10 Best HOA Management Companies in Chicago
Key TakeawaysÂ
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Chicago’s community associations vary dramatically, and the management support they need does too. When comparing the best HOA management companies in Chicago, your board may be weighing firms built for smaller condo buildings against providers equipped for high-rises, townhomes, or larger suburban communities.
The right fit depends on your community’s size and complexity, the services your board wants to outsource, your budget, and how hands-on you expect your manager to be. A small walk-up condo may need a very different level of support than a luxury high-rise or planned suburban community.
This article compares 10 Chicago HOA management companies by their services, strengths, and potential fit so your board can build a more informed shortlist. HOA Explore can also help you research and evaluate professional management options for your community.
Compare the Best HOA Management Companies in Chicago
The Chicago HOA management companies below include local condo management companies, suburban association specialists, and larger firms serving high-rises and complex communities. Use the table for an at-a-glance comparison of each company’s fit, management model, and services, then review the individual profiles for more detail on strengths and considerations.
Rather than choosing from the table alone, narrow your list to a few companies that appear suited to your community. You can then evaluate their service models, staffing, fees, and experience against the same criteria.
| Company | Best For | Management Model | Key Services | Chicago / Chicagoland Presence |
| First Community Management | Chicago condo and HOA associations wanting a community-association specialist | Local, full-service | Association management, financial management, resident support, project coordination | Yes |
| Westward360 | Associations wanting flexible management packages and broader support resources | Multi-market, full-service | HOA and condo management, financial management, vendor oversight, maintenance coordination | Yes |
| Forth Group | Condo and HOA associations wanting experienced Chicago-focused management | Local, full-service | Community management, financial services, maintenance, operational support | Yes |
| Hales Property Management | Small-to-mid-size Chicago condo and residential associations | Local, full-service | Association management, financial services, building operations, maintenance coordination | Yes |
| Hillcrest Property Management | Suburban Chicago condos, townhomes, and HOAs | Local, regional | Association management, financial administration, maintenance coordination, board support | Yes |
| Sudler Property Management | Larger or luxury Chicago condominium and residential associations | Local, full-service | Property management, building operations, financial oversight, emergency support | Yes |
| Chicagoland Community Management | Associations wanting locally focused management across Chicago and the suburbs | Local | Community management, financial oversight, vendor management, governance support | Yes |
| AssociationOne | Associations prioritizing flexible services, technology, and board communication | Regional, full-service | Administrative support, financial management, project planning, board guidance | Yes |
| Chicago Property Services | Small-to-mid-size Chicago condo and HOA communities | Local | Community management, financial oversight, maintenance, resident communication | Yes |
| FirstService Residential Illinois | Large, high-rise, or complex communities needing extensive resources | Local, national | Full-service management, financial services, maintenance, staffing, resident support | Yes |
1. First Community Management
First Community Management is a Chicago-based HOA and condominium management company that has served local community associations since 1998. Its focus on association management, rather than general rental property management, may appeal to boards looking for specialized community-association support.
Best for: Chicago condo and HOA associations looking for a firm focused specifically on community associations.
Key strengths:
- Focuses specifically on HOA, condominium, and townhome associations.
- Combines dedicated board and homeowner service with association financial and property management.
- Offers both full-service and financial-only management options.
Considerations: First Community Management specializes in association management, but boards should still clarify how responsibilities are divided between the community manager and supporting staff. Ask about manager portfolio size and which services may carry additional fees.
2. Westward360
Westward360 is headquartered in Chicago and offers several service levels for condo and HOA associations. Its options range from financial-only management to full-service, higher-touch, hybrid, and on-site arrangements.
Best for: Chicago associations that want flexible service levels backed by a multi-market management company.
Key strengths:
- Provides financial management, maintenance coordination, vendor oversight, and resident support.
- Offers several packages for associations with different operational needs.
- Higher-touch options include lower building-to-manager ratios.
Considerations: Westward360 offers several management models, so compare packages on service scope rather than price alone. Confirm which staff will handle your community and what responsibilities remain with your board.
3. Forth Group
Forth Group specializes in condominium and HOA management throughout Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. Founded in the late 1980s, it combines local association experience with accounting, customer service, maintenance, and technology resources.
Best for: Chicago condo and HOA associations seeking an experienced local full-service management company.
Key strengths:
- Specializes in condominium and HOA management.
- Provides financial management, maintenance, vendor coordination, and capital-project assistance.
- Uses association-management technology to support reporting and operations.
Considerations: Forth Group offers broad financial and operational support, so boards should confirm which services are included in the standard management fee. If you anticipate major repairs or capital projects, ask how project oversight is staffed and priced.
4. Hales Property Management
Hales Property Management has served Chicago buildings since 2003 and concentrates heavily on condominium association management. Its specialty is Chicago condo buildings, particularly within the 20–70-unit range. It also offers financial management options for smaller associations.
