Property Management Blog

In Washington, around 950,000 of the state's 3 million homes reside in homeowners associations.

HOAs can provide homeowners with a unique set of benefits that they wouldn't get outside of the community. At the same time, they may provide frustrations that independent homeowners don't have to deal with. A lot of these issues come down to management and communication breakdowns.

If you're having trouble dealing with your community association, you could benefit from an HOA owner portal. Today, we'll explain the key features and benefits so you can decide if it's the right move for your HOA. Keep reading and start thinking about improving your community's quality of life.

An HOA Owner Portal Keeps You Informed

One of the biggest homeowner portal benefits is that you can stay informed of all the community's happenings. A lot of issues arise due to a lack of communication. Having this piece of HOA management software in place makes it easy for everyone in the community to stay in the know.

It's great for the HOA board as well. Whether they need to make an announcement to the whole community or reach out to a single homeowner, the owner portal gives them one tool to communicate effectively.

Submit Requests to the HOA Board

An important aspect of HOA living for homeowners is the ability to submit maintenance requests to the HOA board. Your HOA board should promptly respond to requests; the owner portal helps facilitate this.

The portal also lets you track the progress of your request. You can see if it's been received, whether someone's working on it, and when it's finished. Thus, you can stay on top of all your requests quickly and easily.

Pay Your Bills and Fees

All HOA homeowners must pay their monthly dues to experience all the community offers. Failing to pay your dues can result in penalties and put the community as a whole at a disadvantage.

Community management tools, like an owner portal, help remind homeowners when payments are due. Homeowners can pay their bills and any outstanding fees directly on the website. With the portal in place, board members won't have to chase as many homeowners down for their HOA dues.

Secure Communication

When communication is done through email or text, there's always the risk of a data breach. Cybersecurity is a major concern for homeowners associations, as it is with most organizations.

Among the biggest HOA website features is that they're secure. You should be able to send messages back and forth to the board and community members without having to worry about prying eyes.

Better Community Management for Your HOA

As you can see, a simple owner portal implemented on your HOA website can go a long way. If you've been looking for ways to boost communication and streamline your association, this will certainly help.

When you hire a community association management company to back up your board, putting an owner portal in place can be incredibly easy. At Invest West Management, we have an owner portal directly on our website, so you can get through to us, as well as your leadership for all of your HOA needs.

We've been the top HOA manager in Vancouver, Washington, for over 40 years now. To find out how our services can help your community, contact us today.

Around 2 million Washington State residents prefer living in an HOA. That's because these communities offer a host of benefits for residents, including higher property values.

To enjoy the perks of this lifestyle, homeowners must contribute toward the upkeep of the community and abide by certain rules. Those who don't can face serious consequences, such as an HOA foreclosure.

Read to discover more about this process and how to avoid it.

HOA Homeowner Responsibilities

Every HOA has a set of CC&Rs that dictate the homeowners' responsibilities. Paying HOA fees and assessments on time and abiding by community rules are part of these guidelines.

An HOA assessment is usually an extra fee for extensive repairs or upgrades to the HOA facilities. In Washington, the terms HOA fees and HOA assessments are used interchangeably.

If homeowners don't comply with the rules for maintaining their homes and using the HOA amenities, the HOA will issue them a warning. Non-compliance with this warning almost always leads to a fine.

Homeowners must pay any fines owed along with their HOA fees.

The HOA Foreclosure Process in Washington

If homeowners don't pay the amounts due to the HOA, the HOA board, or their representative, will resort to the usual fee collection methods. These include:

• Restricting their access to amenities
• Calling them to discuss a payment arrangement
• Sending letters demanding payment

If the homeowner ignores these collection methods, the HOA automatically gets a lien against the home and can ultimately institute an HOA foreclosure if the account remains delinquent for over 90 days.

The HOA board must unanimously agree to foreclose on a home before commencing legal proceedings. They must mail two preforeclosure notices to the homeowner, and the second one may not be sent less than 60 days after the first.

In Washington State, an HOA may pursue judicial or non-judicial foreclosure, and the HOA lien supersedes all other liens apart from government debt and pre-existing mortgages.

