Clearing Up Misconceptions: How Ghertner & Company and Your HOA Board Work Together

At Ghertner & Company, the success of your homeowners association is our top priority. We are ready to provide your HOA Board with the property management excellence and support it needs to see your community thrive. The role of a property management company in the daily operations of an HOA is crucial. Still, there are several misconceptions homeowners have about a property management company’s role and the role of the HOA Board.

Misconception #1: My property management company is my HOA.  

Many homeowners think that their HOA Board and the property management company, like Ghertner & Company, are one and the same. That’s not true—they are separate entities. Your homeowners association has contracted Ghertner & Company for support in the daily operations of the homeowners association. Ghertner & Company is a separate business that serves multiple homeowners associations throughout Middle Tennessee.

Misconception #2: The rules in my HOA prohibit my rights as a homeowner.

We know that HOA rules aren’t homeowners’ favorite things. Still, we encourage you to remember that they are in place for the upkeep, safety and enjoyment of your community and to protect the investment you made when you purchased your home.  When all homeowners follow the rules, everyone can feel at home in their neighborhood. To see your community rules, log in to your owner’s portal at www.ghertner.com/owner.

Misconception #3: My HOA’s property management company is the only vendor that serves my community.

It takes a village to run an HOA, and Ghertner & Company isn’t the only vendor making things run smoothly. Landscape companies, cleaning companies, pool companies (if applicable to your HOA), and trash pickup companies are just some of the vendors your HOA may use. If you ever have a question about these vendors’ work, please submit a General Question through your owner’s portal at www.ghertner.com/owner, and your Community Association Manager will respond.

Misconception #4: My HOA Board members are paid for their time and don’t live in my community.

The Board members who lead your community are homeowners just like you! They volunteer their time and talents to support your HOA. The Board makes decisions on behalf of the community. Keep in mind, too, that Ghertner & Company works at the direction of the Board. We provide advice and support to your HOA Board. Ghertner & Company prides itself on our Community Association Managers' relationships with their Boards and the regular training and resources we provide to Board members.

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Click here to access your homeowner portal to view community information and governing documents or to submit a request.

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Gallatin Community Wins Best of Sumner County Award

The Fairway Farms Homeowners Association recently became the two-time consecutive winner of the Best Community in Sumner County as part of the annual Main Street Media Awards. The awards are organized by Gallatin, Hendersonville and Portland newspaper publishers and voted on by the public. Located in Gallatin, next to the Long Hollow Golf Course, Fairway Farms’ HOA Board and residents work together to provide a culture where individuals and families can get involved and enjoy living.  Congratulations to the Fairway Farms community!

Giving Back Donation Supports STRIVER Day 2023 Event

On Wednesday, July 26, Ghertner & Company presented local nonprofit organization STRIVE4You with a $500 donation as part of its Giving Back to the Community quarterly giving initiative.  STRIVE4You’s mission is to empower all individuals with low vision through physical recreation, as well as to educate professionals on how to best serve their clientele with low vision. They work each day to achieve a more inclusive and productive society by providing support services and peer-to-peer programs.The donation will be used to support the October 14 National STRIVER Day at the Tennessee School for the Blind.  This unique hands-on conference features interactive and informational breakout sessions designed to encourage attendees in fitness activities, nutrition classes and disability-related topics.

STRIVE4You Co-Executive Directors Ricky and Christy Ray-Jones are pictured with Ghertner & Company president Scott Ghertner and associates at the check presentation.  Learn more about this worthwhile organization at www.strive4you.org

What To Expect When Joining A HOA

You’ve bought the perfect house in the best neighborhood, and now it’s time to move in and enjoy your new community. Your community has a homeowners association, but you’re unsure what to expect as a new HOA member. Read below to learn more about homeowners associations and the things that come with being a part of one.

Property Management

A homeowners association is either self-managed, or the Board of Directors partners with a property management company for assistance with day-to-day operations, homeowner communications, and financial management. The important thing to remember is that the property management company doesn’t run or make decisions for the HOA; your volunteer homeowner Board does. A good property management company will advise the Boards it serves and provide high-quality customer service to the homeowners in the community.

HOA Fees

An important part of a homeowners association is the HOA dues (referred to as maintenance fees at Ghertner & Company) that each homeowner pays to the HOA. These dues help pay for things like the upkeep of common areas, insurance or community amenities. HOA dues are paid monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or annually, depending on the community’s governing documents. If you live in a Ghertner & Company-managed community, you can pay your dues through our web portal at www.ghertner.com/owner.

