Des Plaines, Illinois has many condominium buildings. They vary in number of units, much like the way our client-associations vary in number of units. It so happens that most of the associations Hillcrest manages in Des Plaines are on the larger side. As such, Des Plaines is a good example of the On-site Property Manager service that we offer.
Des Plaines Property Management
We will set up a management program that fits your Association’s needs.
How we're different.
Hillcrest Property Management is the only community property management company with a designated Property Inspector. The Property Inspector is available to supervise capital projects for associations at an additional fee for eligible associations. When an inspection is performed by either the Property Manager or the Property Inspection Services department, our Client Care team is notified immediately of any work orders that need to be issued.
We do not outsource our bookkeeping. This is very rare for even a full service property management company. We do all bookkeeping in-house.
In 2017, Hillcrest Property Management became the first in our industry in Illinois to offer a service to report delinquent homeowners to the credit bureau. For an additional fee, associations can utilize Sperlonga, an integrated service that helps decrease delinquencies, and assists the board in maintaining the lowest delinquent dollar amount possible.
Hillcrest's full service property management tailors each program to meet your association’s needs.
One of our values at Hillcrest is our people-centric culture. We value each other, and the results are clients achieve by working with us.
We follow each and every homeowner work order from start to finish, to be sure the vendor completed the work to satisfaction. Our Client Care department handles maintenance requests and work orders. We respond to maintenance requests by issuing work orders to the appropriate association-approved vendor. This department stays on top of the work orders to ensure quality work in a reasonable time frame. We have a 95% completion rate with diverse types of work orders, within 30 days, from start to completion. Client Care also follows up with the homeowner to verify the performed work met their expectations.
Clients also often choose us because of our robust, homeowner-friendly software. For example, our management software enables us to:
- document inquiries from homeowners that may be used for later reference
- prepare and document violation notices
- stay up to date with current homeowner information
- prepare association-related correspondence to an individual homeowner or the entire property
Our Teams
Property Managers
Our Licensed Property Managers are dedicated to the satisfaction of the Associations they manage. They receive comprehensive training and have solid experience in the industry to help them with innovative and responsive planning for all of your Association’s needs. The Property Manager assigned to your Association will act as a liaison for the Board of Directors, provide guidance for project needs and help with other various tasks to help you remain stress-free. Property Managers, and sometimes our Property Inspections Services department, perform building inspections to be proactive about the maintenance needs of an Association.
Staff Accountants
When it comes to finances, we want you to rest assured we can take care of them for you. Our staff accountants handle the accounts receivable and payable, monthly financial reports, billing statements and closing letters for the sale of a Unit.
Administrative Services
At the administrative level, we offer a variety of day-to-day operational services that help your Association run smoothly. Our management software enables us to do that. As part of our administrative services, we also prepare forms and reports for the Board, process and document resales according to Association standards, and maintain governing documents.
Maintenance Management Services
Hillcrest is committed to maintaining the integrity of your community. Our team will develop and administer preventive maintenance programs and inspect the common elements of your association. They will then report any maintenance needs directly to our Client Care department who issues work orders to the appropriate vendors. When the need arises, we will assist in securing qualified contractors and solicit bids for maintenance, capital repairs and the unfortunate unexpected repairs. Along with obtaining the bids, we will review them with the board and schedule the necessary work after the Board chooses a contractor.
Property Assistants & Client Care
To help assist the Property Manager, we have a department of experienced Property Assistants that are available Monday through Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm. They utilize our management software to assist in accurate record keeping for homeowners. Records include census and parking information, call logs, and more.
On-site Property Management
On-site property management is a great solution for associations with 200 to 1,000+ residential units. The reason is because these property managers are dedicated to a single community. They work out of on-site property management offices, and assist the association(s) in day-to-day operations.
Des Plaines condo associations we manage
Among the associations we manage in Des Plaines are several that:
- span dozens of acres
- have multiple associations within a community (because of their size)
- offer many amenities
Amenities these HOAs manage include:
- clubhouse or community center
- pool (lifeguard-staffed in some cases)
- locker rooms
- sauna
- tennis courts
- playgrounds
- fish-stocked lake
- paved path
The residents of our Des Plaines properties span all ages, including retirees, families with children, and college students. Many units are owner-occupied, while others are rented.
Our on-site team
Members of our on-site property management team in Des Plaines have tenure varying from a couple months to 30 years, in various capacities. On average, tenure is several years.
While some communities have a single manager, others have a team. Each individual on a team is assigned a sub-set of properties, or specific responsibilities. Team members also cover one other’s responsibilities when that manager is away from the office.
Feedback we have received in Des Plaines
We are proud that in 2018, for one of the largest properties we manage, the Cook County Inspectors said we are one of the best-maintained properties compared to the surrounding condominium buildings.
In a more recently-acquired association, the Board of Directors is happy specifically with how we do business according to the ILCA in enforcing rules and declarations and interacting with the association.
For a great story about the character of one of our Des Plaines property managers, Larry Bennett, see this blog post.
What “full-service” affords you
Clients of the Hillcrest Chicago team find that the value of each dollar they pay for management fees is far greater than what they’ve received from other association management companies in Chicago.
“When I worked with Caree, Board members were able to focus on our daily lives. Caree offers leadership and guidance. She doesn’t waste time and she will pull us in to make decisions when appropriate. I really like Caree’s philosophy about building management. She does not believe in having all the “extras” like the in-house technicians, plumbers, etc. She bids all that work out for us.”
What does full-service mean? Sure, Hillcrest can do your accounting, but we also do your budget, attend meetings, get proposals, and work tirelessly for the board. Plus, no matter how few units your property has, you will still be top priority for our Chicago-dedicated team. That means responding to your questions, needs, and maintenance calls quickly and attentively.
“Caree is top notch, and she was the absolute best I’ve worked with in all the years I’ve been on a condo board (18 years now!). Most of the time, the property managers have been “just ok”. But Caree stood out for me as my go-to for property management. I would work with her again, in a heartbeat.”
Hillcrest is taking on new Chicago condo management clients. Please contact Caree Shtulman for a quote.
Get Your Free Community Analysis
In order to best serve your community association, we need to understand its unique service needs and expectations. To facilitate this understanding, we have developed a proprietary management planning tool. Please fill out the form below, so that we can schedule a call to conduct your complimentary management planning consultation.
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