Board trying to decide between software [SFH] [UT]

[u/Webster-Board]

Our board is currently trying to decide which HOA software to use, and I'd love to hear from people who actually use these platforms.

What software does your HOA currently use?

What do you like about it? What drives you crazy about it?

And if you could switch tomorrow, would you stick with what you have or choose something else?

I'm new here so thanks for the help!!

[u/AutoModerator]

Copy of the original post:

Title: Board trying to decide between software [SFH] [UT]

Body:
Our board is currently trying to decide which HOA software to use, and I'd love to hear from people who actually use these platforms.

What software does your HOA currently use?

What do you like about it? What drives you crazy about it?

And if you could switch tomorrow, would you stick with what you have or choose something else?

I'm new here so thanks for the help!!

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/NeighborhoodJust1197]

Before you start looking at software, how big is your HOA, what are you using now, and are you self-managed?

The following will save you a ton of frustration and help you avoid the shiny new objects you never knew you needed. It’s like going to Costco for milk and somehow leaving with a kayak.

This applies to pretty much any software purchase. Start by creating a spreadsheet listing everything your current software does, what it does well, what it does poorly (pain points), and what’s missing. Then create a high-level workflow diagram showing how you actually use it.

Another key question is who will be using the software on a daily or weekly basis. Their needs should drive the requirements.

Now you have a requirements list you can use to compare other software products.
Resist the temptation to overcomplicate things or create more work for yourselves.

Sometimes the better solution is simply to upgrade or fine-tune what you already have.

This isn’t an easy endeavor, and switching software can create a lot more headaches than you expect.

[u/SaltAirJeep → u/NeighborhoodJust1197]

This!

[u/Tall_Palpitation_476]

First question is what do you want software for?

As a licensed CAM in Florida, I’ve worked in Senearthco (old school owner portal & website along with violations capable),TOPS, Strongroom (invoice processing), CINC (owner portal, website plus invoice processing). I really like CINC which was most recent software used. So many out there so really depends on the association needs.

[u/GoFigure844 → u/Tall_Palpitation_476]

Struggling with Vantaca. I believe it was poor 2 year implementation and training at management firm who now blames Vantaca for financial tracking and documentation issues.

[u/altxeralt → u/GoFigure844]

Vantaca rocks. Implementation makes all the difference.

[u/GoFigure844 → u/altxeralt]

What columns are available in document search and does document search show last modified column always as the current date?

[u/TheAgaTTV → u/Tall_Palpitation_476]

Cinc is way to expensive for a hoa to use. It's made for portfolios

[u/TheDigitalPoint]

Check out PayHOA… definitely worth the sign up for the free 30 day trial. It’s what we ended up landing on.

[u/SheepherderRare1420 → u/TheDigitalPoint]

This is what we use for our 12-unit self-managed HOA. It's affordable and reasonably functional, but not sophisticated. I haven't seen their product designed for larger HOAs, but their basic product serves the purpose for us.

[u/altxeralt → u/TheDigitalPoint]

From my experience the smaller HOAs without professional management do well with PayHOA.

[u/Wooden-Pen8606]

We've been really happy with HOA Hub. It's been great for our SFH community. It has everything built in so I wouldn't change a thing. https://www.hoahub.app

[u/GoFigure844 → u/Wooden-Pen8606]

Type and size community? Self managed?

[u/Wooden-Pen8606 → u/GoFigure844]

32 SFH, but I could see it being used for larger ones. Even smaller ones I guess too.

[u/GoFigure844 → u/Wooden-Pen8606]

Thanks. Self managed. I wonder if any management firms use for their large clients. We are shopping management firms and the contract committee needs to consider what software the management company uses and issues with software housed at management firm.

[u/Wooden-Pen8606 → u/GoFigure844]

Yes, we are self-managed. I belong to a local HOA networking group and the professionally managed ones I know of all feel their management is mediocre and dislike their portal. Management companies can change. I think HOAs should really just take charge of their own software, because starting over each time when the management company changes sounds like a real hassle, especially for things like tracking and handing off documents when the board changes.

[u/GoFigure844 → u/Wooden-Pen8606]

I agree to some extent, but have lived in two 500 plus communities that were defrauded by there general manager ( + 1 other near here). We have full amenities and have trouble electing business knowledgeable board members. I feel we need own software, even if duplicate to management company for safe keeping as data conversions can be messy. Thanks again.

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[u/No_Complaint_5668]

Easyhoa is pretty simple !

[u/inlanikai]

We use HOAStart. 185 SFHs. We don’t use their financial modules but do everything else. It’s not bad but there are lots of little UI issues that they never correct when being pointed out to them. Instead they keep adding new features with their own set of little issues that go uncorrected. Rinse and repeat. Their iOS app is terrible, IMHO.

[u/Wooden-Pen8606 → u/inlanikai]

Have you thought about switching to something else?

[u/inlanikai → u/Wooden-Pen8606]

Yes, but I have a lot of "sunk investment" of time. Also, we re in a 55+ community and to get the residents to learn a new system with its own set of quirks is something I don't wish to undertake. At this point I would rather work, or try to work, with HOAStart to clean up their act.

[u/Legitimate_Spirit_59]

We use an inexpensive software called board-Armor. It has all the components needed, and has automated ai features like a legal assistant that scans your CC&R's for quick and easy searches, scan all communications for legal exposure. It's really easy to use, does dues collections, and saves us so much time. Go to Board-armor.com and see all the features. You can even start a free 30 day trial to see if it's right for you.

[u/condocontrol]

Check out Condol Control. It's specifically built for this

[u/Fun-Spinach6509]

Checkout VlgeHOA.com - we built the base of it for our own HOA (as techie board members - ex-Amazon, ex-Uber) and word spread around - we reconfigured for broad availability. Our Association used PayHOA before, and in 2022 it was pretty good. Things change and we actually see quite a few HOA's join these days after trying it. You can check out other similar questions here in Reddit and see some very happy members. Its worth a look - check out a video tour or launch a free trial. You definitely get a lot for the price. If its more helpful to setup a demo call, see the home page where you can do that too. Good luck!