Owning a home has long been considered the quintessential American dream: a two-story home with a white picket fence and 2.5 children--give or take a mini-van and Golden Retriever. But with that home and yard come lots of maintenance, repairs and renovations.
Today, many people are opting out of the traditional idea of homeownership and signing up for the new, 21st century version—Homeownership 2.0 … better known as Maintenance-Free Living.
Betty Reese, Community Association Management – a Division of Old Dominion Realty, Harrisonburg, recently joined the elite group of community association managers who have earned the Association Management Specialist (AMS) credential from Community Associations Institute (CAI). Reese is one of more than 6,000 managers worldwide who have earned this prestigious designation.
Reese is an area resident and has managed local community associations over the past five years and is also a local real estate agent with Old Dominion Realty. She currently manages eleven associations including one at Smith Mountain Lake area.
To earn the AMS credential, managers must have at least two years of experience in community association management and complete advanced course work. In addition, they must have already earned the basic industry certification for managers – the Certified Manager of Community Associations credential.
"Professionals who earn CAI credential maximize the value they can provide to their community association clients," said CAI Chief Executive Officer Thomas M. Skiba, CAE, "Not only have these professionals demonstrated a personal commitment to self-improvement, but they have also elevated their practical knowledge and expertise. That's what all community associations need, and what board members and residents deserve."
Professional managers provide administrative, operational and managerial counsel to the boards that govern homeowners associations. Mangers typically are responsible for managing budgets and contractors, directing association personnel and overseeing compliance with association covenants and restrictions.
CAI is a national organization dedicated to building better communities. More than 60 million Americans live in an estimated 315,000 association-governed communities.
CAI and it 60 chapters work on behalf of the professionals and volunteers engaged in the management and governance of homeowner associations, cooperatives and other planned communities. CAI's nearly 32,000 members include community association volunteer leaders, managers, management companies and businesses that provide products and services to these communities.
About Old Dominion Realty
Old Dominion Realty, Inc. was founded by Clyde Pugh in 1962. The company moved its office from Bridgewater, Virginia 1972 to South Main Street, in Harrisonburg, Virginia where the corporate office remains today.
Old Dominion Realty Inc. is a full-service established regional real estate firm offering residential real estate services, property management, residential and commercial appraisal services, consulting, relocation services, and commercial sales and leasing services. Affiliated services include auction services, mortgage services and settlement/title services, (VA Offices).