Expert insights on Treasure Coast property management for master-planned communities

A Q&A with Mary DeMassimo, business development director for FirstService Residential

Board service can feel like a second full-time job. Many volunteers are spending more hours than ever juggling day-to-day operations, long-range planning, vendor issues, owner questions, and compliance. The challenge is that older property management models were not built for today’s environment, and boards are paying the price.

For years, boards have been pushed into a false choice: hire a small local company that “knows the neighborhood,” or choose a large operator with scale and deeper resources. But community management has evolved. With higher expectations, tighter budgets, and more complex requirements, Florida associations increasingly need both hyperlocal expertise and enterprise-level support.

To talk about how that model works in practice across Florida’s Treasure Coast, we spoke with Mary DeMassimo, business development director for FirstService Residential.
 

Everything boards should know about Treasure Coast property management for master-planned communities: An interview with Mary DeMassimo

What makes Treasure Coast communities distinct from other parts of Florida?

"The Treasure Coast has incredible variety. You will find everything from established large-scale HOAs and active adult lifestyle communities to newer neighborhoods still refining their amenity plans and reserve strategies.

Communities here also balance coastal weather risk with year-round use of amenities, so boards are constantly thinking about maintenance cycles, vendor performance, and long-term funding. That is why local context matters, but it has to be backed by operational depth and strong financial planning."

Mary DeMassimo, business development director for FirstService Residential

Boards often feel overextended. Where do you see the biggest pressure points?

"The most common theme is time. Volunteers get pulled into hundreds of micro-decisions, especially when there is a service gap or unclear accountability. Boards deserve a partner that reduces noise: organized processes, reliable communication, and specialized support that help leaders stay focused on governance rather than daily troubleshooting.

When management is structured properly, boards get time back without sacrificing standards."

Visit our Florida board members page to learn more about the support we provide to boards throughout the area.
 

How does FirstService’s “local and mighty” model show up on the Treasure Coast?

"We pair local managers who understand the community’s culture and vendors with a broader support structure. That includes specialists in finance, operations, technology, and training so boards are not stuck reinventing the wheel.

In markets like Broward County, Palm Beach, Port St. Lucie and Vero Beach, that combination helps communities run smoothly while still feeling personal and responsive."

Learn more about our local expertise and global property management resources on our page 'The #1 Florida property management company'.
 

What types of communities do you support in Florida’s Treasure Coast region?

"We work with a wide range of associations, including HOA and condominium boards, master-planned associations, large-scale HOAs, and amenity-rich lifestyle communities. Some need stronger vendor control and preventive maintenance planning.

Others want help improving the resident experience, strengthening communications, or tightening financial processes like budgeting and contract reviews."

Can you share examples of local towns and neighborhoods you serve, and how needs differ?

"Absolutely, and the differences are real. Across Florida’s Treasure Coast, we support communities in and around Broward County, Palm Beach, Port St. Lucie, Vero Beach, and Viera, plus associations throughout Indian River County, St. Lucie County, and Martin County.

In Port St. Lucie, you may see fast-growing neighborhoods with active amenities and high homeowner engagement that need consistent architectural review and vendor services. In Vero Beach, boards often prioritize coastal maintenance planning, vendor standards, and preserving the community’s character. In Viera and across county lines, many associations focus on scalable operations, amenity scheduling, and long-term capital planning as neighborhoods mature."

What services matter most to boards of master-planned associations and large-scale HOAs?

"Scale introduces complexity. For master-planned associations and large-scale HOAs, boards often need help with consistent standards across phases, staffing plans, amenity operations, and multi-year budgeting.

Strong procurement support can also help negotiate better rates and improve vendor performance, which directly impacts both service quality and the bottom line."

Visit our Florida master-planned community property management page to learn more about our trusted services tailored to each community we serve.
 

Florida’s legislative environment is changing. Which legislative updates should Treasure Coast boards watch?

"Boards should expect ongoing legislative updates that shape safety, reserves, inspections, and insurance strategy. These evolving expectations reward organizations that can coordinate qualified vendors, maintain accurate records, and support long-term funding conversations.

Educational requirements for boards are a key change that master-planned community boards need to be aware of. FirstService Residential offers a free, on-demand Board Certification Course, which is required for all new board members within 90 days of joining the board."

Read our article 'Key updates from Florida's 2025 legislative session impacting condominium boards: What your association should know' to learn more about local HOA and property management laws impacting the industry and how we support compliance.
 

How do you help communities operationalize compliance without overwhelming volunteer leaders?

"We help boards move from information to execution. That can include building a compliance calendar, coordinating bids, tracking documentation, and supporting board education so decisions are made confidently and consistently.

When requirements become more complex, a larger management platform can provide trained teams and repeatable processes instead of leaving each homeowners association to figure it out alone."

Property management technology comes up often. What does “Life, simplified” look like in practice?

"Residents want fast answers and boards want fewer routine escalations. Tools that centralize requests, documents, and communication can reduce friction and improve transparency.

At the same time, technology has to be paired with good operations, because the best systems still need consistent follow-through and clear ownership."

Interested in learning more about our property management technology solutions at FirstService Residential? HODA®, our Homeowner Digital Assistant, responds to questions by text or web chat 24/7. HODA is integrated with FirstService Residential Connect and helps deliver detailed information specific to your community, such as account balances, service requests, booking amenities, and more. Learn more today.
 

What are you hearing directly from Treasure Coast communities about your local team?

"The most meaningful feedback is when boards say they feel supported and see consistent follow-through."

Here are two positive online reviews from the Treasure Coast that reflect what we aim to deliver:

"Great at following through… monitoring the neighborhood… a manager at every meeting… going the extra mile."

D.R., Lakeforest Point at St. Lucie West, Port St. Lucie

"A complete pleasure working alongside the team… on top of things… taking care of issues and concerns in a timely manner."

E.T., Veranda Gardens community, Port St. Lucie

You deserve the best of both worlds

If you are noticing that board work is consuming your free time, you are not alone. Communities today cannot afford to choose between a local company that understands the area and a larger organization with specialized resources. The smarter path is a partner that can deliver both: hyperlocal expertise and enterprise-level capabilities.

FirstService Residential is built for that reality. With local managers who understand Treasure Coast communities, backed by deeper operational resources, boards can regain time, reduce risk, and strengthen long-term planning.

Contact us today to learn more.

This information is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute, and should not be relied upon as, legal, regulatory, financial, or operational advice, or as a representation or guarantee of any specific services, capabilities, or outcomes. Property management needs, regulatory requirements, market conditions, and available services vary by jurisdiction, property type, and community. FirstService Residential provides services through locally based affiliates and associates, and services and results may vary by community, region, contractual terms, and applicable law.