tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44229166547878697022024-03-16T14:52:55.851-04:00Access Management Group / Atlanta Property Management Professionals / 770-777-6890HOA and COA Property Management Professionals - One of Atlanta's Premier Property Management Firms For More Than 30 YearsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger221125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4422916654787869702.post-77345892855395111482016-10-04T15:36:00.006-04:002016-10-04T15:41:53.704-04:00New in the HUD<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifb1Uqq_3KM9Se4fEXPxSFRi9APqpxJA8qtMySqjJQgfnmE_IAC9zsvL1iXE1vmwRTDB06hM8UhBuTCjEtWMm5p_rVUi0l07MttF3uV879D1buuHH3FbzEjRIQR5fTBpc57aMqp3zlQWY/s1600/HUD.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifb1Uqq_3KM9Se4fEXPxSFRi9APqpxJA8qtMySqjJQgfnmE_IAC9zsvL1iXE1vmwRTDB06hM8UhBuTCjEtWMm5p_rVUi0l07MttF3uV879D1buuHH3FbzEjRIQR5fTBpc57aMqp3zlQWY/s200/HUD.png" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As is typical during the end of presidential
administrations, a lot of new regulations are implemented, and this year is no
different. Beginning October 14, 2016,
HUD Fair Housing regulation 2015-0095-0001 goes into effect, incorporating the
results of court cases which in some instances involved homeowner
associations. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While HUD says this regulation does not place any new duties
on HOAs, it squarely places these items “on the radar” of some who may see it
as an opportunity to litigate. Because
of this, it is crucial that Boards of Directors consult with their insurance agents to
confirm that appropriate Directors & Officers insurance is firmly in place. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikIT2q9liFCEkclplcxb7ZNEo3pWoqdc_L-LdMA5cb9MKHANhOGjTWXT1XOrS06sDTYp4GG4jBdJSw6k6T873i-JmaNilRifvaETpb3Y_QEwmU-0TB16EqMGvgMfwwugPZzlWIhO8WVQg/s1600/insurance3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikIT2q9liFCEkclplcxb7ZNEo3pWoqdc_L-LdMA5cb9MKHANhOGjTWXT1XOrS06sDTYp4GG4jBdJSw6k6T873i-JmaNilRifvaETpb3Y_QEwmU-0TB16EqMGvgMfwwugPZzlWIhO8WVQg/s200/insurance3.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> This regulation clarifies some instances where a
community’s Board of Directors must address harassment between neighbors:
Boards must carry a heightened sense of awareness and act in certain situations
that in the past they may have chosen to ignore. Additionally, they can be held liable for the
actions of agents or employees.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the commentary HUD
included in releasing the new regulation are the following tidbits:</span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You can be held liable for failing to take
prompt action to correct and end a discriminatory situation where the Board
knew or should have known of the conduct and had the power to correct it. Such knowledge can come from, for example,
the harassed resident, another resident, or a friend of the harassed resident. Neither psychological nor physical harm must
be demonstrated to prove that a hostile environment exists.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The power to take prompt action depends upon the
extent of control or any other legal responsibility the Board may have with
respect to the conduct (as indicated in bylaws or other rules of a homeowner’s
association or condominium, or by federal, state or local law).</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Community associations regularly require
residents to comply with CC&Rs and community rules through such mechanisms
as notices of violations, threats of fines, and fines. HUD understands that community associations
may not always have the ability to deny a unit owner access to his or her
dwelling; the rule merely requires the community association to take whatever
actions it legally can take to end the harassing conduct.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Creating and posting policy statements against
harassment and establishing complaint procedures, offering fair housing
training to residents and mediating disputes before they escalate, issuing
verbal and written warnings and notices
of rule violations, enforcing bylaws prohibiting illegal or disruptive conduct,
issuing and enforcing notices to quit, issuing threats of eviction and, if
necessary, enforcing evictions and involving the police are powerful tools to
control or remedy a tenant’s illegal conduct.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A principal (such as the Board) is vicariously
liable for the actions of his or her agents taken within the scope of their
relationship or employment, or for actions taken outside the scope of their
relationship or employment when the agent is aided in the commission of such
acts by the existence of the agency relationship.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The response from some Boards has been denial,
believing this regulation only applies to apartment complexes and the
like. HUD has stated otherwise, and this
should be seen as an addition to existing Fair Housing considerations Boards
must take in areas such as pet regulations and architectural review approvals. It is crucial that you consult with the
Association’s legal counsel on this timely topic.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4422916654787869702.post-22246816819240030322016-05-31T14:08:00.000-04:002016-05-31T14:08:12.612-04:00Insurance Notice Deadline<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lawsuits are almost always unwelcome surprises. Combined with the regular daily stresses
Board members face for their communities, it's a relief knowing you have proper
insurance in place, right? So, when the
insurance company denies the claim saying you didn't report it quickly enough,
you reach for the heartburn medicine. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbOYU3ASR48LMgP0yadLlHQggVHBIfc0yI6ZcKBI6VubkiXASHSurlqpeS5WCK1PVnzR-rhVD9gUW6UjoMKPCvg6xcy4JGR2tlz77mhZCD2wF62uLKI8bXoZVX6ex6JTr3mkEv8lSNuWU/s1600/denied.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbOYU3ASR48LMgP0yadLlHQggVHBIfc0yI6ZcKBI6VubkiXASHSurlqpeS5WCK1PVnzR-rhVD9gUW6UjoMKPCvg6xcy4JGR2tlz77mhZCD2wF62uLKI8bXoZVX6ex6JTr3mkEv8lSNuWU/s200/denied.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Unlike in Georgia, many other regions of the country are
lenient when it comes to missing reporting deadlines. In these States, the thinking is that only
material breaches relieve obligations under a contract. Insurers should not benefit if they haven't
suffered an actual disadvantage due to late notice. And as one court said, "It would also
disserve the public interest, for insurance is an instrument of a social policy
that the victims of negligence be compensated."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A century ago, insurance policies were truly private
contracts and judges avoided altering them.
Many courts now recognize that insurance policies are no longer fully
negotiated agreements. Instead, these
are based on standardized forms with conditions dictated by the insurance
company. Since these forms are now used
industry wide, there really aren't alternatives for the consumer to tap into. But we live in a pro-insurer state, so let's
dig a little into this whole "notice" thing.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPU6wqo0F83D3wNKwdjUJSWn1MZr_mc654TLGUCJ0yZamAANhSzsDWPVxUg_TGdsW4ep9SdBaAb66oYwAImJYklXIDXDpGlTbWicW65QnyMKb3AhxPE2VMIiEk2aLGaW7cF4kR9e8atG4/s1600/insurance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPU6wqo0F83D3wNKwdjUJSWn1MZr_mc654TLGUCJ0yZamAANhSzsDWPVxUg_TGdsW4ep9SdBaAb66oYwAImJYklXIDXDpGlTbWicW65QnyMKb3AhxPE2VMIiEk2aLGaW7cF4kR9e8atG4/s200/insurance.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Your insurance covers a time period defined as either
"occurrence" (for damages that happen during the term of the policy,
such as a windstorm) or "claims made" (for when you are served a
lawsuit, not necessarily when an incident occurred). "Claims made" policies have become
more popular for insurance companies. It
helps them avoid losses from asbestos, environmental, and other claims having
roots in actions occurring decades ago.
Among other reasons, the insurer isn't having to defend a previous
customer from thirty years back, and can tack on stipulations to the
claims-made policy to limit covering similar events for new clients involved in
such items. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The claims-made version can be either "general claims
made" (discovery policies) or "claims made and reported
policies" (reporting policies). A
general-claims-made policy may say something like, "The Insurer shall pay on behalf of the
Insured on account of any claims first made during the Policy
Period." A claims-made-and-reported
policy may be something like, "The Insurer shall pay on behalf of the
Insured all sums which the insured shall become legally obligated to pay
because of any claim or claims first made and reported to the Insurer during
the policy period." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">See the difference?
General-claims-made versions often give you a longer window to place a
claim. While Georgia courts usually side
with the insurer when it comes to determining the notification period, on
occasion something known as the "prejudice" rule comes into
play. In this arena, prejudice means
that delaying notification to your insurance carrier placed it at a
disadvantage. It needs time to
investigate, set aside reserves, and control or participate in negotiations if
it hopes to have the best outcome possible.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If the insurance company can show prejudice, it avoids
covering the situation even if there is a question about the late notification.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxkDbozLEku53duYizMgjcWvUXjHIgcgv0K8xO_idbKHp6fIa7ixixOKQjjLky0dTo1m5It1Ijh5Jfkk6Lf8MDK1H8sg6YKpFa86lH4WDDNrMLLi5veWc5JSrUU2UbeW6RiXB8ap3z7y0/s1600/vendor3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxkDbozLEku53duYizMgjcWvUXjHIgcgv0K8xO_idbKHp6fIa7ixixOKQjjLky0dTo1m5It1Ijh5Jfkk6Lf8MDK1H8sg6YKpFa86lH4WDDNrMLLi5veWc5JSrUU2UbeW6RiXB8ap3z7y0/s200/vendor3.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The take-away is this:
As soon as you suspect a claim, notify your insurer. If your claim is denied, consult with your
Association's legal counsel. And most
importantly, be sure to only use insurance brokers who regularly operate in the
homeowner association industry. You can
locate them at the Georgia CAI (Community Associations Institute) website. The first mistake many Boards make is cutting
corners on costs by using an insurance broker who is not familiar with all the
intricate pitfalls faced by HOAs. An
inexpensive policy fails you when you need it the most. Don't scrimp in this area. </span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4422916654787869702.post-74887710855255897922016-05-17T15:11:00.002-04:002016-05-17T20:30:58.636-04:00Like A Good Neighbor...<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpPqQliqRbCO-UReNjLco6KHJB05avU8H7rVx_vSmK0m4g6flaCNv5tXw3TYoJAehZ7avccBun07oMgMQ77rOD57GNE0yFZKDsBR9sjJhPpt9WPcSYFgYj7oqSSzsKdu3wiEpX-nctWJU/s1600/welcome2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpPqQliqRbCO-UReNjLco6KHJB05avU8H7rVx_vSmK0m4g6flaCNv5tXw3TYoJAehZ7avccBun07oMgMQ77rOD57GNE0yFZKDsBR9sjJhPpt9WPcSYFgYj7oqSSzsKdu3wiEpX-nctWJU/s1600/welcome2.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Like
a good neighbor...dah, dah, is there! Many of us recognize this popular slogan.
So what defines a "good" neighbor exactly? They are many ways that
owners choose to manage their relationships with neighboring units. Let's take
a moment to look at the more successful ways these relationships have been
managed.<br />
<br />
New ownership is the best time for owners to make a good first
impression. Some immediately introduce themselves to neighboring homeowners by
visiting their homes. While others, choose to write little courtesy notes with
notifications about pending work that will likely prove messy and disruptive to
nearby units or homes. These small acts of kindness go a long way with
building a good rapport with new neighbors. There's a high probability in
attached multi-family structures that an owner may have to one day
confront an owner about a leak, noise, smoke intrusion, or any of the other items
that may come up. An initial good rapport will make these confrontations more
pleasant and better managed if the neighbors are already starting from a
position of mutual respect.<br />
<br />
Owners who have passed the new neighbor period can still strive for good
rapport with their neighbors. For example, if an owner is being disturbed by a
neighboring unit’s noise, then they have a couple of choices. Most owners
either contact management or they confront the noisy neighbor directly. We've seen more success with owners who choose to politely address their noisy
neighbor versus asking management to step in and address/handle. People are often a bit offended when
management is contacting them with a report from an incident that took place a
couple days prior and they are even more frustrated that management is not
permitted to disclose who the reporting party is. However, when an owner
chooses to confront a neighbor with an issue, it's often best if they introduce
themselves and begin by saying "you may not be aware of this but...."
or “probably don’t know or realize it but….” The noisy neighbor will sometimes
offer their cell phone so the impacted neighbor can call or text if they hear
future disturbances. Again, small acts of kindness go a long way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5IG67wJPSHsfdPNFcS3RtbJ_nyKssirFV3HUIAOQw4GzIjDYYAAa7XwCjo9N5r7ycK6O7Y9XuPY2HaXeUlWNHFe54T6HZF1JMCp4BhZPog6QjLQUueAnLYNk8J3fPnm5q9ALVWkHcY_E/s1600/handshake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5IG67wJPSHsfdPNFcS3RtbJ_nyKssirFV3HUIAOQw4GzIjDYYAAa7XwCjo9N5r7ycK6O7Y9XuPY2HaXeUlWNHFe54T6HZF1JMCp4BhZPog6QjLQUueAnLYNk8J3fPnm5q9ALVWkHcY_E/s200/handshake.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The age old adage do unto others as you would
have them do unto you is very true. In communities, a strong rapport amongst
the neighbors is very important. Management often has to coach people through
this process. People have diverse backgrounds with varied upbringing. So
banging on the ceiling to make a neighbor be quiet is totally fine to some, or
smoking in the bathroom where smoke goes into a shared vent is no big deal, or
allowing contractors to leave messy trails of construction dust in the hallway
is ok because they think the janitorial team will clean it. The Governing
Documents, the Rules and Regulations, and community newsletters are designed to
establish these standards for everyone. So on-going education about these
standards is crucial to having a successful, vibrant community!</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4422916654787869702.post-60772864608973328362016-04-26T12:42:00.000-04:002016-04-26T12:42:18.922-04:00Spirit Stick Beat Down<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">How does a stick become a carrot motivator? When it’s a Spirit Stick. This symbol evokes memories of high school pep
rallies and Friday night football. The stick
tradition began in the late 1940’s at a national cheerleading camp. One squad was not particularly good at
performing the moves, but always arrived early and stayed late, all day long actively
encouraging the other teams. Their
enthusiastic attitude had a dramatic impact on the spirit of the camp. For this, the camp coordinator created an
impromptu award, a decorated tree branch, to recognize that squad’s positive
impact. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA-rWNuKK8hz_0qd2N10qtMQnAejGW_s_GeExAaY0_8imSAiT0WorRRYdpx_pg-0CUtua1YZitJMbVaNHzpx7gtiFkmyG6z1fQQuvJmQ_FHZiQ77CHNnaqFewqXboTwRYtXCwWD4Cgjgc/s1600/teamwork.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA-rWNuKK8hz_0qd2N10qtMQnAejGW_s_GeExAaY0_8imSAiT0WorRRYdpx_pg-0CUtua1YZitJMbVaNHzpx7gtiFkmyG6z1fQQuvJmQ_FHZiQ77CHNnaqFewqXboTwRYtXCwWD4Cgjgc/s200/teamwork.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We all hunger to see such enthusiasm in our organizations. But some groups have strange ideas of how to
instill ‘spirit’. An obvious example is some
religious or social gathering that gets mired in group-think. This mindset isolates and strangles the
ability to positively influence newcomers.
