Homeowner Resources: The Five Most Significant Challenges Facing American Neighborhoods

1
Homeowner Resources The Five Most
Significant Challenges Facing American
Neighborhoods
2
Homeowner Resources

• As part of a commitment to provide valuable
  homeowner resources, AAM produced a research
  report highlighting the challenges facing todays
  U.S. neighborhoods.
• The information is intended to help homeowners
  understand and overcome these difficulties.
•  
• AAM analyzed current trends in American
  neighborhoods using existing research.
• In addition, the company decided to conduct a
  more thorough investigation using its own data.
• The AAM research team surveyed nearly 600
  homeowners living in homeowner association (HOA)
  communities, 80 of which reside in Arizona.

3
Homeowner Resources

• Challenge 1
• Traditional Neighborhoods and the American
  Dream Do Not Fit the Stereotype
•  
• The American Dream conjures up images of the
  1950s, home ownership and traditional families.
• Today, home ownership is still very much a part
  of the American success formula.
• In June 2011, a New York Times and CBS News poll
  found 90 of respondents felt home ownership
  still helps fulfill the American dream.
• In the AAM study, more than 70 of HOA homeowners
  surveyed believe the American Dream includes the
  ability to buy a home.
• But with the recent mortgage crisis, a troubling
  job market and an unsure economy, many Americans
  are still anxious about their financial futures.

4
Homeowner Resources

• Challenge 2
• U.S. Population and Living Situations are More
  Diverse than Ever Before
•  
• The housing crisis has been a major contributing
  factor to living situation diversity. As a
  result, the suburbs have become bigger job
  generators.
• According to a March 2012 New York Times and the
  Daily Beast study, suburbs now provide more jobs
  than cities. But, more people are living below
  the poverty line in the suburbs than ever before.
• In addition, demographics show the
  Hispanic/Latino population rising significantly.
  
• The U.S. population growth as a whole is flat.
  And according to the 2011 U.S. Census, the
  population is aging with the largest jump in the
  55 to 64 age group.

5
Homeowner Resources

• Challenge 2
• U.S. Population and Living Situations are More
  Diverse than Ever Before
•  
• While the U.S. marriage rate is at a record low,
  single households have increased.
• Diverse living situations such as multi-cultural
  families, unwed parents, foster families,
  divorced adults, diverse unions, adoption with no
  marriage, marrying after a baby, single parents
  and multi-generational homes have become the
  norm.
• However, AAM found exceptions to these national
  trends in its Arizona HOA communities.
• For example, nearly two-thirds of neighbors
  surveyed live with a spouse.
• HOA communities provide ample homeowner resources
  to support family life.

6
Homeowner Resources

• Challenge 3
• Americans are Feeling Instability
•  
• Opinions remain consistent across the nation when
  it comes to Americans biggest concern the
  economy.
• People are worried about their jobs.
• In an October 2011Reason Rupe study, 47 of
  respondents indicated jobs and unemployment were
  their top two concerns.
• Arizonans were no different.
• The AAM study confirmed Arizona homeowners were
  primarily worried about the economy, their
  families and their finances.
• HOAs can help build a sense of community through
  a variety of homeowner resources.

7
Homeowner Resources

• Challenge 4
• People are Distracted and Disconnected
•  
• Technology helps improve daily life, but it also
  can isolate people.
• Too often Americans replace face-to-face dialog
  with digital communication from their gadgets.
• Fortunately, HOAs focus on building strong
  neighborhoods and homeowner resources.
• Neighbors get to know neighbors and participate
  in activities, attend events and volunteer.

8
Homeowner Resources

• Challenge 5
• Neighborhoods are Not Working in Americabut We
  Want Them to
•  
• According to a July 2011 StateOfNeighbors.com
  study, only 25 of Americans know most or all of
  their neighbors names.
• Interestingly, this study also found 86 of
  Americans say their neighbors can affect their
  happiness at least somewhat.
• Compared to the national study, more Arizonans
  know their neighbors.
• The AAM study found nearly two-thirds of Arizona
  homeowners surveyed know some of their neighbors
  by name.
• HOA communities and homeowner resources create
  more opportunities for neighbors to get to know
  each other and participate together in activities.

9
Homeowner Resources

• Challenge 5
• Neighborhoods are Not Working in Americabut We
  Want Them to
•  
• Its quite clear from the national research
  studies that people still want the American
  Dream.
• But, its becoming more difficult. Certain
  issues must be addressed, such as community
  diversity, feelings of financial instability and
  being disconnected.

10
Homeowner Resources

• AAMs Arizona research study indicated homeowners
  expect their board to keep their neighborhood
  clean, safe and financially solvent.
• But, they also would like their HOA to help
  increase homeowner resources for face-to-face
  communications and positive interactions between
  neighbors.
• AAM works with many of the largest homebuilding
  and community development companies in the United
  States such as Del Webb/Pulte, Shea Homes and
  Meritage Homes.
• Founded in 1990, the company employs 370 people
  and manages over 400 communities in the United
  States.
• AAM is dedicated to delivering total peace of
  mind to the Boards of Directors and homeowners in
  the communities it manages.

11
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jason Tucker is VP of AAM Edge Sales, a dynamic
and exciting new online community from Associated
Asset Management that delivers trusted and
relevant information to homeowners. Learn more
about Homeowner Resources by visiting
http//www.HomeownerResources.com.