As expected, Horry County sits atop the list of the highest number of HOA complaints received over a 5 year period, from 2018 to 2022. No surprise to those of us in the industry, and in Horry County's defense, this is analogous to the annual increase of shark attacks across the world. Simply, Horry County boasts among the highest amount of homeowners associations per capita, among South Carolina counties. Therefore, the higher the number of active associations, the higher the number of complaints, generally speaking. As the article relates, again, at no surprise, "The top complaint concerns were failure to follow and/or enforce covenants and bylaws at 24%, followed by maintenance or repairs at 14%, and a failure to notify residents of Board actions at 11% of all complaints."
The frustrating aspect of this growing problem is that many of the worst offenders among the property management companies who represent these associations is that they continue to thrive and prosper. Despite horrid Google + business page reviews, as well as negative consumer reviews across all rating platforms, these companies continue to be dropped by association boards of directors, only to be picked up by yet another association, desperate for a better management partner. This is precisely the reason that, dating back many years ago, IMS transitioned from a property services organization, to a multi-service property management company. Our frustrations with the ineptitude and overall lack of caring about the owners, guests, and contractors shown by many of these offenders in Horry County, prompted us to 1) Stop conducting business with these organizations, 2) Instead of complaining about the situation, do something productive about the situation, and provide better to all as a property manager.
Just yesterday, while enjoying an amazing Myrtle Beach day at our HOA's swimming pool, we engaged in a great conversation with a homeowner, who resides here year round. After sharing that we are a property management company, he began describing, in great detail, the ineptitude and lack of genuine caring mentioned above, which he stated is pervasive with the management company who oversees our community, and association. He stated, and we hear this daily, "I cannot get anyone from ______ to return a telephone call or an email. These types of comments are so frustrating to IMS, because we so deeply care about our beloved industry, and we work so very hard to create a business relationship which is the polar opposite of his and so many other's experience. The situation is disheartening as it gives all of us in the property management industry a negative reputation. Over and over, people share comments with us on Facebook groups involving rental property, and we read the negative comments about many management organizations in Horry County.
As the report clearly shows, this situation is only going to continue to worsen. As the population of the greater Myrtle Beach area continues to explode, with a multi-year average of fifty-five people per day relocating to the Myrtle Beach area, these statistics will continue to increase. As the building of assets to house this continued massive influx of new residents persists, new HOAs are being formed monthly and annually. Those companies responsible for creating and perpetuating this issue will continue, as they continue to add new associations to their portfolio. The problem will only continue to become more prevalent, and rampant lack of caring, failure to govern and enforce HOA rules and regulations and bi laws will continue. Telephone calls and emails from homeowners and tenants to their property manager will continue to go unanswered.
But every cloud has a silver lining. Integrity Management Systems continues our mission to be the best property manager in the greater Myrtle Beach area. Fortunately for the property asset owners we partner with, as well as the amazing tenants we provide rental assets, for their living and business purposes, there is great hope for the future. Integrity Management Systems, LLC will continue to hold near and dear the integrity, high character, and undying commitment to business ethics we have embraced for nearly a quarter of a century. IMS will continue to operate in a world of complete business transparency, absence of any "small print", surprise fees, and we will continue to aggressively manage the assets under our care. IMS will continue to stand behind the brand we created long ago, and as a property management partner, and landlord liaison to our wonderful tenants, we will work diligently alongside everyone we conduct business with. We will never be perfect, but we will be perfect in caring for the assets we manage, and those we conduct business with, at all levels.
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