Security has always been an important issue for our industry.  CAI National is working closing with the Department of Homeland Security to encourage Americans to make plans, stay informed, and learn more about the resources available to them in the event of an emergency.  For details and more information on the national preparedness campaign, go to www.ready.gov/overview.html.

CAI urges homeowners, condominium associations, and cooperatives to be proactive and prepared.  Risk and disaster management action plan tips are available at www.caionline.org/bookstore.cfm.

"It was the week leading up to July 4th, and Sandra Denton was busy. On her agenda: planning a 5K run and a fireworks display, meeting with the executive board and a landscaping company, attending a photo shoot with the mayor and acting as a peacemaker between two feuding neighbors. After that, she had to update the Web site, send out a newsletter, and meet with volunteers and committees as part of her work as executive director of First Colony Community Association in Sugarland, Texas, a 10,000-acre, master-planned community with more than 13,000 residents..."

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CAI National Has New Toll-Free Number

CAI Direct has added a toll-free line (888) CAI-4321 to enhance member service.

National Survey Affirms High HOA Satisfaction

ALEXANDRIA, VA, NOVEMBER 9, 2005-Americans who live in community associations are overwhelmingly pleased with their communities, expressing strong satisfaction with the board members who govern their associations and the community managers who provide professional support.

More than seven in 10 community association residents in a national survey say they are satisfied with their community experience, according to a new national survey conducted by Zogby International, a leading public opinion research firm. Almost 40 percent of community association residents say they are "very pleased," with only 10 percent expressing some level of dissatisfaction. Almost 20 percent expressed neither point of view.

The findings are consistent with similar research conducted by the Gallup Organization in 1999, when 75 percent of community association homeowners said they were satisfied with their communities.

An estimated 54 million Americans live in some 274,000 homeowner associations, condominium communities, cooperatives and other planned developments, up from 45 million residents in 223,000 communities in 2000.

The research was sponsored by the Foundation for Community Association Research, a non-profit organization created in 1975 by Community Associations Institute (CAI). The Foundation strives to keep CAI at the forefront of scholarship and knowledge on community association management and governance.

Governance and Management

"These findings don't suggest that associations are utopia, but it's reassuring to know that these communities are working from a solid base of support," said Howard Goldklang, CPA, the Foundation's elected president. Citing the report, Goldklang said it's a "positive sign when almost 90 percent of all community association residents believe their governing boards are striving to serve the best interests of the community."

Nine in 10 homeowners say they are on friendly terms with their association board members, with just 4 percent indicating a negative relationship. In comparison, 86 percent of community association residents say they get along well with their immediate neighbors, with just 5 percent reporting a negative relationship. Of those who reported issues with neighbors, the most common problems were pets, general lifestyle, noise and parking.

Many associations take advantage of professional management services, and four of five homeowners in those communities say their managers provide value to residents. Among those residents who have interacted with their professional managers, almost nine in 10 say the experience has been positive.

Rules

Community associations operate under rules that are put in place to meet the established expectations of residents. While some homeowners chafe when confronted by rules they don't like, 78 percent believe community association rules "protect and enhance" property values. Only 1 percent said rules harm property values, while about 20 percent see no difference.

Often called Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&Rs), rules in community associations typically address issues such as architectural guidelines, pets, parking, fences, parking and structures.

Although rules enforcement, discontent and anecdotal evidence can generate calls for more stringent regulation of community associations, only 15 percent of those surveyed want additional government control of association-governed communities. Almost 80 percent oppose more government involvement.

Assessments

Homeowners in planned communities pay assessments for services and amenities, such as landscaping, trash pickup, street lighting, pools and tennis courts. Eight in 10 homeowners say they get a good return for their assessments, while 19 percent expressed some level of dissatisfaction.

Assessments vary widely, but are generally higher in high-rise condominiums and high-end communities with amenities such as golf courses, club houses and marinas. Monthly assessments can range from less than $25 to more than $500. Fifty-three percent pay less than $100 a month, while 29 percent pay between $100 and $300.

When asked what community leaders should do when a resident neglects to pay his or her assessments, 77 percent of homeowners said associations should insist that each person pay a fair share, even if that means involving attorneys. Homeowners in community associations have the functional equivalent of a contractual agreement to abide by the rules of the association, including paying assessments.

Conclusions

"We're pleased but not surprised by these findings," said CAI Chief Executive Officer Thomas M. Skiba. "There are always ways to improve, but we know that the people who govern and manage associations are committed volunteers and dedicated professionals working to build strong communities.

"Governance often comes down to a balance between the preferences of individual residents and the best interests of the community as a whole," Skiba added. "We encourage honest and constructive dialog between homeowners and the neighbors they elect to serve on their governing boards. There's no alternative to open communication and no substitute for being reasonable and cooperative."

"This data is very helpful for those involved in community association governance and management," said Michele M. Jerome, CAE, executive director of the Foundation. "This sector of the housing market attracts millions of new residents every year and thousands of new professionals to the business of community association management. Our challenge is to provide tools, resources and expertise so they can build and sustain successful and harmonious communities."

CAI is a national, nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering vibrant, responsive, competent homeowner and condominium associations and cooperatives. Along with its 56 regional, state and local chapters, CAI represents professional community managers, community association volunteer leaders (homeowners) and businesses and professionals who serve these communities.

Based on telephone interviews conducted in August, the survey has a margin of error of +/- 3.5 percentage points.

A summary of the results is posted at www.caionline.org/about/survey.cfm.