Let’s depart for moment from the everyday antics at the Statehouse and the struggles and worries of board governance, and take a step back to look at the big picture of common interest community living.  Sometimes we think living in a condominium or an HOA is a particular kind of torture, and to be sure, there are moments when we wish we were living somewhere else, like on a farm in Sweden.

But here are some comforting statistics about living in a community association taken from the recent satisfaction and statistical surveys conducted by the Community Associations Institute (CAI):

More than 70 million people call community associations (homeowner associations, condominiums, and housing cooperatives) home. And, they love it! 85% of residents rate their overall community association experience as positive or neutral, and 90% say their association's rules enhance property values, according to the CAI 2018 Homeowner Satisfaction Survey.

Currently, 27% of the population of the US live in community associations, according to CAI’s National and State Statistical Review for 2018.  And the number is projected to increase to 50% by 2040.  

In 2018, Ohio had 8,475 community associations comprising 1,614,000 residents.  Not surprisingly, Florida leads the nation with 48,250 community associations.

More fun facts:  84% of residents say their elected boards absolutely, or for the most part, serve the best interests of their communities.  81% say they are on friendly terms with their association board.  81% of residents who had direct contact with their community manager say it was a positive experience, and 73% of residents say their managers provide value and support to the residents and the association.  60% of residents say their assessments are just the right amount or too little.

If you are not one of these satisfied homeowners, then I have a little farm in Sweden I’d like to sell you.  Otherwise, you can call Williams & Strohm to discuss any of your community association problems.  614-228-0207.