Creating a sense of community within a Condominium or Homeowners Association, especially one with a high percentage of rental properties, may appear to be a daunting challenge. Renters may not stay long, and might lack a sense of personal investment in the area even if they do.  

After more than 40 years in the real estate management industry, Hara Management, Inc. in Winter Park, FL understands how a strong sense of community identity can create vitality in a neighborhood, improve property values, and help make for happier residents. 

For this reason, they offer the following tips for both real estate investors and homeowners associations:

• Community events may seem trivial, but giving residents an opportunity to meet and share interests will help establish relationships, which are the foundation of a community spirit. Holiday celebrations, neighborhood picnics, and "National Night Out" events are a great way to promote interaction between residents, but smaller events such as book clubs, community yard sales, and charity drives can bring people together more regularly at little to no expense.
• Respond to complaints quickly, and actively seek feedback on ways to improve the community as a whole.  When residents sense that their opinions are valued, they develop a sense of personal investment and self-worth.

• Occasional community clean-up events may seem like onerous obligations, but bringing homeowners and renters alike to participate in improving their community, even in small ways, will give them a personal stake in the welfare of the community.
• If your community does not already have an online forum where neighbors can socialize, it might be a good idea to create one either on your own site or through Facebook. In communities where public platforms already exist, have a representative interact with the residents directly. Community is developed through individual interactions between residents, but also with property owners and managers as well.

Each community presents its own unique challenges and opportunities. Request a proposal today for a customized plan from Hara Management, Inc. to learn more about expert association management and apartment management.