So far so good outside management company

We took our time getting an outside management company. They started October 1, 2013. We are still in the transition month, but so far everything looks great. The President of the ocmpany will be here every Fri morning for our coffee hour to give a report.

Because the management company was on the job a problem was nipped in the bud.

The president has even offered to host a gathering for our members in November or December so that everyone has a chance to meet him. He will provied the refreshments.

His bid was not the lowest bid, but the board believes it was the best bid for the services he provides.

In my opinion our former President is just looking at the bid price and disappointed that we did not go with the lowest bidder.

I never ever ever want to be on a Board of a Condominium that is "self managed" We don't have the knowledge, time, or physical ability to do a good job.

Self management may work okay for younger communities, but definitely not for our senior community.

We are not planning or relying entirely on the PM. There will be a 30 day revies for the first three months. If the PM is not working we are free of the contract with the PM. But I REALLY REALLY WANT THE PM TO SUCEED and so far it looks like he will.

We are having a budget meeting Tuesday. When I first bacame a Board Member it seemed to me that "budget" was a dirty word to the current board members (who are no longer on the Board). I figured a "budget" by myself and presented it to the Board who approved it without much thought going into the process.

Good luck Bonnie
Our experience proves that bids can vary significantly and so can the quality of service provided.

Bonnie,

If your new manager is giving a better value than the low bidding company, then your board made the correct hiring decision. The low bid is not a best bid if the lower price equates to lesser service, a point we all know and some people won't recognize. Nice job to weed through pricing versus value and make a solid decision.