How to Choose a Property Management Company

By Ashley Dietz Gray / Published May 2022

No two communities are identical; each community has various factors which influence what type of management will most effectively help them accomplish their goals. Some of these factors include the availability of resources and the complexity of the community itself. 

     The following are factors which influence the type of management your community needs: 

• Community size and complexity—Generally, the larger the association and the more diverse the services it provides for its residents, the more sophisticated the management solutions and required skills will be needed to manage it effectively.
• Financial resources—The smaller the available funds in an association’s budget, the less complex management solution is needed.
• Availability of volunteers—The less the owners are willing or able to volunteer time to carry out administrative functions, the more contractual talent will be required of the management company.
• Services and amenities—The greater the number, variety, and complexity of association services and amenities, the greater the administrative burden.

     When the board understands what factors influence their community’s needs the most and have established a fee which the association is willing to pay for services rendered, the process of finding the right management company begins. Define your requirements and identify qualified management companies to ask for a bid. 

     Make sure to define the criteria most important to you in the selection process. Selection criteria examples to consider include these following items:

• Reputation/feedback from references in the area—Can you trust this company to do what is best for your community? How long has the company been in business? Does the company have nearby clients or references from similar communities?
• Contract flexibility—Will you be locked into an agreement that won’t allow changes? Does the company bait you into a long-term contract by offering an initial discount?
• Customization—The complexity of a community directly correlates with the level of experience needed by management and staff to help accomplish the community’s goals.
• Quality of the people—Look beyond the sales team to understand the quality of people in the company. How does the company hire, develop, and retain employees?
• Ongoing support—What type of support does the management company offer their property managers? Do they receive ongoing support and training? What systems does the management company have in place to help their property managers be successful at properties?

     If you allow the community manager to manage, the time involvement from your board and/or their appointed committees is significantly reduced. Remember, as the board of directors, one of your main functions is to direct and advise your management company. The many hours per week involved in accomplishing property tasks will be the responsibility of your new management company and its staff.

Campbell Property Management

     Founded in 1953, Campbell Property Management is South Florida’s highest-rated community association management company and one of the largest and most experienced, locally owned property management companies in South Florida. With seven fully staffed offices and more than 800 full-time employees, Campbell serves more than 400 associations in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Martin, and Port St. Lucie Counties. For more information about Campbell Property Management, call (954) 427-8770 or visit www.CampbellMGT.com.