What is an HOA reserve study

What is meant by a reserve study for property management companies?

Partner property management companies manage dozens, and sometimes hundreds, of properties at once. Community boards rely on reputable management companies for financial matters and long-term planning.

Reserve study group works directly with property management companies to provide a full-scope reserve study, thereby handling all finances and long-term financial goals for the community. Our task is to take reserve planning off your plate so you can invest your time in other tasks. We provide clear professional reports that hold up to scrutiny from boards, auditors, lenders, and regulators alike. We keep you fully prepared to answer every question your client asks!

Who this service is for

Who needs a reserve study for property management companies?

  • Regional Property Management Firms
    companies managing a regional portfolio of homeowner, condo, and planned associations
  • National Property Management Companies
    Large firms operating across multiple states to handle diverse community types
  • Independent Property Managers
    independent service managers and smaller boutique firms, to strengthen the service they offer.
  • Accounting and Audit Teams
    Property management companies with internal accounting or audit functions depend on reserve studies for structured financial analysis of the community
  • Developer-Transition Teams
    Property managers overseeing the transition of newly built communities need a reserve study to serve as the community's financial starting point and to protect incoming boards from inherited funding shortfalls.
  • Not sure if we are the right fit for your company
    contact our team, and we will guide you on how we work!
Common challenges

Issues faced by Property Managers in the absence of a Reliable Reserve Study Partner

  • Challenge 01
    Short notice reserve study requests by states
    community and property boards often realize at the last moment that they need a reserve study. It is often due to the lender requirement or a state compliance deadline. Without a reliable reserve study partner on standby, resolving those situations quickly becomes stressful.
  • Challenge 02
    Policy and legislative differences among multiple states
    reserve study policies and legislation vary from state to state. It creates confusion for the property managers, resulting in a loss of trust from clients
  • Challenge 03
    Board decisions without reliable data
    board decisions are taken with only outdated or inaccurate data, which result in poor decisions that create bigger problems down the road and put your company in a difficult position
  • Challenge 04
    Inconsistent report quality across communities
    Guesswork-based budgets create recurring shortfalls
    and make long-term financial planning nwhen reserve studies are sourced from different providers, the inconsistency is seen, which results in an impact on the quality of the property managers and also creates confusion among the board membersearly impossible.
What's Included

What is included in a reserve study for property management companies?

  • Physical Analysis
    Component inventory
    Complete documentation of each component of the community's inventory. Each item is inspected to determine its expected lifespan, estimated replacement cost, and estimated life.
  • Physical Analysis
    Condition assessment
    Our designated team inspects each component of the community and gives a complete, documented condition analysis. This onsite inspection is what makes an accurate reserve fund study and saves you from a guess estimate. Hence, it is the foundation of every report we deliver.
  • Financial Analysis
    30-year funding plan
    Our financial team then combines site inspection data with each community's financial history and current reserve balance to make a detailed 30-year funding plan. Every plan includes calculated annual contribution recommendations that your boards can instantly include in their budgets with complete confidence.
Service Levels

Choose the Right Service Level for Each Community

Every community is different. Select the level of service that fits where your project management is in its reserve study cycle and what your budget allows.
  • Most popular
    Full Reserve Study

    Complete physical and financial analysis withon-site inspection.

    • On-site inspection by a designated Reserve Specialist
    • Full component inventory and condition assessment
    • 30-year funding forecast with contribution recommendations
    • Complete written reserve study report
  • Update
    With Site Visit

    For an association already connected to the reserve study:

    • Return on-site inspection
    • Updated component inventory and condition ratings
    • Revised 30-year funding forecast
    • Complete updated written report
  • Update
    Without Visit

    If the recent inspection has been conducted and recorded, an updated financial plan without the inspection will be provided.

    • Review using already available data
    • Updated financial plan
    • Revised 30-year financial funding program
    • Updated written record.
  • Package
    3-Year Plan

    For associations that want consistent, ongoing reserve oversight without the hassle of rebidding every year.

    • On-site inspection
    • Component inventory
    • 30-year forecast
    • Full written report
Reserve Study Report

sample for Property Management Companies

Still not sure what a finished report looks like? Take a moment and understand it through this easy sample document.
Trusted by HOAs & Property Managers
Benefits

Why Property Management Companies Partner with Reserve Study Group

A reserve study helps project management groups lay a foundation for the community, reducing unexpected financial losses and the financial burden.
  • One reliable partner for your entire project management portfolio
    working with a single reserve study group ensures consistent methodology and quality
  • Strengthen your value to every client board with us
    Accurate financial analysis helps you earn each client's trust.
  • Simplify budget season across all your communities
    With accurate 30-year funding, you can create annual budgets quickly and easily.
  • Stay prepared for state compliance requirements
    A knowledgeable reserve study group helps you stay up to date on evolving state regulations
  • Support clean audits and lender reviews
    We provide well-documented reserve fund analysis needed for financial records and lender reviews.
H O W  I T  W O R K S

