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Articles About Community Manager Education Online

When the Association Becomes Landlord — 
Understanding Rent Receiverships

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 By Michelle Tomko

In a perfect world, associations are not supposed to be landlords. But things happen. People lose their jobs, owners pass away leaving their units in limbo, and global events such as the Great Recession can even impact the financial well-being of owners. These types of events can all cause properties in an association to be abandoned. When this happens, what is an association to do? Often the right move is for the association to request a receivership.

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Understanding Rent Receiverships

Ways to Control the Stress of Being on the Board – 
From a Manager’s Perspective

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By Sherri Hall

Property managers are used to walking around their communities and having residents come up to them with questions, complaints, suggestions and more on a regular basis. However, managers get to go home at the end of the day. For board members, though, home is the community. Oftentimes, board members are faced with these interactions with residents during their “off” time. 

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From a Manager’s Perspective

Found a Sinkhole in Your Community? 
Here’s What You Need to Know

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By Sherri Hall

Imagine walking along the grounds of your community when you notice what appears to be a small rabbit hole. You look ahead and see a few more similar holes. Filling them with dirt doesn’t seem to help. In fact, they just keep coming back and getting larger and larger. That’s when you realize, you might just have a sinkhole issue on your hands. But how can you know for sure? And, what should you do about it? 

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Here’s What You Need to Know

Tips for Creating an Association Budget

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By Sherri Hall

Depending on whether your association runs on a calendar or fiscal year schedule, you may be in the midst of working on your budget, just about to start or several months away from beginning the process. Either way, it’s important to ensure that you’re taking the steps necessary to complete the task timely and effectively. We spoke to Michael Pesce, President of Associa Community Management Corp, to obtain some tips for creating an association budget. [Read more…] about Tips for Creating an Association Budget

Stream of Conscience “Sorting Out” Single Stream Recycling

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By Michelle Tomko

Most communities are interested in doing the right thing when it comes to recycling. But figuring out what the right thing is can be a bit confusing. Which container does this go in? Can this be recycled? What does that symbol on the bottom of my milk jug mean again? [Read more…] about Stream of Conscience “Sorting Out” Single Stream Recycling

Should Associations Become Involved in Municipal Politics?

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By Michelle Tomko

If you have ever served on an association board, you know that nearly any situation, regardless how minor it may seem, can become political. In associations, political factions have been born over such issues as what color to paint the clubhouse card room. If that isn’t bad enough, communities also need to deal with their own town politics – which can affect residents in an association. Whether it’s new construction of a café or ball field that affects quiet enjoyment, or a potential danger to the community due to a variance or change in traffic rules, to a heated political campaign that can be divisive, communities are faced with challenges brought by their local governments. Although associations are their own entities, they are certainly not like islands, completely separate from their municipalities. [Read more…] about Should Associations Become Involved in Municipal Politics?

Best Practices for Conducting a Homeowner Forum as Part of your Board Meeting

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By Sherri Hall

Although not required in every state, many community associations choose to have homeowner forums, or member question and answer (Q&A) sessions, in addition to or as part of their open board meetings. Such a forum is usually held either at the end of an open board meeting or in a separate meeting specifically scheduled to allow homeowners to ask questions or raise concerns regarding community matters. 

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Construction Defect or Maintenance Issue? What to Do When Your Caulk Balks

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By Michelle Tomko

It’s hard to imagine a building of any size without some kind of issue. Cement cracks. Water finds a way in. Stains form. But, when you notice things aren’t exactly in plumb shape with your association, how do you know if that’s regular wear and tear or a construction defect? In other words, should you be settling for the house settling? To figure this out Lynn A. Voorhees, Director of Community Association Services at DW Smith Associates answered questions about construction defects.

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