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COURSE: WHAT A CAM MUST KNOW AFTER A PROPERTY LOSS

COURSE: WHAT A CAM MUST KNOW AFTER A PROPERTY LOSS

  • Posted: Jan 22, 2024
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FREE HOT BREAKFAST WITH EDUCATION IN BROWARD

 01/24/2024  7:30 am – 9:30 am
 Galuppis

Address: 1015 N Federal Hwy, Pompano Beach, FL 33062, USA
COURSE: WHAT A CAM MUST KNOW AFTER A PROPERTY LOSS

RSVP Free HERE

  • Course #: 9628960 | Provider #: 0005930 | One CEU in OPP or ELE
  • Delicious hot breakfast will be served and this event is complimentary thanks to the support of our ACE partners.
  • Presented by Water Restoration Group’s Raf Tamecki (Dir. of Field Operations) “What  A CAM Must Know After A Property Loss” offers essential insights into the critical post-property loss procedures that property managers and CAMS need to know. Panelists who will answer related questions include Terri Russo (SouthState Bank) and Andrew Massie (Plastridge Insurance).

 

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WEBINAR: HOA BOARD MEMBER CERTIFICATION

WEBINAR: HOA BOARD MEMBER CERTIFICATION

  • Posted: Jan 22, 2024
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WEBINAR: HOA BOARD MEMBER CERTIFICATION

01/23/2024  2:00 pm – 4:15 pm

Presented by GRS Management | Provided by Kaye Bender Rembaum (0005092) | Course # 9630140 | Instructor: Alan Schwartzseid, Esq.

This webinar covers the essentials of HOA board membership, and is updated regularly to remain current with Florida legislative amendments. In addition, this webinar satisfies Florida’s requirement for new HOA board members. It also serves as an excellent refresher course. Licensed CAMS will receive two (2) CE credits as IFM or ELE.

Enroll for free HERE.

 

Top roofing company up in North Florida. Members of SFPMA Stonebridge. Find out how they will help your buildings roofs for years to come.

Top roofing company up in North Florida. Members of SFPMA Stonebridge. Find out how they will help your buildings roofs for years to come.

  • Posted: Jan 21, 2024
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Top roofing company up in North Florida.

Members of SFPMA- Stonebridge. Find out how they will help your buildings roofs for years to come.

We are YOUR residential roofer for North Florida
Have Questions? / Get your FREE Roof Inspection
🏆 Jacksonville’s Preferred Roofing Company
☎️ 1 Company, 1 Call, Many Solutions
💪 Roofs That Are Built To Last
License no. CCC1328917 / CBC1252682

7 Signs You Need A New Roof

Here in Jacksonville, roofs take a beating from salt, wind, UV radiation, and heat. Generally, roofs in northern Florida will last about 15-20 years, but any roof in the region should be inspected every year. Roof repairs should always be done by a local, professional roofing company who is licensed and insured. But how do you know when to call them? Depending on the style of roof, some will show wear better than others, so today we will suggest seven visual signs that your roof needs replacing.

Sign 1: Leaks and Stains
Visible stains on a ceiling or wall may appear to be an obvious roof problem. However, roof leaks can be tricky to locate because water can enter the attic, travel along framing like trusses, and drip somewhere unrelated to the leak. If you see a new stain along an exterior wall or ceiling you may need an emergency repair.

Crawling around in attics with no floor can lead to accidents and personal injury, so leave that task to the pros. Jacksonville roofers have experience working in hot Florida attics and can use that experience to find elusive roof leaks and their sources. Many Jacksonville roofers even wear special boots that allow them to safely walk across trusses and up steep roof angles.

Sign 2: The Roof is Old
It’s a good idea to keep maintenance records on your home like the age of your roof. Most asphalt shingle roofs will last between ten and twenty years, but if your records show it’s time for a replacement, get your roof inspected by a licensed and insured, Jacksonville roofing company. Roof repairs are critical to the health of your home because leaks can cause mold and mildew growth. Even if you see no visual problems yourself, let a pro perform a no-obligation inspection of your roof to prevent future damage.

