Condominium and homeowners association board members usually take on their roles in the hopes of significantly impacting their communities in a positive way. But circumstances must be right to do so.
Too often, board members aren’t on the same page, and, in some cases, pursue their personal agendas over the best interests of the community. That makes the job exponentially more difficult. But there are ways to overcome these circumstances and to come together, working toward a common goal: a successful, vibrant and harmonious community.
It all sounds great in theory. But how do real boards put this into practice? Read on to learn how one board in Florida transformed their community from one that was struggling to one that is thriving, thanks to alignment, collaboration, and solid decision-making.
Let’s start by painting you a picture of this community. It’s called Vista del Mar and was the first condominium in Jacksonville Beach, built in 1970. The community consists of 91 units in 20 buildings, plus a clubhouse and two garages. When it was built, it was the premier residential product in the area. Entertainers would stay there; dignitaries would stay there. But about 25 years ago, the board composition changed, and things went downhill.
The board of directors at the time didn’t believe in investing in the upkeep of the property and basically stopped spending money. They were quite proud of this approach, touting that under their administration, homeowner dues hadn’t been raised in about 10 years! Many of the homeowners agreed with this approach; but others saw the error in their ways.
The community became very divided, some thrilled with the low membership dues, others seriously concerned about the long-term impact of this strategy on their property values. And rightly so.
In a matter of time, Vista Del Mar suffered from deteriorating infrastructure, including leaking roofs, spalling issues caused by the salt damage to concrete and corroding the interior rebar, outdated aesthetics, and an asphalt-failed parking lot. By 2018, it was clear that immediate intervention was required to restore the property.
How did they do it?
1. Establishing a common vision and goals
The board's journey began with aligning their vision for the community. After many meetings and discussions, analyzing pros and cons, benefits, risks and ROI, they collectively decided on a clear goal: to repair, modernize, beautify and redecorate the grounds and common areas of Vista Del Mar so residents would be proud to live there, enjoying a great quality of life and higher property values. This vision guided all their future decisions, helping to align all board members and gain the community's support.
2. Speaking with one unified voice
A significant aspect of their success was a commitment to unanimous decision-making. Communicating these decisions with a unified voice ensured the community saw the board as a cohesive unit, strengthening residents' trust and confidence in the leadership.
3. Trust and communication
Trust was crucial for the board to move forward. A commitment to full transparency with the community played a major role in getting aligned. Regular meetings, emails, conference calls, and videos kept owners informed, allowing them to trust that the board was being open about their reality – both the challenges and progress.
4. Involving the community
The board actively involved the community in the decision-making process. Surveys allowed residents to provide input on projects such as clubhouse, common area and aesthetic improvements. Sharing the survey results demonstrated that the board valued the community's opinions and helped garner strong support for the renovations.
5. Conducting self-assessment and seeking guidance
Assessing the board's effectiveness was a key element in moving forward. The board had to investigate all aspects of managing the community, such as finances, governance, and community engagement. They also engaged experts, including roofing consultants, engineers, and lawyers, to get a full understanding of the scope of work needed.
6. Creating a clear plan and executing decisions
With a three-phase renovation plan, the board tackled urgent projects like replacing the roofs and modernizing common areas. It required raising $5.5 million through five special assessments, each of which was passed with the community's overwhelming support. The board’s approach was always aligned: gather all necessary information, present options to the owners, and make decisions that were driven by the owners, ultimately benefiting the entire community.
The transformation at Vista Del Mar has been nothing short of spectacular. Through aligned decision-making and consistent communication, the overall aesthetics and infrastructure improved dramatically. The new clubhouse, revamped roofs, updated mailboxes, and modernized common areas improved the living experience and made the community feel like a resort.
Just as importantly, property values have skyrocketed. Property values fell consistently in the mid- to late 2010s. The board started a lot of work on the property in 2019. But a lot of the work centered around behind-the-scenes matters, so that phase didn’t add significant value to properties. But once they got to the visible projects, including painting, dumpster enclosures, common area renovations, the new clubhouse and landscaping, property values started increasing dramatically.
By 2020, units had increased in value by 200 to 300%. Most units sold within 1 to 2 days of being listed –and more than half never made it to listing. It was all word of mouth. People started asking realtors to buy homes in Vista Del Mar.
Key takeaways for boards
Successful community boards must establish a shared vision, maintain trust and transparency, and communicate with one voice. By following these steps, boards can align their members, make informed decisions, and ultimately enhance the community and quality of life for residents. As illustrated by Vista Del Mar, board alignment is a crucial element in ensuring that decisions are made effectively, trust is built, and the community moves forward positively.
For more guidance on aligning your board and making impactful decisions, listen to our podcast episode, Aligning as a Board for Maximum Results.