Our Blog – Page 6 of 7

With the official start of spring just around the corner, now is the time to start thinking about getting your HOA ready for spring. Longer days have homeowners out getting their properties ready for the coming months, and it is a great time for the board to make sure everything in the community is in good shape. If you are not sure where to get started, here are a few simple ways to prep your... [Read More...]

Establishing a neighborhood watch allows community members to work together to prevent vandalism and crime. While it takes a bit of time to establish such an organization, it is definitely worth the effort. Neighborhood watches make communities safer, and they help build strong relationships between neighbors. If you are thinking about starting a neighborhood watch in your HOA, here are the steps you need to take. How to Establish a Neighborhood Watch in an HOA... [Read More...]

With viruses, malware and hackers always lurking in the shadows, condominium and homeowner’s associations need to take steps to boost their online security. In the technological age, everyone is susceptible. Just like you lock your doors and windows to stay safe in the real world, you need to take steps to secure your association. Here are a few ways to improve cybersecurity in your association. Change passwords often. Staying safe in the digital age means... [Read More...]

Does your condominium association have a website? If not, you may be required by law to have one by next year. According to a recent statutory amendment, all condo associations with more than 150 units must post digital copies of various documents online. These documents must be accessible via the Internet by July 1, 2018, so if your association does not have a website, you have less than a year to prepare. Website... [Read More...]

The process of transitioning a homeowner’s association from self-management to a professional management company is often challenging and requires a acute attention to detail. From taking the time to find a property management team that’s a good fit for your management needs as well as your community’s culture to letting the neighborhood know about the change, it’s important to approach each step of the process carefully. If you’ve decided to make the switch from self-managing... [Read More...]

There are several ways for homeowner’s associations to reduce their negative impact on the environment. Chances are, there are members in the community who are already interested in reducing their and the community’s carbon footprint, and there are numerous ways to encourage others to make changes as well. First, double check the community rules and guidelines to see if they need to be updated to allow for environmentally conscious living. Then, encourage homeowners to go... [Read More...]

Whether you are new to the board or a seasoned professional, being properly prepared for homeowner’s association and condo board meetings is important. Being properly prepared ensure that you are able to participate fully and makes you look more professional. Here are five things expert board members do to make sure they’re ready for meetings. Go Over the Agenda Make sure any items you may have got added to the agenda. Getting a copy in... [Read More...]

Board members and homeowners alike often face situations where public speaking becomes necessary. Whether you are speaking in a board meeting or in front of the homeowner’s association, the experience can seem a bit intimidating. Here are a few tips to help you get ready to speak in front of your HOA. Create a Script Knowing what to say without needing to rely on notes is one of the best ways to improve your credibility... [Read More...]

The financial aspects of running a homeowner’s association can be overwhelming, to say the least. This is especially true in smaller associations and in associations with board members who are already seriously overworked. Keeping track of finances is challenging, and you could be overpaying for services and setting yourself up for future financial headaches. You may also struggle to determine how to set up a reserve fund and how much money to add to it.... [Read More...]

No one likes a noisy neighbor. Unfortunately, noise complaints are one of the most common problems in homeowner’s associations. They can take months to fully resolve, and they create a lot of bad feelings between neighbors and the board. Check out these four tips to prevent noise complaints from becoming a problem in your HOA. Establish a Rule that Promotes Quiet You do not have to make any extreme rules, but there should be a... [Read More...]

Terminating your contract with your association manager is not a decision that should be taken lightly, but sometimes, doing so is necessary. When possible, it is always best to resolve differences and maintain a positive relationship, but sometimes that does not work. Here are five signs that you may be justified in firing your association manager. Your Association Manager Has Forgotten Who Is in Charge A good association manager brings a lot of knowledge and... [Read More...]

Just about every homeowner’s association is made up of several types of people. These neighborhoods are made up of people from various backgrounds and with all sorts of different personalities. This diversity is part of what makes many communities so amazing. The differences can also create some challenges for HOA boards. While everyone is unique, many HOA homeowners fall into one of three categories. Listed below are the three primary types of homeowners in most... [Read More...]

The process of transitioning a homeowner’s association from self-management to a professional management company is often challenging and requires a acute attention to detail. From taking the time to find a property management team that’s a good fit for your management needs as well as your community’s culture to letting the neighborhood know about the change, it’s important to approach each step of the process carefully. If you’ve decided to make the switch from self-managing... [Read More...]

It’s a sad fact that homeowners associations and condominium associations often fall victim to theft, embezzlement and fraud. Because they generally have large sums of money on hand, have volunteers in charge of financing and have lax control over their assets, they are tempting targets for many unscrupulous people. You may think that your association is immune to these problems, but the statistics tell a different story: Skilled embezzlers can steal money for an average... [Read More...]

When even just a few homeowners fail to pay their HOA fees, it can have a huge – and instant – impact on an association’s budget. Unpaid fees may also lead to a ripple effect. When multiple homeowners fail to pay their fees, banks may become less likely to approve mortgages in the association, and this can result in lower property values. Homeowners associations should make an effort to work directly with homeowners who fall... [Read More...]

