FAQs About Our HOA & Property Management Services
Find answers to common questions about Sharper Management’s HOA and property management services, including our ownership structure, experience, services offered, community management practices, financial procedures, and homeowner support.
Company Overview
What is the ownership structure of the Company?
Sharper’s leadership team is made up of two owners with unique backgrounds and skill sets, which we believe serves you well:
- Dan Cunningham, Esq. – Chief Executive & Operations Officer
- Nick Schilling – Chief Financial & Information Officer
How many people does the Company employ?
Sharper has over 40 full-time core employees and 30 on-site staff.
How long has the Company been managing Community Associations?
Sharper was formed and has been in association management since 2009.
What is the age of key managers/owners of the Company?
We are a “younger” company, with ownership and key managers ranging in age from 30-50 years old. We pride ourselves on creating an environment of ambition and innovation, backed by key managers and leaders with a depth and breadth of experience.
Current Client Overview
How many HOA’s does the Company manage?
We manage just over 200 Associations consisting of 11,000+ units in the Twin Cities Metro area.
What is the turnover rate of HOA’s managed by the Company?
Turnover is low, with an average of three contracts terminated per year- some by the client and some by Sharper.
How many of the Community Associations have extra amenities such as a clubhouse or pool?
We manage dozens of properties with pools, and over 50 properties with other shared amenities such as a
clubhouse or guest suite.
Can you provide a list of Community Associations you manage of a similar size along with contact information for the Board President?
References are available upon request.
Financial Management
What do your accounting and finance practices look like?
We believe our accounting systems and approach are the best in the industry. Accuracy, transparency, and accessibility are our ultimate goals.
Our system allows 24/7 real-time accounting access to all Board members, ensuring complete transparency and ease of use. Reports such as Income Statements, Balance Sheets, and more can be pulled at any time by any Board member. Expenses and income are tracked in real time.
Financial audits, reviews, and taxes are handled by several independent CPA firms, many of whom have access to our system to expedite the process.
What is your process and timing for budgeting?
The budgeting process and timeline depend on your Association’s fiscal year and Governing Documents.
Typically, a draft budget is prepared by the manager 60-90 days before the fiscal year ends. This draft includes a list of line item variances and a description of any increases or decreases.
The final budget is usually proposed and approved by the Board at a meeting 30-45 days before the fiscal year ends. This timeline allows for the required 30-day notice of dues changes to be provided to homeowners.
Do we have to use a specific bank and what are the fees?
We require that operating funds be held with Alliance Association Bank, as their system integrates efficiently with ours. Additionally, there are no fees for banking with them.
Reserve funds, however, may be held at any financial institution of the Association’s choosing.
Board Of Directors Support
How frequently do you meet with the Board?
The number of meetings per year is negotiable with the Management Agreement and is often dictated by your Community Association’s Governing Documents.
In addition, our Community Managers work hard to keep owners and Board members up-to-date on all activities surrounding your Association through emails, announcements on the website, and thorough Board Meeting Management Reports.
What advice and counsel do you provide with respect to maintenance, reserve studies, legal issues, investments, etc.?
Board training and education are very important to us.
Our Community Managers strive to teach their Boards how to be an effective and efficient governing body. We also provide quarterly board training events and quarterly newsletters for Board members, covering important topics and helpful hints.
How do you interact with Board Committees?
We typically do not get involved in Committee activity unless the Management Agreement spells it out. We
always recommend a Board member liaison to committees.
In your experience, what are the major issues confronted by Community Associations today and how does your Company assist with the resolution of those issues?
There are a number of common issues facing Associations today.
Reserve funding and planning are always a challenge when setting annual dues. We recommend that the Board engage in a professional Reserve Study if one is not already in place. Our Community Managers are well-versed in implementing and advising Boards on how to use these studies effectively.
Contractor pricing and availability are also rapidly becoming concerns as the economy changes. As a respected management company, we are well-positioned to leverage and manage contractors. Additionally, we have a vast network of contractors across various fields, ensuring that necessary work gets done.
