Smith Management Review

I just moved into my new home and Crystal Darrow, CMCA, AMS
Director of Community Management was very helpful.

We have been trying to get our board to get rid of Smith Management for months. Our fees go up every year and our building looks awful. No fresh paint or carpet in at least 10 years. The outside is even worse. Weeds grow all summer and everything around the buildings always look overgrown. The cleaning people do an awful job of keeping the buildings up, you should see the baseboards. There are so many violations in the complex and nothing is done. They don't walk the grounds or inside the buildings, otherwise these violations would be addressed. We have a hoarder in our building, the garage and condo are over flowing, and nothing has been done. We have our condo up for sale now because of the way Smith maintains their properties. Where does the money go??

I have been calling for 2 weeks and haven't been able to actually speak to someone besides the front desk. Tracy at the front desk is rude and Erin the account manager is awful. I would NEVER have her interacting with customers. She knew I was frustrated and had called in 4 times prior to talking to her and as I was talking to her she kept laughing, which was INFURIATING!!!! I have never had the horrible service that Erin gave, I asked to speak to her supervisor and she said she was the supervisor. If that is true, Smith is in trouble, she will do nothing to make a customer happy, in fact she enjoys a customer being upset.

It's been great working with Ashley on the project. She is so very efficient and responsive, allowing the project to flow smoothly. It's been a refreshing experience!

We always get a quick response all our requests and questions

Crystal Darrow took great care of us for many years as our property manager, and Robin Juergens has done a great job stepping in the role this past year. Robin is so organized and responds quickly to issues. We're lucky to have her working with us.

Jennifer Andrews was extremely prompt and responsive. Appreciate her professionalism and attention. 5 Stars to her!!!

Competent, caring, professional, and polite-none of these words describe my interactions with Smith Management.

Julie was great, very professional, responsive & answered all my question

I am the landlord of a house and I had a car accident due to the frozen weather in December 2016 which caused my Mercedes lost one wheel. And I parked my car at my parking lot in the front of my house waiting for the insurance company come to invesgate. The smith management group told me my car will be removed and I have to pay the removing fee because they thought my car was ruin the harmony in the community. Here is what they wrote in the letter" Vehicles that are not in good repair are not permitted in the Association. Its like if you are disable, you will not be permitted to stand in the parking lot which is in the front of your house. God gave them rights to do so?

The worst management group I have ever worked with. Very rude individuals. No communication! They do not manage anything! People are doing what they want, when they want and no one is doing anything about it! Our whole community is falling apart because these people are not doing their jobs!!!

I have worked with Crystal ever since I moved here 2 years ago. She always has the answers to your questions and has a very pleasing manner. Why not give her a raise? Ha

The increase in fees paid for the decrease in quality and quantity of work done is extremely frustrating. Issues and concerns are only addressed including responding to tenants via phone or email, if Robyn deems it worth her time. When they fail to follow through with things they won t take the responsibility to own up to it, instead it s excuse after excuse or scapegoating.

Crystal M. has done a very nice job at Baywood Villages when I have needed help or direction. She is prompt and professional. We missed her attributes and care while she was not assigned to our neighborhood. She's back, and that's a good thing!
Mike Brauch
Baywood Villages

I just wanted to comment on how professional and efficient Kimberly Miller has been to work with at The Smith Management Group. Her attention to detail helps us serve the many communities she is involved with at a high level of satisfaction for the residents needs.

Just got double charged for condo fees for the 3rd month in a row. Have been trying to get this fixed but they keep saying they are working on it. Dont trust this group.

Julie K. does a great job; she is always anticipating the needs of our condominium association and is extremely responsive. She knows her stuff!

Ashley was great in helping me with the clubhouse rental and addressing my access card issue...responded quickly and provided all the information I needed!

Joyce Gross is the manager of our complex. With her vast experience she has been a valuable asset to incoming officers of our association. She quickly adjusts to each new presidents and response as quickly as possible to their needs and requests.

Ashley responded very quickly to a couple of emails. Unfortunately, the news she gave us from the Board of Manors at Ridgeview did not please us. But she was efficient and friendly. Thanks, Ashley.

Blannie is the best! Thank you so much for all your help!!!

I called Crystal Darrow who is in charge of the complex my Mother lives in to discuss a couple issues. She agreed to meet me the next day, took pictures of the issues and assured me they would be dealt with very quickly. Crystal was a pleasure to work with, and I know my Mom s home is managed by a great company with awesome employees like Crystal.

Joyce Gross at Smith has always been there when our neighborhood needs anything. We're lucky to have them.

Crystal McFarland is a pleasure to work with. Working for a property management company is a thankless job where all the residents think you work for them not the HOA trustees.

Crystal is on the ball and extremely responsive.

