Simply put, The “ARMI Advantage” is the success that comes from effectively executing the 8 basic fundamentals of community association management. They are as follows:
Quality of Management - In all associations, the quality of the administration varies from year to year depending on the interest, skill, and knowledge of the current Board of Directors. ARMI’s professional management gives a consistent level of services to the residents and owners, which in turn provides continuity of plans and programs year after year.
Financial and Fiscal Planning - ARMI works with the Board Treasurer assisting in the planning of an annual budget, assuring that it is well thought out and realistic, and that the budget takes into consideration all current and future plans of the Association. ARMI provides clear and easy to understand financial reports, including accounts receivable and payable reports, to the Board, showing all monies collected, when and where they were spent, and the balances in each budgeted category. ARMI eliminates the haphazard and inconsistent bookkeeping that some associations perform, and ensures that all financial accounting meets the IRS & DPOR reporting requirements. ARMI ensures that your reports fully and completely represent your association’s financial status
Collection of Assessments - ARMI tracks and collects delinquent payments due to the Association. There is nothing more distressing than having to ask your neighbor for his dues. ARMI takes the personal interaction of the Board member out of the collection process and handles it like the business transaction that it is. ARMI assists with these matters to help neighbors avoid conflicts over association business.
Administrative Functions - Often associations will ignore the rules and regulations set down in their governing documents simply to keep peace and not upset the homeowners in the community. Outside management can be more effective in strongly enforcing the rules and regulations and not allowing minor infractions to become major problems and, again, keeping the individual Board members “out of the line of fire.” The management company can acquaint new owners with the various aspects of the association. ARMI will work with associations to create an "information packet" which should include rules and regulations, guidelines and generally how to function in an HOA guided neighborhood community.
Contract Negotiations and Performance - ARMI will help in the negotiation of favorable contracts for services to the community and will monitor the performance of the contractors to assure that payment is not disbursed unless the service has been satisfactorily completed.
Community Inspections - The Association’s Architectural Control Committee should inspect the properties within the Association to assure that the community standards are being adhered to. Additionally, at the request of the Board of Directors, Austin Realty Management will assist in conducting semi-annual “walk-around” inspections of the entire community and provide the findings to the Board for their review and recommendation for action. ARMI will also conduct periodic “drive-through” inspections and send notices of violations of the Association’s guidelines that are observed. ARMI will notify the owners of any problems that have been found and follow up to see that those issues are addressed.
Expertise of Community Management Professionals - Community managers are experts in their field. The Virginia Property Owners’ Association Act requires community managers to pass examinations and become Certified Managers of Community Associations (CMCA). Community Associations Institute (CAI) certifies the staff members at ARMI. Re-certification is required of the Certified Managers every two years. In the intervening time, managers must accumulate a certain number of continuing education credits in order to be re-certified. In attending these courses, association managers are exposed to new ideas and “best practices” seen in the industry, which is information that they can bring back to Boards of Directors, to assist the Board members in the administration of their associations. In addition, managers learn about the regulations set down in the Virginia Property Owners’ Association Act and the changes made to this Act each year, so that they can be sure that the associations, which they manage, operate correctly under Virginia law.
Management Responsibility - It should be noted that the management company does not replace the Board or its working committees, but is the buffer and working arm of the Association. The management company is the Association’s staff, able to professionally handle the Association’s business for it, as a full-time job so that the Board members may dedicate themselves to setting the policies to ensure the maintenance of the best possible community for all the residents.