Setting expectations for new association board members
Anytime you have incoming board members to your community association, it is important to set expectations and outline the duties each person will perform. New board members must be brought up to speed as quickly as possible so that you can g...
Expect it in 15 days if you left the rental exactly how you found it.
Multiply times two. It's the general rule of thumb to figure out how much it's going to cost to rent. The majority of residential leases and rental agreements in Florida and elsewhere require a security deposit—which is general...
Running an association like a business is worth the effort.
Operating a successful business is easier said than done, especially a business that is run primarily by volunteer homeowners, who may have the passion, but may not have the experience or skill set to bring to the table. But association ...
2017 new legislative changes
Yeah. This a bit tongue and cheek, but the fact of the matter is that Florida law governing condominiums has changed. Earlier this year, the Miami-Dade Grand Jury filed a report about the status of condominium association governance and the ability of the Division of ...
5 ingredients for a more efficient community association board meeting
Let's face it: community association board meetings can be difficult to get through. Bring a room full of volunteers together and you're likely to get as many opinions as occupants in the room. It's usually not a recipe for a ...
Be sure you're protected before you make that purchase.
The Sunshine State has a booming real estate market, and why not? Sun, sand, and surf are big sellers, and we have plenty of each. It's tempting to hop into a purchase fast so you don't miss out, but whether you're buying residential or comm...
The association board members themselves can be named in lawsuits.
A Homeowner's Association (HOA) is made up of a group of volunteer homeowners. It's often a thankless task, where the only guaranteed reward is knowing they've helped maintain and improve the value of their neighborhood. The last ...
You can buy a condo, but you will never own your coop.
Everybody wants to live in Florida, and who can blame them? It's gorgeous here! Pleasant weather all year long tops the list. Most housing is affordable, too. But not all real estate is created equal.
It's important to know the difference bet...
Non-board members at an HOA board meeting bring several benefits
Any member of your association can attend board meetings except when the board adjourns for an executive meeting. So when your board members seem less than enthused about those non-members' attendance, remind them of the benefits.
Y...
You've filled the position for a community association manager…now what can you expect?
“A community association manager has the opportunity to create a sense of community that people really love and that enriches the community living experience,” writes PeytonBolin's founder, Jane Bolin, in her ...
Successful CEOs and association presidents have a lot more in common than you may think
To be an association president who inspires and leads a board, you must approach your responsibilities with professionalism. The role shouldn't be something to be half-heartedly filled or the last item on your...
Think ahead, plan strategically, and get everyone on board for a bright future.
Many association boards have no real vision for their community or any goals that they are working toward. Essentially, they operate in a month-to-month mentality, addressing issues as they arise and focusing on homeo...
Trusted advisor or administrative assistant? An important distinction!
For Association Boards, a CAM (Community Association Manager) is the one trusted advisor that you'll likely use more than any of the others. In many states, CAMs have passed a test, are licensed, and invest in continuing educa...
If done right, you'll get everyone on board and increase property values.
It's never fun. But creating and managing the budget for your HOA is a responsibility that all boards have to contend with. And setting association dues is part of the deal—sometimes the part that makes you feel unpopular a...
Better, more effective meetings are in your future—if you follow these tips.
We've all been there. Stuck in a meeting where two or more people get into a heated discussion or worse, a flat-out shouting match. It's unpleasant, yes; but more importantly, it's unprofessional and downright disruptive...
Why investing in the legal side of your community association early on is a sound practice.
Don't wait until you're faced with a legal crisis.
Community Associations, just like businesses, need to ensure that they are legally protected at all times. They are responsible for governing the communit...
Important details for associations to consider when purchasing or updating security for the community.
There's no doubt that having an active security program within your community is an attractive benefit to homeowners. Ensuring the safety of the homes and common areas is a priority that everyon...
Troublemakers beware: there's no room for unprofessional behavior on HOA boards.
Power struggles happen. In business, in life, and most certainly in HOA boards. While not all association boards have issues with members that have short tempers, many face this dynamic and struggle to gain control o...
Grab the bull by the horns and get your board moving in the right direction.
While having a board comprised of enthusiastic team players is a powerful way to run your association, it really only takes one person to get things going and start the process of transforming your association into a bus...
5 easy to implement business practices that will greatly improve the way your board operates.
Successful and efficient community associations have one thing in common: they view themselves and conduct their boards as a business. The reality is HOAs are not-for-profit businesses that are subject t...
Flat fee retainer models create an innovative and cost effective partnership that every HOA should have.
Having an attorney to represent your HOA is a critical component to running your board smoothly and effectively. Many associations wait to enlist the services of an attorney until they have a ...
Develop a plan that ensures your board's success
Once you've begun to view your association as a business and have implemented strategies like an annual business cycle and enlisting the services of a trusted group of advisors, it's time to ensure that you put all your plans into action to take yo...
The top Florida real estate law firm scored a big win for its clients at the Mediterranean Condominium Association, Inc. in Surfside last month.
Fort Lauderdale, FL – February 11, 2016 – PeytonBolin, a leading real estate law firm based in Florida, today celebrated its noteworthy recent success i...
Define, measure, track, share, succeed.
Most business people have heard of KPIs or Key Performance Indicators and understand their value when it comes to evaluating success at reaching goals. But did you know that your community association board can use your own set of KPIs? It makes perfect sen...
Summary: For the third year in a row, Fort Lauderdale-based real estate law firm PeytonBolin was honored with the prestigious Readers' Choice Award for Legal Services from the Florida Community Association Journal (FLCAJ).
Fort Lauderdale, FL – PeytonBolin, a leading real estate law firm, is exci...
The PeytonBolin team is here to help. We handle real estate matters but if you need another type of attorney, we will do our best to point you in the right direction with referrals.