Thank you!!!

I ve done a lot of work with Smith...we recently just completed one with Ashley O Dell and she was so easy to work with.

As a board member, I ve found Ashley to be very helpful. She goes the extra mile to get information to our board, and provides meeting formats.

I wanted to say that I was extremely pleased with the professionalism and friendliness when I was working with Blannie. She was awesome to work with and I look forward to working with her in the future. Blannie is definitely an asset to your team.

Julie Ker was very helpful in getting the approval we needed for our fence installation. Thank you, Steve & Linda Brown

Ashley O'Dell, Community Association Manager made my transition to condo life smooth. Ashley is attentive to my requests and always responds in a timely manner. Crystal McFarland went beyond helpful when I was anxious to confirm HOA payment options. My compliments to the entire SMITH TEAM. Great PEOPLE & great SERVICE.

Communications are generally prompt and responsive.

I have tried to pay my account for months and they can't find the account.. hmm..

Their uneducated/inexperienced staff make poor and strong recommendations to boards. They help produce a biased budget that unreasonably overestimates future costs in order to justify increased HOA fees. Their ability to manipulate boards is their biggest threat. They appear to have conflicts of interest with their vendors and always lack documents/evidence to back up their claims/budgets. Their parent company, Associa (owned by Texas Senator John Carona), has a poor track record (read "The HOA Gravy Train," written by Robert Metcalf of Chadds Ford, PA. You can google this paper by Robert Metcalf). But don't stop there. Check out what companies Associa owns: an insurance agency selling liability and property casualty policies, a document-production company that provides the records needed when homes are bought or sold, a 24-hour maintenance service for house repairs and upgrades and a collections company that targets delinquent homeowners, the list goes on. The deeper you go down this rabbit hole, the worse it gets. Good luck if you choose this management company.

Stacy Graham is the best in your Accounting Department. She is an asset to your Organization

Crystal Darrow once again helped resolve a question I had. I appreciate all she does for our subdivision and her many years of excellent service.

LOVE Jennifer Andrews! She always gets me the documents I need in a timely manner and always helps me out in last minute scenarios! She is more than 5 stars!!!

Our account Manager Ashley provides us great service and is a pleasure to work with. Our maintenance man Joe is awesome and gets along great with all of our residents!

Anne Riechers has been great to work with . She knows her job very well and is always helpful when needed.

Jennifer Andrews was an amazing help to me when in a bind with a closing! She really saved me. Great customer service. Smith Management is luck to have her!

Our property manager, Anne Riechers, promptly answers all owners' requests with knowledge, courtesy and respect. She provides expert and knowledgeable information to us board members. Many times she has given us valuable direction and provided many learning experiences in which we have grown as board trustees.
Smith Management Group has always quickly responded to our needs and has given us training and information through their workshops. We trustees value their partnership with us.

This company doesn't take electronic payments from banks. Their online platform doesn't work correctly - it withdrew $900 from my account. To get the money refunded it took over two months. I don't want to use their online payment system and their only option is to pay with check or money order. This company is really old school, and not very helpful. I wish my association would get rid of them. Stay away. Do not interact - they are not helpful.

Ashley has been proactive and decisive. Very much appreciated.

My questions were promptly and professionally addressed by Robin Juergens.

Thanks

Smith has done a great job for our condo for several years now. We have been especially happy with Natalie Ventimiglia. She is the best!

Crystal McFarland is a credit to Smith Management. She has been responsive and easy to work with. Each time I have contacted her about a concern of my husband and mine, she has responded quickly and kept us informed and brought things to a favorable resolution.

I would also like to mention Joyce Gross. She has been equally as responsive and professional in her dealings with us. Her expertise as an administrator is evident, and we are very pleased with all she has done to help us. Both Joyce and Crystal have been good listeners, displaying compassion and objectivity.

Getting approval for improvements (I am replacing a deck) can be a pain but very necessary in order to maintain high neighborhood standards. Ashley O'Dell of the Smith Management Group stuck the required guidelines and did a great job facilitating the process

Jennifer is the best. Always prompt at helping anyway she can.

Libby is always there when I need her and can answer my question quickly or find the answer and gets back to me .When I have any problems I know I'm in good hands .Thank you Libby

Ashley at Smith management is always on her game and does a great job answering my requests!

Crystal Darrow is terrific!
She is the ultimate professional in her ownership of managing Our community.

As a Title/Real Estate professional, we work on deadlines constantly, however, occasionally, something slips thru the cracks....it is inevitable. Today that is exactly what happened. Jennifer Andrews with Smith Management saved my butt and in doing so, my file is closing on time. Thank you Jennifer, I owe you one!

