Community Association Management Company Benchmarking Survey
Community association management companies operate in an increasingly complex environment shaped by workforce challenges, rising operational costs, evolving technology, and growing expectations from community boards and homeowners. To better understand how management companies are adapting, the Foundation conducts an annual Snap Survey examining benchmarking trends among community association management firms.
This survey gathers insights from management company leaders—including CEOs, operations executives, and portfolio leaders—to provide a snapshot of how firms structure their operations, manage staffing, deploy technology, and navigate market pressures affecting the communities they serve. Each year’s survey highlights evolving trends in the management profession and helps industry leaders better understand the operational realities facing community association management companies today.
Key Benchmarking Areas
The survey examines several important aspects of management company operations, including:
- Portfolio composition and geographic footprint
- Revenue models and fee structures used by management firms
- Manager workload and staffing ratios
- Technology platforms and AI adoption
- Client retention and company growth trends
- Operating margin ranges
- External pressures affecting management companies
Together, these insights provide valuable benchmarking information for management company executives and industry stakeholders.
Why This Research Matters
Management companies play a central role in the success and sustainability of community associations. Understanding how these firms operate—and how the industry is evolving—helps leaders identify best practices, anticipate challenges, and make more informed strategic decisions.
By tracking these trends annually, the Foundation aims to build a growing body of research that highlights changes in staffing models, operational practices, and business conditions within the community association management profession.
Latest Results
The Foundation’s inaugural survey gathered insights from 94 management company leaders across the country, offering an early snapshot of operational trends shaping the community association management industry. Key findings include:
- Talent recruitment and retention remains the most significant external pressure facing management companies.
- The most common portfolio size reported is 8–10 communities per full-time manager.
- Nearly all firms rely on accounting/ERP systems and resident portals, while AI adoption remains in early stages for many companies.
- Client retention is strong, with half of firms reporting retention rates of 98% or higher.
Download the full report: Community Association Management Company Benchmarking Trends — October 2025
Sponsored by
This research is generously supported by Wintrust Community Advantage, which provides specialized banking and financial solutions for community associations and management companies nationwide.