Menas Realty Company

07/02/2019

What are the Benefits of a Homeowners Property Manager?

Homeowners Associations (HOA) do a lot of work in supporting people who own their houses in regards to property management in San Diego. They have a lot of responsibilities and upkeep. There are many benefits for a HOA to hire a property manager; their role is to handle day-to-day issues that arise so that the HOA can focus on the bigger picture.

Major Repairs

Things that a property management company will take care of include major repairs, such as a broken locks or leaky pipes. Since these are of a time sensitive nature, having a manager handle this can help to ensure the repairs are done quickly and efficiently, so as not to disrupt the owners’ lives.

Maintenance Scheduling

A property manager can also sort out maintenance that needs regular scheduling. This includes things like elevator inspections, checking stairwells, and testing fire alarms. Their responsibilities also cover improving landscaping, planting annuals, and maintaining common areas such as foyers and parking lots.

Fee and Payment Management

Property managers also make sure that HOA’s get their rent and dues paid on time. They do this through communication with residents and making sure people are aware when payments need to be collected. In this sense, property managers can act as a mediator between the resident and HOA. They are also a point of call for when emergency situations arise and the HOA is uncontactable.

Property managers can either be direct employees of a HOA or they can be residents living in the community, doing their bit to make sure things are kept fair and just.

Management of Homeowner Responsibilities

To ensure that the living space is fair and equal, there are also responsibilities of the homeowner. A property manager can help make sure owners are aware of their responsibilities and are doing their part in keeping the space around the houses neat and in proper order..

Some homeowner tasks include putting trash and recycling in the appropriate cans, picking up litter, and paying attention to any repairs that need to be done. They are also in charge of picking up after their pets if they have any and making sure vandalism doesn’t occur or reporting it when it does.

HOA’s and property managing teams exist to keep a level of peace and satisfaction for all residents in the area. Complying with the rules and regulations set forth, so long as they are fair and understanding, is better for all people in the area in the long run.

07/02/2019

07/02/2019

Menas Realty Company is proud to announce we been awarded the management contract for Urania 4 Homeowners Association. Urania 4 is a 4 unit, single family home community located in Leucadia and built by Hallmark Communities.

06/04/2019

What Does a Homeowners Association Do?

If you are looking to move into a neighborhood or condo community, or if you have just recently relocated into one, you may have noticed that there is a governing body within the community that is made up of residents from that community. This is what is known as a homeowners association, and they are the management body for residential areas in San Diego and elsewhere. If you have never come in contact with one before, you may be confused as to what their purpose and duties actually are. Read on to find out what these boards are all about.

Their Purpose

A homeowners association (HOA) oversees the property on behalf of all the residents. To simplify this concept, there are four basic responsibilities for an HOA: making rules, holding meetings, controlling finances, and managing maintenance.

Let’s start with making the rules. Just like any governing body or private organization, there are certain rules and bylaws which every member (or resident, in this case) is expected to follow. Ideally, these regulations are put in place to keep peace and order within the community. The HOA board is responsible for setting and approving these rules, as well as making sure they are followed, carrying out disciplinary action if they are not, and hearing and addressing any concerns from residents about these regulations or those that are breaking them.

That is where the next responsibility comes in: meetings. These are times for concerns and issues to be brought up and addressed with members of the community, and the board also votes on issues, actions, and changes to regulations. This is also where new members can be voted onto the board by the community.

Next is finances. It takes money to be able to pay for the amenities within a community, such as a community pool or gym. Therefore, the board has to set the budget in order to cover all of these things, along with maintenance, utility bills, and so on. The most immediate impact this has on residents is the monthly fee they must pay while living there, and the HOA is the one who sets that fee.

Part of what the finances pay for is maintenance of the residential area, which is the final basic responsibility of an HOA. This does not just cover the trash removal for the community; it also deals with arranging for inspections, negotiating with contractors for certain maintenance tasks, and responding to emergencies that may arise within the neighborhood. The HOA takes care of all of this.