Ashley O'Dell is my only contact so far at Smith Management Group. She is an outstanding resource. She obtains timely replies to my requests regarding our second residence in the Lin Capri Condominiums, and she always offers useful and accurate guidance on the best course of action for any matter under consideration. I highly recommend her as a Community Association Manager.

I wish it was possible to give a 0 star review. I have dealt with issues with Smith as a both an HOA board member and as a resident and have nothing positive to say. Their reps will be very friendly and act like they will help but unfortunately the company isn't set up in a way that backs it up. If you use this company it WILL take YEARS for repairs to happen and you will get little if any support with billing issues (as a resident i have been dealing with an issue for over a YEAR AND A HALF!) Our treasurer quit because of how complicated it was to just get a simple financial report. They are difficult to impossible to get ahold of directly. I could list several more issues. We would have moved to another company sooner but they were the least expensive...but you get what you pay for with this company!

We were treated very poorly by SMG. I'd urge HOAs looking at this group to reconsider. I'm grateful to my HOA for opening their eyes to the harsh treatment and moving on to a more easily accessible management group.

Highly recommend Smith Management. Ashley is great to work with and very responsive. 6 Stars.

Very rude and unprofessional, hope people wake up and stop giving them business.

Jennifer Block's thoughtful and quick responses to our many questions have been very helpful. Smith Management Group representatives seem interested in our success as a board and community.

Jennifer is absolutely fantastic to work with. I was in need of documents to be rushed and she politely and professionally assisted with the request and walking me through all processes. I will now be able to close my loan on-time thanks to her! Very impressed and looking forward to working with her in the future.

Never heard back about what the leak issue was in the unit below ours as I was told Smith would.

The window was chalked the next day after was discovered that it needed repair.

Writing this with a fake account due to fear of retaliation. This management company has falsely accused a family member of actions they did not commit, supported by one of the worst communities of people I have ever experienced. If you value decency in a property management company, and also your neighbors, look elsewhere. Also the company likes to really drag its heels for any correspondence.

Robin J. at Smith Mgmt. is outstanding and I appreciate the way she commits to assisting our HOA community. She responds quickly and is very involved. Glad to have her as a Manager.

The Smith Management Team has been amazing to work with. Anne goes above and beyond with communication and is always a pleasure to work with!

Their accounting staff was very helpful in reversing an incorrect withdrawal for association dues after we sold my deceased father's condo. We had to supply the proper documentation then they were very willing to help. We appreciate the professional service we were provided.

Thanks for the management team for getting the ball rolling on my issues.at my condo .

Being a new Board Member, I need all the help I can get. I've attended two seminars. They were both very informative and helpful to me.

Very unprofessional, lacking details, they waited 2 years to contact me to inform me on delinquicy with the intention of collecting massive late fees, all the while they had my contact info. Avoid this company at all cost.

This place is great. Blannie was our onsite manger and she was so helpful. Unfortunately they changed property managers but I still ask her questions all the time and she is so very helpful even though she no longer works at our condos. I can t say more wonderful things, especially when someone is willing to help you when they no longer are working at our place. Thumbs up Smith Management we appreciate all you do!

I want to give a huge shout out to Jennifer Andrews at Smith Management who displayed a great sense of urgency and professionalism in helping me out today.
Because of a miscommunication between realtors, we found ourselves without a resale document 2 days prior to closing. I reached out to Jennifer in desperation and she immediately responded with a "can do" attitude and a willingness to go beyond the call of duty to get this accomplished.
Smith Management should feel very proud to have an associate like Jennifer to represent them in providing exceptional customer service.
Thank you Jennifer!!

Adam always has such a positive attitude and is a pleasure to work with!

Jennifer Andrews is so helpful and sweet. I can really tell she goes above and beyond.

Horrible company. They never answer phones. Never return calls and never reply to emails. I'm really not sure what they do except go to meetings and go out to lunch. My association dropped them and it's easy to see why. Once I had to drive there because I couldn't get hold of them for a simple form. I asked the girl at the front desk if the forms will be available on the website. She replies"what website". Unbelievable

Smith Management has been managing our condo for two years and nothing gets done. This is tge worse our Condos has looked in years. The workers stand around and talk and nothing is completed. When you call our manager she never answers and when you leave a message she never returns phone calls!! We are all hoping that when their contract is up our board will get rid of them!! If you are looking to hire tgem... move on to another company!!

Joyce Gross of Smith Management Group is the Community Manager at the villas where my mom lives in Crystal Lake Park. As an original owner, my mom has lived in this subdivision for over 35 years. Joyce has been the Community Manager for the last twenty. My mom and stepfather always loved living there, but the icing on the cake is the way that Joyce manages the property. There has NEVER been a time that I have gone to Joyce with an issue where there hasn't been an expeditious resolve. And she gets done everything needed to achieve a positive result. This is not because she has to, but because she wants to and it shows. Isn't that a refreshing thought? It is to my family, knowing that Joyce is committed to making this subdivision a premier community!