During a non-judicial foreclosure, the HOA sells the property via a third-party trustee instead of the court. In a judicial foreclosure, the HOA files a lawsuit requesting a foreclosure sale. If the homeowner doesn't respond, the HOA wins the case.

How to Stop HOA Foreclosure

A homeowner can fight HOA foreclosure if they feel their HOA has acted unfairly or illegally, or if they have not followed the letter of the law during fee collections or foreclosure proceedings.

The only other way to avoid an HOA foreclosure is by paying the amounts owed before the foreclosure sale.

Avoid Foreclosures in Your HOA

No HOA board wants to undergo the stress and unpleasantness associated with an HOA foreclosure. Hiring an effective HOA manager can help you do this.

Invest West Management's team of HOA managers can help you with timely fee collections and ensure you stay on the right side of the law when collecting past-due amounts. We have over 40 years of experience in real estate and take a hands-on, customer-centric approach to everything we do.

We can help you get your HOA back on track.

Around 38% of Vancouver households live in rental accommodation, meaning landlords must regularly inspect their properties.

Understanding what to look for during an inspection is essential for protecting your investment and keeping tenants happy. If this is your first time conducting a property inspection, you may miss glaring red flags that put your rental at risk.

If this sounds familiar, you've come to the right place. Here are three tips for performing rental property inspections.

1. Give Advanced Notice

Before conducting rental inspections, landlords must notify tenants in advance. In Vancouver, legally landlords must provide a written notice at least 24 hours before entry which details the date, time of entry, and reason. Also, landlords can inspect the rental property once a month during the tenancy.

Often, landlords require inspections before a tenant moves in or out. Property managers should do this because they know what to look for and can complete the paperwork in a timely fashion. Landlords may also want routine inspections to ensure it is in great condition.

Although it's not required, many landlords prefer having tenants present during the inspection. This lets both parties discuss the property and highlights any maintenance issues in the rental property.

But be fair with the scheduling. Avoid inspecting the property early in the morning, late at night, or during the holidays because it could upset the occupants. Instead, ask responsible tenants what time works best for their busy schedules.

2. Know What to Look Out For

The only way to make the inspection worthwhile is to know what to look out for. A good idea is to create a checklist to keep track of everything you come across, so it's easier to create a report.

Ideally, a property management company should either help you with this or do it on your behalf because they know what to inspect. Essential items include walls, ceilings, floors, and appliances. You should also inspect entryways as it's a surefire way to protect your property.

While you inspect every room, take photos of your findings. This serves as hard evidence for your inspection and works with a written description. In a worst-case scenario, tenants may claim that they didn't damage the property while moving out, so this protects you from false claims.

3. Create a Report

Once you've completed the inspection, create a detailed report. Your property manager, who would've likely completed it for you, will share the document with both you and the tenant. This should include the inspection's outcome and whether there are any issues.

How to Conduct Rental Property Inspections

Now that you understand why rental property inspections, it's time to hire a property management company to help you. These professionals will create a checklist and document everything for evidence.

At Invest West Management, we have 40 years of experience working with landlords in the Vancouver area, so both landlords and tenants are happy. If you need help with your property, we'd love to hear from you. Contact us today to chat with a member of our team.

Are you interested in investing in a rental property in Vancouver, WA? It's a great place to live and has an above-average median wage. As a result, your real estate investment can rake in a lot of cash.

However, if you're not strategic, you might find that your monthly rental income isn't what you'd like it to be. One of the best ways to succeed with your real estate investment is to assess its value.

This guide will show you how to determine the rental valuation of your property.

Here's what you must know:

What Determines Property Value?

You must first understand what causes a property value to increase. The first factor is your property's curb appeal in reality and online. If your property is attractive inside but ugly outside, you'll have to charge lower rent prices!

Location is another factor to consider. If your property is in a desirable location, its value can increase tremendously. A small apartment in the Downtown area might be more valuable than a small house in a distant area.

If your rental property is part of an HOA, this can also increase its value. HOAs play a crucial role in maintaining your property to certain standards.

Renters often want to be part of a community that keeps all properties inspected at all times. The major benefit of an HOA is that you'll always have others to ensure your property maintains its value.

