Working the Web

The Internet is the fastest growing communication and information resource the world has ever seen. There are literally millions of websites that provide information on subjects only limited to the imagination. For a homeowner association, the possibilities are equally limitless. The cyber world of the Web offers rare opportunities like these:

Build an Association Website

A community calendar, governing documents (sometimes called CC&Rs or Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions), budgets, meeting minutes, community handbooks, rules & regulations, newsletters and other items of interest to your community can be posted there. All these items can be made available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to owners, real estate agents, lenders, title companies, prospective buyers or anyone else that has a need to know. Just think of the time and cost savings to the association by eliminating the need to duplicate piles of documents! Instead, when documents are requested, you simply direct them to the association website and let them copy or print out whatever they want, when they want it! The cost of designing and maintaining a website is very modest and there are a number of companies that specialize in association websites. In every metropolitan area, there are a variety of lnternet Service Providers that will host your website for under $50 a month which includes email service for the board members and property manager. This one is just too good to pass up.

Improve Association Communications

The website is an efficient way to communicate meeting agendas, to survey the community, get feedback and to place maintenance requests. Whether an owner is resident or out of state, communications are fast. And with an e-mail network, all directors, property managers and committee members can receive communications simultaneously.

Community Association Resources

There are a myriad of homeowner association publications, articles, chatrooms, softwares, videos and related products on the Web. Many of these are available at no charge. There are new resources added almost daily. Explore on your own.

Free Web Access

If you want to consider these options and currently don't have Internet access, your local library probably does. There are even helpful folks to show you how to use it. Check it out!

When it comes to communication and information storage and transmission, there is nothing faster and cheaper than the Web. Since the dream of homeowner associations is "carefree living", take advantage of what the Web has to offer and your association will come closer to the dream.

For more on this subject, visit http://www.regenesis.net

Published: April 12, 1999

Use of this article without permission is a violation of federal copyright laws.

Editor's Note: This article reflects the opinions of Rich Thompson only and not necessarily the views of this or any other publication, organization or Website owner.

Richard Thompson owns Regenesis, a management consulting company that specializes in condominium and homeowner associations. He is a nationally recognized expert on HOA management issues. Regenesis publishes The Regenesis Report, a monthly newsletter for HOA boards, developers and managers. To subscribe, go to Regenesis.net. He can be contacted by email at .