Best for: Small-to-mid-size Chicago condominium associations seeking locally focused building management.
Key strengths:
- Offers financial, maintenance, vendor, and resident-communication support.
- Provides different service structures for smaller and larger associations.
- Includes online portals and 24/7 emergency support within its management model.
Considerations: Associations well outside Hales’ typical building-size range should confirm that its staffing and service model fits their needs. Ask for references from properties with a similar unit count, building type, and level of complexity.
5. Hillcrest Property Management
Hillcrest Property Management serves Chicago and the surrounding suburbs, with an emphasis on condominium, townhome, and HOA communities. The locally owned company traces its history to 1972 and now focuses exclusively on association management.
Best for: Condominium, townhome, and HOA communities in Chicago’s surrounding suburbs seeking full-service management.
Key strengths:
- Works with condominiums, townhomes, single-family associations, and mixed-use developments.
- Provides financial reporting, administrative services, on-site management, and digital tools for boards and residents.
- Uses a team model that includes management, administrative, and accounting support.
Considerations: Hillcrest has a strong Chicagoland and suburban association presence, so city-based boards should ask about experience with their specific building type and neighborhood. Confirm how maintenance coordination and after-hours coverage work for properties farther from its suburban base.
6. Sudler Property Management
Sudler Property Management is a Chicago residential property management company with a strong presence in condominium buildings. Its operating model emphasizes building operations, technology, resident service, and emergency availability, including a 24/7 emergency line.
Best for: Larger or luxury Chicago condominium associations that need hands-on building operations and property management.
Key strengths:
- Provides hands-on oversight of building operations and day-to-day property needs.
- Maintains 24/7 emergency availability.
- Brings Chicago-based management experience to condominium buildings with more demanding maintenance, staffing, and building-management needs.
Considerations: Sudler’s hands-on approach may be best suited to larger or more operationally complex properties. Smaller associations should determine whether they need that level of support and carefully review staffing expectations and the full fee structure.
7. Chicagoland Community Management
Chicagoland Community Management is a Chicago-based firm serving condominiums, high-rises, townhomes, and HOAs throughout the city and surrounding suburbs. Its services span financial management, building operations, vendor oversight, capital projects, governance support, and resident communication.
Best for: Chicago-area associations wanting locally focused management across finances, vendors, governance, and daily operations.
Key strengths:
- Has more than 25 years of experience serving Chicagoland associations.
- Provides financial, maintenance, vendor, governance, and capital-project support.
- Offers 24/7 emergency coordination and board and resident portals.
Considerations: Chicagoland Community Management works across several association types, so confirm its experience with communities that closely resemble yours. High-rise or amenity-heavy properties should ask specifically about on-site staffing, building operations, and capital-project support.
8. AssociationOne
AssociationOne provides HOA management throughout Chicagoland with an emphasis on flexible service levels, technology, and communication. Associations can use administrative, financial, operational, project-management, maintenance, and emergency-response services depending on their needs.
Best for: Chicagoland HOAs wanting flexible service options with a strong emphasis on board communication and technology.
Key strengths:
- Offers flexible administrative, financial, maintenance, and project-management services.
- Includes 24/7 emergency response.
- Uses technology to help boards track association information and ongoing management activity.
Considerations: AssociationOne emphasizes flexible services, which means boards should define exactly what they need before comparing proposals. Confirm which administrative, financial, and project-management services are included and which require additional fees or service levels.
9. Chicago Property Services
Chicago Property Services is a locally based condo and HOA management company with 25 years of experience. The company identifies small-to-mid-size communities as a specialty and emphasizes board support, technology, communication, and financial oversight.
Best for: Smaller Chicago condo and HOA communities that prioritize hands-on service and direct communication.
Key strengths:
- Tailors its management approach to the needs of smaller Chicago associations.
- Provides financial oversight and board support.
- Emphasizes customized communication and technology tools.
Considerations: Chicago Property Services focuses on small-to-mid-size communities, so larger high-rises should verify that its staffing and operational resources match their complexity. Ask specifically about emergency coverage and support for specialized building systems or major projects.
10. FirstService Residential Illinois
FirstService Residential Illinois combines a long-standing Chicagoland operation with the resources of a national community-management organization. The company reports more than 60 years of experience in Illinois and serves condominiums, high-rises, active-adult communities, and other property types.
Best for: Large or high-rise Chicago communities that need deeper staffing and specialized management resources.
Key strengths:
- Works with high-rises, condominiums, and several other association types.
- Provides financial, operational, technology, training, and resident-support resources.
- Combines a local Illinois team with broader organizational resources.
Considerations: FirstService Residential combines a local team with the resources and processes of a large national organization. Boards that prefer a smaller-firm experience should ask how local decisions are made and how staffing, escalation, and additional service fees work.
How to Choose an HOA Management Company in Chicago
Chicago HOA property management companies may serve very different types of communities, from small vintage condo buildings to staffed high-rises and suburban associations. A recognizable name or strong online rating can help you begin your research, but neither tells you whether a company fits your community.