You can always charge whatever price you wish. However, if you go well above a valued price, you may not find tenants. You'll have to offer more to your tenants if you want to charge higher prices.

Rental Valuation Methods

Now let's look at a few methods for rental valuation that you can consider. The first approach is the sales comparison approach. 

With this approach, you'll compare your property to other similar properties in the area. You can charge a monthly rental income based on what other landlords charge.

Another approach is the capital asset pricing model. You'll have to weigh the risks and opportunity costs. If your mortgage is $3,000 per month, can you charge a rental fee to cover this cost, for instance?

This is the riskiest model. You'll have to consider maintenance charges in addition to your mortgage.

The easiest method to consider is the gross rent multiplier approach. You'll determine how much rent you can likely collect each year. This amount is before taxes and other expenses. This is the simplest way to decide whether the property is worth your initial investment.

Start Investing Today

Now you can know how rental valuation works and the approaches to consider when investing in real estate.

Once you've determined which approach you want, you must also consider how you can increase your property's value. Your first step is to improve the curb appeal. If you're part of an HOA, they can assist you with maintaining high standards for your property.

Invest West Management has served many happy clients throughout the Vancouver area. We'll be glad to help you as well.

Contact us today!

Being an HOA homeowner requires some monetary dedication, but for good reason.

If you live in Washington, there's a good chance you are part of an HOA. Over 30% of homes in the state are in homeowner associations, ranking fourth among all U.S. states.

HOA fees in Vancouver, Washington, can make your community more desirable to live in, despite causing an increase in home costs.

HOA fees are regular payments you can make to a homeowners association. They will pay for a variety of maintenance tasks and recurring services. Keep reading to learn how they work.

How Do HOA Fees Work?

Homeowners will pay their HOA dues to cover property maintenance and upgrades monthly, quarterly, or annually. The exact timeframe can vary by community.

HOA fees are membership dues, but HOAs may also require special assessments to pay for expensive repairs. These are one-time fees that could arise due to unexpected budget deficits or natural disasters.

These are a few examples of what regular HOA fees cover:

• HOA management company fees
• Cash reserves
• Utilities (electricity, water, sewage, etc.)
• Lawn care and landscaping
• Security services
• Common areas and repairs (swimming pools, tennis courts, basketball courts, clubhouses, dog parks, gyms, etc.)

Some HOA fees cover trash removal, pest control, and snow removal to directly benefit the homeowner.

Average HOA Fees in Vancouver

In Washington, the average monthly HOA fee is $388. This is slightly below the national average of $390.

In Vancouver specifically, you can expect to pay more or less of the average based on your zip code. HOA fees vary based on these factors:

• Cost of real estate in the area
• Cost of living in the area
• Included amenities and services

Vancouver has a high cost of living, compared to the national average. This could cause fees to go up in the area, especially if the association provides more services and amenities.

HOA fees tend to increase as inflation does. This is due to the rise in the costs of repairs and materials.

Can You Avoid HOA Fees?

Property value is high in HOA communities because of access to resources. To get these resources, residents living within the community must pay their membership fees and special assessments.

You cannot avoid HOA fees as it is part of the agreement you sign to live in the HOA community.

Washington state allows a private HOA organization to pursue legal action against delinquent HOA homeowners. The HOA can get a lien on your home if you don't pay your dues.

How Can HOA Management Help?

An HOA management company can help you stay up to date on your HOA fees and dues. At Invest West Management, we are celebrating 40 years of property management services for homeowners associations and beyond.

HOA fees can be a little concerning without the right management keeping track of them. With our focus on integrity and ethics, you can trust that your fees are going towards services that benefit you and your community.

Request HOA management services from us today to get started!

About 29 percent of the U.S. population lives in a community governed by a homeowners association (HOA). That amounts to 258,000 neighborhoods and condo complexes, and more than 74 million residents.

There are many advantages to an HOA. These include standards that help make the neighborhood a better place to live and keep home values up. There are a lot of responsibilities to serving on an HOA board of directors as well.

Below are the main duties and functions of a typical HOA board. Keep reading to find out what you can expect in your Vancouver, Washington, neighborhood.

