Great HOA amenities motivate people to move into community associations. Homebuyers are indeed searching for more than just a place to live. They are looking for a lifestyle. 

Some HOAs may think that providing a swimming pool or a fitness center is enough, but there is much more you can do. Finding new ways to attract residents and keep them satisfied is essential. 

Knowing this, here are 5 attractive HOA amenities that are budget-friendly and easy to manage. This article also covers the importance of providing excellent facilities and how to manage them efficiently.

Why do great HOA amenities make a difference in communities?

People move to homeowners associations (HOA) to be part of a community and achieve a lifestyle. By providing common spaces where people can meet and interact, you can foster a sense of togetherness and increase residents’ satisfaction. 

To do that properly, you need to consider the demographics of your community. For example, if your HOA residents are mainly seniors, you need facilities that meet the interests of retired people. 

Apart from the demographics, you also need to understand what your residents want. 

As a board member, the best way to understand your residents’ needs and wants is to conduct an HOA survey. 

Here are a few questions you could ask homeowners: 

• What do you like about our common spaces?
• What would you improve in our amenities?
• What conveniences would you like to see in our community?

List of 5 Fantastic HOA amenities

1. Simple improvements to current amenities

Let’s start with something you can easily do. If your HOA already has amenities, you can make them better without investing a fortune. 

Here are a few simple ideas:

Add a water and juice dispenser to your swimming pool area

A lot of HOAs have swimming pools. You can easily upgrade this leisure place by making it more convenient. A good example is adding a water and juice dispenser so people can refresh while enjoying the sun. This can seem simple, but it can make a significant difference to residents. If your budget and HOA rules allow it, you could also install a vending machine so homeowners can buy snacks. 

Use picnic tables as an outdoor coworking space during weekdays

Most associations have a picnic or barbecue area where you can find tables, chairs, and benches. If your HOA’s residents are mainly working professionals, they will likely not use this place during weekdays. However, if you set up outdoor WIFI, those who work remotely can do it from there. In times when our society is re-imagining the workplace, amenities like this bring modernity and flexibility to workers. 

Start a little community library

Creating a library can be an excellent project for an HOA committee. You don’t need a lot to start. You can set it up in your HOA clubhouse if you have one. If you don’t have a lot of space, it is okay. You can also put it outside as long as the books are protected. A fun DIY activity could be to repurpose an old fridge as a mini-library.

2. Community garden

If there is one activity that residents of all ages can enjoy is gardening. It’s the perfect opportunity to connect with other residents and spend quality time with family members. Senior residents would love to show their grandchildren how to grow tomatoes. It can be a fun and educational moment. 

Gardening is also a great way to cultivate your well-being. 
The HOA board would only need to provide gardening land and guidelines. You can also share best practices for growing fruits and vegetables in the HOA newsletter. Residents could also participate by sharing the recipes they made with the food they grew. All of this can help build a sense of community.

3. Inviting external vendors

Another affordable idea is to create unique experiences by bringing in external vendors. The HOA won’t have to bear any cost because residents will pay for the specific services. 

Even though there is a cost attached to it, the convenience of having vendors nearby can be a great added value, especially for seniors residents or young families. 

The HOA board would only have to:

1. Pick excellent and reliable vendors
2. Organize the days and venue
3. Inform residents about these external guests
4. Establish some rules for service providers and homeowners

An increasing trend is to invite local food trucks to your community. This is an excellent way for residents to try out different foods and support local businesses. 

The HOA board can also organize community events like Taco Tuesday or Wine and Cheese Nights. Some companies, such as 2ndkitchen, provide unique community food experiences. Or you could talk to local chefs to organize. If you do a survey you can find out what cuisines residents like best.
Another great vendor idea is an IT help desk; it can be handy for older residents. A mobile pet spa is also an excellent option for pet owners.

4. Property-owned bikes and roller skates

Bikes and roller skates are eco-friendly equipment that you can provide at a low cost. Aside from being a recreational activity, it also promotes healthy living and outdoor exercise. Health issues related to physical inactivity are a significant concern. 

HOAs need to think about the well-being of their residents and encourage them to exercise. 

Residents could use these materials for free, while their guests can rent them for a small fee. In the long term, this could represent a reasonable sum of money that the HOA board can invest in other projects. 

More bikes could mean fewer cars, leading to a safer environment for residents and their children. It also makes the air in your community cleaner.

5. Area for meditation

Sadly, no one is immune to stress. Regardless of demographics, statistics demonstrate that stress is a worldwide health concern. According to a recent study from the American Institute of Stress, 77% of Americans experience stress that affects their physical health. 

Setting up an area for meditation is a great way to help residents relieve their anxiety in a neutral place.

Sometimes, our homes or workplace can become stressful environments. Setting up an area for meditation is a great way to help residents relive their anxiety in a neutral place. 

The positive aspect is that you don’t need to invest a lot to create a meditation space. You just need to make it as comfortable and relaxing as possible. 

If you set up your meditation area indoors, here is what you could do:

• Furnish the place with ample pillows and cushions
• Add electric candles to create soft lighting
• Surround the area with plants 
• Install scent diffusers 
• Provide books to help residents learn about meditation 

Setting up your meditation space outdoors can also be a fantastic option. Residents can breathe fresh air and sit around trees. Studies show that connecting with nature is soothing. If you go for that option, choose a quiet location, away from cars and walking residents.

How to efficiently maintain & manage your HOA amenities?

Providing HOA amenities is not enough to attract and retain residents. How you maintain, manage, and upgrade your resources is what matters. As briefly mentioned above, considering your HOA’s demographics and gathering homeowners’ feedback is vital. 

 Here are two other steps that will help you with this process: 

1. Communicate clearly with residents 

Clear communication is essential for managing every aspect of an HOA. When it comes to amenities, you need to inform homeowners about usage rules. You also need to emphasize safety procedures to prevent any hazards. Another way to ensure residents’ safety is to conduct regular HOA inspections and host HOA meetings to discuss the findings. 

Using different HOA communication tools will help you get your message across.

2. Use online tools to manage amenities bookings

To give homeowners an optimal experience with amenities, you should consider using an HOA amenities reservation system. 

Such a tool allows residents to overview every common space available in their association. It also allows them to:

• See the availability of a particular facility
• Easily book an amenity and receive a confirmation instantly
• Receive a calendar placeholder and reminders notifications
• Book an area to host a party in just a few clicks 

The board of directors has access to different settings to set rules and manage the bookings. Here are a few examples: 

• Create, categorize and track all your facilities
• Establish rules of usage and apply restrictions to comply with your HOA’s governing documents
• Insert notices (e.g., Barbecue park closed in May for maintenance)
• Include best usage practices (e.g. Don’t run around the swimming pool)

Final takeaway

Nowadays, you can offer your residents a unique experience without investing a fortune. All this without adding more work to the HOA board. You just need to think outside the box and use the right tools at your disposal. 

Talking about tools, click below to learn more about HOA amenities reservation system.