal should streamline this process.
That means a section where residents can add a problem, request, or question and an admin area where the HOA board can review and prioritize these requests.
It's also worth choosing an online portal that allows you to manage your maintenance work project, schedule it, and connect with the right contractors to fix issues promptly.
4. Events Management
If you arrange events for your HOA community, an online portal is the best place to keep the information. Look for an online portal that allows you to add and track events, meetings, and other important dates.
You could also look for extra functions, like an automated RSVP function or notifications for residents, to help reduce administrative overhead.
These features help ensure you have an active, engaged community that enjoys all the benefits of being part of an HOA.
5. Resident Communication
Keeping your HOA residents informed about future work, maintenance, and events is vital. It means people are more satisfied and involved in your community. Look for an online portal that makes this easy.
You want one with email notifications to inform residents about an official announcement like a new meeting or a private update like feedback on their repair request.
Is It Time for Your HOA to Switch to an Owner Portal?
Running an HOA is demanding, and it places many demands and expectations on residents. Switching to an owner portal can save you time and money, but it's important you get one with the features outlined in this guide.
PMI Cross Timbers has a professional and experienced team and the best technology to oversee your housing association. We're part of a national property management franchise with over 20 years of industry experience.
To find out more about our association management services in Fort Worth, head here.
