Modern life is keeping us busier than ever. So it comes as no surprise that residents are less engaged with their communities. A good way to remediate this is by using a modern tool, an HOA app.  Digital mobile technologies help residents and board members communicate efficiently and instantly. It also helps the board reduce overwhelm since it is possible to automate tedious tasks. 

Keep reading to learn more about HOA mobile apps. This article will help you decide if it is the right solution for your community.

What is an HOA app?

Put simply, an HOA app is a type of software available on mobile devices that is made for community associations. 

It has a set of useful features for efficient communication and management in homeowners associations. In general, both residents and board members have access to the app. The board may act as an administrator of the platform since it is in charge of managing the community. 

Keep in mind that, an HOA app, an HOA mobile app, and an HOA mobile application are all the same thing. It is common to see these three terms.

Do I need to be tech-savvy to use this app?

There is this misconception that in order to use an app you need to be a tech expert. That’s not true. Thankfully, nowadays we find a lot of user-friendly applications for all ages and backgrounds. This doesn’t mean you won’t need to adapt. Everyone needs time to learn how an application works. It gets a whole lot easier over time. Besides, some HOA app providers have customer success teams providing support. Some of these companies even offer help centers or video tutorials and how-tos. 

Technology as a whole is aiming at being more inclusive. It is the case for HOA solutions as well. 

Does an HOA app improve communication in a community?

Communication is a key issue in homeowners associations. This is often happening because the community only uses one or two HOA communication tools. To guarantee efficient communication, reaching out to all residents is essential. To accomplish this, you need to send information via different channels. Unfortunately, this is very time-consuming. That is why many communities stick only to one. However, an HOA app simplifies this process. It is a whole lot easier to send the same communication via many channels when you use an application. You only need to write the message once and decide to whom and via which medium you want to send it. For instance, imagine that you want to send a notice by email. But, you know that many of your residents prefer text messages rather than emails. In just a few clicks you can send the same message via emails and text messages without having to leave the app. 

Here are essential features in an HOA communication app:

• Notices
• Text messaging
• HOA emails
• Event Calendar
• Smart Calls
• Virtual meetings 
• HOA website

If you use an HOA app it can improve communication in your community. 

Does a mobile app allow better HOA management?

As you know, board members are volunteers who are sometimes not familiar with HOA management. Besides, running an association properly requires a large set of skills and commitment. This can be overwhelming for anyone. Rather than spending precious time on repetitive manual tasks, you can automate them on an app. This makes you save time so you can focus on what truly matters. For example, fostering engagement in your HOA by organizing great community events. Or even preparing creative HOA newsletters full of useful information.  All this isn’t possible if you waste time doing every chore manually. 

Here are some essential features in an HOA management app:

• Access and uploading HOA documents online 
• Booking and managing HOA amenities 
• HOA maintenance requests
• HOA event calendar

It is easier to manage a homeowners association if you have a mobile application. 

Can my HOA afford an app?

This is a fairly common question. Board members and residents see the value of HOA applications but are scared that this will increase their dues. Because of that, they just prefer to give up on that idea. First, you should know that free options exist. If your association has a limited budget then this can be a solution. But be careful, there are always downsides to free solutions. 

Here is what you need to know, there are solutions for all budgets in this market. Either you are a small community or a self-managed HOA, there is something for you. Some companies have very affordable pricing and others are very expensive. This will all depend on your needs, budget, and size. Larger HOAs usually need more features and are willing to invest more because of that.

Where can I get an HOA app?

There are many HOA app providers. You just need to take the time and define beforehand what exactly you want and need. Once you have done that, you can start looking for companies and make a list. Just type HOA app or HOA software on Google and you will get many options. Compare the different apps, list their benefits and downsides. Make sure to check the prices and the different plans. Before purchasing the mobile app, you are usually able to do a free trial or free demo. If possible, make sure to do one. This is the best opportunity to check if the platform is user-friendly and if it fits your HOA’s needs. A free demo is also a great chance to speak with the providers’ employees. You will be able to ask questions and clear out any doubts.

Key takeaways

As you could see, having an HOA app brings a lot of benefits to a homeowners association. It improves communication and streamlines management processes. Contrary to popular belief, everyone can use a mobile app. It is just important to choose a user-friendly one that has customer support. Last but not least, you don’t need to allocate a large part of your budget to get an app. Luckily,  there are many low-cost options available. 

Now that you know everything about homeowners association apps, would you like to learn more about HOA software? Click on the image below.