Sign 3: Look For Debris In Your Gutters
It might seem counterintuitive to look for roof issues in your gutters, but doing so is a smart move. Most Jacksonville roofs are made from materials that wear over time, like fiberglass/asphalt shingles, tiles, and wooden shakes. As the roof wears, the material it sheds will usually collect in the gutters, as the material is too heavy to be washed away.

To perform your own inspection, look for what appears to be sand in the bottom of the gutter. Most of the debris will collect at the lowest point on the gutter, so usually the first place to look is near the downspout. If you cannot see the bottom of the gutter because the debris is blocking your view, a significant amount of the roof has eroded away. If you discover you need an emergency roof repair caused by a strong storm, get a professional inspection by a licensed and insured roofer.

Sign 4: Cracks or Gaps in Your Flashing
Jacksonville roofs can get some severe weather, so even a small crack around roof flashing (thin sheet metal) can allow precipitation to penetrate the roof. Even if the leak only occurs when the rain is blowing sideways, eventually the damage will accumulate. When it does, the roof underlayment and roof decking will begin to soften and rot.

Sign 5: Sags in the Roof
You may have seen older homes with roofs that appear to dip and sag. More often than not, the framing under these roofs has become water damaged, allowing the framing to bend under the weight of the roof. Sagging roofs can still be repaired and reroofed, but care should be taken to hire an experienced professional who is licensed and insured.

Professionals should determine which style of roof will function best in the situation. For example, an inexperienced roofer may be unaware that certain types of roofing require specific roof pitches to work as designed. Using the incorrect roof material on a sagging roof can actually cause more problems than it solves, so always consult a professional in these situations.

Sign 6: Moss and Mold On Your Roof
Moss on your roof indicates a moisture problem severe enough to cause rot. These plants require near constant moisture and limited sunlight, so if they are actively growing on your roof, the roof is never completely drying out. Roofs should be dry in a matter of hours after a rain shower, so if your roof is holding moisture, the moss and mold will be a likely indicator.

Sign 7: Small Visible Damage
Most roofing materials will degrade over time and leave debris in the gutters. A very common find are small bits of roofing material that have dry rotted and broken away. For asphalt shingles, these are often small corners of a shingle, or in the case of shakes, small splinters of wood as  these roofing materials begin to degrade with age.

Get Help Today! Contact Stonebridge Roofing
If you are unaware of the age of your roof, but begin to see small pieces of debris at the base of your downspouts, you can assume your roof is approaching its lifespan. This is a perfect time to contact a reputable Jacksonville roofing company, like Stonebridge Roofing and request a roof health report from a local expert roofer. For $150, your roof health report will include an overview of any visible damage (with photos), repair recommendations and an assessment of the lifespan left on your current roof.

Stonebridge Roofing is a licensed and insured, certified roofing installer, so they are approved by the manufacturer to provide a warranty. Stonebridge Roofing can also help with new replacement windows, vinyl siding, gutters, and painting as well. Let Stonebridge Roofing become your first choice for all things exterior. Financing Options are available! Request your free quote today.

 

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Learn how to restore depth and prolong your lake’s lifespan with proactive solutions.

Learn how to restore depth and prolong your lake’s lifespan with proactive solutions.

  • Posted: Jan 21, 2024
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Why is My Pond Drying Up?

Why Is My Pond Drying Up?

We’ve all experienced the surprises and pain points that come with aging. Year after year, we undergo changes that impact our health and physical functions. This process is a natural and inevitable part of life that not only affects humans and animals, but also lakes and ponds. And just like people can expedite their rate of aging through unhealthy diets or lack of exercise, our water resources can age faster when exposed to excess nutrients, erosion, invasive weeds, harmful algal blooms, and pollution. As these factors compound, a waterbody will slowly fill in with muck, sediment, and debris, resulting in a loss of depth and volume. Over the course of 10-20 years, a pond can recede—or, seemingly, dry up—until it resembles nothing more than a marsh.

Once a waterbody has reached this point, dredging is one of the few solutions available to restore it to a healthier and more functional condition. Dredging is the process of physically removing hundreds or thousands of pounds of sediment and organic materials that accumulated over time.

