Blogs

2020 State Legislative Trends – Part 1

By Dawn Bauman, CAE posted 5 days ago
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As of today, 39 state legislatures have convened, and CAI is tracking more than 1,000 bills impacting community associations. Based on the bills that have been introduced this year and trends from last year, we anticipate our advocacy efforts will focus on several priorities, including affordable housing, construction defect warranties, reserve studies and funding, rentals (long and short-term), and covenants related to electric vehicle charging stations, political signs, solar power, and more. Today, we’ll discuss affordable housing, construction defect warranties, and reserve funding in community associations. Next week, we’ll discuss the other trends, ...
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"Community Enhancement" Grant Opportunity

By Mark C. Hall posted 11-25-2019
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HOA, POA & Condo GM's, Property Managers & Board Presidents, Looking for a way to fund a sorely needed project in your community? Safe Communities LLC has announced their 2020 "Community Enhancement" grant opportunity for projects valued between $500 - $50,000. This funding is available for various types of projects, including, but not limited to; Security Projects (speed signs, updated access control software, traffic hawk, virtual guard kiosk, etc...) Resident Safety Projects (pedestrian reflective vests, lighted crosswalks, lighted stop signs, etc...) Beautification Projects (landscaping, hardscaping, entry signage, etc...) Resident ...
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Protect the interior of your elevators with pads and mats!

By Ro Nesheiwat posted 09-16-2019
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Daily traffic, moves and construction can really do a number on elevator walls and floors. I've seen beautiful wood paneled walls ruined by construction materials, and tiled elevator floors scratched during moves. While the hope is that all the vendors passing through your property take the utmost care when riding the elevators, being proactive to protect your cabs will give you peace of mind.  Elevator wall pads and floor mats are a sure way to prevent accidental damage to the interior of your cabs, and help avoid high elevator repair costs.  For both passenger and freight elevators, hanging wall pads provide a first line of defense against damage. Mats ...
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ARC Guidelines

By Patti Messier posted 05-19-2019
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I live in a two year old Association.  The Declaration clearly states "NO VINYL FENCING".  The first family moved in a put up a solid white vinyl fence without permission.  The Developer added it to the rules never changed the Declaration.  After the turnover the ARC Committee approved white fences based on the rules only.  Residents noticed the rules were not in line with the Declaration so white fences were never allowed.  Our attorney advised us to grandfather the existing ones and not allow any more.  Interested in your thoughts.
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Get Involved in YOUR Community

By Robert Begley posted 05-01-2019
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Recently I attended a Community Association Institute (CAI) legislative conference. The overwhelming message that I came away with was that everyone involved in Common Interest communities needs to get involved and become part of the solution. Nationally and locally, we have great legislative committees, lobbyists and staff members dedicated to fighting for your property rights and the community management profession in general. The legislative professionals can get the doors opened but it is our job to walk on through that door and let our elected officials know how a particular piece of legislation will help or hurt our community, lifestyle, property value ...
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Major Accounting Changes for 2019 (ASC 606)

By Dale Douglas Mclain posted 04-18-2019
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For those of us who have community associations in states where financial statements prepared with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) are required, 2019 may be especially difficult.  Financial reporting has undergone significant changes in 2019 for those associations that report on the GAAP basis.  The main change to GAAP is the revenue recognition principles.  The new standards completely change how and when an association recognizes revenue.   Real Estate entities such as homeowners and condominium associations used to have their own carve out for recognizing members assessments in GAAP, contained in ASC 972.  Under ASC 972 associations would ...
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It's Gutter cleaning season! When is the right time?

