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How to Set Up HOA Goals the SMART Way

Picture of Camille Moore
How to Set Up HOA Goals the SMART Way
8:09
For any professionally-run community association, setting HOA goals is an annual task. First off, one of the roles of a community association is to improve the community through fresh ideas, coming up with achievable goals, and putting in measures to ensure all the community's goals have been achieved. Having community goals in place helps the community to track, account for, and make financially sound decisions that will, in the end, improve or maintain the high-quality standards of the community.  Learn how to set impactful goals that enhance your community’s quality of life and satisfaction.

What Are Common HOA Goals?

Typical objectives include maintaining property values through enforcing standards and ensuring timely maintenance of common areas. HOAs also aim to build and maintain community engagement by hosting events and encouraging resident participation. Financial stability is another cornerstone, achieved through realistic budgeting, managing reserves, and collecting dues efficiently.

Enhancing safety, sustaining aesthetic standards, and promoting eco-friendly initiatives like recycling and water conservation further ensure a harmonious neighborhood. Strong communication and transparency are also key, helping to build trust and reduce conflicts. Clear goals keep the HOA focused, aligned, and effective in addressing the community’s needs.

Common Short-Term HOA Goals

Short-term goals for Homeowners’ Associations (HOAs) are essential to maintaining a well-managed, harmonious community. These objectives typically focus on addressing immediate needs, enhancing overall operations, and fostering a sense of community among residents. Here’s an overview of key short-term goals and their components:

Community Maintenance and Upkeep

  • Schedule repairs for shared spaces and facilities.
  • Perform routine landscaping and seasonal clean-ups.
  • Address urgent maintenance needs like fixing lighting or road damage.

Budget Planning

  • Finalize budgets for upcoming projects and expenses.
  • Identify cost-saving measures to optimize resources.
  • Ensure adequate reserves for emergencies.

Improving Communication

  • Provide regular updates through newsletters or online portals.
  • Hold meetings to keep residents informed about ongoing projects.
  • Streamline processes for addressing resident concerns.

Resident Engagement

  • Organize community events to strengthen connections.
  • Encourage participation in HOA meetings or committees.
  • Gather feedback to guide decision-making.

Rule Enforcement

  • Conduct regular inspections to ensure compliance.
  • Address violations consistently and fairly.
  • Educate residents about rules to promote understanding.

Common Long-Term HOA Goals

Long-term goals for HOAs focus on strategic improvements and sustainable community growth. Key objectives include:

Enhancing Amenities

  • Plan and fund large-scale upgrades, such as renovating clubhouses or adding recreational facilities.
  • Introduce new features like walking trails, dog parks, or fitness centers to increase community appeal.
  • Regularly assess amenities to ensure they meet residents' evolving needs.

Sustainability Initiatives

  • Invest in energy-efficient lighting, solar panels, or water-saving systems for shared spaces.
  • Promote recycling programs and environmentally friendly practices.
  • Develop landscaping plans with native, drought-resistant plants to reduce water usage.

Reserve Fund Growth

  • Gradually increase reserves to prepare for major repairs or emergencies.
  • Conduct reserve studies to anticipate long-term financial needs.
  • Implement financial policies that balance current expenses with future savings.

Setting Achievable Goals the SMART Way

Coming up with community association goals is not a complex task. The problem comes when it's time to put in the effort and ensure the set goals are achieved. Unfortunately, many goals are not achievable for various reasons. For instance, a goal can be unachievable because it does not have a clear and defined outcome, has an unrealistic timeline, or lacks a measure of progress. So, how do you set up achievable community association goals? Here are some tips when creating your HOA SMART goals:

1. Be SMART about It

Incorporate and manage environments, SMART is an acronym widely used to help stream ideas, focus efforts, and correct usage of time. For any community association goal to be achieved, it must check the following boxes:

It Must Be Specific

An achievable community association goal is specific; everyone involved knows what is expected and what the end result should be. Everything that should be achieved within a specific period is clearly laid out.

It Should Be Measurable

After setting up your HOA goal, you must be able to track its progress. Are you on the right path? Have you accomplished what you planned to achieve at that point? A measurable goal allows you to figure all these out.

It Must Be Achievable

Depending on the resources (money, effort, time), strive to achieve community association goals. Unachievable goals will strain the board members and will lead to unhappy residents.

Relevance is a Factor

How relevant are your SMART HOA  goals? Is it improving your community in any way? How will achieving the set goal make a difference in your community? Every goal created must benefit the residents in one way or the other.

It Should Be Time-Based

Deadlines are critical in ensuring that a goal is achieved. For longer projects, you can divide them into phases, with each one having its own deadline. By doing this, the residents will be able to see your commitment. Ready to set impactful HOA goals for your community? Contact ustoday for expert advice to help you achieve them.

2. Have a Planning Checklist

For all the ideas you have developed, a planning checklist is important in keeping them organized and ensuring that nothing is skipped. Some things to include in your checklist include checking whether you need any government documents to facilitate your goals, audits, taxes, budget and assessments, and meetings. Also, have plans on how maintenance, renovations, and replacement projects are going to take place.

3. Invest in Education or Arrange Expert Help

After setting up your community association goals, you need every board member to understand their roles and responsibilities. In addition, education on the same is needed for the ideas and goals that may not be popular with the board members. Resources for such information include magazines, blog subscriptions, conferences, and online courses.

On the other hand, your professional management company is more familiar with what you are trying to achieve as aboard. Therefore, they can assist with planning and bringing in other professionals as needed to assist with items that may be legal matters, insurance issues, and financial dealings.

Connect with us for expert guidance on HOA goal setting.

4. Incorporate Emergency Plans

The community goals you set might hit a dead end. When this happens, do you have a contingency plan? Well, you should. Have plans on how your community will deal with natural calamities such as storms, floods, and anything else that might pose a danger. Start creating an emergency plan for your HOA today.

Achieving HOA Goals with Purpose and Precision

By clearly defining Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound goals, HOA board members can drive meaningful change, enhance communication, and foster a more engaged and harmonious community. These goals provide a roadmap for associations to follow, ensuring that decisions are informed and actions are purposeful. Implementing SMART strategies not only enhances operational efficiency but also creates a lasting legacy of community strength and unity.

By setting and achieving clear, attainable goals, HOAs can build a foundation for long-term success.

Get in touch today to set your community's goals and achieve lasting success.