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Introducing a newbie into your homeowners association,
business, or a Georgia CAI committee is a matter of first impressions. Does your welcoming act include a thick list
of rules? Greetings of “Thou Shalt Not” drown
out any thought of benefits and rewards.
Words are like rain: Hard ones
don’t soak in. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The ways conflicts are handled cement your group’s
reputation as a bridge builder or burner.
When a homeowner sends a ten-point list of accusations, the natural
reflex is a point-by-point response.
That list of complaints serves to pull your emotional chain. Ignore the distraction. Instead keep your responses short, focusing
on big picture items. Sometimes silence
is the best answer.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidGkNSD5zhi8TsaUd3aFMb-6Fh-ZsDfWo7_q5JjYiDBE21m-ztA9bKzyTy68_5XtUUVyJh_LeTq0TjmIAgaEQCceKS7-7L7jyZmiANGxDSFGoYDoEfXHF4z4RTVoouRHyfSphC8DCX5VM/s1600/conflict.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="67" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidGkNSD5zhi8TsaUd3aFMb-6Fh-ZsDfWo7_q5JjYiDBE21m-ztA9bKzyTy68_5XtUUVyJh_LeTq0TjmIAgaEQCceKS7-7L7jyZmiANGxDSFGoYDoEfXHF4z4RTVoouRHyfSphC8DCX5VM/s200/conflict.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Conspiracies are an opportunity to quench the fires of
volunteerism. Gossiping about past
conflicts with other individuals is unprofessional and leaves the hearer
wondering what is being said about him or her.
If everyone is out to get you, there’s probably a good reason for
it. Take a look in the mirror.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Self-absorbed personalities in an organization are also a
turnoff. At best, they are daunting, or
worse, obnoxious. Either result dampens
spirits. Instead you should tout group
accomplishments not yours. Self-important
people are only important to themselves. </span></div>
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tooting your horn about the organization is
expected. More often, let your actions
do the talking. Keep your focus on
encouraging the others to do their best, even those who might be competitors. Raising the standard of excellence for <b>ALL </b>creates opportunities for you and
your team. So walk softly and carry a
big spirit stick.</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4422916654787869702.post-6745396197696047162016-04-05T10:15:00.001-04:002016-04-05T10:15:35.163-04:00What Does the Architectural Committee Really Do?<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN9sbH3DBy0YM9NPcdj1s82Os48NRguDG1upF80cJReJHT_5dGyaEhNOYNNuJXXA0Us2EuM2jy4x0GwxVItuj63Fj6VreKPyamS0HtCmu9D4ojBI_kTXiHClxLYt88J6Eme9x_90rfTFg/s1600/Maintenance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN9sbH3DBy0YM9NPcdj1s82Os48NRguDG1upF80cJReJHT_5dGyaEhNOYNNuJXXA0Us2EuM2jy4x0GwxVItuj63Fj6VreKPyamS0HtCmu9D4ojBI_kTXiHClxLYt88J6Eme9x_90rfTFg/s200/Maintenance.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Are you getting ready to make an addition to your house or
build a new shed or fence in your back yard? Before you break out the miter
saw, make sure to get your plans approved by your association’s architectural
committee. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2FLPjDKhrpVR0lgra2hsMyZO13xUi3hM-8xtLmIXXmTG8P3BisNsVzGudtkWoNpGEwfIE-O9jGfsvnjmGd1PVg7ckBPRyOYFTt93E3ZtZA3OY4jrUp8aW0V23qdZy-zdjmGGeTznlzI4/s1600/homevalue2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2FLPjDKhrpVR0lgra2hsMyZO13xUi3hM-8xtLmIXXmTG8P3BisNsVzGudtkWoNpGEwfIE-O9jGfsvnjmGd1PVg7ckBPRyOYFTt93E3ZtZA3OY4jrUp8aW0V23qdZy-zdjmGGeTznlzI4/s200/homevalue2.jpg" width="148" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While it may seem arbitrary from an individual homeowner’s
standpoint, the architectural committee looks out for the entire community.
Aside from stopping residents from painting pink polka dots on their houses,
the committee’s job is to make sure that the size and style of the project, the
typ</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">e of building materials being used and the overall look of the new structure
adhere to the association’s design requirements. Not only does this keep the
community looking cohesive, it also helps to keep property values up by
preventing individual structures from standing out. Of course, it’s also important
to note that unapproved structures might legally have to be removed at the
owner’s expense, so save yourself money and headaches by getting approval
before building.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6VCxueyczBZwZqsPLogLipS8U23MyzzHGbktjHSXJ7PfFjsc-LVr79vFUZdLK5jGOy2EHpLeKF_m3bobxpyKSKT6kmC7uj3zSJFWvkMGbz9XaFZZIGMAHY7NI2ePAoQnOBvksPdhd1kc/s1600/vendor3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6VCxueyczBZwZqsPLogLipS8U23MyzzHGbktjHSXJ7PfFjsc-LVr79vFUZdLK5jGOy2EHpLeKF_m3bobxpyKSKT6kmC7uj3zSJFWvkMGbz9XaFZZIGMAHY7NI2ePAoQnOBvksPdhd1kc/s1600/vendor3.jpg" style="cursor: move;" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So when you’re ready to start your new project, or if the
design of your project changes midway through building it, send your plans to
the architectural committee first so that the committee can make sure they’re in compliance
with the association’s design standards. If the committee does find any issues, they will let
you know what they are and try to help you come up with other options. The Association does appreciate all the hard work residents do (and have done) to make their homes and their community beautiful—so help the Association keep your community looking great by keeping them in the loop on all of your building projects.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com58tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4422916654787869702.post-85295695373413371952016-03-22T15:46:00.001-04:002016-03-22T15:47:42.571-04:00Secrets, Secrets Are No Fun<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinrdT0L_zDuw7gm_hiKgvmottt6rxuaDdEW0n0rVyW5NOlQuANSk_RAE7rIT8-NC0P7JVz16DJot4rL2DVALx5Nj8s39YpsANkXkjVKSVTCQseIEhbDcEYXdhMxVn6wF8w99NW9zv09Nk/s1600/bylaws.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinrdT0L_zDuw7gm_hiKgvmottt6rxuaDdEW0n0rVyW5NOlQuANSk_RAE7rIT8-NC0P7JVz16DJot4rL2DVALx5Nj8s39YpsANkXkjVKSVTCQseIEhbDcEYXdhMxVn6wF8w99NW9zv09Nk/s200/bylaws.jpg" width="144" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Association members are welcome to read official association
documents. There’s nothing secret about the business of the association. In
fact, you should already have copies of key documents like the bylaws or rules.
Other common documents that are open for members to review include:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Board meeting minutes</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Insurance policies</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Financial statements and annual audits</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Declaration and bylaws</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Rules and regulations</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Current contracts</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Leases and agreements</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ballots and proxies</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIcdcfGo2UiM4czjB-A12I7Guq3YfYI4HIuUxNK_4EkgyLqCcIUr75cCNsj-KP8mqGzbpa3gyWtu-X7GzmUd91g9fsrAZSLgYftqvA6AKVaYauKMRXH_hiW3FhsZhyphenhyphenaogkzbmJZ7BK9Vk/s1600/Budget2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIcdcfGo2UiM4czjB-A12I7Guq3YfYI4HIuUxNK_4EkgyLqCcIUr75cCNsj-KP8mqGzbpa3gyWtu-X7GzmUd91g9fsrAZSLgYftqvA6AKVaYauKMRXH_hiW3FhsZhyphenhyphenaogkzbmJZ7BK9Vk/s200/Budget2.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here is typically how homeowners are able gain access to these documents </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(procedures may vary depending on your exact community):</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Send the board a request in writing specifying exactly what records you wish to
review, the date of those records and the purpose of your request.</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The board will respond to your request within 30 days. During that time the
board or manager will locate the correct documents and get them ready for you.</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The records you requested will be available for your review during regular
business hours at the manager’s office for 30 days after your request is processed.</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The association will make copies of records for a reasonable fee.</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixBxDkIhE0pHVU2OZ92x4v3dBofHcOCc8g07UGlp4gz0V76NO9RmRqpjno1lYbeBnUXjsvdNo35l7tNfkhdeSHttwKsB4b40le_cGeoWGP8r3_kGGLJsyn9d82Q1VRJwLe_CI6lGGj9T4/s1600/insurance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixBxDkIhE0pHVU2OZ92x4v3dBofHcOCc8g07UGlp4gz0V76NO9RmRqpjno1lYbeBnUXjsvdNo35l7tNfkhdeSHttwKsB4b40le_cGeoWGP8r3_kGGLJsyn9d82Q1VRJwLe_CI6lGGj9T4/s200/insurance.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Please do not request documents that infringe on the privacy
of an individual like medical or personnel records. These are not public
records, and the association will not make them available. Salary information
is available <i>in the aggregate</i>, but
not for individuals. Some requests might also be denied if they involve ongoing
legal or contractual obligations that might expose the association board or
manager to liability.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4422916654787869702.post-86905499637837967962016-03-15T15:26:00.000-04:002016-03-15T15:28:20.689-04:00Homeowner Rights & Responsibilities<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Tqey_LZDmMl8vW_YnOeT33XCjiFhRMAxDQ4LUq86yvUqqCpWPpzTQi3zb7JjhhjvcLycf_HnNPPZVKRUB0GLmiRHkmBfIeSY2glpC_C2lYuamFJsXI_pbsZn7Pj0VgIh2_Cgcatz4-k/s1600/Access+Mgt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Tqey_LZDmMl8vW_YnOeT33XCjiFhRMAxDQ4LUq86yvUqqCpWPpzTQi3zb7JjhhjvcLycf_HnNPPZVKRUB0GLmiRHkmBfIeSY2glpC_C2lYuamFJsXI_pbsZn7Pj0VgIh2_Cgcatz4-k/s200/Access+Mgt.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As a
homeowner in our association, you have certain rights—<i>and</i> certain responsibilities. And its just as important to know both!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You have
the right to . . .</span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A responsive and competent community
association</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Honest, fair, and respectful treatment by
community leaders and managers.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Attend meetings, serve on committees, and run
for election.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Access appropriate association records.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Prudent financial management of fees and
other assessments.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Live in a community where the property is
maintained according to established standards.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fair treatment regarding financial and other
association obligations, including the opportunity to discuss payment plans and
options before the association takes any legal action, and the right to appeal
decisions</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Receive all rules and regulations governing
the community association—if not prior to purchase and settlement, then upon
joining the community.</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyNpwsxECQvN46Mz7cZyLcdDzeoe-mEitxy6QUa7S9ylmyNEK22gYDo1Eed0W3_16oJElaHAKLd9X5LnSb8-a_jsR6-g8558FDtTsJP3yNp2Z3-cLi1g1ASJthW2xw095O7K7F5nGiSjw/s1600/CuteHouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyNpwsxECQvN46Mz7cZyLcdDzeoe-mEitxy6QUa7S9ylmyNEK22gYDo1Eed0W3_16oJElaHAKLd9X5LnSb8-a_jsR6-g8558FDtTsJP3yNp2Z3-cLi1g1ASJthW2xw095O7K7F5nGiSjw/s200/CuteHouse.jpg" width="200" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You also
have the responsibility to . . .</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><ul>
<li>Maintain your property according to
established standards.</li>
<li>Treat association leaders with honesty and
respect.</li>
<li>Read and comply with rules and regulations of
the community and ensure that your tenants and guest do too.</li>
<li>Vote in community elections and on other
issues.</li>
<li>Pay association assessments and charges on
time.</li>
<li>Contact association leaders or managers, if
necessary, to discuss financial obligations and alternative payment
arrangements.</li>
<li>Request reconsideration of material decisions
that personally affect you.</li>
<li>Provide your current contact information to
the association so you receive all information from the community.</li>
</ul>
</span><ul>
</ul>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com43tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4422916654787869702.post-89309187307526912412016-02-24T07:28:00.001-05:002016-02-24T07:28:38.853-05:00How the Budget Committee Works<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglSN3LYzel_JsWCBT5pC-PDljhq9jQrMvb5xtyO0NfpqIrvaniwSVfcapgvMHRI8AHl8o81oWkr8d1-P5vmQCgIhanF1DWRJbVokIuQoeldbXeZ_ifhQsdVvG69SPfLd0pUS86b-JS3ts/s1600/Budget2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglSN3LYzel_JsWCBT5pC-PDljhq9jQrMvb5xtyO0NfpqIrvaniwSVfcapgvMHRI8AHl8o81oWkr8d1-P5vmQCgIhanF1DWRJbVokIuQoeldbXeZ_ifhQsdVvG69SPfLd0pUS86b-JS3ts/s200/Budget2.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The
budget committee comprises members of our community association, which enables
residents to have a say in how their money is spent. How does the budget
committee work and who serves on it? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Treasurer’s and Accountant’s
Roles<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
It makes sense for the board treasurer to chair the budget
committee. As chair, it’s the treasurer’s job to keep everyone
on track as the budget is prepared. The treasurer also presents
the budget for approval to the board and members. If the association works
