Community amenities are one of the best ways to attract people to your homeowners’ association (HOA). Apart from basic conveniences that boost your community’s overall appeal, providing trendy and competitive HOA amenities can also significantly increase the value of your property. Current residents will feel valued while prospective tenants will be drawn to your community. If you’re looking to raise the bar, here are the best HOA amenities to have in your neighborhood.
How Do HOA Amenities Benefit the Community?
Homeowners decide to join communities that meet their needs and expectations. And in recent years, people have come to expect HOAs to provide neighborhood amenities that they can enjoy. Apart from convenience, HOA amenities provide residents with many other benefits.
Amenities such as function halls, playgrounds, parks, and fitness centers help increase community engagement and involvement. Residents can meet their neighbors when they come to these communal spaces. Parents can socialize with each other while their children play together in the park. Fitness buffs can meet neighbors who share the same interests while working out in the gym. The entire community can also get together while attending HOA-hosted activities in the function halls.
It’s important for residents to know who their neighbors are. They will have someone to call on in times of need or emergencies. Positive interaction among residents creates a warm and inviting atmosphere. Homeowners can talk to each other to settle disputes, rather than escalating these matters to the HOA.
HOA amenities can also improve security in the community. If everyone knows each other, homeowners will have an easier time identifying strangers or outsiders. Residents will be able to feel safe in their community.
9 Must-Have HOA Amenities
Consider these amenities for your HOA community:
1. Fitness Center
Due to the prevalence of obesity and other diseases today, Americans are becoming more health-conscious. Having a fitness center will help community members meet their health and fitness goals. Residents won’t have to leave HOA premises and pay expensive gym membership fees to stay healthy. They can simply use the fitness equipment inside your gym.
You can offer exercise classes for residents who don’t like to use heavy equipment. Yoga, Zumba, and other aerobic exercises keep residents active and motivated even during the colder months. Fitness classes not only promote the health of your residents, but they’re also a great way to bring the community together.
2. Outdoor Recreation
Many residents enjoy spending time outdoors — whether it’s to work out or simply destress and relax. The HOA can create open spaces with beautiful landscaping. If there is ample space, you can construct hiking or biking trails around the property. HOAs may also offer a basketball or tennis court, a swimming pool, and outdoor fitness stations.
3. HOA Child-Friendly Amenities
Many young families today are interested in becoming part of a great HOA community. One of the best ways to attract these high-quality residents is to offer child-friendly amenities. Indoor and outdoor play areas are a great place for children to stay active. Game rooms and educational entertainment centers are also trendy amenities that your HOA might want to consider.
Children can spend time in these areas instead of staying at home. Parents feel confident that their kids are in a safe and secure place. Children who live in the same community and likely attend the same schools can develop meaningful friendships.
4. HOA Pet-Friendly Amenities
More people are now looking for HOAs that have dedicated spaces for pets. The popularity of pet amenities isn’t surprising since 67% of U.S. households have pets.
Your HOA can build an off-leash dog park where residents can have their pets run and exercise safely. Just make sure that the space is adequate and not too near the residences.
Other pet-friendly amenities include dog-friendly hiking trails, pet waste stations, and pet services such as a veterinary clinic, doggy daycare, or a grooming salon. The HOA board can also host pet parades, dog fun runs, and dog socials.
5. Village Center
Larger communities may consider having a village center as part of their HOA amenities. The structure can lease spaces to services, such as coffee shops, convenience stores, laundromats, and the like. Having these services allows homeowners to accomplish tasks without having to leave the community. Residents won’t need to make late-night shopping trips in case they forgot something during the day.
6. Picnic Tables and Barbecue Area
There’s nothing better than an outdoor picnic or barbecue on a bright, sunny day. Residents have the chance to enjoy the warm weather if your HOA offers a picnic area with tables and barbecues. Families can have a space to bond and enjoy each other’s company. Residents can also socialize with each other while having barbecue parties.
7. Co-Working Space and Great Connectivity
People have come to expect technological conveniences in their community. You might already have fast internet service, cell phone reception, and a business center that offers computer and printing services. If you want your HOA to stand out from the rest, you can include HOA amenities like a co-working space. A co-working space is very beneficial if you have residents that work from home, run their own businesses, or professionals that need a temporary office space.
 8. Environment-Friendly Amenities
With the awareness of environmental concerns on the rise, more residents are searching for places to live that offer green amenities. Recycling bins, compost bins, and rainwater collectors are easy additions that can make your environmentally-conscious residents happy.
You can also consider a community garden where residents can grow their own produce. Solar paneling, LED lights, and water-conserving sprinkler systems are also great additions that will save you, and your residents, money in the long run.
9. Concierge Services
If there is a demand for it, HOA communities might want to offer concierge services. You can have a concierge or front-desk attendant in your clubhouse. Residents can avail of their services if they have certain requests or needs.
As an alternative, you can choose an HOA management company that can help both the board and homeowners. An HOA manager can also take over administrative, financial, and other community-related matters. This lessens the burden on the board members but keeps homeowners happy and content.
Choose HOA Amenities That Suit Your Community
You can choose to incorporate a wide range of HOA amenities in your community. Just remember to keep in mind the lifestyle and interests of your homeowners. A community with mostly senior residents will have different needs from a community with young families or single professionals. As long as you accommodate the needs of your residents, they will feel happy in your community. Having modern amenities will also communicate to new residents that your HOA is well-managed.
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