Finally, the legislative landscape for Common Interest Communities in Minnesota continues to evolve. We work hard to stay informed and involved, ensuring that our Associations operate appropriately.
Homeowner Interactions
What is your typical interaction with and response time to homeowners?
Through our 24/7 phone line, email system, and website capabilities, we provide homeowners with multiple avenues of communication.
We maintain a 24-hour policy for returning phone calls and a 48-hour policy for responding to emails.
How do you keep the Board informed regarding homeowner communications/complaints?
One feature we are proud of, and which gives us a unique competitive advantage, is our “Task” system.
Homeowners, Board members, or Sharper staff can create a task online, which is then assigned to the appropriate party in our office. The task is updated and tracked at each step, ensuring transparency for the originator and all involved.
What methods are available for homeowners to contact you with questions or concerns?
We have a fully staffed, in-house Client Care Department answering calls and emails all day, every day.
Expedited communication is a core value.
What payment methods are available for homeowners to pay their monthly assessments?
Payment can be made by coupon book
Miscellaneous
What are your disaster response procedures?
Our 24/7 emergency line allows homeowners to reach the appropriate person during emergencies.
Once an issue is identified as a true emergency, the Community Manager is contacted to determine the appropriate action.
Do you manage the Community’s website?
All homeowners in the Community are provided with web portal access that we maintain.
The secure website is exclusively accessible to Association homeowners and is specific to their accounts. Through the portal, they can view their dues balance, pay dues, access Association documents, review Association contracts, monitor or create Tasks, and more.
Developing Communities
What can we expect from Sharper’s New Construction Team?
Effective community management starts well before the first homeowners move in.
Our dedicated team provides pre-management services, assists with budget creation, reviews governing documents, and conducts inspections of common areas prior to Association acceptance. We communicate closely with your trade partners, assist in the closing process, and facilitate pre- and post-turnover meetings. We ensure a smooth transition from construction to homeowner occupancy.
What areas of the Twin Cities and types of HOAs do you manage?
We proudly serve the entire Twin Cities metro area, extending beyond the 494/694 loop.
Our management portfolio includes properties in areas such as Lake Elmo, Forest Lake, Apple Valley/Lakeville, Prior Lake/Savage/Shakopee, St. Michael, Zimmerman, and Delano. We manage a variety of communities, including single-family homes, condominiums, attached products (townhomes, quad homes, twinhomes), and master-planned and mixed-use communities.
What kind of construction knowledge does the Sharper team have?
Our team brings over 40 years of combined experience in property management for associations and commercial real estate.
Through active engagement and ongoing company-wide continuing education and training, we consistently excel in early HOA planning, problem-solving, and delivering outstanding customer service. We anticipate the needs of HOA communities in advance and address potential issues before they become bigger problems.
How often are you onsite?
We are onsite regularly to monitor the development of the communities.
During our visits, we verify the workmanship of the HOA’s vendors, assess the overall appearance of the community, and provide detailed reports based on our inspections. These reports are tailored to meet your specific needs and expectations, ensuring you have a comprehensive understanding of the HOA rollout.
What type of vendors do you work with?
We collaborate with a diverse range of vendors who specialize in servicing builders and developers.
This includes experts in landscaping, snow removal, irrigation, pond and wetland maintenance, asphalt, concrete, roofing, and siding. These vendors understand the unique needs of builders and developers and maintain regular communication with our team to ensure that Association-managed maintenance is completed efficiently and to the highest standards.
What about accounting and budgeting, your website, turnover process, and new owner assistance?
We specialize in budget creation, calculating builder and Declarant dues, and managing turnover processes.
We also provide crucial information and assistance for new homeowners, ensuring they understand the rules, regulations, and the various entities involved with their new HOA community. We focus on offering a friendly, helpful resource, even if it’s simply connecting new owners with their builder to answer questions about their new home.