Rules and Regulations

In an effort to maintain property values in the community and make HOAs a safe, enjoyable place for everyone to live, governing documents outline the rules all owners must follow. For owners who have moved into a Ghertner & Company-managed community, you can view your rules and regulations on the web portal at www.ghertner.com/owner. For potential buyers, please visit https://associationlinks.ghertner.com/ to learn more about your HOA.

Common Amenities

Some communities offer pools, gyms, or clubhouses for all owners to share. It is important for all owners to abide by the rules for these areas. If your Ghertner & Company-managed community has one of these amenities and you need an amenity key, please visit www.poolkey.ghertner.com.

Neighbors and Community

The fun part about living in an HOA community is the people! Some HOAs have welcome committees to help you acclimate to your HOA or social committees that plan events for neighbors to attend. Take the time to participate in these events to get to know your neighbors, or volunteer for one of these committees to get involved.

July Fourth Holiday Brings Summer Fun!

Ghertner & Company associates recently enjoyed a company cookout to celebrate the July Fourth holiday. Different activities to promote patriotic fun included cookie decorating, an American trivia contest, a patriotic dress contest, and a competitive cornhole contest. Team members also enjoyed hamburgers, hotdogs and other summertime favorites including homemade ice cream at the cookout.

Ghertner & Company prioritizes employees’ personal and professional well-being and hosts team-building activities for its 150+ associates throughout the year. 

Attorney Panel Fields Managers’ Questions

Ghertner & Company managers, leadership and support team members benefitted from the June Law & Order: HOA workshop where a three-attorney panel fielded questions related to HOA matters.  Team members submitted questions and discussed challenges regarding annual meetings, ballots, proxies & electronic voting with attorneys Garrett Asher, Alvin Harris and Gerald Wigger. 

Five Reasons to Serve on Your HOA Board

Homeowners associations (HOAs) manage and maintain common areas, amenities and finances in a neighborhood or community. The Board of Directors is a group of homeowner volunteers who oversee these tasks and make important decisions on behalf of the community. Ghertner & Company partners with Boards in the communities we manage to advise on HOA issues, give day-to-day support, and provide training for Board members to learn more about the best ways to help their communities.

If you are a homeowner, joining the HOA Board can be a great way to get involved in your community. Some reasons to serve on your HOA’s Board include the following:

1. Have a say in decision-making: As a member of the Board, you will have a voice in important decisions that affect your community. You can help prioritize projects, allocate funds, and ensure that the community is being run in a way that benefits all residents.

2. Build relationships: Joining the Board is a great way to meet your neighbors and build relationships within your community. You can work closely with other Board members and residents who attend HOA meetings and events.

3. Gain valuable experience: Serving on the Board can provide valuable experience in leadership, decision-making, and communication. These skills can be useful in other areas of your personal and professional life.

4. Improve your community: By joining the Board, you can help improve your community in tangible ways. You can work to ensure that common areas are well-maintained, amenities are updated, and rules are enforced fairly.

5. Protect your investment: By participating in the Board, you can help protect your investment in your home. A well-managed HOA can help maintain (or increase) property values, attract new residents, and create a desirable living environment.

Joining your HOA Board is a rewarding experience that allows you to positively impact your community. If you are interested in getting involved, consider attending HOA meetings and speaking with current Board members to learn more about the responsibilities and opportunities for serving on the Board. You can also contact your Ghertner & Company Community Association Manager to learn more.

Better Health Promoted Among Associates

Over 40 associates took part in the 4th Annual Spring Fling 5k Walk/Run event held last month on the Cumberland River Greenway. This company-supported event is part of Ghertner & Company's wellness emphasis. The 5K promoted a healthier lifestyle by encouraging physical activity in the upcoming warmer months. Each participant was given a half-day of PTO, and the onsite raffle included other giveaways as an incentive.

Giving Back to Those Who Served

For their second quarter “Giving Back to the Community” charity, Ghertner & Company selected local non-profit, Matthew 25. Matthew 25 exists to provide housing, hope and healing to homeless veterans in Middle Tennessee. Their service-intensive transitional housing program offers a safe, sober and supportive living environment for men in need by providing beds, meals, counseling and job placement services.  Learn more at Matthew25Nashville.org.

