Baltimore has been referred to as the “Charm City” because of the many attractions nestled within the area.

The historic Inner Harbor, picturesque Oriole Park at Camden Yards, and the National Aquarium draw visitors and residents every year. The Baltimore Convention Center, Maryland Science Center, Lexington Market and the Baltimore World Trade Center create fun and exciting urban excursions.  

Johns Hopkins University and Johns Hopkins Hospital also attract people interested in working in science, technology, engineering and math.

Top 6 HOA management companies in Baltimore

• Pelican Property Management
• HPS Management
• Tidewater Property Management, Inc.
• West Property Management
• American Community Management
• FirstService Residential
• Bonus

It’s estimated that there are 7,200 HOAs in Maryland, consisting of over 400,000 homes. Maryland homeowners pay an average of $401 per month in HOA fees, and according to NewHomeSource.com, this is considered high.

HOAs tend to be smaller in this state, meaning some communities are comfortable self-managing.

However, others will prefer to have help managing fees, vendor relationships, and communications from a qualified management company.  

For those communities looking for a professional to treat their neighborhood as if it were their own, take a look at these top-performing management companies in Baltimore.  

1. Pelican Property Management

Pelican Property Management was founded in 2014 with the vision of transforming the dated property management industry.

Using innovative technology and a refreshing resident-centric approach, it is confident that it can be the right fit for any community.

Pelican has a passionate teamof over 40 managers and accountants, delivering a high level of service, “with a smile.” Pelican has the ability to navigate the unique challenges of HOA management with creative solutions and proven results.

When you partner with this company, you can expect someone to conduct a thorough review of current governing documents, vendor contracts, and delinquent accounts.

From there, a current financial analysis, along with objective and proactive recommendations, will be presented to you.

If your HOA doesn’t need complete management services, it is possible to hire Pelican to take care of just the financial obligations.

With an impressive 4.6 Google rating, Pelican proves to be a top choice for Baltimore communities.  

Clients have confirmed that staff are proactive and responsive. They are also very easy to work with. One individual even shared that her property manager was able to encourage residents to be respectful of the grounds, property and neighbors, and did it in a way that didn’t offend.

2. HPS Management

HPS Management offers a different approach. The company insists on working with the board of directors to customize a management plan that tackles everything you need, and nothing you don’t.

From base-level accounting and dues collections to full-service management with meeting attendance and drive-throughs, HPS has the experience and the size to do it all. Encourage homeowner participation, push for transparency and better workflow processes,

Most notably, HPS takes great care to ensure all members, not just the board members, are happy. The company has expanded its customer service hours to assist owners who cannot always call during regular business hours. And, most callers receive an answer to their questions in less than a minute and a half!

It’s no surprise then that HPS has a 4.7 Google rating. Owners shared several five-star reviews praising the management company. They like the streamlined processes and care that each team member provides.

3. Tidewater Property Management, Inc.

Tidewater Property Management, Inc. belongs to Tidewater Companies, one of the largest family-owned, full-service real estate management companies in the area. In addition to property management, it provides real estate and maintenance services, too.

When you work with Tidewater, you can expect help with meetings, governance and legal issues, maintenance, and risk and insurance management.  

Communities that just want help balancing the budget may prefer to have Tidewater handle accounting work or financial management. It is happy to tailor its services to specifically suit your HOA’s needs.

Customer reviews frequently mention that the Tidewater team is thorough, particular about details, and always happy to provide information and guidance.

4. West Property Management

West Property Management specializes in condominium, townhome, and single-family associations, no matter the size. The company recognizes that every community is unique. Therefore, it is happy to tailor its services to meet specific needs.

West Property Management supports board members and is committed to respecting and implementing their decisions.

Financial, insurance, maintenance, and governance management are all core services offered by this company.  

5. American Community Management

Over the past two decades, American Community Management has emerged as one of the most prominent community management groups across the greater Maryland, Virginia and D.C. area. It currently cares for over 200 residential properties.

American Community Management boasts above-and-beyond customer service, and guarantees 48-hour response times, making it easy for communities to trust and collaborate with this company.

Its comprehensive full-service package contains everything that an HOA could need to grow and maintain a happy, functional neighborhood.

This includes full-spectrum financial, accounting, administrative, collections, and facilities management services.

To help boards operate with more confidence, American Community Management also hosts free educational seminars, open to all board members every quarter.

Topics covered include budgeting, association law, collections, insurance, community governance, and more.

American Community Management has a solid 3.5 rating on Google. Customers say that they have had positive interactions with staff, even if the situation at hand is unpleasant or stressful. One reviewer even noted that their property manager helped to keep their HOA on track with new laws.  

6. FirstService Residential

For over 25 years, FirstService Residential has been the trusted leader in Maryland property management, delivering tailored solutions for communities across the state.

FirstService Residential is North America’s largest manager of residential communities, and is equipped to help HOAs of all sizes. It serves most major cities, including Baltimore.

The company’s roster of local property managers brings deep expertise and a commitment to enhancing the value and quality within HOA communities.

From conducting routine property inspections to overseeing fair enforcement of community rules, to budget planning and tax preparation assistance, FirstService can comfortably and confidently handle complex or recurring tasks, ultimately allowing your community to achieve its goals.

Bonus: Self-managed HOAs

If your board is managing the HOA on its own, then you deserve some recognition, too. Small communities do have success overseeing operations without the help of a full-time manager, and they save money, too.

However, that doesn’t mean they are doing everything completely by themselves. Many communities use software like HOA Central to organize requests, share messages with owners and enforce rules.

Reduce inefficiencies, workloads and costs while keeping up with the needs of your community. HOA management software makes this possible.