with an accountant, he or she may offer consulting, but the
accountant really has no significant role in the process of devising the
budget.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Who Should Be on the Committee?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
The owners who serve on the budget committee should represent a cross-section
of the community. Of course, if there are members willing to serve
who have expertise in areas such as insurance, that’s even better. When it comes
to size, a good general guideline is that the committee shouldn’t be so large
that it becomes unwieldy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What the Committee Does<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The
treasurer will make sure that all committee members understand the three basic
components of the budget:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUAvTitUHTjJVSAV2k83Pfx6uTBqlhwkS4ntDEtOYt5argP1x3WXq-gu_StKN_G4H4u4C46oZUEBW7xmRoDJ3bZrDAdAd3e3vrzLaCbF7bCEj-C83xWPKaIkFDYgGB0xerad0U5h66jJA/s1600/money3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUAvTitUHTjJVSAV2k83Pfx6uTBqlhwkS4ntDEtOYt5argP1x3WXq-gu_StKN_G4H4u4C46oZUEBW7xmRoDJ3bZrDAdAd3e3vrzLaCbF7bCEj-C83xWPKaIkFDYgGB0xerad0U5h66jJA/s200/money3.jpg" width="170" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. Funds
needed for daily operation of the community, such as common electricity
and water, grounds maintenance, management, insurance, and general
maintenance. These expenses are either contractual or can be reasonably
estimated based on experience. An important consideration when looking at
items in the operating budget is the expectations of the community—for example,
do members want a landscaper who is a “blow, mow, and go” type, or do they
want a landscaper who provides a higher level of service? Obviously, the latter requires more of an investment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. Funds
needed to maintain our reserves at sufficient levels. Reserve funds
provide money for the repair and replacement of the community’s assets—such as
the pool, roofs, pavement, etc. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. Funds
for additions or enhancements to the existing property. This is a function
of what members of the community want and are willing to pay for. The
community should provide input and approval for this component. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsmb0AsBcoLWN2JAB81fjINNu7JFO5yYaIHe_2AwamdporkMEYaLp5eauwPQzvcNG_fHQzGMO7gFHSGlf_-01cv6aPP1uUcLWIMWEiorDxnY2fzKud5GHufvmMOlfkdbQWVB644Tkh3bQ/s1600/Money.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsmb0AsBcoLWN2JAB81fjINNu7JFO5yYaIHe_2AwamdporkMEYaLp5eauwPQzvcNG_fHQzGMO7gFHSGlf_-01cv6aPP1uUcLWIMWEiorDxnY2fzKud5GHufvmMOlfkdbQWVB644Tkh3bQ/s200/Money.jpg" width="200" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Armed with this knowledge, the committee will
estimate total expenses for the coming year and compare that sum to the association’s
potential revenue (assessments, interest on investments, concession income, and
so on). If expenses are greater than revenue, the committee will look for ways
to lower expenses without compromising service. If that doesn’t balance the
budget, the committee may have to make a tough decision—whether to increase
assessments or levy a one-time special assessment.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Its not always an easy job - but its absolutely essential to the health and longevity of your association. Homeowners always want to know where their money (or dues) are being spent. Serving on the budget committee can be a very eye opening experience!</span><br />
<br />
<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4422916654787869702.post-90796890429674029102016-02-16T10:12:00.002-05:002016-02-16T10:13:20.070-05:00Sounds Like A Good Idea<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtFAeg3fcHlSwwpR-yz15Ef1MjJEMJUy9jIWA2duCIms490wm5vJBUFqOAjoueFtE-GQX2eKRzvSKpZAP-6v1JsHtx4pJK0ph7CABy42SFoyAxGzN7GdQ_4CLRMcH2ge3W8s-S1bmWNhY/s1600/Noise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtFAeg3fcHlSwwpR-yz15Ef1MjJEMJUy9jIWA2duCIms490wm5vJBUFqOAjoueFtE-GQX2eKRzvSKpZAP-6v1JsHtx4pJK0ph7CABy42SFoyAxGzN7GdQ_4CLRMcH2ge3W8s-S1bmWNhY/s200/Noise.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Noise is a concern for every resident and because you live
in a community, it’s important to understand that some degree of noise is to be
expected. At the same time, residents need to consider the consequences of
their noisy behavior. To keep everyone happy and maintain civility among
neighbors, the following are a few steps that you can take to reduce or
eliminate annoying noise (and if everyone follows these guidelines, your community will be a much happier (and more peaceful) place!):</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <b>Be kind and respectful</b>. A little common
courtesy makes a big difference. Keep your music and television at reasonable
levels, do your vacuuming before bedtime, and before remodeling, check with the
manager about acceptable hours and days of the week that work can be done. If
you put in hardwood or tile flooring, use a sound-reducing underlayment. Move
your noisy appliance away from walls and put sound-absorbing material
underneath <i>before</i> your neighbors
complain.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <b>Keep a log.</b> If you’re disturbed by a
noise problem, note the times and the nature of the noise. Ask the manager to
listen and verify the noise as well. There may be a pattern in the noise that
can be adjusted.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <b>Visit your neighbor</b>. If your neighbor
is the source of the noise, try a friendly chat. Sometimes people just don’t
realize how noise is affecting others. People are usually considerate once they
realize they’re disturbing others. And, if your neighbor knocks on your door,
listen politely and be willing to made changes to reduce your own noise.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFtZhBdNLYyMWYpOqmtvgxVT4GbzAChK2ruGZf5qUvDcd3ZMzQ1VmIxn_3y235wnoqYA8hGuTVLXK4pYlDO34xOg4Da4QaxjvE0TM2geia-dkWtrRjDGlsiuZFhrQaK8S-CCtyGtyIlsA/s1600/listen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFtZhBdNLYyMWYpOqmtvgxVT4GbzAChK2ruGZf5qUvDcd3ZMzQ1VmIxn_3y235wnoqYA8hGuTVLXK4pYlDO34xOg4Da4QaxjvE0TM2geia-dkWtrRjDGlsiuZFhrQaK8S-CCtyGtyIlsA/s200/listen.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <b>Contact the manager</b>. If a polite
request doesn’t change your neighbor’s noisiness, it may be time to ask the
manager for help. Have your noise log
ready, including attempts to solve the problem yourself.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Reducing
noise sounds like a good idea. A quiet, peaceful community, relatively
speaking, is a happy community.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4422916654787869702.post-69298285063178575372016-02-09T07:02:00.002-05:002016-02-09T07:02:27.267-05:00Community Association 101<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj47v2lpGa1o-emFEzKVUwCSqSgYQVfz61Wr9KqMy0hd4RJFewEJY-pAEYmjfFduvCA_CX9mOLzTjSMlqgAS9n2ow4Wq3kkCq86OWA4yjHxa1J1SR1mY48XO8a35GhPuSrlHG7amSdQx2w/s1600/Access+Mgt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj47v2lpGa1o-emFEzKVUwCSqSgYQVfz61Wr9KqMy0hd4RJFewEJY-pAEYmjfFduvCA_CX9mOLzTjSMlqgAS9n2ow4Wq3kkCq86OWA4yjHxa1J1SR1mY48XO8a35GhPuSrlHG7amSdQx2w/s200/Access+Mgt.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Even though
so many people live in an association, you might be surprised by how many of those neighbors—owners and renters alike—don’t really understand the fundamental
nature of common-interest communities. And we know that many others, including
the media and government officials, lack a true understanding of the community
association (or condominium) concept.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Community
Associations Institute (CAI), a national membership organization that
represents the best interests of common-interest communities,
developed 10 basic principles that answer three essential questions: What is the basic function of a community association? What
are the essential obligations and expectations of homeowners? What are the core principles that should guide association
leaders?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaVMIxvb5ekt_OePTNWu3zJMcqB3fHXcF6VxYTfoB3oLkKdobgrPR3d-FYdrjrGO7s10fEDFqDdjAzylOJlRKJH0c-pFGOgTjr4OFmVbdG21qp1AIblVV8ZIXLzGRsBga9Lsg1dvr-dPw/s1600/accessfamily1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaVMIxvb5ekt_OePTNWu3zJMcqB3fHXcF6VxYTfoB3oLkKdobgrPR3d-FYdrjrGO7s10fEDFqDdjAzylOJlRKJH0c-pFGOgTjr4OFmVbdG21qp1AIblVV8ZIXLzGRsBga9Lsg1dvr-dPw/s200/accessfamily1.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lets take a look:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1.
Associations ensure that the collective rights and interests of homeowners are
respected and preserved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2.
Associations are the most local form of representative democracy, with leaders
elected by their neighbors to govern in the best interest of all residents.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3.
Associations provide services and amenities to residents, protect property
values and meet the established expectations of homeowners.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4.
Associations succeed when they cultivate a true sense of community, active
homeowner involvement and a culture of building consensus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5.
Association homeowners have the right to elect their community leaders and to
use the democratic process to determine the policies that will protect their
investments.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6.
Association homeowners choose where to live and accept a contr<o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">actual
responsibility to abide by established policies and meet their financial
obligations to the association.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7.
Association leaders protect the community’s financial health by using
established management practices and sound business principles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8.
Association leaders have a legal and ethical obligation to adhere to the
association’s governing documents and abide by all applicable laws.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqBAvyM-PGlo_b4AjX0G1M23UMfe0TAGrtwYUSSfDRMul9Dz_JIH42eXX9vAT2_n2DeYRhqgQdrGnCee09jC5_cY_rtdEIMMtzSPdrwR5dqRr2iONGaNZlgTvUDZCpIjD31OoLBF6zV98/s1600/Condo1" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqBAvyM-PGlo_b4AjX0G1M23UMfe0TAGrtwYUSSfDRMul9Dz_JIH42eXX9vAT2_n2DeYRhqgQdrGnCee09jC5_cY_rtdEIMMtzSPdrwR5dqRr2iONGaNZlgTvUDZCpIjD31OoLBF6zV98/s200/Condo1" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">9.
Association leaders seek an effective balance between the preferences of
individual residents and the collective rights of homeowners.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10.
Association leaders and residents should be reasonable, flexible and open to
the possibility—and benefits—of compromise.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Fundamentals</i> can be downloaded at www.caionline.org/governance/fundamentals.pdf.
For more information about Community Associations Institute, go to
www.caionline.org.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4422916654787869702.post-64976059867054758852016-01-27T10:41:00.000-05:002016-01-27T10:41:18.984-05:00Money Down the Drain<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIoBwSBEUw63Bdrikkj-_hNT6YBb6PMWLkk8ZHoe_AFnz_1dcC2z2GRNXPZO0aHfYc2XCD013NU0AxRCouRmGGFGmsPQMGOmgeQGkrMydPVKGnj1u0AxZMVmNhphaPa2D9VdQ-bKySSZs/s1600/low-flow-water-faucet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIoBwSBEUw63Bdrikkj-_hNT6YBb6PMWLkk8ZHoe_AFnz_1dcC2z2GRNXPZO0aHfYc2XCD013NU0AxRCouRmGGFGmsPQMGOmgeQGkrMydPVKGnj1u0AxZMVmNhphaPa2D9VdQ-bKySSZs/s200/low-flow-water-faucet.jpg" width="145" /></a><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Most condominium or townhome communities share a similar
structure when it comes to water. Each
unit either has its own meter, is sub metered, or the water is included in the
assessments for the community. Owners
with meters feel a sense of responsibility for the water usage and try to help
conserve. But responsibility for water
consumption is not all that is needed; owners need to also take the proactive
approach to ensure that plumbing fixtures are in good working order. Alas, not all owners are this
responsible. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We’ve had an incredible success story recently with one of
our clients, and their board of directors is truly proud of the results. We noticed a trend by carefully reviewing the
financial reports. It is so important
that you pay attention when you look at your financials! The water bill at this condominium community
was skyrocketing. Operating funds were
depleting. We knew we had to act
fast. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Two approaches were researched and implemented. We contacted the city utility department and
got approval to participate in a toilet rebate program: All owners installing a low flow flush toilet
would get a rebate from the city. The
city credited the association’s utility bill and in return the association issued
funds to the owner. We also had the community's attorney review the governing documents to ensure that we would have the right
to do unit inspections searching for any plumbing leaks.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGPM_q-M44xyj8ypz05HV3Zc9xqB2m9QY_1hHQE-d8O1pKELT9LuephxJXNOEib9yfxXU_unn_9CcIJFyzdxKh5xCHY-mlP1jrNpMWDIh1PSsJF-2fvJnQtuk8Im8YEIXDd-LISOSJTsk/s1600/money-down-the-drain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="104" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGPM_q-M44xyj8ypz05HV3Zc9xqB2m9QY_1hHQE-d8O1pKELT9LuephxJXNOEib9yfxXU_unn_9CcIJFyzdxKh5xCHY-mlP1jrNpMWDIh1PSsJF-2fvJnQtuk8Im8YEIXDd-LISOSJTsk/s200/money-down-the-drain.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The water bill received immediately after the process began
was already showing improvement, success!
