New "DIY Management" Helps Homeowners Associations Thrive In Down Economy

MINNEAPOLIS, June 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Cities Management, Inc., recently launched DIY Management, a low-cost comprehensive online tool to help self-managed homeowners associations survive – and even thrive – in the current economy.

DIY Management serves a niche that's been ignored
"This is a big deal for self-managed associations," notes Traci Lehman, president, Cities Management.  "No other companies are offering these professional management tools to self-managed associations.  Typically, management companies offer 'full service' or 'financial only,' services which cost two-to-six times more than the $150 monthly fee for DIY Management."

The Problem: The Economic Downturn Hurt Homeowners Associations
Homeowners associations have many of the same expenses as small municipalities: road repair, building maintenance and snow removal. Foreclosures and delinquencies have reduced available funds, and many communities need to reduce costs.  At the same time, buyers are often wary of paying dues and turning over control to a board of directors that doesn't have the support of a professional management company. 

A 2011 survey conducted by Community Associations Institute (www.caionline.org) revealed that 56% of association communities face "severe" or "serious" problems as a result of the economic downturn.

The solution: DIY Management
DIY Management solves homeowners associations' economic problem – and boosts the confidence of buyers and owners – by providing the same software that is currently being used by more than 3,500 professionally-managed associations, without the cost of a property manager (often the costliest part of professional management).

For the first time, DIY Management customers are able to "do-it-yourself" by completing the functions and templates of a professional management company.  Meeting agendas, maintenance requests, delinquency notices— even reservations for shared amenities like tennis courts —are all securely stored in an easy-to-use, easy-to-access online tool.

DIY Management helps associations save money while operating efficiently and professionally, especially:

• Self-managed associations
• Single family associations that don't need "full service"
• Larger associations that would like to save money and become self-managed
• Smaller associations that find "full service" too expensive
• Vacation home associations that share recordkeeping with owners who live elsewhere

For a full list of DIY Management services, visit www.citiesmanagement.com/servicesDIY.html.

About Cities Management:  30 years of experience
Founded in 1982, Cities Management (www.citiesmanagement.com) manages homeowner associations, townhomes, condominiums, cooperatives, and single family communities throughout Minnesota, Milwaukee and Western Wisconsin. 

SOURCE Cities Management, Inc.