On today’s episode of the Customer Success Stories Series, our team spoke to Cathy, Riverstead’s secretary and treasurer, about the community and why they view our communication and management software as the best fit for them.
Who is Riverstead?
Riverstead is an Agri-hood in South Carolina. An agri-hood means we have a farm within our community’s boundaries. We have 450 acres that will have 53 homes once construction is complete. 250 of these acres are conservation land, and will never be built on. There is an 8-acre farm in the community where vegetables are grown and sold to the residents. We also have chickens for the residents to purchase fresh eggs.
Why Neigbrs by Vinteum?
This is a new community where the first home was finished in January 2020. We knew a community site would be necessary to communicate with our residents. Ninety percent of our residents are moving to South Carolina from outside the state.
We chose Neigbrs by Vinteum because it seemed like the best fit for communicating with the community and for making reservations for our various amenities.
The Results and Impacts
Just about everyone is on the platform, so everyone receives the messages we send via chat and notices, and 100% of our communication is there. We also have no issues with the amenity reservation system; it’s working well for us.
My favorite part of Neigbrs by Vinteum is that we can post messages for the community.
Communication in Neigbrs by Vinteum
Cathy mentions that Riverstead uses our amenity reservation system, and our chat and notices features. She talks about how they knew the board would need to communicate with residents, especially since most of them are moving to the community from other states.
Communication is at the heart of what Neigbrs by Vinteum does. 86.7% of board members across the United States agree that communication is an issue in their community association.
We want to change that because we believe that communication is a key part of a happy community. That is why we provide 5 essential communication tools in our platform:
Email Feature
Notifications for amenity reservations, service requests, and notices are always sent by email. This helps your residents be aware of what’s going on without having to log in.
You can also choose to send emails for calendar events and new documents by email so that HOA members can find out what’s happening easily.
Chat Messages Feature
Cathy mentions that they use the chat. Our chat feature lets you send messages to groups or individual users.
You have to log in to Neigbrs by Vinteum to view and respond to messages, which means the entire conversation is saved in one place. It is a useful feature to easily talk to neighbors and board members.
Automated Calls Feature
Our smart calls feature lets the board and manager send automated calls to residents in a few clicks.
If your community has older residents, or if you want to reach residents quickly and efficiently in an emergency, this tool is perfect for you.
Text Messages Feature
Text messages are a great option to reach residents fast, in a more informal way than calls. To remind them about meetings, events, or maintenance that is happening in the community.
You can also set automatic reminders about amenity reservations or update them about service requests.
Push Notifications
Push notifications are notifications on your phone when you have the Neigbrs by Vinteum app installed on your smartphone.
They help residents stay informed about what’s going on in their community association without having to log in.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How can an HOA improve communication with residents?
We’ve seen that many boards struggle because they rely on scattered emails or paper notices that people simply ignore. Riverstead found success by moving all its files and announcements into a single digital home. This change ensures everyone stays informed without the board having to chase down individual homeowners.
What is the best way to manage HOA documents?
We recommend using a dedicated community platform where you can categorize files like bylaws, meeting minutes, and financial reports. At Riverstead, the board used Neigbrs to create a searchable library. This allows residents to find what they need 24/7, which significantly reduces the number of repetitive questions the board has to answer.
How do digital portals help HOA board transparency?
By posting real-time updates and meeting schedules in a shared portal, you show homeowners that the board is active, organized, and most of all, transparent. Board members tell us that giving residents direct access to their account balances and community calendars builds significant trust.
Can an HOA portal help save time on tasks?
Yes. Automating things like amenity reservations or maintenance requests removes the need for constant back-and-forth phone calls. Boards that switch to digital systems spend less time on paperwork and more time on long-term community improvements. It simplifies the day-to-day “hustle” so you can focus on the big picture.
What should an HOA look for in management software?
You want a system that is easy for everyone to use, even those who aren’t tech-savvy. Look for features like secure document storage, resident directories, and a clear way to send community-wide notices. The goal is to find a tool that feels like a helpful assistant rather than another chore to manage.
Wrapping Up On This Customer Success Story
First of all, thank you to Riverstead for partnering with us and for speaking about your experience.
Riverstead picked Neigbrs by Vinteum to help them to communicate and to centralize that communication in one place. Our award-winning software can help you to do the same for your community.
Ready to see it in action? Schedule a free demo today and learn how our all-in-one platform can be your partner on the road to success.
