Managing a condo building takes time, energy, and manpower—three things that most HOA boards (often made up of residents who volunteer their time) don’t have. That’s why many HOAs turn to condo management companies—such as Vacasa’s Community Association Management (VCAM)—to run the property on their behalf.
We spoke with Alan Cardenas, Community Association Business Development Manager of VCAM, which manages about 130 community associations across North America.
He explains that condo management companies do more than oversee the property. They’re seen as partners who help:
Here, Alan breaks down a condo manager’s primary role and responsibilities, and the benefits they provide to both vacation homeowners and your condo association.
Your home is a success waiting to happen. We'll show you how.
A condo rental management company runs a condo building or condo property on behalf of the property owners and homeowner association (HOA). While the HOA sets the policies and regulations for the community, they hire a condo management company to implement them.
A condo rental management company handles the day-to-day needs of a condo property. This can include anything from routine landscaping, to hiring a pool cleaner, to upgrading alarm systems, to mediating conflicts between residents.
Let’s breakdown their primary responsibilities:
Volunteer HOA board members are often busy in their own right—whether they work a full-time job or live out-of-state—and can’t devote fully to the HOA. Condo managers, on the other hand, are paid to focus on the needs of the condo community and often have an office on–site.
When HOAs work with Vacasa for condo management, we provide a dedicated property manager, front desk guest support, housekeepers, and maintenance specialists.
“Our regular presence on property allows us to keep a close eye on the guests, the property, and surroundings—all which are generally a challenge for absent homeowners,” says Alan.
Inevitably, major components of your condo community—such as garages, HVAC systems, fire alarms, elevators, and building facades—will eventually need to be repaired or replaced. A condo management company—such as Vacasa—will help make sure your community stays in top condition by:
They’re not only around when things go awry. Condo management companies also help to proactively maintain your condo property’s safety and appearance (and value) with regular inspections.
HOA board members come and go. However, long-term success relies on a steadfast partner at the helm. “Hiring a condo manager provides consistent direction and service—regardless of who is serving on the board,” Alan explains.
“We serve as stewards of the property, 365 days a year.”
Condo managers are the eyes and ears of an HOA. Whether it’s reminding residents to observe quiet hours or ensuring that vacation rental guests don’t bring pets to a non-pet-friendly rental, they’ll help make sure that everyone follows the rules and regulations of the community.
Disagreements happen. And, within a condo community, with residents and vacation rental guests living so close together, those disagreements can be complex. One of the most important jobs of a condo rental management company is to help keep the harmony and—at times—act as a mediator.
The key is to resolve those conflicts quickly and help residents find common ground.
Condo management companies like Vacasa are at the helm of the community’s financial well-being. But, they don’t have complete control. They typically work with the HOA board to help stay within budget. And, that budget can often be hefty. Condo budgets can get up to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Some of the HOA’s financial responsibilities include:
The rules and regulations (whether federal, state, city, or all three) around vacation rentals are constantly in flux. Some cities require business licenses, while others demand a lodging tax per booking, or something else entirely.
VCAM tracks those changes in the industry so HOAs can instead focus on challenges specific to their property, Alan says.
Condo property managers make sure everyone at the property is on the same page. Many issues with HOAs arise from a lack of timely communication, Alan says. Condo managers can alleviate those challenges.
For instance, they’ll listen to homeowners’ concerns and pass them along to the HOA board. In return, they’ll relay any of the HOA board’s decisions and announcements to the homeowners, residents, and contractors. “Essentially, we become the voice of the entire community” Alan explains.
Choosing the right condo manager is vital to the health and safety of your community and all of its residents. Essentially—no small task. So, do your research. Get references. Read reviews. When you conduct interviews, here are some questions to consider:
Call 844-518-0967 to speak with a Homeowner Consultant, who can answer preliminary questions and see if we’d be a good fit for you.
If you'd like to move forward, we’ll put you in touch with our market expert in your neighborhood to explore the financial potential of your home, outline our management fee, and introduce your local team.
California licenses
Vacasa Seasonals Inc.
California DRE #02160171
Vacation Palm Springs Real Estate, Inc.
California DRE #01523013
Vacasa offers property management and other real estate services directly through Vacasa LLC and through Vacasa LLC's licensed subsidiaries. Click here for more information about Vacasa's licensed real estate brokerage/property manager in your state. Vacasa’s licensed real estate brokerages/property managers include: Vacasa Alabama LLC; Vacasa Arizona LLC; Vacasa of Arkansas LLC; Vacasa Colorado LLC (Micah Victory); Vacasa Delaware LLC, 302-541-8999; Vacasa Florida LLC; Vacasa Illinois LLC 481.014072, Micah Victory Managing Broker Lic# 471.021837; Vacasa Louisiana LLC, Dana MacCord, Principal Broker, ph 504.252.0155 (Licensed in LA); Vacasa Michigan LLC, 602-330-9934; Vacasa Missouri LLC, Vicki Lyn Brown, Designated Broker; Vacasa Nevada LLC; Vacasa New Hampshire LLC,45 NH-25, Meredith, NH 03253, Susan Scanlon, Broker of Record; Vacasa Minnesota, Broker: Micah Victory, license #40877637; Vacasa New Mexico LLC, 503-345-9399; Vacasa New York LLC, 888-433-0068, Susan Scanlon, Real Estate Broker; Vacasa North Carolina LLC; Vacasa Oregon LLC; Vacasa Pennsylvania LLC; Vacation Palm Springs Real Estate, Inc., California DRE #01523013, Mark Graham, California DRE #00700720; Vacasa Real Estate LLC (licensed in Texas, Debra Brock, Designated Broker); Vacasa Real Estate LLC (licensed in Washington, Robert Brush, Designated Broker); Vacasa Seasonals Inc., California DRE #02160171, Lisa Renee Stevens, California DRE #01485234; Vacasa South Carolina LLC; Vacasa South Dakota LLC; Vacasa Tennessee LLC; Vacasa Vacation Rentals of Hawaii LLC, 69-201 Waikoloa Beach Dr. Ste. #2F17, Waikoloa, HI 96738; Vacasa Vacation Rentals of Montana LLC, Terah M. Young, Licensed Property Manager; Vacasa Virginia LLC; Vacasa Wisconsin LLC; Vacasa Wyoming LLC. In Canada, this advertisement is provided by Vacasa Canada ULC, CPBC lic. number 75826, 172 Asher Rd. V1X 3H6 Kelowna, BC.