The vast majority of the 65 million Americans who live in almost 330,000 U.S. condominiums and homeowners associations are satisfied with their communities, according to a recent national survey conducted for the Foundation for Community Association Research.

Ninety percent of community association residents rate their overall association experience as positive (64 percent) or neutral (26 percent), with 10 percent expressing dissatisfaction.

• 90 percent of residents say association board members serve the best interests of their communities.
• 83 percent say their community managers provide value and support to residents and their associations.
• 70 percent of residents say their association rules protect and enhance property values; only 4 percent say the rules harm property values.

"This affirms that the community association housing model is working for people who make their homes in condominiums and homeowners associations," says Thomas Skiba, CAE, chief executive officer of Community Associations Institute. "That level of satisfaction compares very favorably with American attitudes toward other institutions like government, industry and even our public schools."

Still, Skiba notes that not all associations function as well as they should. "Disagreements and conflict are inevitable," he says. "Just as there are some poorly governed communities, many associations must contend with very difficult and intransigent residents, including some owners who refuse to follow established rules or pay their fair share for utilities, services and amenities provided by the association."

Skiba says the keys to successful associations are clear expectations, open communication between association leaders and residents, dedicated homeowner leaders, strong professional management, and adherence to best practices for association governance and management.