By James Nies posted 04-12-2019
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Everything You Need to Know about Gutter Cleaning When is the Right Time to Have Your Gutters Cleaned? Understanding your Gutters and the Surroundings Noticing Risks around Your Gutters The case for Springtime Gutter Cleaning How Important is Fall Debris Removal for your Gutters? Repair or Replace Your Commercial Gutters Questions to Ask Your Gutter Technician Do My Gutters Need to be Cleaned During a Roof Replacement? Help! I Noticed Roofing Granules in My Gutter When Is the Right Time To Have Your Gutters Cleaned? Gutters tend to have a way of showing their wear and tear, particularly in poor weather. ...
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Considerations For Community Association’s Use Of Drones For Covenant Enforcement And Maintenance Inspections

By Hans Wahl, Esq posted 04-09-2019
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There are benefits to community associations using drones for issues such as covenant enforcement and common area maintenance.  The biggest of which is the cost effectiveness and efficiency of using drones instead of individuals to perform these inspections.  However, there are significant risks as well.  There are a number of considerations that community associations must weigh before using drone technology to carry out association purposes.  These considerations include federal and Florida laws, insurance and liability issues, potential governing document amendments, and membership objections and disputes. Federal Laws Concerning Community Association ...
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Community Development Districts in Florida: General Considerations

By Hans Wahl, Esq posted 03-25-2019
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A Community Development District (“CDD”) is a governmental unit created to serve the long-term specific needs of a community. Created under  Chapter 190 of the Florida Statutes, a CDD’s main powers are to plan, finance, construct, operate and maintain community-wide infrastructure and services specifically for the benefit of its residents. There are over 600 CDDs in Florida and many of the current community development districts were established between the housing boom of 2003-2008. Community Development District (CDD) Governance A CDD is governed by a Board of Supervisors which is elected initially by the landowners (i.e. developer), then begins ...
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Be aware of Common Board Member Mistakes

By Robert Begley posted 03-21-2019
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It can be a fulfilling experience serving on the board of a condo or homeowner’s association. Many members really enjoy the experience of being active in their community, assisting neighbors regarding association matters, and getting to know the members of their community better. Most board members take their positions seriously, and truly want to do the best job possible. The fact is that being a board member can be very challenging and there are a fair amount potential pitfalls and possible liability, and it can be all too easy to make mistakes. This can be harmful to an association. For these reasons it can be a huge advantage for the Association to work ...
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Board Eligibility: Who Is Allowed To Run In Community Association Elections And Serve On The Board Of Directors?

By Hans Wahl, Esq posted 03-12-2019
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Oftentimes, the eligibility requirements for serving on a condominium association’s board of directors is overlooked during election season.  This oversight can become a headache for associations if someone is elected to the board who was not eligible in the first place.  This post will discuss the limitations on who may serve on the board of directors for a condominium association. Board Eligibility The rules for eligibility are found within the Florida Condominium Act along with the association’s governing documents.  The Florida statutes provide a minimum threshold for eligibility, while many association governing documents provide additional ...
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Florida Condominium Association & Community Association Obligations: Repair Windows And Maintain Common Areas

By Hans Wahl, Esq posted 03-12-2019
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“ Who is going to fix this ?” and “ Who is going to pay for this ?” These are common questions facing unit owners and associations when condominium or community association property needs repair.  The answer will most likely be found in the association’s declarations, which typically describe the boundaries of each unit.  But sometimes the declarations fail to adequately describe those boundaries; and the fine line delineating who is obligated to repair becomes indiscernible and worse, debatable. This is especially true when describing windows, doors, sliders and skylights within the condominium or community association unit.   Because the materials used are ...
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Florida Law On Pre-Turnover And Post-Turnover Community Association Contracts

By Hans Wahl, Esq posted 02-04-2019
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Community associations are businesses.  Not only are they corporate entities, but they collect revenue (i.e., owner assessments) and incur expenses planned for through a yearly budget.  Just like any other business, community associations find themselves in unfavorable contractual relationships with other entities.  Unique to community associations, these entities often find themselves in undesireable contracts entered into by the developer prior to the owners having any say in the agreement or its terms.  This article will provide an overview of the community association members’ options and rights concerning pre-turnover contracts and post-turnover contracts. ...
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Tax exempt vs not-for- profit

By Dale Douglas Mclain posted 02-01-2019
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One of the most common arguments I hear with regards to homeowners associations and taxes is "our homeowners association is set up with the state as a not-for-profit therefore we are a tax exempt organization."  While this is conceptually could be true, in my experience it has never been the case.  How your organization  is set up with the state rarely has an effect on how it is treated at the federal level.  The not-for-profit designation with the state filing means nothing at the federal level.  If your association was actually tax exempt you would be well aware of that fact, because the process of obtaining the tax exempt status with the IRS is time consuming ...
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What Does Florida Law Say About A Community Association Bulk Services Agreement Such As Cable And Internet Service?

