2026 Insights Report
The Visibility Gap
2026 Community Association Board Experience & Insights Report
What Nearly 1,000 Board Members Told Us About the Future of Community Management
938
Association board members surveyed
5
Trends shaping what comes next
1st
Industry benchmark of its kind from RealManage
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The Finding
More Visibility Should Mean More Confidence. The Data Says Otherwise.
Boards have more information, technology and resources than ever before. But more access hasn’t always created more clarity.
Our research uncovered a growing Visibility Gap between the information boards have and the confidence they need to make decisions, communicate clearly and lead effectively.
The data reveals where that gap is showing up—and five trends every community leader should be watching.
Inside the Report
Five Trends Shaping What Comes Next
Nearly 1,000 board members gave us a clear look at where community management is headed—and where expectations are changing fastest.
Digital Doesn’t Mean Visible
More technology. Not always more clarity.
Budget Pressure Is Changing Community Operations
Every dollar is under greater scrutiny.
Communication Has Become the New Trust Currency
Trust is built—or lost—in how you communicate.
Community Operations Have Become One Connected System
Every decision has a ripple effect.
Confidence Doesn’t Guarantee Execution
Knowing what to do and getting it done are two different things.
“
Our research revealed a clear disconnect: having access to more doesn’t always mean you can see more. That is The Visibility Gap.
Jose Costa
Chief Executive Officer, RealManage
About the Research
A new industry benchmark for how boards are navigating these pressures.
RealManage’s inaugural 2026 Community Association Board Experience & Insights Report establishes a new industry benchmark for how boards are navigating these pressures. Based on responses from more than 900 community association stakeholders, the findings offer a closer look at:
Inside the Report
A closer look at three questions
01
Where boards feel prepared
02
Where operational gaps remain
03
Which challenges are shaping community management today
Close the Visibility Gap.
Get the full 2026 Insights Report and see the five trends shaping community associations.
The Podcast · Coming Soon
A five-part podcast series is on the way.
We’re turning the report into conversation. Across five episodes, community leaders and RealManage experts unpack one trend at a time — what the data shows, why it is showing up now and what boards can do about it.
5 episodes · Launching 2026
The Visibility Gap
Podcast Series · RealManage
Episode 01
Topic announced soon
Episode 02
Topic announced soon
Episode 03
Topic announced soon
Episode 04
Topic announced soon
Episode 05
Topic announced soon