Professional Community Association Management
Birchwood Property Management (BPM) specializes exclusively in the management of homeowner and condominium associations. We serve as the operational backbone for communities in Petoskey, Alanson, Harbor Springs, and Walloon Lake, Michigan.
We manage communities with the understanding that association decisions have long-term consequences for neighbors, shared assets, and property values. The communities we serve are the same places where we live and work. That perspective informs how we approach governance, maintenance, and communication: practical, deliberate, and focused on long-term stability.
Our Story
Birchwood Property Management traces its roots to 2005, when Holiday Vacation Rentals was founded in northern Michigan to provide professional vacation rental management. As a family operated business, the company grew through personal care, hands-on leadership, and long-standing relationships with property owners throughout the region. During that growth, Birchwood Realty was acquired, and the “Birchwood” name became associated with property management services across multiple property types.
As expectations for professionally managed communities increased, condominium and homeowner associations began seeking the same level of organization, accountability, and care for common elements that individual owners expected for their homes. Through referrals and steady demand, the Birchwood Property Management division evolved into a specialized practice focused on association governance and operations.
From the outset, that focus centered on board support, common-element maintenance, financial oversight, regulatory compliance, and clear communication with co-owners. Over time, BPM became a trusted management partner for associations ranging from small communities to larger, more complex properties.
In 2026, Birchwood Property Management entered a new chapter. The condominium and homeowner association management division was formally separated from Holiday Vacation Rentals and established as a dedicated, independently owned company. Clients continue to work with the same experienced team, established systems, and trusted vendor relationships with a structure purpose-built exclusively for community association management.
Today, Birchwood Property Management combines deep institutional knowledge with modern systems, refined processes, and a forward-looking approach. Our goal is straightforward: to help boards govern effectively, maintain their communities responsibly, and protect long-term property value without unnecessary complexity.
FAQ
Most frequent questions and answers
We specialize in small to medium sized condominium and homeowners associations in Northern Michigan (Harbor Springs, Petoskey, and surrounding communities.) These are often communities that aren’t large enough to need a full-time manager yet need professional guidance and Board support.
No. We are retained by the Association and work at the direction of the Board of Directors. While we regularly assist owners in Association related matters, our responsibility is to act in the best interest of the Association as a whole. On occasion, we may assist owners for matters that are classified as an owner responsibility in accordance with your association’s master deed and bylaws, however, we are careful not to become heavily involved in individual unit-level maintenance in order to have adequate time to focus on Association matters.
Property Management covers a broad range of property related services. Birchwood Property Management specializes exclusively in Community (Homeowner or Condominium) Association Management.
We work directly with the Board of Directors to manage the entire neighborhood or condominium complex as a single entity, focusing on governance, common area maintenance, fiscal responsibility, and the long-term preservation of property values.
We coordinate and oversee maintenance on behalf of the Association, including obtaining bids and managing vendors. Most repairs and maintenance is performed by licensed (if applicable) and insured third-party vendors eliminating conflicts of interest providing services in-house.
Yes. While we are not legal experts our work is guided by the Michigan Condominium Act, Nonprofit Corporation Act, and each Association’s governing documents. When legal interpretation is required, we recommend involving the Association’s legal counsel.
We prioritize communication based on the urgency and impact of the matter at hand. Our internal goal is to acknowledge all non-emergency inquiries within one business day. While many of our responses are immediate, we balance speed with the thoroughness required to provide accurate information.
Emergency Matters: Issues involving immediate safety risks or property damage (such as fire, flood, or structural failure) are prioritized first.
Routine Matters: For standard administrative or maintenance requests, we operate during normal business hours. We do not typically respond on weekends or holidays unless an emergency is in progress.
Associations are provided with clear emergency protocols and after-hours contact procedures. Our role is to coordinate an appropriate response while keeping the Board informed and ensuring actions align with governing documents and insurance requirements.
We believe in transparency and fiduciary integrity. Birchwood Property Management does not mark up association vendor invoices, nor do we accept kickbacks, referral fees, or incentives for Association work. This ensures our recommendations are based solely on quality and value for the association.
Qualified vendors are a vital extension of our management team. By treating them fairly and maintaining a competitive, fair bidding process, we attract the best local talent to service your community.
Yes. We regularly assist Boards with planning, bidding, and overseeing larger projects such as roofing, siding, drainage, and infrastructure repairs. We work with Boards and Committee Members throughout each stage and bring in appropriate skilled professionals such as engineers, general contractors, or legal expertise when needed.
We provide in-house, integrated accounting services tailored to the specific needs of Michigan associations. This includes assessment collection, vendor payment processing, and financial reporting to the Board and Owners for transparency.
We believe in a hands-on, disciplined approach, which requires us to be physically present from time to time. We currently serve community associations in Harbor Springs, Petoskey, Walloon Lake, Alanson, and surrounding Northern Michigan communities. This local focus ensures we can provide proactive maintenance oversight and be on-site more frequently and when needed.