Category Archives: amenities

4 Renovations to Consider Before Move-In

March 6, 2023amenities, property management, repairs, tenant transitions, unit ownerssperling

So a long-term tenant has moved out of your property and you’re getting ready to show potential new tenants. As you do your walkthrough, a thought strikes you; this place could use an update.

It doesn’t matter if the property is a house, condo, or apartment; it’s simply easier to make major renovations when a property is empty. No one is inconvenienced and you can take as much time as necessary to get it done properly. Even better, the improvements will attract more tenants who will be drawn to upgraded features.

Put in New Floors

There is literally no better time to install new flooring than when a house, condo, or apartment is empty. There will be no personal belongings or furniture to move or store, and the tenant won’t have to stay at a hotel for a few days to a few weeks. It’s also a great way to give the property a fresh start, as floor wear and tear is common but not always easily fixed.

You can make the call on whether you want to install new floorboards or carpet. Carpet can provide insulation for your tenants but can be harder to clean and limit decorating options. Meanwhile hardwood or linoleum floors can get scratched up by furniture but it’s easier to sweep up dirt and mop up spills.

A Fresh Coat of Paint

Freshly-painted walls can really brighten up a room. If you have a room that’s smaller or doesn’t get much natural light, the right color can make it appear larger and brighter, and thus more attractive to potential renters. But no tenant wants to have their walls painted while they’re living there. It’s messy, they’ll have to move their belongings out of the way, cover their furniture and rugs with plastic, and of course live with the smell until the paint fully dries.

This isn’t just limited to the interior. A fresh coat of paint on the outside of the building can vastly improve its curb appeal.

Install New Windows

With the rising cost of heat in Massachusetts, both you and your tenants would much rather not have to worry about a massive utility bill due to drafty windows. Inefficient windows can lose up to 30% of your home’s energy. That’s why it’s important to inspect your windows and, if necessary, get them updated or replaced. These renovations will also benefit you and your tenants in the summer as good windows will keep the cool air in, meaning fans and air conditioners won’t be sending the electricity bills up either.

Make Electrical Upgrades

If you’re renting out an older property, it is essential that you get your wiring regularly inspected. This is easiest to do when you have easy access to walls and can rip them open if necessary. This could very well save a life, as you’ll have peace of mind that an electrical fire isn’t waiting to happen.

Also, with our dependence on technology, from kitchen appliances to computers to phones, it’s important to go in and ensure there are enough wall outlets to appeal to new tenants. If it feels like there aren’t enough, call up an electrician to install more.

The time to act is now, so don’t wait until it’s too late! Get these renovations done before showing the property off to new tenants. Your future renters and your wallet will thank you.

Features New Renters Want in 2022

January 12, 2022amenities, association living, property management, unit ownerssperling

Rent has been rising at an alarming rate all over the country throughout 2021 and is expected to continue in this trend in the new year, according to a November 2021 Zumper National Rent Report. This study puts median rental prices for the Boston, Massachusetts area at $2470, which ranks as the third highest in the country behind New York City and SanFrancisco, CA.

Rising rental rates come with some expectations on the part of renters and unit owners. New renters want to see some features and amenities that can offset or at least incentivize them to choose one rental location over another.

With these things in mind, today’s blog will be examining some of the rental property features, amenities, and trends that renters are coming to expect in the new year.

Online Payments and Requests

We live in a digital age and renters have come to expect that their dealings with their home should also be convenient and easy. Millennials and other generations want to be able to do many things online such as: pay rent, request in-unit repairs, and chat with management when questions arise.

We recently published a blog that expounded the many Benefits of Association Software as a way to meet the needs of a new generation of renters. This online software can increase communications with renters, improve security, and streamline data for both your unit owners and management group.

Property Improvements

With increased rental rates, renters have come to expect that properties will continue improvements such as bonus spaces including pools, fitness rooms, laundry facilities, and terrace areas for urban locations.

With millions of millennials in the rental market, Butterfly MX recently reported that 86% of millennial renters are “willing to pay more for a multi-family home or apartment and are willing to pay more for a “smart” apartment, compared to 65% of boomers who would request the same.”

Obviously each property will have only so much space to expand and make improvements, but renters want to see that not only are repairs being maintained regularly, but that amenities are being added to offset the rate increases.

The Need For Parking Spaces Is Disappearing

In decades past, a trend that would have made this list of wants by renters would be a parking space. The dawn of ridesharing and other mass transit options has moved parking spots from high on the list of wants to a lower category.

What are your list of top features of amenities wanted by newer renters? Drop us a comment below or check us out on our Facebook page.

Pool Safety in Your HOA Community

July 7, 2021amenities, association living, safety issuessperling

If your community has a swimming pool as one of it’s amenities, consider yourself lucky as we embark on what is promising to be a scorcher of a summer in Massachusetts. Last year at this time many homeowner’s associations made the difficult decision to keep community swimming pools closed due to the coronavirus. This year, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC),has given new guidance that allows pools to open for the season.