Before requesting proposals, define your priorities and use the same criteria for every candidate. An HOA vendor evaluation matrix can help your board compare firms consistently instead of relying on general impressions.
Focus on:
- Community Type Experience: Look for experience with properties similar to yours, whether you manage a condo building, high-rise, townhome development, or suburban HOA.
- Chicago Market Knowledge: Ask about local vendors, building operations, winter maintenance, and other issues common to Chicago-area communities.
- Service Scope: Compare financial management, assessments, maintenance, vendors, meetings, homeowner communication, and rule-enforcement support.
- Management Model and Staffing: Decide whether your property needs on-site management or can work with a portfolio manager. Consider how many communities the assigned manager oversees and what backup coverage is available.
- Communication: Establish expected response times, escalation procedures, how residents get help, and how frequently the manager communicates with your board.
- Financial Controls: Review budgeting, approvals, invoice processing, collections, bank-account controls, and financial reporting. Your HOA annual budget can help you identify the financial responsibilities a management company may need to support.
- Technology: Compare homeowner portals, payment systems, maintenance tracking, document storage, and board reporting tools.
- Fees and Contract Terms: Review the complete fee schedule alongside contract length, renewals, termination rights, transition responsibilities, and record ownership. Look beyond the base management fee for meeting charges, project fees, administrative costs, and after-hours services.
- References and Reviews: Read public reviews, but also speak directly with boards overseeing comparable communities.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring an HOA Management Company
Discovery calls and proposal meetings give your board an opportunity to test whether a company can deliver the level of support it promises. Ask each finalist the same questions so you can compare the answers directly.
Before signing, you can also use an HOA manager contract template to identify terms your board may want to review more closely.
Consider asking:
- How many Chicago or Chicagoland associations do you currently manage?
- Which community types and sizes are the strongest fit for your company?
- Do you primarily manage condominiums, HOAs, high-rises, townhomes, or a mix?
- Who would be our assigned community manager?
- How many other properties does that manager oversee?
- Would our community receive on-site or portfolio management?
- Which services are included in the base management fee?
- What additional or administrative fees should we expect?
- How do you handle after-hours emergencies?
- What controls do you use to protect association funds?
- How frequently will our board receive financial reports?
- How do you oversee vendors and larger maintenance projects?
- What technology will board members and residents use?
- Can we speak with 2–3 current clients managing communities similar to ours?
- What does your transition process look like when replacing another management company?
- What happens if our board eventually decides to terminate the agreement?
Pay attention to how specific each answer is. A management company should be able to clearly explain who will manage your community, what services are included, how communication works, and what you’ll pay.
Find the Right HOA Management Company in Chicago
Choosing an HOA management company in Illinois becomes easier once your board agrees on its priorities. Narrow the field to a few firms, then evaluate each one against the same criteria for service, communication, financial management, staffing, cost, and references.
You can also explore additional HOA management resources before interviewing potential firms.
HOA Explore offers a convenient way for community associations to find support from the right professional HOA management company. Use our online directory today!
FAQ: HOA Management Companies in Chicago
What Does an HOA Management Company Do?
An HOA management company handles many of the day-to-day administrative and property-management responsibilities on behalf of your association and board. Services may include assessment collection, financial reporting, vendor coordination, maintenance oversight, board support, resident communication, meetings, and covenant enforcement.
The exact responsibilities depend on your community and the management agreement you sign.
How Much Does an HOA Management Company Cost in Chicago?
There is no single standard management fee for Chicago associations. Pricing varies based on property size, community type, staffing, amenities, building complexity, service scope, and whether your property requires an on-site manager.
Compare the complete fee schedule rather than looking only at the monthly base rate. Our guide to HOA management fees explains common pricing factors and additional charges you may encounter.
What Should a Chicago HOA or Condo Board Look for in a Management Company?
Start with experience managing communities similar to yours. Then compare manager workload, communication practices, financial controls, pricing transparency, technology, maintenance capabilities, and references from comparable associations.
The best choice should also match your board’s preferred level of involvement. Some communities want extensive day-to-day support, while others need more targeted administrative or financial assistance.
What Is the Difference Between HOA and Condominium Management?
HOA and condominium management share many responsibilities, including finances, vendor coordination, resident communication, meetings, and board support.Â
Condominium associations may require more oversight of shared building systems, common elements, and large capital projects than many single-family HOAs. For that reason, Chicago condominium management companies with experience in your specific building type may be particularly valuable.
Can an HOA or Condominium Association Switch Management Companies?
Yes. Your board can change management companies, but you should review your existing agreement before beginning the transition.
Check notice requirements, renewal terms, termination provisions, unpaid fees, association records, bank accounts, and transition responsibilities. Your board should also establish a clear handoff plan so financial documents, vendor information, resident records, and other association materials move to the new management company without unnecessary disruption.