After all the reports of
completed repairs by the owners were in and many new, low flush toilets had been installed - the next water
bill had been cut in <i>half</i> as compared to the
same date the year before. It was so
important to the board of directors to be able to show this to their owners
that not only do they have a responsibility to ensure their community is being
run well, but they also are proactive in finding ways to keep spending down as
well as find ways to save costs. </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While of course we had a “fun time” dealing with disgruntled
owners that didn’t want us to enter their units or didn’t believe us when reported
leaks needing repairs, it was well worth it in the end to be able to thank them for their
cooperation!</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4422916654787869702.post-74252771574186649172016-01-19T13:56:00.000-05:002016-01-19T13:56:10.910-05:00Point of Contact<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s always a good idea to have a single point of contact between
various groups and businesses. Having too many
hands in the cookie jar can lead to confusion and misunderstanding. Important issues and resolutions are almost
always missed. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is especially true with committees, boards and
vendors. Committees are frequently made
up of three or more homeowners - and when there are a lot of volunteers, there tends to also be a lot of opinions. So it is
important to designate a committee chairperson who reports the wants and needs
of the entire committee to the board and/or management. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYIU_LHewp6DGyHq7RBZUs6Qu7tELdF7dKTnbSTdSUx-wOvUv4sQESpMZ3ztknBNfiI2v0XMaN6zXNdfTVGK8j4iysX_Gn9JMfi4GBcjx6gjsMQ7SOyDlK76X7gcWm1YDKXwqlfLQDmz8/s1600/singlecontact.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYIU_LHewp6DGyHq7RBZUs6Qu7tELdF7dKTnbSTdSUx-wOvUv4sQESpMZ3ztknBNfiI2v0XMaN6zXNdfTVGK8j4iysX_Gn9JMfi4GBcjx6gjsMQ7SOyDlK76X7gcWm1YDKXwqlfLQDmz8/s200/singlecontact.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Having a member of the board acting as a liaison for each
committee is equally important. That way
each committee chairperson can report to one member of the board instead of all
five or more members. Around budget
season each committee should have met and discussed their proposed budget
amongst themselves for the upcoming year.
They then send this proposed budget to the Treasurer for review and to be included in the
Association’s budget. If you had three
or more committee members trying to convey their budget needs to each board
member, something inevitably will get marginalized.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The same system applies to management and board
members. The board should assign each
board member a specific committee to oversee (i.e. landscaping, pool, finance, etc.). For example, the landscape committee
discovers that a major irrigation leak has occurred and, after receiving three
bids, they determine they would like XYZ Irrigation Company hired to conduct repairs. The landscape chairperson reports the
findings to management. The manager then
adds this to the manager’s report and notifies the board liaison for
landscaping. The liaison reports his
findings to the rest of the board so they can quickly decide as a group on the
request. This also helps everyone to be
more organized and efficient during the month and more productive at the board
meetings. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUAburlYT-bO6UrqhO3_f9R5WLibC3thZyeLFSAwbcLwQrIqF2hUommlyk-8gUlXPSBcNgTELM9FXLFro33qbSRvtWoU3Ax5s0lUhO_ziz_LF8azytmxX7h2lfUVeHqJY7gduJhfBRAZ8/s1600/phone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUAburlYT-bO6UrqhO3_f9R5WLibC3thZyeLFSAwbcLwQrIqF2hUommlyk-8gUlXPSBcNgTELM9FXLFro33qbSRvtWoU3Ax5s0lUhO_ziz_LF8azytmxX7h2lfUVeHqJY7gduJhfBRAZ8/s200/phone.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Along those same lines, it is always a good idea to have one
point of contact with your contractors/ vendors -both to deal with on a regular basis
and to report issues to. With more than one
point of contact you waste time navigating through the vendor’s organization to
report specific issues, and may not have successfully followed through afterward. Also, you risk the vendor misunderstanding the
specific needs and conditions of the community, if he/she does not regularly
interact with a particular person. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A single
point of contact creates accountability, pinpointing errors and decreasing
communication snafus and lost time in working through your community’s
challenges. </span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4422916654787869702.post-2760901232568293732016-01-12T11:19:00.002-05:002016-01-12T11:19:34.386-05:00Do You Winterize?<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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o:title="SnowflakesX3"/>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM5HiCEcSIe_qeXLPw_2AtLhAwH6dMeCOnT8vj1DdvSQD4g8LuOHXD4fHBeaCjpT70_1-tXU37mNZ0UTbP7xlNRqrJVoGCsc5R9N9Kt5EDFyR3tV9-EuBBUUiTa-Bao2FEfA9tB5VqyM0/s1600/Snowflakes2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM5HiCEcSIe_qeXLPw_2AtLhAwH6dMeCOnT8vj1DdvSQD4g8LuOHXD4fHBeaCjpT70_1-tXU37mNZ0UTbP7xlNRqrJVoGCsc5R9N9Kt5EDFyR3tV9-EuBBUUiTa-Bao2FEfA9tB5VqyM0/s200/Snowflakes2.jpg" width="200" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Winterizing and Preparing for Extreme Cold Weather</u></b> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As cold weather
approaches there are some things that homeowners and associations should
consider to be proactive to avoid frozen pipes and potential water damage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">PREVENTING FROZEN PIPES<o:p></o:p></span></b></h3>
<div style="margin-bottom: 5.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 5.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Every winter, homeowners suffer from the destruction,
frustration, and the financial burden caused by freezing and bursting water
pipes. Freezing can occur in any water pipe exposed to temperatures of 32ºF or
below. As freezing water expands, it generates enough pressure to burst pipes
and fixtures. When frozen pipes thaw, flooding can occur and cause extensive
damage. Pipes in garages, attics, crawl spaces, and unheated rooms are
particularly susceptible to freezing. Pipes in exterior walls may also freeze
when temperatures fall below freezing during severely cold weather. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 5.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 5.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">During the winter, taking a few simple precautions, you can
avoid the frustration, destruction, and expenses caused by frozen pipes. Access
Management Group recommends you use this guide to help prevent frozen pipes and
protect your investment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 5.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 5.0pt; text-align: center;">
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<h3 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></b></h3>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">DID YOU KNOW?<o:p></o:p></span></b></h3>
<div style="margin-bottom: 5.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 5.0pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4y-tK7arQw_-gbkBbCUTqPMLCjzMr3RxyUukeIl0M1nmsPiGzsmYaeecCHc4uZy4P_xBDdEnbp8aJjfGG3a8KfYwH6CR5jniKUmvyuylnyo3tnaljJtGorBQJAcsGyQnHJjKooMUnqeU/s1600/iciclesontree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4y-tK7arQw_-gbkBbCUTqPMLCjzMr3RxyUukeIl0M1nmsPiGzsmYaeecCHc4uZy4P_xBDdEnbp8aJjfGG3a8KfYwH6CR5jniKUmvyuylnyo3tnaljJtGorBQJAcsGyQnHJjKooMUnqeU/s200/iciclesontree.jpg" width="200" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">An eighth-inch (three millimeter) crack in a pipe can leak
up to 250 gallons (946 liters) of water per day. Both plastic (PVC) and copper
pipes can burst.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></b></h3>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">BEFORE COLD WEATHER HITS<o:p></o:p></span></b></h3>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Know Where Your Shut-Off Valve Is –</strong> All responsible household members should know where the
home’s shut-off valve is located prior to needing it for an emergency. Every
home should be equipped with a shut-off valve. Generally a stop and drain valve
is located on the service line on your side of the water meter, near the house.
If you live in a condo or townhome, you may have a shut-off at your water
heater or where your water line enters your unit. Unfortunately, not all units
have a main shut-off. If you have one, locate it so you can shut off the water
if a break occurs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzG3iihJ85WV3x74TWiM39DUgvEToTvVfUvZBpU0t6Hnj_ZGRQQqHp7Kw2Y8rBf26DEb3lTxS-fZSyFR_KRZg8D76WrT99wUCJy5w2c3V2k94kNcgLWT8JNjf3xnSFhZrIgHuqGIvX05A/s1600/frozen-pipes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzG3iihJ85WV3x74TWiM39DUgvEToTvVfUvZBpU0t6Hnj_ZGRQQqHp7Kw2Y8rBf26DEb3lTxS-fZSyFR_KRZg8D76WrT99wUCJy5w2c3V2k94kNcgLWT8JNjf3xnSFhZrIgHuqGIvX05A/s200/frozen-pipes.jpg" width="200" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Insulate Pipes and Faucets – </strong>If you have pipes in unheated areas, such as the garage or a crawl
space under the house, insulate them with items such as pipe wrap, foam
jackets, or heat tape. Insulating products are available at local hardware
stores or building supply retailers. Follow all manufacturers’ installation and
operation instructions. If you have questions, call a professional for help.
Simply insulating the pipes will help during a short cold spell but a long term
cold spell will ultimately cause the unheated pipe to freeze even if insulated.
If you are concerned about this potential, we recommend installing heat tape
under the insulation against the water pipe. Install insulated covers on your
exterior hose bibs. Again during extreme cold, these could still freeze due to
a lack of a heat source. Shut off hose bibs from the inside, if you have that
capability and if a cut off is available. This is the surest way to avoid these
from freezing. Remember to drain the line outside after turning off the valve.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Seal Off Air Leaks –</strong> With cold winter winds, a tiny opening can let in enough
cold air to freeze a pipe. Look for leaks around dryer vents, electrical
wiring, and pipes. Use caulk or insulation to keep the cold air out. Don’t
cover or block air vents from your water heater or furnace; proper ventilation
is important for those items.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></b></h3>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">WINTERIZING CHECKLIST<o:p></o:p></span></b></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 16.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY7L4rtkD2GbSDhdiw_DoBk22uGRorCrYBGueTyd1pDN4uSwxXrLm0Chn8MmCnz3LUPT0sOZ8DmA4xynzdiMkWpsrH4ydumGJpUsoXD0ctnIHxQ6rY7SNfDEHji6i9D8Hql0elcV_QY9U/s1600/icicles2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY7L4rtkD2GbSDhdiw_DoBk22uGRorCrYBGueTyd1pDN4uSwxXrLm0Chn8MmCnz3LUPT0sOZ8DmA4xynzdiMkWpsrH4ydumGJpUsoXD0ctnIHxQ6rY7SNfDEHji6i9D8Hql0elcV_QY9U/s200/icicles2.JPG" width="200" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Shut Off and Drain Outdoor Irrigation
System</strong></span></div>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Set the automatic irrigation controller to the “Off”
setting.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Turn off water to the irrigation system at the stop and drain valve. Many
homes have separate stop and drain valves for the outdoor water supply. Make
sure the different valves are labeled so they are easy to identify.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Drain all water out of any irrigation components that might freeze. Some
systems may drain automatically. The system may not drain completely based upon
how it is installed but draining as much water as possible is a positive
action.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Disconnect garden hoses from hose bibs.</span></li>
</ol>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Shut Off and Drain Indoor Plumbing to
unheated buildings such as pool houses.</strong><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
</div>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Shut off water using the stop and drain valve. Use caution to
make sure this valve has been completely turned off. If this valve isn't closed
correctly, the water will continue to feed the building and/or flow out the
drain valve if the main valve is not properly closed.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Drain all water out of the pipes by opening every faucet until
the water stops running. After the water has stopped, turn off the faucets. If
water does not stop, go check the stop and drain valve to make sure it’s shut
off all the way.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Flush toilets.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pour biodegradable anti-freeze into all toilet bowls, toilet
tanks, and sinks to displace water in the drain pipes. Carefully follow
manufacturers’ instructions and always store in a child and pet proof location. RV antifreeze is the best product to use since
regular automobile antifreeze can damage toilet wax rings and other components
of the plumbing system.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Open your hot water drain valve, usually located at the low point of your
hot water pipes. If you choose to drain your hot water tank, turn off the gas
or electric supply to the heater. If you do not turn off the water heater, it
will continue to try and heat the water and cause your heater to malfunction.
This will result in the potential for fire and total replacement of the water
heater.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not all buildings are designed to be totally drained and there
is a possibility that there could still be water left in the piping system that
could freeze. If you turn the water back on after winterization, check all
plumbing to ensure you do not have a broken pipe. If a pipe is broken, turn the
water back off and call a plumber or the AMG emergency line immediately.</span></li>
</ol>
<br />
<h3 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">ALTERNATIVE FREEZE PREVENTION</span></b></h3>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;">Instead of draining your water system,
you may heat the building to avoid freezing pipes. However, leaving the
thermostat at 45 to 55 degrees does NOT always ensure that the pipes will not
freeze. Winter storms may cause power outages, which will cause some heating
systems to shut off, resulting in frozen pipes.</span><span style="font-weight: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;">If you are going to be away from your
home and it is the time of year that cold weather may be a concern, make sure you
leave your unit with the heat on. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">If you are in a Condominum or Townhome, your
unit not being heated may cause a water line break and now you have also
flooded your neighbors and cause thousands of dollars of damage to yourself,
others and the common association areas. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Letting your water drip slightly is
also a method that can be used since moving water freezes slower than water
simply sitting in a water line. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Open cabinet doors to allow heat to
flow easily around water pipes.</span></span></li>
</ul>
</h3>
<h3 style="margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; page-break-after: auto;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">IF YOUR PIPES
FREEZE</span></b></h3>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-cellspacing: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: 100%px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in;">
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeiaUX033o9GNbNFzvW7wDTXQ83icNeiH1RwXuREihlXbj1diyJJi4Bgx-NBLphQz3xDm7uf0w2XwrQ5QCuBxnQfy6FZra4sBu40ZFDlKbb2csB_HF_0XcVgWYaSt5OrY8-Fm93AMEyzI/s1600/frozen-pipe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeiaUX033o9GNbNFzvW7wDTXQ83icNeiH1RwXuREihlXbj1diyJJi4Bgx-NBLphQz3xDm7uf0w2XwrQ5QCuBxnQfy6FZra4sBu40ZFDlKbb2csB_HF_0XcVgWYaSt5OrY8-Fm93AMEyzI/s200/frozen-pipe.jpg" width="200" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If
you turn on the faucets and nothing comes out, call a plumber or the Access Management
Group Emergency Line immediately. <b><u>The
AMG Emergency Line is our main line number at (770) 777-6890 and follow the
prompts</u></b>. We can send personnel to your home to help evaluate the
situation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: .1in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Open all faucets in the house.
When water freezes, it expands by 1/5<sup>th</sup> its original volume.