As pools begin to reopen this year, now seems to be a good time to review pool safety in your community and what the responsibilities of the HOA may or may not entail.

Lifeguard or No Lifeguard?

Every community eventually faces this question regarding whether to staff the community pool with a trained lifeguard or to have a “Swim at Your Own Risk” policy. There are pros and cons to each in regards to cost and liability.

Sadly, the CDC reports that there are more than 3,500 unintentional drownings every year across the country. To prevent this, many associations hire trained lifeguards or pool monitors to regulate behavior and the amount of people in the pool at any given time. The benefit of this is the added security and peace of mind that comes with a certified lifeguard at the pool’s edge. Unfortunately, hiring a lifeguard or even a pool monitor can be expensive and prohibitive for smaller communities.

The “Swim at Your Own Risk” policy also comes with advantages and disadvantages. For instance, the cost savings of creating rules and allowing community members to follow independently is remarkable, but it comes at the risk of loss of life should a swimmer encounter trouble. The safety of the swimmers is left up to the guests at the pool, often with an emergency phone setup to use in the case of a situation should arise.

Having a lifeguard means the liability and insurance for the pool area safety lies with the vendor supplying the lifeguards. Conversely, the “Swim at Your Own Risk” policy does come with liability issues for the HOA. Each community should review their insurance and liability requirements before opening the pool and other amenities each year to their community members.

Create Rules and Regulations for Pool Area

Regardless of whether your community pool has a lifeguard or not, there should be a list of rules prominently displayed that explains what behavior is allowed and what is not. These could include:

No Diving
No Running on the Pool Deck
No Glass Containers in the Pool Area
No Electrical Devices in the Pool or on the Edge
No Fooling Around in the Pool or on the Deck
No Swimming Alone
No Swimming During a Storm
Swimming Only Allowed During Posted Hours
____ Number of Guests Allowed

Cleanliness of Pool Area

Depending upon the property management rules, your pool area may be a carry-in-carry-out pool, meaning whatever you bring there, must leave with you. That includes trash, chairs, and towels. Having rules about the cleanliness makes the pool area nice for everyone in the community.

Looking for more ideas on ways to keep your pool area safe this summer? Check out the guidance from the CDC and property management resources.

The Best Community Amenities

June 2, 2021amenities, association livingsperling

Are you on the hunt for a stress-free living situation? Many young professionals, as well as people enjoying their retirement, love the idea of living in a community such as a homeowners association where the majority of the heavy work is done by landscapers, plow companies, and repairmen who take care of the property year round.

Another bonus of living in a community are the wonderful amenities that many properties offer their tenants. Read on to find out more about the best community amenities that you may want in your next home.

What Are Community Amenities?

Depending upon the community you live in, amenities are generally thought to be either indoor or outdoor spaces that are meant to be used by residents and their guests. These could include a clubhouse, fitness room, pool, tennis courts, walking paths, playgrounds, golf courses, or outdoor entertaining areas with kitchens or fire pits.

Homeowner associations generally believe that these spaces are great ways to attract residents to a community and keep them as loyal association members. These conveniences can really raise the bar, so to speak, to make your community desirable to the audience you are hoping to attract.

For instance, many 55 and older communities offer amenities that include concierge services where groceries or other needs can be delivered if a senior can not get out. Conversely, communities that hope to attract young working professionals may offer areas to mingle, fitness rooms, or health spas. It all depends upon the needs and wants of the people in your community.

Here are some of the trendiest community amenities for your residents this year.

Fitness Centers

Given that many gyms and fitness locations were closed or reduced hours due to the pandemic, many associations have loved that fitness centers were a part of their living community.

Not only do fitness centers help association members reach their fitness and health goals, they also are a great way to mingle within the community and get to know the other people living in the area in a safe way. Financially, having a fitness center or gym on the premises can save community members from shelling out high gym fees monthly.

Outdoor Recreation

Along with a fitness center, community members are always looking for entertainment. Given the surge in Americans getting outside to hike, walk, bike, play tennis, and swim, your community would be smart to add amenities that encourage these pastimes.

Hiking trails, pools, tennis courts, bike paths, and outdoor game areas (think cornhole) are great ideas for communities hoping to keep their members active and outdoors. These amenities can help people de-stress and maintain their health all year long.

While a pool and tennis courts do require regular maintenance, you may find that home buyers are willing to pay the extra cost to have these amenities at their disposal.

Pet-Friendly Amenities

You may have heard that Americans are adopting pets during this pandemic at record rates. That means that many homeowners are looking for pet-friendly areas such as dog parks, walking paths, and even doggy babysitting options. This added amenity can really set your community apart especially for city dwellers who are always looking for a safe, fun place to bring their pooch.

Child-Friendly Amenities

From playgrounds, to dedicated indoor play spaces, communities have begun to expand their child amenities offerings. Parents need a way to get out of the house in a safe and fun way. HOAs that offer areas where children can play without risk of interrupting other community members are doing a great service for the parents of their community.

What amenities does your community have? Which would you like them to add? Comment below or drop us a line on Facebook.

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