I worked here for over a year before relocating ou...

I worked here for over a year before relocating out of state and it was the best first job out of college I could ask for.
MOST of the bad reviews you will read here are from residents who have had bad experience with their personal manager (who most likely does not even work there anymore) or because they are a resident who does not care for the politics of living in an association (understandable- I wouldn't live in an HOA- a lot of rules and procedures).
Either way the employees here work very hard and do everything they can do. What would help, is if people understood that the role of a management company is to support the Board of Directors and to follow the laws of the State. So if there is something you wanted done your way when you wanted it. Chances are it did not happen because Management Company follows your association's covenants (established by your previous boards not the company) or because your BOD voted against it OR its against the state statutes. Everything has a process in Association living!

My biggest piece of advice is to join the board or go to meetings to truly learn the politics of living in an association. Or maybe ask questions rather than point blame. Because there are a lot of rules that can be frustrating. I cannot tell you how many residents I had coming to me about something regarding the rules and regulations. They thought it was stupid to have to get a door paint color approved. Or that their neighbor had the right to wash their car outside when there wasn't a water restriction. The laws are based on county, city and state AND that of your establishing Board of Directors.

Also, if your neighbor has something unattractive about their yard or they are breaking covenants. Chances are that they have gotten a violation. If it has not been fixed yet? Rest assured that that neighbor is getting fined on a regular basis and if it is never fixed, that person's home can go into lien and foreclosure over it. I've seen it happen unfortunately. So, just because the violation has not been complied with, does not mean the management company is not aware and already on the neighbor about it. If you want to report a neighbor, you can. If there is something wrong with your unit that is Association responsibility, let them know. The managers do not live in the community or your home- tell them what is happening so they can fix it.

Lastly, the fees you pay are set by your Board of Directors not the management company, so, you may want to take it up at a board meeting. VMG's management fees have not gone up in years.

I understand that it can be frustrating. You're paying for your home and want what your paying for enacted. But please realize that the management company cannot go above the Board of Directors. They can only advise them of what follows the law and provide options for resolution. VMG's staff care for their properties. I've seen it.