By relieving pressure, due to the expanding water, you may avoid additional
pipe damage. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: 105.0pt;" width="140">
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2" style="padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in;">
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .9in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;">
<b style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">AFTER THE THAW</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: 0.9in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once your pipes have thawed, it is
important that you carefully inspect your home for any signs of a leak. The
freezing of the pipes could have caused a pinhole leak, hairline break, or
large crack.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: 0.9in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: 0.9in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If the water lines are in an attic
space it would be wise to ensure the piping is covered with insulation and is
best if they are within the hea<o:p></o:p>ted envelope of the unit. Ensure that if pipes
in these areas are repaired and the insulation is disturbed that the
insulation be placed back into its original configuration and not left
exposed to freeze another day.</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<h2 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikUR8GHVjuzQ4l6TJ8WZZX8SVk_dW-iIfW7hyCSF9LiVCFkZyFRCKUo0dg1OW4-Q5Hpp-lXHBrwM1Jt4viTnS_70XF2EKonNRTM3VPSey5xR6M67rK7R-JM89uz-3FcYaeRpXN2GGLaOE/s1600/Snowflakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikUR8GHVjuzQ4l6TJ8WZZX8SVk_dW-iIfW7hyCSF9LiVCFkZyFRCKUo0dg1OW4-Q5Hpp-lXHBrwM1Jt4viTnS_70XF2EKonNRTM3VPSey5xR6M67rK7R-JM89uz-3FcYaeRpXN2GGLaOE/s200/Snowflakes.jpg" width="200" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span></h2>
<br />
<h2 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Be Water Wise, Winterize!</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></h2>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4422916654787869702.post-26564080731089691762016-01-05T09:45:00.002-05:002016-01-06T14:58:19.854-05:00Do You Know What The CAI Can Do For You?<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Community Association Managers must be knowledgeable in a
myriad of topics and issues. In a single day, they touch items ranging from pet
owner violations to million dollar capital projects. After appropriate training
and experience, managers are effective partners with communities, helping
maintain assets and increase property values. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The State of Georgia requires Association Managers to be
licensed through the Georgia Real Estate Commission. Mandatory licensing provides increased
protection to communities from negligent practices, and allows a much better
option to thrive versus a self-managed community run by those with limited
knowledge about Association issues. Managers
must attend a 3-day course taught by homeowner association attorneys. This is followed by both a class test and then
a State test.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQypUA0APFV0ygRuFn49RoTxEl7B4fmcq2GT1gN1eo5aTZZM4Cpf4j0axif6-crKYHAMIC1ZbSPl6o7iJe8ak4gqy6SJBkJemHf-fLT7Mx0-JYkfoVdomPIirYtmPlolcSbhrFtwgT_zM/s1600/CAI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="87" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQypUA0APFV0ygRuFn49RoTxEl7B4fmcq2GT1gN1eo5aTZZM4Cpf4j0axif6-crKYHAMIC1ZbSPl6o7iJe8ak4gqy6SJBkJemHf-fLT7Mx0-JYkfoVdomPIirYtmPlolcSbhrFtwgT_zM/s200/CAI.jpg" width="200" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Related to this, the Community Associations Institute (CAI)
is a valuable resource and has proved to be an important organization for homeowner
associations and industry affiliates.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Byron Hanke, an eventual founder of CAI, authored the
first systemic study of planned communities entitled, <i>The Homes Association Handbook. </i>This book called for the creation
of a national organization to provide education and act as a clearinghouse of
ideas and practices for the community association housing market (<a href="https://www.caionline.org/AboutCAI/Pages/History.aspx">https://www.caionline.org/AboutCAI/Pages/History.aspx</a>
). </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In 1965 a model planned- unit development statute was
drafted, and in 1973 the CAI was organized through the joint efforts of the Urban
Land Institute and the National Association of Home Builders, the U.S. League
of Savings and Loan Associations, the Veterans Administration, the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development, 23 builder/developers and a number
of leading community association professionals (<a href="https://www.caionline.org/AboutCAI/Pages/History.aspx">https://www.caionline.org/AboutCAI/Pages/History.aspx</a>
).</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirU61sq1ae4cN7vMaThTqim670cAQtKMX4cZDQ5wvAcmKvc97mMR0uwYbENFipVmQ8H9Ae5Xbn6gO4uXJST4Rnsng1CRzKR4xKtzKcs6kI5BrVCrMqLzGA8QStR51gXdlY_cEIvDn1Kco/s1600/plannedcommunity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirU61sq1ae4cN7vMaThTqim670cAQtKMX4cZDQ5wvAcmKvc97mMR0uwYbENFipVmQ8H9Ae5Xbn6gO4uXJST4Rnsng1CRzKR4xKtzKcs6kI5BrVCrMqLzGA8QStR51gXdlY_cEIvDn1Kco/s1600/plannedcommunity.jpg" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Forty-two years later, CAI continues the mission of building
better communities. There are 60 local chapters, including one in the Atlanta
metro area, established in 1981. Its Board of Directors is comprised of
community association professionals, volunteers, homeowners and business
partners. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The local chapter acts as a source of knowledge for all
members, with driven professionals and homeowners. There are rewarding networking and career
opportunities which directly impact the success of our region, as well as on
the national and international levels. Its active sub committees have created an
organization filled with endless insight, happy homeowners, productive
community associations, better communities and hardworking professionals who
believe in the organization and what it means to them, personally,
professionally, and ethically. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Managers have the opportunity to gain <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a>credentials
through continued education through CAI. To learn more visit </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">https://www.caionline.org/LearningCenter/Credentials/Pages/default.aspx</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whether you need a new resolution for your association,
new board member training, or a new manager for the community, look to CAI to
provide ethics, industry best practices, knowledge and education for community
associations. </span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4422916654787869702.post-59290609476473364502015-12-30T11:47:00.000-05:002015-12-30T11:47:05.235-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf2DGtjJtK4rvj1KPt55RmHXtbx13cW74eSilzlyv_coZj6BVEko-8PJM2SB9HVW55bmcWbncJ2GyiCHh5aDKHkNpsEhoQRxdBnbULeI0RWhy1E2yx4U-VXI_pmzaSoZ-muIxHiyQun88/s1600/PropertyManager.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf2DGtjJtK4rvj1KPt55RmHXtbx13cW74eSilzlyv_coZj6BVEko-8PJM2SB9HVW55bmcWbncJ2GyiCHh5aDKHkNpsEhoQRxdBnbULeI0RWhy1E2yx4U-VXI_pmzaSoZ-muIxHiyQun88/s200/PropertyManager.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What happens when common sense overrules Covenants and Design Standards? <br /><br />As community association managers, we are contracted to inspect properties on a frequent basis, adhering to the language in the covenants that bind that association and issue violations in situations that breach those covenants. There are times when something might be ever so slightly outside of these guidelines and as such, falls into a “gray” area." The question becomes "Where do you draw the line with things of this nature?"<br /><br />When something straddling that line arises, we typically first consult the board for their take. We try (and also advise the board) to look at the big picture and all of the possible outcomes. What consequences may arise if we decide to pursue this violation and take it as far as filing a lawsuit? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqeFOZatFV0UQka9ycecO2s9grGr7olwrknSMOLx7_9yznOc4640BuG6xlep4G0XVdxEL26A_JfufQ5DFfbmzL8USemalA3tXqrBNkxhLR_hALiPcUwi3RIqC0q19faKy3I0v3vmZ2410/s1600/violation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqeFOZatFV0UQka9ycecO2s9grGr7olwrknSMOLx7_9yznOc4640BuG6xlep4G0XVdxEL26A_JfufQ5DFfbmzL8USemalA3tXqrBNkxhLR_hALiPcUwi3RIqC0q19faKy3I0v3vmZ2410/s200/violation.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />Remember that governing documents are v</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ery general and broad and require particular rules and regulations created by the board of directors to narrow them down. Also, these covenants and rules have to be followed consistently. If not, you have a selective enforcement issue where an owner could argue that you are picking on him and not on his neighbor: This could get really ugly in court!</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><br />We have witnessed certain cases where the association loses because they either didn’t have every fact straight or they were being too harsh on the homeowner. Recently here in Georgia, an owner decided to place a large American flag in his yard and was told by the association that it did not conform to the covenants and therefore had to be removed. This caused a huge uproar with the community and ended up on the local news. Adding fuel to the fire: The owner was a disabled vet showing his patriotism, and the ‘Federal Freedom to Display the Flag Act’ of 2005 allows everyone to display his flag in front of his home.<br /><br />Something else to consider is that “times change”. Most governing documents were written 10, 15 or even 30 years ago. Some things that were standard practice then might not be so today. For example, some covenants might require a particular kind of material to be used on all homes - and now research shows that the material is deemed not as sturdy(or maybe even hazardous to your health). In a case like this, it’s not in the board’s best interest to push for continued use of this material.<br /><br />The bottom line is that sometimes you have to pick your battles. Choose carefully when deciding to push an issue that may end up getting the association into hot water. When in doubt, consult with legal counsel. An attorney experienced in HOA laws will be able to decipher your documents and give you the best legal advice, based on what they see happening elsewhere. Having an attorney back you up provides the best ground to stand on when defending against attacks.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2srGMPfWAJpP_i_RjhSoEus8Q45ysCybzUARTxsfup1MZ5jDYupEAA3H3dTdx9-To_8Mqm7670N207aWaQaRaoRAeYNhUBZX73jnQJ-VjK_fOPuFVhup9Ab9vIC5TAhUNs2ek_Xd4jTA/s1600/bylaws.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2srGMPfWAJpP_i_RjhSoEus8Q45ysCybzUARTxsfup1MZ5jDYupEAA3H3dTdx9-To_8Mqm7670N207aWaQaRaoRAeYNhUBZX73jnQJ-VjK_fOPuFVhup9Ab9vIC5TAhUNs2ek_Xd4jTA/s200/bylaws.jpg" width="143" /></a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4422916654787869702.post-59107427718663146782015-12-22T13:45:00.001-05:002015-12-22T13:45:15.865-05:00Going Cheap<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUAvTitUHTjJVSAV2k83Pfx6uTBqlhwkS4ntDEtOYt5argP1x3WXq-gu_StKN_G4H4u4C46oZUEBW7xmRoDJ3bZrDAdAd3e3vrzLaCbF7bCEj-C83xWPKaIkFDYgGB0xerad0U5h66jJA/s1600/money3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUAvTitUHTjJVSAV2k83Pfx6uTBqlhwkS4ntDEtOYt5argP1x3WXq-gu_StKN_G4H4u4C46oZUEBW7xmRoDJ3bZrDAdAd3e3vrzLaCbF7bCEj-C83xWPKaIkFDYgGB0xerad0U5h66jJA/s200/money3.jpg" width="170" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">New Board members may question the selection of vendors used
for various projects in the community, looking for ways to cut costs. Such inquiries can create friction with the
more seasoned Board members, who feel their own judgment is being called into
question. Its b</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">est to tackle this topic in the very first Board meeting:</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Initially a</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ddress any mistrust that otherwise
could linger and poison otherwise productive meetings throughout the year.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are
questions to discuss with your new Board members, helping them consider different
aspects of vendor selection.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAFiNM7xeGLVuK1nSNDQE71sTdq9Boq-1Um118NP4tX1ej7aBAIgB8nwO0xPYfS6dwcq5_VGF442vLg4QbYtvjJvK8fHuuo_zq_94DAkjxIBRoHU0qbqjJQmuWTF037HCN7FkS_zvQIGU/s1600/ExteriorPaint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAFiNM7xeGLVuK1nSNDQE71sTdq9Boq-1Um118NP4tX1ej7aBAIgB8nwO0xPYfS6dwcq5_VGF442vLg4QbYtvjJvK8fHuuo_zq_94DAkjxIBRoHU0qbqjJQmuWTF037HCN7FkS_zvQIGU/s200/ExteriorPaint.jpg" width="133" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Why not use a handyman
to do basic electrical work around the property?</i> If damage should occur, days or months after
the work is done, the Board can be held responsible for using an unlicensed and under-insured worker. Also, it only takes
a phone call from an upset resident to bring in a county inspector. If the work is not to code, fines and
penalties will rack up along with the demand to redo the work. Also, if someone is injured in a dark area
(because of improper electrical work) the Association may be the one funding a
claim settlement, without the benefit of insurance.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><i>Why not just force the
handyman to obtain the property insurance and do work that doesn’t require a
license?</i> Proper insurance coverage
can be expensive, one of the reasons why handyman can do the work so
cheaply. All too often, false proof of
insurance documents are provided, or the contractor cancels coverage
immediately after being awarded a job, before any claims arise.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><i>Why not have our
manager, who is locked in at a fixed rate, go around and do basic maintenance
(such as replacing light bulbs)? </i>This takes the manager away from overseeing
critical issues, and also upsets homeowners unable to reach the manager quickly
in certain situations. Don’t under
utilize your manager.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKZKCE8WowLewt0V2G1eH6qnJgEHsHQQ_gwFJ00-UxWp0pl0T4RjqFjayFJRLnT48WVUQWhkXk3lx2v1pHWRcbSixDP9hNzrIhxjzH22YHpVVZL2kN2k5TbfdxzCDBAQ5ws0LGu_knHU0/s1600/Maintenance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKZKCE8WowLewt0V2G1eH6qnJgEHsHQQ_gwFJ00-UxWp0pl0T4RjqFjayFJRLnT48WVUQWhkXk3lx2v1pHWRcbSixDP9hNzrIhxjzH22YHpVVZL2kN2k5TbfdxzCDBAQ5ws0LGu_knHU0/s200/Maintenance.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><i>Why not have my
fully-qualified friends or relatives do the work</i>? Besides a perceived conflict of interest for
personal gain, you expose yourself to homeowner criticism if problems crop
up. It also creates opportunities for
things to become ‘personal’, clouding your judgment and undue issues with your
actions.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><i>Why not have volunteers
handle some of the duties?</i> The
proper liability and workers compensation insurance needs to be in place, as
waivers are not worth the paper they are written on. Parts purchased down the street may not be
commercial-grade, resulting in early wear-and-tear. The volunteer may unknowingly be skipping
crucial maintenance steps or fail to fully consider possible system failures.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="line-height: 115%;">Retaining the right person includes more than
just price. You are hiring for
specialized knowledge, for proper safety, for efficiency, and for insulation
against claims. You get more than you
paid for by not cutting contract corners.</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4422916654787869702.post-17726210865549660402015-11-17T14:07:00.000-05:002015-11-17T14:07:09.223-05:00Protecting Your Covenants<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAa-RIX4DltJAzjAS0f9E-rv5p_R3yRnOkEFErUUytgXn4floEEF2a1qDRaYEUXQzRADaDoLfJq2mklK4ElBss934Nc5PuH2a2QVFFc4P9gpARLDlAorBYbR4FieCAyvbSCfa3jajDLUU/s1600/bylaws.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAa-RIX4DltJAzjAS0f9E-rv5p_R3yRnOkEFErUUytgXn4floEEF2a1qDRaYEUXQzRADaDoLfJq2mklK4ElBss934Nc5PuH2a2QVFFc4P9gpARLDlAorBYbR4FieCAyvbSCfa3jajDLUU/s200/bylaws.jpg" width="144" /></a><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One Board
member asks, <i>“In your Board training
class, you mentioned that a benefit of converting our community from a common
law homeowners association (HOA) to a statute Property Owners Association (POA)
permits us to rely on automatic statutory liens, rather than having to file
paper liens on delinquent homeowners.
