Homeowner associations are experiencing a period of rapid change. These changes influence everything from how parties communicate to the appearance of the community. Explore three HOA trends for 2018-2019. Revisiting Short-Term Rental Rules Short-term rentals are an increasingly hot topic, particularly in popular tourist destinations and bustling metros. Many HOAs are tightening up short-term rental restrictions due to local government policy. Complaints from neighboring owners over safety, noise, and cleanliness have also raised concerns At the other end of the spectrum, some HOAs are finding ways to amend bylaws, making it easier for owners to rent out their units. This is rare, occurring only when the majority of owners value the economic potential of short-term rentals. HOAs may also find themselves revisiting rules about the community’s appearance. Regulations on political signage, flags, and other exterior décor have surfaced during owners’ meetings throughout the country and will likely continue. Increasing Demand for Certified Property Managers The demand for licensed property managers has surged in recent years. Community association managers (CAMs) remove the burden of fee collection while dedicating time and resources to owner and prospect care. Residents appreciate the professional services. Managers benefit from delegating tasks and potentially higher resident satisfaction. In most states, CAMs do not need a license. The lack of consistency and regulation has managers seeking CAMs with certifications in an effort to ensure quality Organizations such as the Community Associations Institute (CAI), Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM) and National Associated Builders and Owners (NABO) have witnessed increased enrollment. As these graduates enter the workforce, managers will have a larger body of certified CAMs from which to choose. Growing Prominence of Software Solutions Owners and manager both are discovering the benefits of condo-specific software that expedites documentation and billing processes.These solutions...

“The ROI using Voyager has been huge,” said Jason Hoffman, COO and vice president at Alliance Property Systems, about running its business on the mobile Yardi Voyager platform. Led by a father-son team, Alliance provides comprehensive HOA and condominium management services along with commercial real estate management throughout South Florida. A longtime Yardi client, Alliance has always invested in technology and started with DOS-based Yardi Professional in the early 1990s. To meet new challenges in a changing industry and move its business forward, Alliance switched to the cloud-based Voyager platform in 2015. As a result, Alliance has gained automated workflows for tasks that previously required time-consuming manual processing, and accommodates a business model of “roving property management” with integrated online services and mobile tools. Winning in a tight market Alliance has a portfolio of 70 properties and 6,000 units in South Florida and only 13 employees. To succeed and be profitable in a competitive market with tight margins, the company must streamline and optimize internal processes, according to Leigh Hoffman, Alliance’s president and CEO (and father half of the father-son team). A key way Alliance achieves this is by leveraging Yardi’s leading-edge technology across its business. For a true end-to-end solution, Alliance has added products from the Yardi® Condo Suite to its Voyager platform. Integrated online services and simplified workflows for payments, procurement, invoice processing and more increase productivity and reduce costs for the company. When asked if Alliance’s investment in technology sets the company apart, Jason commented that the Voyager platform “100% helps us win business.” And according to Leigh, “We are more competitive and succeed because we’re offering options to our customers to do more things online, including payments.” Empowering a lean team This biggest line item in Alliance’s budget is employee costs....

It’s an exciting time for the condo industry in Canada. Facing tech disruption, new building, increasing regulation and competition, condo companies need to rethink — and even reinvent — the way they do business. To improve operational performance and increase NOI, condo managers need software platforms that deliver actionable analytics and integrated online services. A Market on the Move  As revealed in the PWC Emerging Trends in Real Estate 2018 report, the condo sector in Canada is seeing steady demand in most markets. In downtown core areas, condo units remain attractive to young professionals with a live/work/play lifestyle, along with retiring baby boomers who are downsizing from single family residences to enjoy urban amenities. The condo industry is also evolving in response to new needs and pressures. Whether there isn’t enough supply to meet demand or oversupply is finally being absorbed, condo managers need a profitable strategy that suits every scenario — including new projects such as popular multiuse communities that are driving density in city centers. These trendy new communities combine a mix of condo units with retail, a range of services and commercial space. Beyond the concept of mixed use, these “developments-as-neighborhoods”  recognize the demand for a community infrastructure that includes schools, parks, shopping and medical services that consider needs of young professionals, young families and older residents, too. According the PWC report, “The age of the shrinking condo may be coming to an end: units are starting to get bigger, reflecting the needs of families and move-up buyers.”  Tip #1: Go Paperless and Save  To be more agile in a changing market and transform operations to be more profitable, you have to say goodbye to paper. By streamlining invoice processing and centralizing spend management with automated online approval workflows, you ensure...