As you can see, an HOA has a lot on their plate in running a neighborhood or complex. Some particularly savvy boards decide to hire homeowners association management firms in San Diego or elsewhere to take care of some of the bigger tasks that come with managing properties.

04/30/2019

Improving Curb Appeal For A More Valuable Property

Curb appeal speaks volumes about a home because the front entrance is the first contact that people have with a property. One way that an HOA management firm in San Diego can help owners to improve the value of their houses is to work on the curb appeal. Whether it’s a condominium, townhouse, house, or apartment complex, property owners can find various ways to boost the curb appeal and add life to the place. The property front has to leave an impression that tells guests to expect something just as great when they get inside. The extent of the improvements will depend on how much a homeowner is willing to spend.

Expose The Architecture

When a property is designed beautifully on the exterior, letting it shine will only improve its curb appeal. Having too many planters in the front yard or lawn can sometimes obstruct the exterior of the building. A home with a nice patio, attractive backyard, or customized mailbox should let visitors see it. For front-facing windows, a homeowner can add colorful shutters to boost the exterior décor.

Keep It Green

A few planters, flower boxes and flower bushes can transform a house considerably. Homeowners have limitless DIY ideas to try out when it comes to adding some plants at the front of a property. The secret is not to have them overgrow such that they look unkempt or hide some of the flattering features of the house. One can also plant a tree or shrub if the space allows it.

Landscape

A professional landscaper can do wonders to the exterior of a home. DIY gardening projects may be fun, but expert landscaping brings the outdoors to life. For a house with a lot of space to work with, a landscaper can plant a beautiful lawn, pick the right perennials and annuals to for the garden and blend in the outdoors with the rest of the property. A homeowner should, however, find out first from their HOA management office in San Diego which regulations apply when landscaping. Homeowners associations have rules about what members can and cannot do and learning them prevents conflicts.

Get The Right Fence

Using a fence to increase curb appeal applies to specific types of properties like single-family houses and cottages. Even if it doesn’t offer privacy, a charming wooden picket fence can give a home a vibrant feeling. The fence does not have to be at the front of the property; it can be fitted on the side if that influences the curb appeal. For stately homes that require large fences, wrought iron is always a safe choice.

Curb appeal can affect the value of an entire neighborhood. HOA management services in San Diego can assist homeowners in enhancing the outdoor appearance of their properties thus, boosting value. The right improvements like a few planters or a clean yard can achieve this.

04/23/2019

Menas Realty Company is proud to announce that we have been awarded the management contract for San Elijo Town Center 12. Built by Hallmark Communities, this association will consist of 12 homes located in San Marcos.

04/19/2019

Community Portfolio Manager
Community Portfolio Manager (San Diego)
Compensation: DOE (Must have Community/Property Management experience)
We are always looking for those creative, passionate people who want to be part of a team dedicated to improving the wellness of each client we serve. Our culture is one where every employee is provided with a clear path towards growth and development. Training and Mentor-ship is provided, and here your ideas and problem solving abilities are rewarded. We are a premier community management company with an exciting career opportunity for an experienced, top-notch Community Manager for our portfolio of current and new clients, located in our San Diego office. This is a full-time exempt salary position. We offer a competitive salary, the opportunity to work from home, and one of the most generous benefits packages available in our industry which includes:
Eligibility for Medical and Dental Insurance -- 75% paid by employer (employee only)
80 hours of paid vacation time per year
56 hours of paid sick time per year
401K Plan -- employer matches up to 4%
Community Manager Office Hours are Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:00pm
PAID NATIONAL HOLIDAYS:
New Year's Day
Martin Luther King Jr.
Washington's Birthday
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Veteran's Day
Thanksgiving Day

Menas Realty Company encourages open communication and the sharing of ideas for the betterment of our team and our clients.