What if our Declaration of Covenants (CC&Rs) already says that we
don’t have to file paper liens, even though we are not a POA?”</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Great
Question! If your community is not
submitted to the POA, then a paper lien is still required to protect the
Association’s debt claims, regardless of what is written in your
Declaration. Your Declaration doesn’t
overwrite the law regarding property lien notification.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are
certainly a lot of reasons to convert communities over to Georgia’s Property
Owners Association Act (POAA), and we encourage all of our clients to take
steps to gain such protection. Here are
some of its benefits:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTGhH2vgM56a_6mMNYKfBZCA6jYRVZOUQiBTB09ZDapCHhNHJ28EtDhzSWpipg5gDgbKUYHZffpZblJcQ6JhO3LMVR1KP-fmBhSxPqtGio17KHM0q4wKK5rSlgu7rGMbtJNshehB92aXc/s1600/Access+Mgt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTGhH2vgM56a_6mMNYKfBZCA6jYRVZOUQiBTB09ZDapCHhNHJ28EtDhzSWpipg5gDgbKUYHZffpZblJcQ6JhO3LMVR1KP-fmBhSxPqtGio17KHM0q4wKK5rSlgu7rGMbtJNshehB92aXc/s200/Access+Mgt.jpg" width="200" /></a>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Creates
certainty – HOA authority is constantly changing under court challenges, but more
of your regulations are locked if you are operating under the POAA</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Explicitly
states homeowner protection from being sued individually against claims others
may make against the Association</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Provides
21 days notice - rather than the normal minimum 10 day notice - required for upcoming meetings</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Clearly
allows you to hold renters liable for their actions</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Places
prospective owners on constructive notice about assessments</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Shifts
the burden of collection expenses onto the delinquent homeowner</span></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Automatic
statutory liens established, so you no longer have to pay $200+ in legal fees filing
paper liens</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Avoids
lien invalidation due to accidental misspellings</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Buyer
and seller jointly liable until all funds collected at closing</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Association
may foreclose on HOA debt while leaving the home loan bank note in place</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Blocks
a judge’s arbitrary waiver of late charges, fines and attorney fees</span></li>
</ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Amendments
to the governing documents can be applied equally to everyone, not just those
that voted to approve an amendment</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Creates
a one year time limit for challenges against amendments</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Establishes
a range of 66% to 80% required approval for future amendments</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Any
regulations that are a violation of federal/state law may be amended
automatically without a community-wide vote (such as removing rules that are
now considered Fair Housing Act violations)</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If your community is currently operating under a
common law HOA regime, get with your property manager and legal counsel to
explore how you can enact the above protections!</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4422916654787869702.post-24020525407406143172015-11-10T15:16:00.002-05:002015-11-10T15:16:33.580-05:00Email Exchange<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7yCVOEexJNyTYcdqe3sShFMB3bypy0w-5NQS4Fdb1NTPUXkci_25rfEunv6DlgF3FzGdcTQeJ8sPQ74hw4kQ__aw7ufg2KpS-RmXwCeiEKP9dLqJ0gYHDxTPnOFnMcB8f2hA7Kqiyov0/s1600/email2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7yCVOEexJNyTYcdqe3sShFMB3bypy0w-5NQS4Fdb1NTPUXkci_25rfEunv6DlgF3FzGdcTQeJ8sPQ74hw4kQ__aw7ufg2KpS-RmXwCeiEKP9dLqJ0gYHDxTPnOFnMcB8f2hA7Kqiyov0/s200/email2.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Anyone who has worked as a Community Association Manager (CAM) for any
length of time knows that responding to homeowners as quickly as possible is
key! A quick response time goes a long way in forming a homeowner’s impression of us as a manager, their impression of the company we work for and their impression of </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">the Association we work with</span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">. Over the years as technology has evolved,
the many ways for a homeowner to make contact with his/her manager has also changed. Most managers do the vast majority of communicating through email - so being cognizant of how email is used becomes
</span><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>very</i></b><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> important.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb6Oj7hqf_nqSgwbbAk4t2899BWvVSPnebH-9Zv4F_zDhl3tYbQp54_d6ZlgQzG-xgsT8elb148E7sENU260LO7Wo78xzvr4ui6twWZNkhQ3WhmfPgYMGYvp_LBh6ly2q8E-XWO-VHm9Y/s1600/emails.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb6Oj7hqf_nqSgwbbAk4t2899BWvVSPnebH-9Zv4F_zDhl3tYbQp54_d6ZlgQzG-xgsT8elb148E7sENU260LO7Wo78xzvr4ui6twWZNkhQ3WhmfPgYMGYvp_LBh6ly2q8E-XWO-VHm9Y/s200/emails.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Email is a great “written” record of the exchanges we
share with anyone - homeowners, contractors, etc. It is so convenient to go to
your archive to find exactly what was said, agreed to, promised, etc. Besides
being mindful of your grammar, punctuation, etc., <b><i>WHAT</i></b> and <b><i>HOW</i></b> you say something is equally as important. How many times when looking back through an email (after the fact) have you been surprised
at the content???? Sometimes you can unknowingly become
engaged in a long email trail with an unhappy homeowner - and even the most
disciplined and low key manager can find themselves in this position at one point or another. </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">However, in some instances, what starts as a
simple reply to a question, request or concern quickly changes tone and turns
into something you would never remain engaged in if the person was physically in your
office. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtChAoIJiZybI7zslMlcK5S0yyh-pI6Erx4Owp7yQZGjgGSC2Nacjj4UvipXUM3NJ-cLffopm5M8Hz2VuzMlupMwMXKNk0tXPW94DV0wHaNeArdYxEeZ-eR_SRxcTXiHhfCklRC2O2BLI/s1600/Email-on-Phone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtChAoIJiZybI7zslMlcK5S0yyh-pI6Erx4Owp7yQZGjgGSC2Nacjj4UvipXUM3NJ-cLffopm5M8Hz2VuzMlupMwMXKNk0tXPW94DV0wHaNeArdYxEeZ-eR_SRxcTXiHhfCklRC2O2BLI/s200/Email-on-Phone.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here’s what is key – make every attempt to craft each email
response with the understanding that, should your email be brought back to
support a legal action, it will reflect nothing but the kind of professionalism valued in our industry. Clear, concise
information that sticks to the subject is best.
Address <b><i>everyone </i></b>in a respectful manner, using the same etiquette you’d
expect of a business you would want to become involved with.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">In the end, your participation in all exchanges will be seen
as a straight forward, friendly and professional attempt to be of assistance and
address concerns of the homeowners and Boards we all serve. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4422916654787869702.post-3943937214701194202015-11-04T13:54:00.000-05:002015-11-04T13:54:53.865-05:00Reserving Activity <div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUAvTitUHTjJVSAV2k83Pfx6uTBqlhwkS4ntDEtOYt5argP1x3WXq-gu_StKN_G4H4u4C46oZUEBW7xmRoDJ3bZrDAdAd3e3vrzLaCbF7bCEj-C83xWPKaIkFDYgGB0xerad0U5h66jJA/s1600/money3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUAvTitUHTjJVSAV2k83Pfx6uTBqlhwkS4ntDEtOYt5argP1x3WXq-gu_StKN_G4H4u4C46oZUEBW7xmRoDJ3bZrDAdAd3e3vrzLaCbF7bCEj-C83xWPKaIkFDYgGB0xerad0U5h66jJA/s200/money3.jpg" width="170" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of our clients asked the following: <i>I know that we transfer a fixed amount
into the reserve account monthly. My confusion is handling excess
operating income and properly reporting the funding of capital projects.
In years where excess revenue exists, do you do an end-of-year transfer to the
reserve account? Should all capital projects be placed in the operating
budget? If so, this will create a net deficit. Does this mean that
instead of having a monthly transfer into reserves we then have to transfer
from the reserve fund back into operating? I don't see the point in doing
both. If there needs to be a transfer from the savings/reserve account,
does that take place monthly, as needed or end of year?<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Should reserve activity be included in the
operating reports?</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Communities with large volumes of capital
reserve work often set up a separate set of reports to keep up with reserve
activity.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Smaller communities with no
amenities frequently roll in all reserve activity on the regular operating
budget comparison report.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Board
should select whichever method is the least confusing for it to follow.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsmb0AsBcoLWN2JAB81fjINNu7JFO5yYaIHe_2AwamdporkMEYaLp5eauwPQzvcNG_fHQzGMO7gFHSGlf_-01cv6aPP1uUcLWIMWEiorDxnY2fzKud5GHufvmMOlfkdbQWVB644Tkh3bQ/s1600/Money.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsmb0AsBcoLWN2JAB81fjINNu7JFO5yYaIHe_2AwamdporkMEYaLp5eauwPQzvcNG_fHQzGMO7gFHSGlf_-01cv6aPP1uUcLWIMWEiorDxnY2fzKud5GHufvmMOlfkdbQWVB644Tkh3bQ/s200/Money.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>How often should funds be transferred in to
reserves?</b> For smaller communities, it makes sense to
just do a single transfer of funds into savings at the end of the year. Otherwise, it is best to schedule transfers to
occur throughout the year. Failing to
plan is planning to fail, so Boards should actively plan for future large
expenses by being disciplined in their savings pattern.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>What about the problem of net deficits
because of reserve expenditures?</b> If you are combining your
reserve activities with you regular operating budget, your comparison report
should have a sub-total line that captures the net effect of your regular
day-to-day operating expenses, which hopefully is always a surplus. If instead you are keeping track of capital
expenditures separately, you definitely need a line item showing reserve fund
transfers. In either case, if there is a
negative net total at the bottom of your report, this indicates that money is
coming either from past year savings, or a bank loan. You can trace this answer back to your
balance sheet (the place that keeps track of all your money), under the line
item ‘Net Income’, which should always match what appears on your budget
comparison report. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglSN3LYzel_JsWCBT5pC-PDljhq9jQrMvb5xtyO0NfpqIrvaniwSVfcapgvMHRI8AHl8o81oWkr8d1-P5vmQCgIhanF1DWRJbVokIuQoeldbXeZ_ifhQsdVvG69SPfLd0pUS86b-JS3ts/s1600/Budget2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglSN3LYzel_JsWCBT5pC-PDljhq9jQrMvb5xtyO0NfpqIrvaniwSVfcapgvMHRI8AHl8o81oWkr8d1-P5vmQCgIhanF1DWRJbVokIuQoeldbXeZ_ifhQsdVvG69SPfLd0pUS86b-JS3ts/s200/Budget2.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">So why should we do transfers to a reserve account,
if we are just going to move the money back to operating?</span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;"> It used to be </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">‘standard procedure’ for communities to shuffle
budget numbers to make it appear that money was being saved (and <i>actually</i> saving this money, not spending
it on capital projects), when often there was no intention or ability to
actually do so. Bank loan underwriters are now savvy to this ploy, and
have been rejecting home loans because of it. Do not set up a monthly
reserve transfer if you know that the money will have to be spent during the
current annual operating cycle.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Obviously, financial reporting for an HOA or COA substantially differs from that of personal finances or even many for-</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">profit businesses. It is extremely important to partner with a 3rd Party Expert (in this case a CPA) that actively deals in the Association industry. Reach out to your manager or your local CAI chapter for more info/</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px;">recommendations</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">!</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4422916654787869702.post-56309205515289659202015-10-27T14:51:00.001-04:002015-10-27T16:21:27.678-04:00D&O: Revisited<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE3wbZuk9dcv1pH2oj-jMQO-tN95npuwCJhCPFkXz0Xtz1B8bzrTOvDPK07fAUwNwYo5uihmOou7rjegp2uKrn5aetCUfhV-izLdU83c-f8TlSvUGK1nLet6tfYm9RoNImSJru_p3DGVw/s1600/insurance3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE3wbZuk9dcv1pH2oj-jMQO-tN95npuwCJhCPFkXz0Xtz1B8bzrTOvDPK07fAUwNwYo5uihmOou7rjegp2uKrn5aetCUfhV-izLdU83c-f8TlSvUGK1nLet6tfYm9RoNImSJru_p3DGVw/s200/insurance3.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">#1 Board/Director Rule: <b>Never</b>
serve on a Board of Directors for a community that does not have proper
Directors & Officers (D&O) insurance coverage in place. Without such coverage, money may not be
available to defend you in the event that you are personally sued by an angry
homeowner - leaving you potentially exposed to covering such costs out of your own pocket! Of the different types of
insurance communities need to carry, D&O is the least standardized. For
instance, did you know there are three areas of coverage? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Side A coverage
protects Directors from claims of wrongful acts when the Association refuses or
is unable to provide indemnification</span></span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Side B is for claims
by the Association for money paid to indemnify a Board member </span></span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Side C is for claims
by the Association against the Association itself.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
Confusing? In addition, constant court challenges continue to
add new wrinkles to how D&O is processed.