Pictured at the $500 check presentation are Jim Ward, Matthew 25 Executive Director; Jaye Kloss, Ghertner & Company CAM Lead/Marketing; Patrick Landrum, Community Association Manager; and Matthew Miller, Matthew 25 Director of Development.

One way to get involved is through the organization’s Walk Through the Woods event on May 6. Find out more at https://secure.qgiv.com/event/walkinthewoods2023/.

Lenox Village HOA Meet and Greet

In January 2023, Ghertner & Company hosted a meet and greet with the Lenox Village HOA members at the Citipointe Church Nashville. Homeowners had the opportunity to learn more about HOA management services, including using the online owner portal and meeting the leadership team.  Insurance professionals were also in attendance. Representatives from Ghertner Maintenance and Remodeling shared how they could be resources for homeowners and the HOA.  Tiffany Putman is the community manager.

Lenox Village, located in South Nashville, is comprised of 1,089 single-family homes, condominiums, and apartments and includes several commercial enterprises to serve the community.   Recognized with the Smart Growth award from the Home Builders Association of Middle Tennessee, its 208-acre tract is Nashville’s first full-scale traditional neighborhood development.

Panel Featuring Attorneys Proves Helpful

Three attorneys specializing in homeowners association governing documents and common association issues were panel guests for a special Education and Development training for associates.  Representing three law firms used by Ghertner & Company, Garrett Asher, Alvin Harris, and Gerald Wigger discussed a wide variety of planned topics and fielded questions that resulted in a practical and lively workshop.

Murfreesboro Workshop: Code of Conduct

Over forty Board members and Ghertner & Company team members attended the February Leadership Training Workshop in Murfreesboro.  Participants were treated to a complimentary lunch at the Hampton Inn, while learning more about developing a code of conduct for Board members.  The presentation and ensuing discussion focused on the basic factors of an official Code of Conduct and how it will benefit the Board and Homeowners. 

Ghertner & Company Director of Development and Training, Kathleen Sutherland, CMCA, AMS, PCAM, presented the workshop and led the Q&A session.

Plant Native Shrubs When Replacing Dead Evergreens

The flash freeze in December in Middle Tennessee killed many exotic evergreen shrubs.  Naturalist and author, Joanna Brichetto, makes a strong appeal for choosing certain deciduous and evergreen shrubs in her article, “Skip the Skip Laurel, Say No to Nandina: Choose Native”.  She includes an extensive list of the names of shrubs to look for and locations where these can be purchased.  As a member of the Middle Tennessee Chapter of Wild Ones and of the Tennessee Native Plant Society, she shares factors to consider when choosing plants and the reasons why ‘choosing native plants’ plays an important role in our environment. The following is an excerpt:

 “If your exotic evergreens are now “ever-brown” from the recent freeze, this is an ideal time to upgrade to natives. It doesn’t make sense to simply plant more of the same: the same non-native foundation shrubs that are anything but foundational to our ecosystem. Laurel, boxwood, nandina, Chinese holly, euonymus, false cypress, red-tips, Japanese cedar, and so forth: plants that evolved with creatures and conditions on different continents. What we need in Tennessee are more shrubs that evolved nearby. Native shrubs can be more likely to survive extreme weather, year-round. And most importantly, natives are the only sustainable choice: they contribute to local foodwebs in countless, critical ways that non-native plants cannot. 

 But, which native shrubs give us the color, texture, and size we want, while giving birds, bees, and butterflies what they need?”

 Read the entire article at https://ghertner.com/sustainability/sustainability-articles.

 As part of Ghertner & Company’s commitment to sustainability in middle Tennessee and managed communities, our website has many other resources at Ghertner.com/sustainability. 

Unique Amenity for Downtown HOA

The Muse, featuring 56 condominium homes in the heart of Nashville, has added to its uniqueness of a mixed residential and commercial space with the opening of The Drip Bar.  This onsite business allows residents and guests to schedule vitamin therapy treatments to increase energy and improve overall health.

Chanel Mumford is the Community Association Manager. 

State Representative Freeman Speaks at CAI Event

The Tennessee Chapter of the Community Associations Institute (CAI) began the year with a record attendance for the January lunch meeting.  Featured speaker, State Representative Bob Freeman, addressed topics and issues relevant to middle Tennessee and the state such as, taxes, infrastructure, traffic, and political dynamics.  Many Ghertner & Company managers and associates were present as part of the company’s ongoing investment as industry leaders. 

