Here's a Novel Idea: Make your Expectations Known and Avoid Disputes with Residents

As Community Association leaders and property managers, you should always be vigilant to avoid rules disputes and misunderstandings with residents regarding deed restrictions. Here are some quick tips* to keep in mind when reinforcing this notion:

Pre-emptive Strike
Make use of all available marketing materials to explain your community to prospective buyers and/or real estate agents. This includes websites, brochures, videos and welcome packets or any other communication that folks might use as an information-gathering tool about your community.

New Residents 101
After move-in, be sure and follow-up with new residents by holding orientation sessions, visits by the welcoming committee, and other social events to better integrate them into your community.

Now that I have them, what do I do with them?
Don't stop! Keep up the pace and periodically refresh residents' knowledge by publishing the rules in your community newsletter, blog, website, marquee or other distributed communications.

*Excerpted from Cecilia Gutierrez, "Spell It Out", Common Ground, July/August 2005