For many condominium owners and boards, the idea of renting to families with children is a bit scary. Juice spills on brand new carpets, crayon masterpieces on the walls and messes left in common areas may make such families seem like less-than-idea community members. While outright discriminating against families or people with children is against the law, many condominium associations make no effort to attract them. While you may fall into that category, consider this:... [Read More...]

Meetings serve an important purpose for homeowner associations. They’re vital for sharing information from board members, gaining consensus from members of the community and so much more. Unfortunately, ineffective meetings are a major problem for many HOAs. If you’re having trouble getting members of the community to attend meetings or if you can tell that those who are in attendance would rather be just about anywhere else, here are a few tips on How to Make... [Read More...]

For many condominium boards, keeping up with everything is a challenge. Managing a condominium is a lot more than just collecting fees and assessments. Boards are also responsible for marketing open units, screening buyers, handling repairs, dealing with problems and much more. Since many board members have day jobs and are simply unable to dedicate their entire lives to their duties within the association, many boards struggle to get everything done. If this sounds familiar,... [Read More...]

In many ways, operating a homeowner’s or condominium association is similar to running a business. The board of directors is responsible for anticipating revenues and expenses and using this information to create a budget that will allow the HOA to operate in an efficient manner. Unfortunately, creating an HOA or Condominium budget isn’t an easy task. In addition to making sure that all of the association’s needs are covered, the budget must remain compliant with... [Read More...]

As temperatures drop and people put up holiday decorations, the risk of fire increases dramatically. Each year, there are thousands of fires in the United States. In addition to causing billions in damage, these fires result in several injuries and deaths. For condominium associations, fire prevention is crucial. A fire that starts in one unit can easily spread to others, leaving behind a path of devastation. Fortunately, there are several ways for condominium associations and... [Read More...]

Because it provides many benefits, condominium living is becoming increasing popular among both individuals and families. It provides an economical solution to rising land values, and it gives many people an opportunity to enjoy recreational amenities that may be otherwise unaffordable. In Florida, there are several complex laws and regulations that apply to condominium ownership and operation. In this blog post, we would like to highlight the basics of operating a condominium. An... [Read More...]

Sometimes you need to put some work into your property to generate the most rental income. With new properties entering the market each day, potential renters have room to be picky. When comparing your property to another that’s less expensive, they can quickly tell whether yours is really worth the extra investment. To make your unit stand out and attract renters who are willing to pay what you’re asking, you may need to invest in... [Read More...]

The vast majority of tenant problems can be eliminated by properly screening your tenants. Unfortunately, many landlords and property owners don’t give the tenant screening process the attention it deserves. Instead, the focus on filling vacancies as quickly as possible with minimal screening. While filling vacancies is always a primary concern, you should be more focused on filling them with properly qualified tenants. Tenant screening doesn’t have to be difficult. In fact, you can weed... [Read More...]

Thanks to the popularity of sites like Airbnb.com and homeaway.com, instances of short-term rentals and home sharing have skyrocketed in the past few years. These websites connect homeowners with potential renters who are looking for a place to stay, and for a nominal fee, they can rent out space or their entire property. For many homeowners, renting out space is a great way to earn extra income, but when that homeowner owns a condominium unit,... [Read More...]

The Atlantic hurricane season has reached its peak, and as of the writing of this blog post, the National Hurricane Center has issued advisories for Hurricane Gaston and Tropical Storm Hermine. While the eventual impact of these storms is yet to be determined, now is a good time to make sure your emergency response plans are in place. Property management companies do a lot more than keeping up with day-to-day maintenance and collecting payments. In... [Read More...]

Working with a professional condominium manager takes a lot of strain off real estate owners and condominium boards. However, this is only true when you choose the right manager. From maintenance to budgeting to working with tenants, your condominium manager will likely have a hand in just about every aspect of running the property. There’s certainly no shortage of management companies, and choosing the right one can be a challenge. Here are a few qualities... [Read More...]

A major decision faced by most landlords is whether to hire a property management company. While many landlords manage their own properties, perhaps with the help of an employee or two, some require more help. For landlords who are struggling to keep up with their responsibilities, working with a professional property management company just makes sense. A property manager is a huge asset, but they come at a significant cost. Hiring a property manager isn’t... [Read More...]

From daily administrative duties to high-level financial management, HOA management companies provide services that range greatly in terms of complexity. With this in mind, it should come as no surprise that the price for services rendered varies greatly as well. So, how do you know if you’re paying too much for HOA management services? As a general rule of thumb, if you’re spending a large portion of your budget on HOA management services but the... [Read More...]

A Sarasota condominium management company is responsible for the day-to-day operations of a condominium community. The company takes on a number of responsibilities and takes a considerable amount of burden off of the Board. If you’re thinking about seeking professional condominium management, you likely have questions regarding exactly what your investment will pay for. Though a condominium manager can take on many roles and you can choose to invest in only the services you need most,... [Read More...]

Residents and Board members alike often wonder whether HOA contracts are legally enforceable. The short answer is that, yes, in many instances they are. The laws and regulations set forth in the HOA contract can usually be enforced in a court of law, but there are some limitations. This is where an experienced contract lawyer like Nick Hansen can come in handy. He has helped us answer some questions in today’s guest blog post. When a... [Read More...]