See how technicalities impacted three recent court decisions:</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpTGrfCt_i0A6nfwmJRFwaRwGG6hlxlVamnuXY6XJpYtEyB7NtxjL2PfS21tdZ9jg9VSVrEpIaFBRpPc3HPD5cy4jqBhAABGwBABKDjbGMUUPukQjBrVa0nsmhydnvOw-l4xzBLxzDnWM/s1600/Gavel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpTGrfCt_i0A6nfwmJRFwaRwGG6hlxlVamnuXY6XJpYtEyB7NtxjL2PfS21tdZ9jg9VSVrEpIaFBRpPc3HPD5cy4jqBhAABGwBABKDjbGMUUPukQjBrVa0nsmhydnvOw-l4xzBLxzDnWM/s200/Gavel.jpg" width="129" /></span></a><o:p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Internal
lawsuit coverage</u></b><u><o:p></o:p></u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Normally, insurance cannot be used
when parties within the same corporation are suing each other (ex: the Association
suing an individual Board member, or Board members suing each other). However, in Georgia this assumption has been weakened. At the trial level, the D&O insurance
carrier (St. Paul Mercury) obtained a judgment against the FDIC and former bank
officers, barring coverage under the usual <b><i>insured v. insured exclusion</i></b>. However, the <b><i>Georgia </i></b>appeals court
reversed the ruling, saying that such exclusions are ambiguous under state statutes, and
outside evidence might be necessary to determine intent. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Timing
of Contract</u></b><u><o:p></o:p></u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTfRw-gI4hfMwoXkbz7kVmwZL9FhMDH53m3ulUdjz1f1newP3RT_QE9Rmor-K7YgDWM6SIGdIr6XBh3urWB5L1_utj2BN9Gb_wuCkDDbdvoWmnRP30EqhV4TlL0QrBI3Df7XZybmqrx_U/s1600/contract.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTfRw-gI4hfMwoXkbz7kVmwZL9FhMDH53m3ulUdjz1f1newP3RT_QE9Rmor-K7YgDWM6SIGdIr6XBh3urWB5L1_utj2BN9Gb_wuCkDDbdvoWmnRP30EqhV4TlL0QrBI3Df7XZybmqrx_U/s200/contract.jpg" width="200" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In a Rhode Island case (Transched
Systems v. Federal Ins.), the insured client negotiated to sell its software
products. Following delivery, the purchaser realized that the seller had
breached the asset purchase agreement, and that the senior officers
misrepresented the software. Since the
seller was no longer in business, the purchaser attempted to collect a judgment
from the seller’s D&O insurance company, but was denied based on the breach
of contract and other exclusions. The court reversed this, saying that
contract exclusion did not apply since the <b><i>misrepresentations took place
before the contract was formed</i></b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Substandard Coverage<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: white;">Over in
Kentucky, (State Auto v Highland Terrace Counsel of Co-owners), Highland
Terrace was sued by an owner trying to block a $700,000 special assessment. The Association's D&O claim was denied by
the carrier. </span>The court upheld the
denial, since the underlying suit <b><i>did not allege claims against the individual members of
Highland Terrace </i></b>for which the insurance could have had an<b><i> indemnity
obligation</i></b>. The State Auto D&O form did not provide <b><i>entity</i></b> coverage to Highland Terrace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwj4_YFKTpE_wsbcLurwOP1DT3T1qO3yfm0A7UkJE9HK6jUwCabTmoiwB56h6slaadw5613CyRg3aQLqumjkhNOrPCSVFf4OiZowZx5mC7I4t2_Nj3GmvX5EG62VjhSgEgwivnaKskzEs/s1600/Training.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="108" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwj4_YFKTpE_wsbcLurwOP1DT3T1qO3yfm0A7UkJE9HK6jUwCabTmoiwB56h6slaadw5613CyRg3aQLqumjkhNOrPCSVFf4OiZowZx5mC7I4t2_Nj3GmvX5EG62VjhSgEgwivnaKskzEs/s200/Training.jpg" width="200" /></span></a><span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The above situations illustrate
why it is critical that you use a professional insurance broker who regularly
operates in the HOA industry – preferably someone who is active with the local
Community Associations Institute (CAI) chapter.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While there will always be kinks
in obtaining the best coverage possible, here are some ‘best practices’ you can
implement to reduce risk exposure, according to insurance attorneys:</span></div>
<br />
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Create term
limits</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Locate and
train Board volunteers with diverse sets of skills and backgrounds</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Evaluate the
quality and effectiveness of Board meetings, including the use of agendas,
the preparation and distribution of materials, and the timing and length
of meetings</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Keep apprised
of governance trends and legislation</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Develop and
adhere to a code of ethics</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Develop and
implement committees to oversee and monitor areas of potential liability,
such as director nomination,
financial audits, and regulatory compliance</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Prohibit
related-party transactions or require independent review of such
transactions</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maintain open and
active homeowner relations</span></li>
</ul>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4422916654787869702.post-30566405276496703172015-10-20T14:42:00.000-04:002015-10-20T14:42:23.288-04:00Financial Sense<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Occasionally new clients or
Board members express confusion about how community financials are
reported. For those of us working in the
for-profit business world, using anything other than accrual-based accounting
seems backward.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiiF7PT10pX_TfEv92mWSiZXWWFUUGD8hyeoXjWiCCFUIhI2LHODMiKHrx3W1TWfY1yW7IIKFHNlkiV314fjPalTZDF5sGQodi30YCIunwIAC-WoIKgrWFItU2x5FtFpl8NX2YRF2KzJ0/s1600/wadofcash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiiF7PT10pX_TfEv92mWSiZXWWFUUGD8hyeoXjWiCCFUIhI2LHODMiKHrx3W1TWfY1yW7IIKFHNlkiV314fjPalTZDF5sGQodi30YCIunwIAC-WoIKgrWFItU2x5FtFpl8NX2YRF2KzJ0/s320/wadofcash.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What is accrual
accounting? It is planning for the
transfer of funds before they actually occur.
So, you report expected income a month or more in advance of when you
actually receive money, and also post expenses for items that will come due at
a future date.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However, for homeowner
associations, there are downsides to this method:</span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">It
may require that the financial books be kept open longer into the month so that
bills can be received and properly accrued</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-stretch: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">It
requires a higher level of accounting/bookkeeping knowledge to properly prepare
financial statements</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-stretch: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">It
can be more difficult for the layman user (most volunteer Board members) to
understand</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Fraud/theft
may take longer to detect</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the other hand, there is
cash-based accounting, which is what most of us use for our personal
banking. Only at the time cash actually
goes in or comes out of the bank are transactions recorded. Delayed deposits or check payments result in
an inaccurate picture of the financial status. A Board of Directors using this
method may incorrectly assume that there is less or more cash, income and
expenses than there actually is.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For small associations with
very few transactions, the cash method of accounting may be appropriate. However,
for most communities, most Georgia accountants feel that a modified cash method
of accounting should be used. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The modified cash method is a
hybrid between cash and accrual. There is no formal standard as to what items
are modified, but common practice is to record income on the accrual method and
expenses on the cash method. So you will only see accounts receivable on the balance
sheet, not accounts payable.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_T7JFxFZKhhahoH4OyLHwyt9f4IgDI8nixEOQuXxsEnR7C9p_KUUW1n6hccsLrZf3h41YDqKeusEiYJuKCg4VmBpK1GGLQ_CuTUH_RlLTL6Sia95EFJLbLphuWyJ4UpkS5jmhpO5wLw/s1600/financial-statement_slider.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_T7JFxFZKhhahoH4OyLHwyt9f4IgDI8nixEOQuXxsEnR7C9p_KUUW1n6hccsLrZf3h41YDqKeusEiYJuKCg4VmBpK1GGLQ_CuTUH_RlLTL6Sia95EFJLbLphuWyJ4UpkS5jmhpO5wLw/s320/financial-statement_slider.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This method of accounting is
a valid option because most expenses are ‘standard’: The majority of them occur on a monthly basis
and are fairly static. Examples include utilities, management contract, pool and
landscaping. There really is no point in creating
opportunities for error and confusion by accruing a future expense that rarely
varies month-to-month!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When it comes to long-lasting (capital)
assets like furniture, vehicles, tools & equipment, the depreciation question
comes up. Depreciation is a way of
slowly reducing the value of these items, to spread an expense out over a
period of years. While it is possible to
report this depreciation on the financials under any method of accounting, it
is not typically done in not-for-profit associations. The items in question are usually not
integral to your core operations, and the main benefit of recognizing
depreciation is during the tax season, which your CPA automatically handles for
you. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeMQ8UZWtSNQpcfdj2HDO7mCzgve8MleeOfQOsokuqsI8_qBWiozeSo3GOG7d4CdprCPRfinhdmmr9dg5WMpPfEof_-iiQaMAGHBO1az8ip-CaauMsow58CvTKjdo-s4QgN7ZF74hhrSA/s1600/piechart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeMQ8UZWtSNQpcfdj2HDO7mCzgve8MleeOfQOsokuqsI8_qBWiozeSo3GOG7d4CdprCPRfinhdmmr9dg5WMpPfEof_-iiQaMAGHBO1az8ip-CaauMsow58CvTKjdo-s4QgN7ZF74hhrSA/s200/piechart.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another term you may hear mentioned when
reviewing a Balance Sheet is the word ‘liability’. This is just another way of saying ‘future
expenses’. Cash method financial
statements generally do not list liabilities. While you may choose to list
long-term liabilities (such as a bank loan) on a modified cash method
statement, the balances often only update at year end, since the expenses are
not accrued monthly or quarterly.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">While the full accrual method is respected
and has a valid place in for-profit corporations, for community associations
CPAs recommend a K.I.S.S. (Keep it simple, stupid) approach by using modified cash to
assist in understanding the financial health of your community. As always, please consult with your community's CPA about the benefits of all </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px;">approaches</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"> prior to making any changes. </span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4422916654787869702.post-47805222678754530442015-10-13T10:46:00.001-04:002015-10-13T14:24:47.433-04:00Full Disclosure<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUAvTitUHTjJVSAV2k83Pfx6uTBqlhwkS4ntDEtOYt5argP1x3WXq-gu_StKN_G4H4u4C46oZUEBW7xmRoDJ3bZrDAdAd3e3vrzLaCbF7bCEj-C83xWPKaIkFDYgGB0xerad0U5h66jJA/s1600/money3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUAvTitUHTjJVSAV2k83Pfx6uTBqlhwkS4ntDEtOYt5argP1x3WXq-gu_StKN_G4H4u4C46oZUEBW7xmRoDJ3bZrDAdAd3e3vrzLaCbF7bCEj-C83xWPKaIkFDYgGB0xerad0U5h66jJA/s200/money3.jpg" width="170" /></a><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">New homeowner
association clients occasionally ask, “Why do we need
to provide the management company the bank statements for Board-controlled
accounts, such as CDs or money markets?” Since the management company
doesn’t draw on these monies, the confusion is understandable.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgASbY4O7TV1RSC9PtJc4-aXvKwLSSqjAaPXbw2pu_WUwd1AN812sgBbi4FNctsXg6h7LzahCheoPVOkLpPrM4q4Q3YLYZuitFHowoyJ5-BatWR46b0GXBR0IinPkBpDc2m-fNbKh6YDDI/s1600/insurance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgASbY4O7TV1RSC9PtJc4-aXvKwLSSqjAaPXbw2pu_WUwd1AN812sgBbi4FNctsXg6h7LzahCheoPVOkLpPrM4q4Q3YLYZuitFHowoyJ5-BatWR46b0GXBR0IinPkBpDc2m-fNbKh6YDDI/s200/insurance.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Although
not directly handling these funds, the management company is required to
provide a full picture on the financial health of the community. Incomplete disclosures impact several areas:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Insurance.