Grounds Maintenance

One of the main responsibilities of HOA board members is ensuring the upkeep of common grounds and buildings. Examples include scheduling landscaping for green areas or maintenance for entryway gates.

It often means staying on top of HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and pest control for communal buildings. This responsibility extends to any amenities in the community as well.

Fitness centers, swimming pools, walking trails, and dog parks all require regular upkeep. It is up to the HOA board to see that this is carried out.

Planning Community Improvements

Besides regular maintenance, HOA boards are responsible for making community improvements. These might include adding amenities that residents want or finding solutions to problems in the neighborhood. Common examples are potholes or dilapidated sidewalks, which are typically owned by the association.

All this can entail meeting with and deciding on the right contractors. It might also involve scheduling and overseeing volunteer work days for community members.

Managing the Association's Budget

Almost everything mentioned above requires money, which comes from annual dues paid by residents. The HOA board is responsible for managing these funds, ensuring they go to the best uses for the community. This includes maintenance and improvement projects, as well as HOA insurance policy premiums.

This requires some basic level of accounting and bookkeeping. It also involves presenting an annual budget to community members and getting their feedback on it.

Enforcing Community Standards

A final major responsibility of HOA boards is enforcing community standards. These cover everything from lawn maintenance to permissible paint colors for homes. These differ from one community to the next, as they are decided upon by residents themselves.

This also can involve levying and collecting fines for HOA community members who fail to meet standards or who have not paid dues. In rare cases, this could require seeking liens or other legal mechanisms for residents who do not abide by community rules.

Get Assistance Accomplishing HOA Board Responsibilities

Now that you understand the functions and responsibilities of an HOA board, you can plan accordingly. Keep in mind that an elected board is usually made up of volunteer community members. An experienced HOA management company can provide support and alleviate a lot of time and work for them.

Invest West Management is a local, family-owned real estate business with over 40 years of service to our clients throughout Oregon and Washington. We offer a range of services, including association management and HOA board member resources. Reach out to us today to set up a free consultation.

It's all too easy to upset the members of a homeowners association in Washington.

Community association management is the secret ingredient to maintaining peace within residential communities. For Homeowners Association board members, following sensible best practices ensures is vital.

Would you like to strengthen the well-being of the community and sustain property values? Read on to learn all about community association management.

1. Persistent Effort for Lasting Harmony

Achieving harmony in a residential community calls for persistent HOA efforts. Are you wondering how best to build a solid sense of community? This is where regular communication and engagement come in.

Don't forget to remain consistent about enforcing community guidelines. By doing this, the board encourages a positive living environment. Over time, you'll see how this boosts the overall quality of life for residents.

2. How an HOA Management Company Helps

Are you struggling with effective administration of community guidelines? An HOA management company can be a valuable partner.

These professionals bring keen expertise in handling administrative tasks. The same is true for financial responsibilities and conflict solutions.

Are you curious about other reasons why you should work with an HOA management company? This allows the board to focus on strategic planning and community development.

3. Community Guidelines as a Cornerstone

Are you wondering how to get everyone on the same communal page? Clear and well-communicated community guidelines are non-negotiable. They're the true cornerstone of balanced living within a residential community.

These guidelines outline expectations for residents. They'll learn about property maintenance, noise levels, and other essential aspects of community life.

Regular updates and transparent communication about these guidelines are vital. This ensures that residents are informed and aligned with community standards.

4. Giving a Voice to HOA Board Members

No one in your community should feel left out. You should empower HOA board members with the necessary tools and knowledge. Doing this is critical for effective community association management.

You should provide training sessions and resources on leadership. Be sure to touch on conflict resolution and community development.

That way, board members can make educated decisions and handle challenges. A knowledgeable and synchronous board contributes to the success of the community.

5. Preserving Property Values With Astute Management

Property values go hand in hand with the condition and desirability of a residential community. Farsighted management by the HOA board helps preserve and enhance property value.

This includes maintaining public areas, enforcing architectural standards, and addressing concerns. By doing so, the board contributes to the long-term financial well-being of homeowners.