By Hans Wahl, Esq posted 01-11-2019
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Bulk services agreements are those agreements entered into between a condominium association or homeowners association and a company for providing similar services to the community’s entire membership.  These are most commonly used for providing the community with broadband services, such as phone, cable and internet service.  The benefit of bulk services agreements is that the services are provided at a significant discount from the average retail price for the members.  This blog post will provide an overview of Florida law concerning a community association bulk services agreement. Pre-Turnover Bulk Services Agreements With the Developer Many times, ...
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Collection Firm versus Law Firm? "D.C.'s Condo Lawyer" Brian Fellner Weighs In

By Jennifer Pierce posted 01-03-2019
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Here at GRID Systems Software , we love the   Community Associations Institute  "Exchange" Board for the wealth of information and contacts it brings.  This week, "D.C.'s Condo and HOA Lawyer"   Brian R. Fellner  weighed in on a salient question about how to evaluate the services provided by a professional community association debt collection firm versus a more costly law firm.  His answer intrigued us!   HOA & Condo Lawyer Brian Fellner He wrote: " This is a very difficult issue to put out "objective" analysis for a few reasons: -- No two associations are alike.  So even though the lawyer may be the best or worst, the results ...
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Your Business Profile Pages Can Help Sell "You" To Potential Customers

By Jennifer Pierce posted 11-27-2018
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Just like online dating has exploded in popularity, it’s no coincidence that websites connecting service providers and professionals for specific business needs are following the same trend.  No wonder then, that online business profiles have become a critical tool to “sell” yourself to potential customers. Here at GRIDVendor.com , our participating service providers say they like the ability to customize their individual profile pages to give them the most online “clickworthy” mileage.  It’s what helps get them noticed by the community association management companies, homeowners association and condominium managers we help them reach. ...
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GRIDVendor.com To Join Community Association Manager Giants at South Florida Cooperator Expo December 11

By Jennifer Pierce posted 11-26-2018
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GRID Systems LLC, a leading technology provider of integrated property management software, will join community association management giants  Castle Group  and  Associa , in addition to dozens of its participating GRIDVendor.com providers as an exhibitor at the upcoming  South Florida Cooperator Expo . Scheduled to run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on December 11, 2018 at the Broward County Convention Center, the  Cooperator Expo  will feature a sprawling array of services and  classes  given by homeowners association and condominium experts, including a Board member certification class. “Community association managers and board members ...
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New Here

By Matt James Zakutny posted 11-18-2018
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This is my first blog post.  I'm new to CAI and still learning just what everything is about and how best to get to know people.  The company i am with specializes in Storm and Sanitary Sewer Cleaning, Televising & Repairs.   These systems often sit for years on end and can cause sinkholes on roadways, backups to homeowners.  The idea is to stop the problem before you need to excavate.  Should you have any questions please feel free to reach out to me.
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"Dot Real Estate" Top-Level Domain Goes On Sale November 26, 2018

By Jennifer Pierce posted 11-13-2018
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Real Estate and community association manager professionals will be very interested to learn that “.realestate,” the newest top level domain "not-com" is about to go on sale to the general public on November 26, 2018 following a pre-sale beginning November 16 to National Association of REALTORS® members who already have an active "dot realtors" .realtors domain. The “dot real estate” domain is free of restrictions and will be marketed and sold by more than 20 domain name registrars, with the anticipation that buyers will use the new domain to creatively market property and geographic areas, along with personal brands and specialties. It's ...
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