Depending on the unique needs, budget, and characteristics of a property, professionals may recommend one of two styles of dredging:

 

mechanical-dredging

Mechanical Dredging

During mechanical dredging, a waterbody is completely drained to allow full visibility of the bottom. A long-reach excavator is used to scoop out excess materials, which are then removed from the site using semi-trucks and trailers.

hydraulic dredge - dredging - sediment removal - muck removal

Hydraulic Dredging

Hydraulic dredging does not require a waterbody to be fully drained. Instead, hydraulic dredges use a specialized tube to pump water and materials into a holding tank for filtration. The filtered water is then returned to the waterbody.

Though dredging is highly effective at resetting an aged waterbody, it is one of the largest expenses a community will ever face. Stakeholders should also be prepared to take swift and ongoing action to cultivate their new aquatic ecosystem once the project is complete. Without responsible management, they may see their water resource prematurely return to its prior condition.

 

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The Estoppel Fee Debate by Eric Glazer

The Estoppel Fee Debate by Eric Glazer

  • Posted: Jan 16, 2024
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When a unit owner wants to sell their home, the buyer wants to make sure that the seller does not owe the association money. You see, if the buyer buys the property without making sure the condo, co-op or HOA isn’t owed any money, the new buyer will be stuck with the unpaid bill if there is one.  So, the new buyer wants to get what’s called an “estoppel certificate” from the association stating precisely what is owed to the association on that unit.   This will be paid at the time of closing and the buyer can now sleep well, knowing they are up to date with assessments owed to the association.

So the question is……..who gets paid to prepare this “estoppel letter” for the new buyer and how much does it cost?  Well, for condominiums, HOAs and co-ops, there is a current statute that addresses this.   Florida Statute 718.116, 719.108 and 720.30851 respectively.

The statutes state that the estoppel certificate must contain all of the following information and must be substantially in the following form:

1. Date of issuance:

2. Name(s) of the unit owner(s) as reflected in the books and records of the association:

3. Unit designation and address:

4. Parking or garage space number, as reflected in the books and records of the association:

5. Attorney’s name and contact information if the account is delinquent and has been turned over to an attorney for collection. No fee may be charged for this information.

6. Fee for the preparation and delivery of the estoppel certificate:

7. Name of the requestor:

8. Assessment information and other information:

ASSESSMENT INFORMATION:

a. The regular periodic assessment levied against the unit is $  per   (insert frequency of payment)  .

b. The regular periodic assessment is paid through   (insert date paid through)  .

c. The next installment of the regular periodic assessment is due   (insert due date)   in the amount of $ .

d. An itemized list of all assessments, special assessments, and other moneys owed on the date of issuance to the association by the unit owner for a specific unit is provided.

e. An itemized list of any additional assessments, special assessments, and other moneys that are scheduled to become due for each day after the date of issuance for the effective period of the estoppel certificate is provided. In calculating the amounts that are scheduled to become due, the association may assume that any delinquent amounts will remain delinquent during the effective period of the estoppel certificate.

OTHER INFORMATION:

f. Is there a capital contribution fee, resale fee, transfer fee, or other fee due?  (Yes)  (No). If yes, specify the type and the amount of the fee.

g. Is there any open violation of rule or regulation noticed to the unit owner in the association official records?  (Yes)  (No).

h. Do the rules and regulations of the association applicable to the unit require approval by the board of directors of the association for the transfer of the unit?  (Yes)  (No). If yes, has the board approved the transfer of the unit?  (Yes)  (No).

i. Is there a right of first refusal provided to the members or the association?  (Yes)  (No). If yes, have the members or the association exercised that right of first refusal?  (Yes)  (No).

j. Provide a list of, and contact information for, all other associations of which the unit is a member.

k. Provide contact information for all insurance maintained by the association.

l. Provide the signature of an officer or authorized agent of the association.

SO HOW MUCH CAN YOU CHARGE TO PREPARE AN ESTOPPEL LETTER?

An association or its authorized agent may charge a reasonable fee for the preparation and delivery of an estoppel certificate, which may not exceed $250, if, on the date the certificate is issued, no delinquent amounts are owed to the association for the applicable unit. If an estoppel certificate is requested on an expedited basis and delivered within 3 business days after the request, the association may charge an additional fee of $100. If a delinquent amount is owed to the association for the applicable unit, an additional fee for the estoppel certificate may not exceed $150.

