You’ve bought the perfect house in the best neighborhood, and now it’s time to move in and enjoy your new community. Your community has a homeowners association, but you’re unsure what to expect as a new HOA member. Read below to learn more about homeowners associations and the things that come with being a part of one.

Property Management

A homeowners association is either self-managed, or the Board of Directors partners with a property management company for assistance with day-to-day operations, homeowner communications, and financial management. The important thing to remember is that the property management company doesn’t run or make decisions for the HOA; your volunteer homeowner Board does. A good property management company will advise the Boards it serves and provide high-quality customer service to the homeowners in the community.

HOA Fees

An important part of a homeowners association is the HOA dues (referred to as maintenance fees at Ghertner & Company) that each homeowner pays to the HOA. These dues help pay for things like the upkeep of common areas, insurance or community amenities. HOA dues are paid monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or annually, depending on the community’s governing documents. If you live in a Ghertner & Company-managed community, you can pay your dues through our web portal at www.ghertner.com/owner.

Rules and Regulations

In an effort to maintain property values in the community and make HOAs a safe, enjoyable place for everyone to live, governing documents outline the rules all owners must follow. For owners who have moved into a Ghertner & Company-managed community, you can view your rules and regulations on the web portal at www.ghertner.com/owner. For potential buyers, please visit https://associationlinks.ghertner.com/ to learn more about your HOA.

Common Amenities

Some communities offer pools, gyms, or clubhouses for all owners to share. It is important for all owners to abide by the rules for these areas. If your Ghertner & Company-managed community has one of these amenities and you need an amenity key, please visit www.poolkey.ghertner.com.

Neighbors and Community

The fun part about living in an HOA community is the people! Some HOAs have welcome committees to help you acclimate to your HOA or social committees that plan events for neighbors to attend. Take the time to participate in these events to get to know your neighbors, or volunteer for one of these committees to get involved.