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Debra Warren, CMCA®, CCAM®, PCAM® Vice President of Education There's a lot of excitement in the community association industry right now. And rightfully so. There are many interesting changes brewing that will disrupt how board and homeowners lead and live in community. But before we dive into the specifics, it's important that we establish context by examining the state of communities today and the overall environment in which they exist to help us fully grasp just why new changes are taking place. The good news is that associations are thriving – they've grown explosively over the decades from just 10,000 in 1970 to 342,000 in 2016 according to the Community Associations Institute (CAI). That's an increase from 2.1 million residents to 69 million residents choosing the benefits of managed communities over traditional communities over the last 46 years. But why? Here are a few factors have helped influence those numbers. 1. VALUE: Homes in managed communities are worth 5 to 6 percent more than their equivalent counterparts in traditional communities. Because associations were originally created to protect home values and they've proven their success in achieving this goal, homeowners still flock to communities to reap this reward. A friendly legislative environment has also continued to give associations and board members the necessary freedom to make decisions that preserve these values. 2. EFFICIENCY: As we examine at what will change for communities in the future, it's important to remember a board's fiduciary duty remains the same. Fulfilling your fiduciary duty includes tasks like: connecting with vendors, organizing and storing sensitive homeowner and financial data and sharing important community information like assessment reminders, violation notices and more—all the things that make the community run smoothly. In order to do this efficiently, associations have always had to seek the best available tools on the market and as boards evaluate products that promise to make leading their community faster, easier and less expensive, the future belongs to those that make sound choices about their community's technology solutions today. 3. CONNECTEDNESS: Finally, people across the world are seeking the cure to a silent epidemic: loneliness. While social media has created an opportunity for connection, it's also enabled people to interact with devices more than they interact with one another. The resultant longing for connection has driven people to seek out community more than ever. Couple this need for true connection with the need for technology that drives community efficiency and you can see that boards and homeowners will be looking for creative ways to connect with each other and create the sense of belonging we all want from the place we call home. While the forecast is sunny, there are a few new challenges boards will have to address in order to set their communities up for success moving forward. And, as you read this guide, keep these current realities in mind. Knowing our past and our present conditions and challenges will make the insights in the following pages much richer and more valuable to you as you prepare to lead your community into the future. Debra Warren, PCAM®, CCAM®, CMCA®, is the Vice President of Development for Associa. Her career in community association management spans over 25 years, including 15 years as a management firm principal and CEO. She is a nationally recognized expert in association management operations, specializing in education, communication and customer service. 2018 COMMUNITY FORECAST Sunny, With a Chance of Disruption: Three Factors Impacting the Changing Winds of Community Living ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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