When you purchase a new condo, you often
become a member of the condo association: the governing body that controls many of the details of life around your condo. In a great condo association, while you'll have a number of rules you must adhere to, you will also receive a number of benefits: the association will help deal with disputes, manage common areas throughout the neighborhood, and often take care of issues like pest control that can impact the entire neighborhood.
Sometimes, however, you may have your own ideas about what the condo association should accomplish, how they should deal with certain issues, or what rules should be implemented (or revoked). How can you make sure your voice is heard?
Get Involved
One of the easiest ways to have your voice heard by the condo association is to get involved with it. Go to the meetings as often as you can. Participate in community events. When you have an opinion, speak up! There are often open meeting times when you will be able to express your opinion or share information with the association. If you have a lot of ideas for your community, get involved with the association as a whole. Volunteer to fill a needed role or chair a committee. You'll find that the more you get involved, the easier it is to have your voice heard. It's important to get involved with your association as much as possible: after all, you are a representative of the owners in your community, and your voice is an important one!
Create Solutions
Do you see an area of concern for the condo association or condo owners within the association as a whole? If possible, don't just bring information about the problem to the next meeting. Come up with a reasonable solution for the problem--or come up with more than one, if you want to offer some options or aren't sure which direction is the best way to go in. Often, board members are already well aware of the problem, but they may struggle to come up with a solution that fits the needs of the community members. When you present a solution, you increase the odds that you'll see action quickly.
Communicate Clearly and Concisely
Do you want to be sure your voice is heard at a condo association meeting? Speak clearly and concisely. Take the time to plan out what you want to say ahead of time. Then, when you come in, communicate it as clearly and effectively as possible. Avoid dragging the issue out just because you have the floor. Instead, respect the time of other members and owners at the meeting. If possible, keep your remarks under five minutes--and if you can keep it quicker than that, do so! You can always clarify if anyone has questions, but you'll quickly lose your audience if you keep droning on without presenting a solution.
Choose Your Issues
Before you move into a condo with a condo association, take the time to review the association rules, dues, and any other information that could influence your happiness during your residence. Carefully consider what issues are deal-breakers and which ones you can learn to live with. When issues do arise, carefully consider how important they are. Many minor issues often crop up over time, whether it's a complaint about a neighbor or a difficulty within the neighborhood as a whole. Ignoring the small stuff, on the other hand, will increase the odds that the association will hear your voice on the things that are really important.
Now that you know how to make your voice heard, are you ready to find the perfect condo for you and your family? Contact us today to learn more about our available properties.
