Better Communication. Stronger Communities. How to Keep Your HOA Informed, Engaged, and Thriving.

Clear communication is the foundation of a successful HOA—and it starts with understanding who you're talking to.

At Crummack Huseby, we believe that when people feel informed and included, great things happen. In homeowners associations (HOAs), communication isn’t just a helpful tool—it’s the backbone of a connected, well-run community. It builds trust, reduces confusion, and keeps everyone rowing in the same direction.

Whether you're on the board, part of the management team, or a homeowner looking to stay in the loop, here are some practical ways to improve how your community communicates.

Who’s Involved—and Why It Matters

First, let’s take a look at who makes up your HOA and what each group needs to hear (and share) to keep the community thriving.

Board Members

Your board sets the tone for the community. These volunteer leaders make decisions that impact everything from budgets to landscaping. Their responsibilities often include:

• Creating and enforcing policies
• Managing community finances
• Advocating for homeowners and working with vendors

Good communication here ensures that decisions are clearly explained—and that residents feel heard, even when tough calls are made.

Homeowners

Homeowners are the heart of the neighborhood. Keeping them informed and engaged helps maintain the look, feel, and value of the community. Homeowners play a role by:

• Following community rules
• Attending meetings or casting votes
• Paying dues that fund important services

They want to know what’s going on—and why it matters to them.

Management Companies

As the boots on the ground, management companies handle the day-to-day operations that keep things running smoothly. This includes:

• Managing finances and budgets
• Communicating with homeowners
• Coordinating vendors and contractors

At Crummack Huseby, we work closely with boards and homeowners to make sure information flows smoothly and nothing falls through the cracks.

How to Communicate More Effectively

Now that we’ve outlined who’s involved, let’s talk about how to make sure the right messages reach the right people at the right time.

1. Establish Clear Communication Channels

The first step is simply making it easy for people to stay informed. Some of the best tools include:

• Regular board meetings with published agendas and minutes
• Community newsletters—digital or printed—sent on a consistent schedule
• A dedicated HOA website or portal where documents and updates are easy to find

2. Be Transparent and Accessible

People feel more connected when they understand the “why” behind decisions. That means:

• Sharing meeting minutes and financial reports
• Providing access to governing documents
• Responding to questions in a timely, respectful manner

Transparency goes a long way in building trust.

3. Use Technology to Your Advantage

Technology helps you reach more people, more efficiently. Consider:

• Group email lists
• HOA mobile apps
• Private social media groups (like a Facebook group or Nextdoor)

Just make sure you’re using platforms your residents are comfortable with.

4. Set Communication Guidelines

Not every message is the same. Establishing clear expectations helps avoid confusion. For example:

• Use email or text alerts for emergencies
• Use newsletters for monthly updates
• Offer surveys or suggestion boxes for collecting feedback

Having clear rules about who sends what—and when—makes everything run more smoothly.

5. Encourage Involvement

Residents are more likely to engage when they feel included. You can encourage participation through:

• Committees focused on specific issues like landscaping or events
• Volunteer opportunities for clean-up days, socials, or safety initiatives
• Orientation sessions for new homeowners

These touchpoints help build a stronger sense of community and shared ownership.

6. Educate Along the Way

Understanding the "how" and "why" behind HOA decisions makes everyone’s job easier. Offer:

• Welcome packets or info sessions for new residents
• Periodic workshops on things like budgeting or board responsibilities

Education creates more empowered and respectful dialogue.

Tools That Can Help

There are plenty of tools designed specifically to help HOAs communicate more effectively. A few of our favorites include:

• HOA management platforms (we use FrontSteps)
• Email marketing tools like Mailchimp or Constant Contact
• Custom community websites with login portals for residents
• Mobile apps that make it easy to view updates, pay dues, or submit requests on the go

What If People Still Say They’re Not Getting the Message?

No matter how proactive you are, it’s possible some residents may say they “never got the memo.” Here’s how to address that:

• Use multiple formats (email, print, website, signs) to repeat key messages
• Keep contact info up to date and encourage residents to opt in to their preferred method of communication
• Send gentle reminders and follow-ups for time-sensitive updates

Redundancy is your friend here—especially when it comes to important issues.

In Closing: Communication is a Two-Way Street

At the end of the day, successful community management is about more than enforcement or maintenance—it’s about connection. When communication is clear, consistent, and thoughtful, your community runs better, and your residents feel more at home.

At Crummack Huseby, we take pride in helping communities stay informed, engaged, and supported—every step of the way.

Need help improving communication in your community?
 Reach out to us at info@ch-pm.com to learn more.

Helpful Links

HOA Communication Tools:

• FrontSteps – A community platform designed for HOAs and property managers, offering features like mobile communication, payments, violations tracking, and website integration—all in one place.
• Buildium – Property management software that streamlines operations, communication, and finances.
• AppFolio – Software designed for community associations and HOAs.
• CINC Systems – Cloud-based software built for community association management.

Email Marketing Platforms:

• Mailchimp – Widely used for newsletters and resident communications.
• Constant Contact – Another popular email marketing tool, great for small-to-medium HOAs.

HOA Education and Best Practices:

• Community Associations Institute (CAI) – Leading resource for HOA governance, communication standards, and board training.
• Davis-Stirling.com – A valuable legal resource for California HOAs (if CH primarily serves CA communities).

Social Media or Community Engagement Platforms (Optional):

• Facebook Groups – How to set up and manage private Facebook groups.
• Nextdoor – A community-focused social platform that some neighborhoods use for communication.