The fidelity/crime coverage must be adjusted based on actual dollar amounts
held. Besides not receiving back all funds in the event of a loss,
lenders may also refuse to provide home loans if the Association is under-insured in this area.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Tax
Returns. These could be delayed or require re-filing if the CPA does not
have full, timely access to bank statements of all assets.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Homeowners
& Lender Inspection Rights. Georgia Statutes and the Association’s
Bylaws require that financials be made available for review, often within five
days of a request. Providing inaccurate balance sheets (by not listing
all funds) exposes the Association to potential litigation which may not be
covered by the Directors & Officers (D&O) insurance carrier.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Speaking
of D&O: Withholding account information may be considered a violation
of fiduciary duty, which can be used as an excuse to deny coverage for any
D&O claim, not just one directly related to financial disclosures. It
gets expensive litigating with the insurance company afterward, trying to
reverse a denial of coverage.</span></li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUAsCeWfOJqlBW6XAwr33MlhNM_x14szXVmTc1xfTdIczJLp1BJ3Xr_oK6bNtWul6NXIQNZh0UeTcxTGYAF6pntShptuUQatGUAZIJDs4W8_twZOYxfa7CQJ8fRAKaqbxpKdFNz8RddYc/s1600/financialstmt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="87" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUAsCeWfOJqlBW6XAwr33MlhNM_x14szXVmTc1xfTdIczJLp1BJ3Xr_oK6bNtWul6NXIQNZh0UeTcxTGYAF6pntShptuUQatGUAZIJDs4W8_twZOYxfa7CQJ8fRAKaqbxpKdFNz8RddYc/s200/financialstmt.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">To ensure information is
getting forwarded to your management company in a timely fashion, be sure to
notify all of your lenders to automatically mail copies of bank statements to
the manager.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">You want to reduce human
error and avoid any appearance of impropriety: Failing to fully disclose only
raises red flags.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4422916654787869702.post-74039323265774934752015-10-06T14:38:00.000-04:002015-10-06T15:25:49.416-04:00Condo Loans<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaHla9syFF8gFqbYWAs0PJEUmbcbDimcEpYLamO6R4nkgzFCUii1jXaqgWzUoYhPfjumOWlvSpAVDB_efwsBh_fE87WZKDau1CIcdRig8CmGMGatQId-oiGtQyTtqqg_RKVkSoaAUnZm8/s1600/metropolis-building.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaHla9syFF8gFqbYWAs0PJEUmbcbDimcEpYLamO6R4nkgzFCUii1jXaqgWzUoYhPfjumOWlvSpAVDB_efwsBh_fE87WZKDau1CIcdRig8CmGMGatQId-oiGtQyTtqqg_RKVkSoaAUnZm8/s200/metropolis-building.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">HUD hands down stricter condominium lending regulations every
year! In September 2015, HUD stated that
loan approval would not be granted for communities where the Declaration of
Covenants gives the Association approval authority over leasing units. During the question and answer session, it
was added that the Association cannot have the power to evict tenants. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Although not every single loan is directly tied to FHA/HUD, 90%
of all loans are impacted. Other lenders need to be able to sell their
loans on the secondary market, which can’t be done unless they conform to
FHA/HUD demands. So unless you want cash-only home sales (i.e. slum lord
investor owners) dominating your community, you should look to amending your
leasing language.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_AvEHhU16Qbt-MmVu_6_eanyltMjXkP-axIOgIGKqTTrOkAmzQtxishhdsC9u7Y5IQgHiHxp3k8iH64CzWuQUVwA1N-3ZKEoPA1V7CWWiak8e1OMOGWSf8tOoeEwDCgVi6JRmhZrbc4Y/s1600/Wres.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_AvEHhU16Qbt-MmVu_6_eanyltMjXkP-axIOgIGKqTTrOkAmzQtxishhdsC9u7Y5IQgHiHxp3k8iH64CzWuQUVwA1N-3ZKEoPA1V7CWWiak8e1OMOGWSf8tOoeEwDCgVi6JRmhZrbc4Y/s200/Wres.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Even for communities with pre-approval HUD/FHA status (which
must be done every two years), we are seeing each new home loan being
scrutinized for community restrictions. It’s
best to proactively address this situation, before an angry mob of homeowners shows
up at a meeting, unable to sell their homes. Hopefully, your governing
documents give the Board of Directors authority to automatically amend to
comply with federal regulations, without the need for a community vote!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">HUD also clarified that the <span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;">Association <u>can</u>:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Restrict total number/percentage of units that can be rented </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Maintain a hardship exception </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Require the landlord to provide a copy of the lease </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Require that the lease be on a specific form</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Set minimum and maximum lease periods </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Require that the lease conforms to the Declaration </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Require the landlord to check the Registered Sex Offenders list</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Require rent to be assigned to Association if the unit owner is
delinquent</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Provide corporate leasing restrictions</span></li>
</ul>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;">The
Association<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><u>cannot</u>: </span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<ul>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-NZu66UUek9KV0GUpJMtjftqcdXbKTXhYb0GrmP7aEQol_TC8mQqNnvcaSmW0-cOFX5gJtfMq60ygegPzR1PhRSWzSNjva-4ujAo840Orbdt8NrDfJ1uJnSlQr4REaiV3AnRKL0e8aGc/s1600/atlantic-atlanta4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-NZu66UUek9KV0GUpJMtjftqcdXbKTXhYb0GrmP7aEQol_TC8mQqNnvcaSmW0-cOFX5gJtfMq60ygegPzR1PhRSWzSNjva-4ujAo840Orbdt8NrDfJ1uJnSlQr4REaiV3AnRKL0e8aGc/s200/atlantic-atlanta4.jpg" width="200" /></a>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Ban all leasing, except in age-restricted and affordable housing
communities </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Require the owner to live in the unit for X amount of years before
being allowed to lease </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Restrict leasing by delinquent owners </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Require tenant interviews with the Board </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Require credit references </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Require criminal background checks (except for the Registered Sex
Offenders list) </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Be granted automatic power of attorney </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Have the power to void leases</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Allow short-term leasing</span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As
always, consult with the Association’s attorney before acting upon the above
information.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4422916654787869702.post-71898307527334413602015-09-29T10:04:00.000-04:002015-09-29T11:29:30.492-04:00Lending Restrictions<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Worried about
what trouble your future Board might create?
A great way to lock in good governing habits is with a bank loan. Yes, a bank loan. All those restrictions for an Association loan
guarantee that no funny business will be happening under someone else’s watch. Just make sure the loan includes the
following:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdjp9mgbeo_cqvilZ9mERwhLSsVlwgxmPK5qPBa6O7-FW1pHSNr2_sjfk2xbQbm6hvorSxPnX4nHs5A6owaWTSLaem9FNPFA2SA6WaR-i5cHVRieqU6dOTz41vWHKowLeP_gOBAjmq-xc/s1600/loan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdjp9mgbeo_cqvilZ9mERwhLSsVlwgxmPK5qPBa6O7-FW1pHSNr2_sjfk2xbQbm6hvorSxPnX4nHs5A6owaWTSLaem9FNPFA2SA6WaR-i5cHVRieqU6dOTz41vWHKowLeP_gOBAjmq-xc/s200/loan.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>The 'proxy put'</u></b> This provision allows the lender to
immediately call the loan due if a majority of the Association's Board of
Directors becomes filled with 'non-continuing Directors' that were not approved
by the original Board members. Take it a
step further to a 'dead hand proxy put', which prevents current Directors from
bestowing 'continuing director' status to any new directors seated via a
contentious election.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Governing Amendment</u></b> The lender
holds veto power over any changes to community regulations. That smoking ban will just have to wait.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Annual Audits</u></b> No, the treasurer did not pay
for that Porsche with community funds.
Conspiracies are a thing of the past, when you’re required to have a CPA
touch the books every single year. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Insurance coverage</u></b> No corner-cutting here. Great way to ensure that D&O insurance,
fidelity, and workers comp coverage - the three coverages that typically get neglected - are fully in
place.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgASbY4O7TV1RSC9PtJc4-aXvKwLSSqjAaPXbw2pu_WUwd1AN812sgBbi4FNctsXg6h7LzahCheoPVOkLpPrM4q4Q3YLYZuitFHowoyJ5-BatWR46b0GXBR0IinPkBpDc2m-fNbKh6YDDI/s1600/insurance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgASbY4O7TV1RSC9PtJc4-aXvKwLSSqjAaPXbw2pu_WUwd1AN812sgBbi4FNctsXg6h7LzahCheoPVOkLpPrM4q4Q3YLYZuitFHowoyJ5-BatWR46b0GXBR0IinPkBpDc2m-fNbKh6YDDI/s200/insurance.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Self-Managed?</u></b> No way. That lender is going to have the last say on
any changes in professional management.
And self-managed always turns out to be more costly in the long run.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Minimum Annual Budget</u></b> Yep, put the
kibosh on all those crazy candidate promises of ‘lowering assessments’. A related requirement keeps wastrels from
draining your reserve funds.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>First priority asset status</u></b> This allows
the bank to have first dibs over any money or property the Association holds or
might hold in the future. Since HOAs
rarely actually own real estate, the next best thing is having rights to all
future assessments paid by homeowners.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Collections</u></b> The days of “going easy” on deadbeats are
over. Your banker expects the community
to hit delinquent behavior with both barrels.
Absolutely no write-offs of debt without prior approval! Best of all, if the delinquency rates slip
above 10%, the note is called due.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin6wjDprdiDKjVv4vwwn5qpHJYOR1sf4AFqjrp9iAIDCcJSu08sbjMBk1rNX7eU-2UjOjRmo1mnF4UzLEkDMsDFYdjSy6mFCHNQ9kkKw82ValmNrQS9CnFkbLyZlNH4wGM6vhOSaXBUZ8/s1600/money4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin6wjDprdiDKjVv4vwwn5qpHJYOR1sf4AFqjrp9iAIDCcJSu08sbjMBk1rNX7eU-2UjOjRmo1mnF4UzLEkDMsDFYdjSy6mFCHNQ9kkKw82ValmNrQS9CnFkbLyZlNH4wGM6vhOSaXBUZ8/s200/money4.jpg" width="199" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Cross Default</u></b> Not cross-dressing, but close. If the Board stiffs the plumber, it’s an automatic bank loan default. <o:p></o:p><span style="background-color: white;">It is also a default for any other creditor to have the ability to elect
a majority of the members of the Board.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The point is
this: Requirements like those above have
ramifications most of us never guessed existed, so be careful navigating past
potential problems. When your community
obtains a bank loan for a major renovation/repair project, be sure your
attorney is heavily involved. </span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4422916654787869702.post-10436142470147496092015-09-15T14:32:00.000-04:002015-09-15T14:32:16.613-04:00Protect Yourself<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">Through
the years this blog has covered several aspects of Board member liability. One additional item for your consideration is
the use of indemnification agreements.
These<b> </b></span><span style="color: #222222;">provide a more inclusive
protection than what you might find in State statutes or your community's governing
documents. These agreements contain detailed procedures and time frames - and clarify the types of claims covered. If you decide</span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> to utilize this option,
consider clarifications in the following areas:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT3mnrNozDI7IN2CkJInePx2rJpG1ojVBAE3gZ5aDzlmGmnI9owQa1UQgK8zrRm5lmrGTg6f-trfO74KmFW7P1GhU-EEDpKaWfPHHunaG_J68nx_7xPGhDM5M_gSyP2l7zqq3mI_wde7E/s1600/crime1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT3mnrNozDI7IN2CkJInePx2rJpG1ojVBAE3gZ5aDzlmGmnI9owQa1UQgK8zrRm5lmrGTg6f-trfO74KmFW7P1GhU-EEDpKaWfPHHunaG_J68nx_7xPGhDM5M_gSyP2l7zqq3mI_wde7E/s320/crime1.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="color: #222222;">Expenses</span></i></b><span style="color: #222222;">. Protect yourself against expenses connected with
any proceeding, by expanding the definition of “Expenses” to cover items often
excluded in a D&O policy: fines & damages, experts’ and arbitrators’
fees, bonds, settlements, and income taxes resulting from payments.
Proceedings should include any threatened or pending legal proceeding such as
investigations, discovery requests, and administrative proceedings.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="color: #222222;">Fees-on-Fees</span></i></b><span style="color: #222222;">. Directors are not necessarily entitled coverage
for legal costs needed to sue the Association to enforce your indemnification
rights - be sure this is added! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="color: #222222;">Insurance</span></i></b><span style="color: #222222;">. Require that the Association have its D&O
coverage audited to obtain the highest quality insurance available in the
homeowner association industry.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVAzKPJZR25-6KlOLNbtXAoaGNGokrWdtGuTANJ4maswXvN0b8xaCjMHhEQs0g-dx0ecKbjgk_OW-qFGxF3V_wMOtGiCRw4nHGBr3ZkMQ3KnVSY3QoOQopBUoNcJLrPVmAIAD-oCWLdTA/s1600/CuteHouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVAzKPJZR25-6KlOLNbtXAoaGNGokrWdtGuTANJ4maswXvN0b8xaCjMHhEQs0g-dx0ecKbjgk_OW-qFGxF3V_wMOtGiCRw4nHGBr3ZkMQ3KnVSY3QoOQopBUoNcJLrPVmAIAD-oCWLdTA/s200/CuteHouse.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="background: white; color: #222222;">Express
coverage for negligence</span></i></b><span style="background: white; color: #222222;">. An all-inclusive provision may
be voided because it is overly broad. Be
sure that your agreement explicitly covers all negligence except gross
negligence. Here are a couple of court
cases that talk about this quirk in Georgia law: <u>Service Merchandise Co. v. Hunter Fan Co</u> "Georgia courts never imply an
agreement to indemnify another for one’s own negligence in the absence of
express language.” <u>Satilla
Community Service Board v. Satilla Health Services, Inc </u> "Contracts indemnifying one against the
consequences of his own negligence are not favored, but will be given effect
where the intent is expressed in plain and unequivocal terms." <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="color: #222222;">Procedures and Timing</span></i></b><span style="color: #222222;">. The agreement can require that the Association,
when settling a claim against you, include an unconditional release from all
liabilities relating to the proceeding, along with an acknowledgement that you
deny all wrongdoing. Require all indemnification payments be made within
30 days, and all advances within 20 days of a written request. In the event of an adverse ruling, you can appeal,
and be indemnified for all expenses. Include a presumption in favor of
indemnification, that you have met the applicable standards of conduct allowing
for indemnification, and that a judgment, settlement, or criminal conviction
does not create a presumption against indemnification. And impose a
reasonably short period on any claim that the Association might have against you.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikA2b7gcEaXiTuqRHefNUfgO7ObErznbI6vdVeWQT8iW10vza3mpTNdr2A_ofqcAfDqheCcstxfo_wum6m05xcodb4XPDNT1tVBHpQkTHQcPis-YFQUD6u3-tocLl4LtIg838ct4LT9V8/s1600/Neighborhood3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikA2b7gcEaXiTuqRHefNUfgO7ObErznbI6vdVeWQT8iW10vza3mpTNdr2A_ofqcAfDqheCcstxfo_wum6m05xcodb4XPDNT1tVBHpQkTHQcPis-YFQUD6u3-tocLl4LtIg838ct4LT9V8/s200/Neighborhood3.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is important
that you require immediate money advances to cover defense costs, regardless of
whether you are the subject of a lawsuit, investigation or witness subpoena,
with coverage continuing for your legal expenses - even after you leave the
Board.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>
The above is not to be considered legal advice, and you should consult with a
legal professional before acting.</i> </span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1