CAI is dedicated to enhancing the quality of community association living through education, legal advocacy, professional development and networking opportunities.  Learn more at CAITN.org.

Top Five Reasons to Love Your HOA

While living in a homeowners association (HOA) does have rules and regulations for residents to follow, there are also great benefits to living in an HOA. From protecting home values to fostering community, HOA living does have its advantages, and understanding them will help you appreciate your HOA more.

1. It protects your home value (and may even increase it).

According to the July 2019 Journal of Urban Economics, “houses in HOAs have prices that are on average at least 4%, or $13,500, greater than observably similar houses outside of HOAs”. In addition, a 2022 Homeowner Satisfaction Survey by the Foundation for Community Association Research (FACR) revealed that 68% percent of homeowners in HOAs believe their association’s rules protect and enhance property values. The same FCAR survey found that 89% of homeowners rated their overall experience of HOA living as “very good or good” (67%) or “neutral” (22%).

2. It keeps your community looking clean and in tip-top shape.

When your Board of Directors employs a HOA management company, it can help with day-to-day activities like maintaining front entry signage, common areas, and community amenities. In addition, community rules (outlined in your governing documents) establish individual home maintenance and appearance standards that all homeowners must abide by. 

3. You can enjoy community amenities.

From the pool to your clubhouse or walking trails and gyms, some HOAs provide generous community amenities for all residents to enjoy. If your community has an amenity to enjoy, follow all rules while you utilize it.

4. Your HOA allows you to know your neighbors better and be social.

The heart of a homeowners association is the community! Many HOAs have welcome committees to welcome new neighbors or social committees that plan events for neighbors to gather and get to know each other better. Some communities Ghertner & Company manages host holiday parties, community breakfasts and pool parties to kick off or end the pool season. If your HOA doesn’t have a social committee or welcome committee, contact your Community Association Manager and they can ask your Board about starting one.

5. Your HOA is your voice in the city you live in.

HOA management companies and HOA leaders monitor important HOA issues and legislation in your city and state that affect homeowners associations, such as restrictions on leasing and large leasing companies owning homes in HOAs.

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Do you want to learn more about your homeowners association? Log into your Ghertner & Company owner portal today at ghertner.com/owner to view association documents and the community calendar or make a payment.

Successful Board Member Training Event

Ghertner & Company’s Board Leadership Training kicked off in Murfreesboro in 2023 after a successful training session in the area at the end of 2022. Around forty-five Board members and several community association managers attended. January’s topic was Strategic Planning and Board Dynamics led by industry leader Kathleen Sutherland, Director of Training and Development.

Board members participated by creating community goals and plans to achieve them this year utilizing Board member strengths, available funding, and community dynamics.

Ghertner & Company provides monthly leadership training for its HOA Board members, free of charge, with a complimentary lunch to support the volunteers in this critical role.  For more information, contact your community association manager.

Annual Partnership Benefits Children

Our Kids Center is a Middle Tennessee nonprofit that provides expert medical evaluations and crisis counseling in response to concerns of child sexual abuse in a compassionate environment. Our Kids is dedicated to increasing community awareness of child sexual abuse, conducting research, and offering education and training about the issue in 47 counties. 

Each year, Ghertner & Company associates collect and donate much-needed resources in support of their work in the community as part of its Giving Back initiative.  Executive Director Sue Ford White and Development and Communications Coordinator Jill Martindale received the donation on behalf of Our Kids.

Nichols Vale Community Hosts Diwali Event

Homeowners in the Nichols Vale HOA in Mount Juliet celebrated Diwali in October. Diwali is an Indian holiday celebrating light overcoming darkness. Homeowners celebrated with food, dancing, and other activities.

The Mount Juliet Police Department was invited to participate in the festivities, and homeowners recognized them for their efforts to protect the city. The mayor of Mount Juliet also attended.

Demetria Nunley is the Community Association Manager for Nichols Vale.

Christmas Party at Cool Springs East Brings Neighbors Together

Cool Springs East HOA in Franklin recently celebrated Christmas as a community on December 11. There were activities for homeowners and residents of all ages, including cookie decorating, reindeer food-making, and a gingerbread house decorating contest. A quartet from Ravenwood High School performed Christmas carols. Santa made a visit to the neighborhood to attend the event and meet the youngest residents to hear their Christmas wishes.

Jennifer Williams is the Community Association Manager for Cool Springs East.