Courtesy of Hindman Sanchez, Hammersmith Management has become aware of a current scam being perpetuated on owners in community associations. This scam takes place in the form of a mailing which owners receive indicating that if they are paying HOA fees through a bill-pay service, they should “pay particular attention to the remittance instructions. Our
The team at HMI has been working on new strategies to add extra value to the communities we serve. In addition, we are taking steps toward internal reorganization as we plan for growth. At a recent executive retreat, our Senior Management Team focused on mapping out the company’s objectives and structure. Included in this plan was the creation of a vision statement to support
In today's multi-media world, it's easy to catch the attention of many with pictures or video. If these photos or videos happen to involve a problem within a homeowners association, it's also easy to catch the attention of the local media. There was a recent story in the news of condo owners upset that their parking
Energy bills—like the temperature—always rise in the summer. But there are many inexpensive, energy-saving steps you can take to save money. (As always, be sure to consult with the association to get approval for any major home renovations.) Turn it up. Set your thermostat as high as possible. Start with 78 degrees when at home and 85 degrees when
Summer is right around the corner and that means one big part of many HOAs is about to take center stage: the community pool. Perhaps the most widely used amenity of any association, it's important that each community is prepared for pool season. Before the first splash into the water, make sure your community pool meets the checklist:
In honor of 100 years of Red Cross service in Colorado, the month of May will be celebrated by "Turning the State Red" with lights and signage throughout the state. This statewide campaign will be an opportunity for businesses, schools, communities, and other organizations to be engaged with our celebration by showing your support of Your American
As the community association management industry continues to evolve and be impacted by laws and legislation, you can't help but notice how fast things change. Which is why the theme of this year's CAI's Spring Showcase was "Staying Ahead of the Curve". At the showcase CAI invited Derek Daly, a Hall of Fame Formula One race car driver, to speak
The HOA management industry is demanding, challenging, and often thankless. Community Managers, as well as management company accountants, administrative staff, and executive teams work long hours to ensure communities run smoothly and are financially stable. Working intimately with people’s homes and money may be stressful, but it is also very stimulating and rewarding. Hammersmith is
Minimize board activity outside of scheduled meetings and working sessions. Allow the manager time to complete the action items and collect the information required by the Board to make informed decisions. Constant dialogue outside of meetings consumes time, creates confusion, and causes burnout for both the manager and volunteer Board members. Exchanging occasional emails is
Curious about the history of Hammersmith Management, and all of the work John Hammersmith put into his community association management business? CAI recently published an Executive Insights article explaining how a small family business went from providing computerized accounting services to Leaders in Community Management®. Follow the link here CAI Executive Insights for the full article. Enjoy!