Community Association Management Can Please Everyone

With the right community association management, you can bring a sense of peace and efficiency to all your residents. They'll appreciate your commitment to their investments and beyond.

That's where Invest West Management comes in. When you join forces with our expert team, you'll tap into our 40 years of proven experience. We offer a range of essential management services that will take your Vancouver HOA to the next level.

Do you have questions about what to expect? Schedule a consultation with the Invest West Management team today.

Homeowners associations are all about community. This gives property owners, board members, and managers room to create a true holiday experience.

Even better, Vancouver, Washington is the ideal location for seasonal HOA marketing!

The first step is to designate a point person who can organize the necessary funds, materials, and protocols needed to implement a seasonal HOA idea.

Here's a quick and festive guide to get you started.

Create a Seasonal HOA Idea For Autumn

Start brainstorming seasonal ideas in summer so that you can be ready by fall. Think about homeowners in the community. Come up with an idea that strikes a balance with everyone's holiday preferences.

Going with more general autumn and winter themes is a good idea because they're not so specific to one holiday.

Think about when Halloween and Thanksgiving roll around.

General community decorations include:

• wreaths made from fall leaves
• pumpkins
• mini pumpkin patches
• bushels of apples
• harvest-themed decorations
• lamppost decorations in fall colors

Decorate any lamp posts, rest areas, and outside common areas with fall-inspired decorations. You could wrap orange, red, brown, and yellow ribbons around lamp posts. Add more lanterns to illuminate the area for trick-or-treaters.

Autumn-Inspired Activities

Next, think about community events. Remember to put money aside to create event marketing materials, like signage, emails, and flyers in community centers.

The following ideas will help people get into the holiday spirit:

• autumn-inspired potlucks
• pie contests
• harvest-themed carnivals
• bobbing for apples
• caramel apples
• fall-themed bake sales

You could even hire live entertainment for these events. If there are any musicians living in the community, even better!

Seasonal Decorations For Winter

Short-lived autumn quickly transitions to winter. As before, ensure you have everything ready to go during the summertime.

First, start with a budget. Talk to the HOA board to see how much money is available for seasonal decorating and activities. Next, plan ideas that fit into the budget.

You can save a lot on decorations for winter. For example, you could create wreaths from leftover Christmas tree cuttings. Invest in a large red velvet (or similar) fabric roll for creating large lamppost bows.

Events like potlucks work great since people bring their own food and supplies. However, supplying treats, art supplies, and other goodies is really important for community engagement, as well.

Like autumn, there are plenty of cost-effective ideas for winter. You can also apply similar ideas like mini carnivals with winter-themed bake sales. However, this time around, artists in the community can sell ornaments, decor, and other winter crafts in an art market-style setting.

You could also partner with local businesses to create exclusive member discounts for the HOA community. This may include bakery discounts, theater tickets, Christmas tree coupons, and special offers at craft stores.

When preparing your winter marketing, you can find free winter-themed templates for emails and print marketing. Send out free goodie bags with festive winter mugs for the holidays!

Get In the Spirit

Being part of an HOA is like being part of a big family. Keep fostering that community engagement with a little holiday spirit!

Let this guide inspire a festive and fun seasonal HOA idea. Vancouver, WA, already has so much holiday cheer built into its landscape.

Learn how a property management company can help bring these ideas to life. Invest West Management is a family-owned business with 40 years in the industry.

Call us today to learn more!

Contrary to what you might have heard, emotional support animals and service animals are not the same. Additionally, a homeowners association (HOA) has the right to create a 'no pet policy' but may need to accommodate service animals.

But, can your community restrict one over the other, both, or none? This guide will explain what you need to know about fair housing and how they are connected to HOA rules.

Keep reading to learn what your HOA community can and cannot do.

Emotional Support Animals vs. Service Animals

Emotional support animals differ from service animals because of their training. Service animals are trained to perform disability-related tasks for their owners. Service animals are often dogs that can serve many functions.

Emotional support animals don't need specialized training to offer their owners support.

Also known as therapy animals, emotional support animals can alleviate symptoms of disabilities and might be trained for simple tasks, like reminding owners to take their medication.