Position Summary:
Each Community Portfolio Manager has responsibility for managing the assigned portfolio of community associations. Community Managers have contact with Boards of Directors, Homeowners, and private contractors serving the association. The manager will handle homeowners' calls, assign work orders, solicit bids, process design review requests, handle notices and violations, do financial data review.
Community Managers are required to maintain the highest degree of professionalism in all aspects when interfacing with board members and homeowners and through materials created for each community. They are to display integrity, loyalty, confidentiality, and professionalism at all times with co-workers and clients as well as adhere to the company's highest standards of ethics and dress code.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Manage a portfolio of associations as assigned by management Interface and resolve issues as reported by board members and homeowners
Develop written communications to homeowners on non-compliance issues, meetings, and annual calendar events
Meet contractual obligations for each community budget responsibility
Relegate work orders as assigned by Supervisors to assure that the work orders are correctly routed
Track and report on key action items and deliverable's Diligently approve invoices for each association
Conduct regular property inspections, dictate reports, and carry out all appropriate actions
Guide, mentor, and assist the respective Board of Directors to make sound, prudent, and lawful business decisions
Complete all daily, monthly, and annual deliverable's as scheduled
Attend and facilitate regular and annual board meetings
Take notes and dictate minutes for all regular, special, and annual meetings
Review all Association financial statements on a monthly basis Prepare a Management and Directors' Report for each Board meeting
Interact with all Associations' contractors and colleagues on behalf of the Board
Track and follow through on all issues of non-compliance
Attend monthly staff meetings
Ensure the continuation of all contracted services, insurance, etc.
Ensure compliance with all applicable Civil Codes and Corporation Codes
Participate in after-hours On-Call when necessary

Qualifications and Reasonable Accommodations: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed in this job description are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for successful job performance. Reasonable accommodations will be discussed and considered to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.

Qualifications, Education and/ or Experience:
Minimum of two (2) years community association management experience
Proven ability to manage associations to the satisfaction of the Board of Directors
College degree preferred.
Good grammar, spelling and letter composition skills
Professional manner and appearance
Dependable, punctual and reliable
Self-starter with good organizational skills and the ability to prioritize
Ability to multi-task
Strong customer service mentality
Excellent time management skills
Ability to maintain an organized work environment
Ability to work with a variety of personalities such as homeowners, Board members, vendors, etc.

04/19/2019

Administrative and Maintenance Specialist
We are always looking for those creative, passionate people who want to be part of a team dedicated to improving the wellness of each client we serve. Our culture is one where every employee is provided with a clear path towards growth and development. Training and Mentor-ship is provided, and here your ideas and problem solving abilities are rewarded. We are a premier Homeowners Association Management Company and we have an exciting career opportunity for an experienced Administrative and Maintenance Specialist. This is a full-time, hourly, non-exempt salary position.

The Administrative and Maintenance Specialist will perform a variety of duties that include a high volume of customer service phone calls and emails and general and specialized administrative duties. The ideal candidate will be proficient in Microsoft Office, have proficient writing skills, be extremely detail oriented and be able to work independently with a positive attitude at all times. The ideal candidate will also be flexible, able to work in a fast paced environment and able to learn new procedures and information quickly and efficiently.
Additional Required Qualifications include:
• Strong communication skills-verbal and written to include impeccable grammar, spelling and punctuation
• The ability to simultaneously manage and be accountable for multiple projects and tasks
• The ability to follow through on tasks and deadlines with minimal supervision.
• The ability to work independently and as part of a team
• The ability to solve problems, offer solutions, think logically and have a quick and retentive memory
• Strong organizational and filing skills
• Is flexible, independent, accurate, thorough and customer service oriented
• The ability to interact professionally via email and over the phone with a variety of other departments, vendors and clients determining their needs and providing answers and solutions
• The ability to operate general Office machines to include postage and folding machines and copiers

If you meet and/or exceed these requirements, please submit your resume immediately. A college degree and/or previous administrative experience are strongly desired. Candidate must be punctual, dependable and reliable. Compensation will be determined depending on education and experience.
We are an equal opportunity employer.

04/19/2019

I am proud to have this CMCA credential for ten years. I've always felt that Certification offers practical experience to individuals from all backgrounds to be a proficient worker in their organization. Certified professionals are also differentiated among their competitors. Thank you to the Community Association Managers International Certification Board for all the good work you have done for the Community Association Management Industry.
-Julie Menas, President/CEO.