Building Neighborhoods…

Do you live “on” a street or “in” a neighborhood? It’s hard to define, but you know it when you see it. It’s what makes a house a home and a subdivision a neighborhood. Neighbors talking in front yards, children playing ball, families taking a walk, people walking their pet, people waving to their neighbors, and the sound of laughter. Many people today are focused on the governance and financial aspects of the community and totally forget the social aspect. The “feel” of the neighborhood plays a big role in a person’s decision, or desire, to purchase a home. So, look around, are people smiling? Do you have committees composed of eager volunteers? Do you have a social calendar? Do you have a program to welcome new neighbors?

Community associations are the perfect tool to bring back and protect our neighborhoods! Try dropping the word “association” and replace it with “neighborhood”. There are no more “homeowners”, only neighbors. Just changing a few words can change the attitude and atmosphere and bond people together. Try changing “Annual Homeowners Meeting” to “our Annual Neighborhood Gathering”; it just sounds more inviting and friendly. Neighbors are much more prone to follow the Rules & Regulations, pay their assessments in a timely manner, and volunteer when they “feel” like part of neighborhood rather than being governed by the strong arm of the HOA CC&R’s.

By necessity, most communication between the Board of Directors, via the management company, and the neighbors is negative in the form of late notices, violation letters, fine impositions, etc. We should also give praise where praise is due. Let’s send a “thank you” note when a neighbor corrects a violation! Everyone enjoys the warmth of appreciation, and now this neighbor is more apt to ensure compliance in the future.

Put together a welcoming committee. If you “ask” the right people (and you know who they are), they are usually more than willing to help. If you wait for people to volunteer, it may never happen. What could make someone feel more welcome than one or two neighbors stopping by just to say hello, offer a hand if needed, bring a basket of cookies, freshly-baked bread or a package of information about the neighborhood, answer questions about the neighborhood or local schools, etc. Instead, we stick a package of information in the mail and hope it gets to them before the next maintenance fee is due.

Get your social committee organized now! Bring people together using the things that interest them. Put together a neighborhood yard sale, coordinate with the Red Cross for a blood drive, hold an Easter Egg hunt for the children, at Thanksgiving collect donations for the local food bank, help a family facing adversity, conduct a children’s bicycle parade on the 4th of July, plant trees on Arbor Day, etc. Make these traditions that carry over every year and you will see that attendance will grow as the word gets out to everyone.

Do you live “on” a street or “in” a neighborhood? As a “baby boomer”, I love looking back at the comfort and friendliness of the neighborhoods I grew up in. Take the time to make a difference for you, your children, and neighbors. Shake a neighbors hand or meet a new neighbor and find a common interest. You never know what lasting impact may be…

Judy L. Rose, CMCA, AMS, CPM, PCAM
President & CEO
Principal Broker
Associa Morris Property Management
Nashville, TN