Service Animals in HOAs: What the Law Says

The Fair Housing Act of 1968 (FHA) protects people from discrimination while pursuing housing-related activities. Because of this federal law, people with disabilities can request accommodations from an association.

Service animals are reasonable accommodations because they perform services that can assist people with disabilities.

For example, service animals might receive training to detect sounds for deaf owners or to guide someone who is blind. There are also service animals that can call for help if someone has seizures and can calm someone with PTSD.

Because the Fair Housing Act of 1968 is a federal law, it trumps HOA rules or regulations involving pets. It's important to tread carefully if your HOA community is dealing with these requests.

HOAs cannot refuse a homeowner's request for a service animal or emotional support animal, nor can they deny a new homeowner because they have a service animal.

Imposing HOA Service Animal Rules

Although service animals are well-trained, an HOA board can still require animals to follow certain rules. Establish rules ahead of time for homeowners who request a service animal to live with them. These rules might include:

• Leash regulations
• Waste clean-up
• Noise restriction

These rules are plausible and follow the laws. There are other rules that are off-limits for service animals in HOA communities, such as:

• Asking for pet fees
• Asking for pet security deposits
• Restricting pets based on breed, size, or weight

Services animals must be allowed on all premises within the community. However, if a pet damages any community property, the HOA can charge the pet owner for repairs and, if necessary, replacements.

HOAs and Service Animals: Following the Law

An HOA community must follow the law regarding service animals and emotional support animals. Although service animals and support animals are different, they are both protected under the FHA, a federal law.

To ensure your community follows service animal laws and other laws pertaining to community living, work with an experienced HOA management company.

Contact Invest West Management to learn what we can do for you.

About 74.2 million Americans (28% of the US population) live in a homeowners association. There are 358,000 community associations in the US, with homeowners associations accounting for 63% of them! Why are homeowners associations becoming a more popular form of housing?

For starters, they can boost home value and market appeal!

Read on to learn more about the connection between HOA and home value today!

Create Desire

One of the top benefits of having an HOA is that it triggers feelings of envy. Other neighborhoods and homeowners will want to be a part of the exclusivity your HOA offers. In an HOA community, everyone chips in to provide members access to additional amenities.

For example, a community with an HOA might have an on-site tennis court or pool.

Strangers are more likely to turn into friends who feel like family when you live in a homeowners association. You'll have peace of mind knowing your neighbors are people you can trust.

Creating a tight-knit community can become a draw to potential buyers. You'll boost the property value.

Beautiful Neighborhoods

Homes in associations have a collective value of $11 trillion. HOA fees help pay for maintenance services to ensure the neighborhood looks pristine. Keeping a beautiful, clean neighborhood will boost collective home value.

Bylaws and governing documents will ensure every member of the community contributes to the neighborhood's beauty.

The freshly painted buildings and clean lawns will also attract new tenants.

Homeowner Maintenance

With the HOA handling outdoor maintenance, homeowners will have more time to update and beautify the inside of their own homes. Homeowners will have an easier time increasing their property value.

Meanwhile, the HOA will handle landscaping, trash removal, and other tedious tasks.

Consider investing in HOA community association services. With help, you can ensure proper care and upkeep to create a more visually harmonious community.

Emergency Services

Managing the aftermath of a flood or fire that caused damage to your property can be stressful. Some HOAs offer emergency services to help community members.

The HOA's quick assistance can limit damage and prevent the situation from getting worse. Their services will help protect your home's property value.

Enforce Rules

The HOA's rules and regulations are enforced to keep the property value up.

Rules and restrictions (from what color you can paint your home to where vehicles are allowed to park) will affect the community's image. The HOA can even handle disputes between neighbors. These services will ensure the neighborhood looks stunning and spotless year-round.

With help from the HOA, you can avoid issues that might impact health and public safety. Instead, you can ensure the preservation of property values.

HOA and Home Value: The Smart Choice

Understanding the connection between an HOA and home value can help you make smarter choices for your community. Consider boosting your own property value. By starting an HOA, you can reap these benefits yourself!

You don't have to manage your community's HOA alone. Instead, consider working with an experienced HOA management company this year.

Contact Invest West Management to learn how we can help.