Joyce is wonderful! She has always been a pleasure to work with.

Jan thank you for all of your hard work and effort. We greatly appreciate your promptness.

Ashley O'Dell has been prompt and absolutely amazing about meeting my needs concerning maintenance and HOA concerns. It is a breath of fresh air to work with someone who works so well to help the residents.

Julie, you have been more than helpful over the last several months concerning problems and other issues. Thanks from me and other board members.

Smith Management Group has been our long time condo complex managers and they have been great! Our Community Association Manager, Robin Juergens, does an outstanding job for us and it is a pleasure working with her!

Smith Management has been a pleasure to work with over the years. Anne Riechers is on top of her game and is receptive and very easy to contact when needed. The entire team deserves 5 stars!

Crystal Darrow has been very responsive and a joy to work with.

Cadillac service on a small maintenance issue with Smith Management Group. Robin took our request and got the job done in no time. Many thanks to her and Smith mgt.

Crystal has been a wonderful contact person for Baywood Villages.Very efficient
Again consistancey, very responsive, and very helpful.Go Crystal!

I have worked with Julie Ker for many years on the Mansion Hills Condo board. In fact when we thought Julie was leavingSmith, the Mansion board considered changing management companies.
When she returned we immediately requested her assistance.
Julie knows our property and is a great asset in guiding us through the huge projects encountered these past few years.
Thank you for caring.
Jack Hessler

Crystal Darrow has shown a determination and attitude to deliver the best service to her communities, vendors and coworkers. This a detail oriented business based on quality relationships. Crystal builds relationships that assist when the details get complicated and creative solutions are required.

Yesterday I received an invoice from Smith for an assessment we had previously paid. I called to object and Crystal McFarland answered the call. She was a breath of fresh air her pleasant personality and bright smile , even over the phone changed my whole attitude and allowed me to listen and accept her explanation. Please pass this on to Crystal and her supervisor.

Libby is our property manager and she does a great job. She communicates well and gets the job done!

I work for Ferguson Roofing and thought Blannie deserved a shout out. She's always pleasant to work with and she responds quickly! Definitely don't get that very often these days.

While we have been working with Robin Juergens for only six months, she has become very knowledgeable about our property in a relatively short time. Robin is a professional, reliable manager of our property. She has a strong background in property management and continually provides sound advice and guidance.

Jan Bocskowics has been 5 star in every aspect of everything we have worked together on since 2007. She has always taken care of me in some of my most craziest moments but the most important thing is we always have a lot of fun and laughter in whatever we do. We have accomplished SOOO much in all the years working together. Hands down the best I have worked with in my 32 years of property management. She knows her stuff and has always been there for me. I feel like i am someone to her based on her kind words, compasion and things she always gets accomplished for me. THANKS A MILLION JAN!!!
Dustin Coleman
The Plaza in Clayton
Community Manager

I think that Smith Management Group is pretty decent as condo management groups go. The services that they provide or coordinate (landscaping, snow removal, repairs, etc) seem to be done to our expectations. I've put in repair requests and have had them answered promptly. I just called with a question about my account, and had the question answered promptly. They provide us with information when needed. When ever I call , everyone that I speak to is very polite, and they get me the information that I need right away. I wish that this group managed my parent's rental properties in Columbia, MO, because they really do seem to do a good job.

Our contact at Smith Management Group, for Bridgewater Cove Condo's, is Project Mgr. Ashley O'Dell. Ashley is a true professional. She is very responsive and capable of handling any issues that may come up. She has great follow through and keeps us informed and updated on the issues at hand. Thanks Ashley

Working with Jennifer is such a joy! She is knowledgeable, efficient and a huge asset to Smith Management Group and deserves much kudos!

I haven't had any interaction with the management group, my parents live in a first floor condo in Ballwin. The grounds are nice, but the building itself is run down. Paint peeling from the front door and some areas of the garages, walls and carpet really old and dingy. They told us they are painting the doors and shutters on the town homes across the street and it looks really nice. I told them that they should speak up, the condo buildings are in much worse shape than the villas/town homes. That just tells me that the board members all live in the town homes. That should be a huge red flag to the condo owners.

Libby is an excellent Community Manager. Very organized and always goes the extra mile.

I have known Crystal Darrow for over 15-years. I worked with her all the time when I was on the Carlyle Townhome Board for 6-years and many times since. She is a pleasure to work with and has always addressed my concerns and requests immediately. Crystal has helped make Carlyle Townhomes an outstanding place to live!

Ashley is very responsive and always does a great job for us!

Had a good experience at cross creek and the excellent manager Natalie!!!