Our Process

  • 01

    Consultation

    We learn about your
    community’s scope
    and history
  • 02

    Site
    Inspection

    On-site assessment
    of all common
    components
  • 03

    Financial
    Modelling

    We build your 30-
    year funding
    projections
  • 04

    Report
    Delivery

    Detailed report with
    clear
    recommendations
  • 05

    Ongoing
    Updates

    Annual updates to
    keep your plan
    current
 S A M P L E  R E P O R T

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TESTIMONIALS

Don't just take it from us

  • “As Treasurer of my association and a longtime homeowner, I was very impressed with the attention to detail and the on-site review of our assets that RSG provided”

    Clark Rife
    Deer Run Association Ponte Vedra, FLORIDA
  • Bridge Street Property Management logo with a house roof and window graphic.

    I have worked with Reserve Study Group on dozens of homeowner association studies over the past 10 years. Their initial visit is thorough, they utilize the data give to them, they listen to the board of director’s questions, and most importantly, produce a reserve study that all homeowners can understand. When compared to other companies we have used, the quality and readability of their studies is superior.

    Tim Jones
    Bridge Street Property Heber City, UTAH
  • Entrance sign for Hiddenwood at 7117 West, surrounded by green shrubs and flowers.

    RSG has the knowledge to provide accurate and detailed information that is easy to understand and complete. Our Association has been very pleased with the reliability, timeliness and professional products that their team has provided for our community.

    Lester Harvard
    Hiddenwood West Gig Harbor, WASHINGTON
  • Boulder Mountain Property Management logo with geometric mountain icon and green text.

    The Reserve Study Group has been extremely helpful for my HOA’s necessary financial needs in regards to future projects. If it wasn’t for their thorough examination and full reports the Associations would be ill prepared to manage the necessary improvements to keep the HOA’s marketable. I owe them a debt of gratitude for also making it easy for Board transitions in which they can review the Reserve Study and be prepared immediately to do their job.

    Sheri Thomas
    Boulder Mountain Property Management Hailey, IDAHO
Why reserve study group

Why choose the Reserve study group?

Reserve study group is one of the leading reserve study companies with an experienced team and decades of experience. Our approach is simple. We conduct a comprehensive onsite inspection and prepare a report with clear financial modeling, enabling you to make informed, strategic financial decisions to improve the community's well-being and stability. We help your property management company stand out in the market.
Learn More
  • Experience

    Hundreds of communities served

    we have deeper experience with working with several property management companies.
  • Quality

    Reports built to hold up under scrutiny

    Thorough inspection of each part of the community, with accurate reports 
  • Clarity

    Communication that keeps you in control

    Simple and easy-to-understand guidance for you

Frequently Asked Questions

In what ways does the Reserve Study Group work with property management companies?

We handle the full scope physical inspection and financial analysis of all components of the community. Moreover, we deliver professional reserve study reports that your boards can use for budgeting, compliance, and long-term planning.

Are you able to handle reserve studies across a large portfolio of communities?

Absolutely! We at the reserve study group have the capacity to handle large geographic-area communities with absolute accuracy and professionalism so that you can maintain your position as the best property management company in the market.

What types of communities do you prepare reserve studies for?

We prepare reserve studies for homeowner associations, condominium associations, planned communities, mixed-use developments, and a wide range of other common interest communities. If your portfolio includes a mix of community types, we can handle them all under a single, consistent process

How long does a reserve study take to complete?

A full reserve study with a complete onsite inspection usually takes almost three to six weeks from the initial site visit to final report delivery. It typically depends on the size and complexity of your community. Financial updates without a site visit can often be completed more quickly. We work according to your schedule and keep you updated about progress.

Do you help with compliance with state reserve studies?

Yes. Reserve study legislation varies by state and is evolving quickly. We stay current on requirements across all the states we operate in and can help you understand what is required for each community in your portfolio. Our state law guide is also available as a free resource for property managers navigating reserve study legislation.

What makes Reserve Study Group different from other reserve study companies?

Our focus is entirely on reserve studies. We do not offer a broad range of unrelated services. We specialize in reserve fund analysis and long-term financial planning for community associations, which means every member of our team is focused on doing this one thing exceptionally well

Can we get a sample report before committing to reserve the study group?

Of course! We encourage property managers to review a sample reserve study report before getting started, so you know exactly what your clients will receive. Download a copy directly from our website, or contact our team, and we will walk you through it in detail.

G E T  S TA R T E D

Request a Proposal

Tell us about your community and we’ll prepare a custom proposal with pricing and timeline. Our team will contact you promptly

“RSG delivered a top-notch report ontime and with zero hassle. Their insightswere exactly what we needed.”

— Laura Kim, Crestwood Community

Contact our team
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If you have any questions, our team of reserve study professionals will contact you immediately.