So, as you can see, someone preparing an estoppel certificate can charge in some cases up to $500.00.  This fee is typically paid for by the seller of the unit or home.  Management companies and law firms both say ka-ching when they are asked to prepare an estoppel certificate.

Well, if that sounds unfair to you, it also sounds unfair to Florida Senator Jonathan Martin and Representative Persons Mulicka.  Each of them have now filed bills which would preclude associations from charging for estoppel letters whatsoever.  It has resulted in massive pushback from management companies and law firms alike, each of whom are the ones normally getting paid to prepare these estoppel certificates.

On the one hand, attorneys and management companies say that they deserve to get paid for preparing estoppel certificates because there are a lot of questions to answer and there is potential liability if they prepare it incorrectly. Moreover, they take the position that only the seller should pay for the estoppel certificate because only the seller is trying to sell their unit.  Why should that cost be put on every other owner in the community?

On the other hand, there is an argument that management companies are already paid to keep the ledgers of every owner.  It shouldn’t take more than a few minutes to let someone know what a unit owes.  Therefore, they shouldn’t receive an extra penny for preparing an estoppel certificate.

So which side is right?  I think there are good arguments on both sides and we can debate this forever.  You have to wonder though that if the fees that you’re allowed to charge were half of what they are now, would this ever have become a fight?  I don’t think so. I do think a compromise wouldn’t be bad here.

What do you guys think?

Written by Eric Glazer

A Road Map to Your Ideal Waterbody by SOLitude

A Road Map to Your Ideal Waterbody by SOLitude

  • Posted: Jan 16, 2024
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A Road Map to Your Ideal Waterbody

Navigating Your Lake Management Journey

As any lake owner or manager knows, maintaining a waterbody is hard work. At best, you may experience a few hiccups every now and then like small mats of algae or cloudiness. At worst, you may face toxic blooms of cyanobacteria, severe erosion issues, or flooding. Achieving the lake or pond of your dreams is not a linear process; it’s a journey. Whether you’re new to water management or well into your quest, it’s never too late to reevaluate your trajectory and make sure you’re taking the safest and most efficient route toward your waterbody goals.

Identify your goals and stakeholders

In order to achieve the goals you’ve set for your lake or pond, it’s important to visualize them. Maybe you desire a small backyard pond for swimming, fishing, and kayaking with friends and family. You may need a stormwater pond that efficiently collects rainwater while providing aesthetic beauty. Perhaps you oversee a large lake or drinking water reservoir that requires safe, clean water for the public. With the support of an experienced Aquatic Expert, HOA managers, property owners, municipal leadersgolf course superintendents, and other decision-makers can develop a detailed roadmap tailored to their unique needs and budget, as well as to the one-of-a-kind characteristics of their waterbodies.

testing-water-quality-in-lakes

Conduct lake water quality testing

One of the most important steps when navigating your journey is establishing baseline knowledge about your aquatic ecosystem. Professionals conduct visual surveys and advanced water quality testing to learn about the physical and chemical properties of an aquatic ecosystem. Parameters like dissolved oxygen (DO), nutrient levels, pH, and turbidity provide valuable context by allowing professionals to identify potential imbalances, predict future problems, and develop a timeline to implement short- and long-term management solutions.

Plan ahead to prolong your lake’s lifespan

In lake and pond management, every waterbody has a countdown. Over time, sediment, debris, animal waste, and other organic materials accumulate at the bottom of all lakes and ponds. As an ecosystem becomes more shallow, it loses its capacity to hold water, which can increase the risk of flooding during storms and severely damage shoreline areas. Eventually, dredging services will be needed to physically remove these materials and restore the waterbody to its original depth and volume. Though this is a natural occurrence, it can be expedited by human activities such as construction and urban development, agriculture, and recreation. Luckily, by planning ahead, stakeholders can cruise past these dead-ends, ensuring a smoother journey.

Proactive management helps you stay ahead of water quality issues

If dredging is a dead-end street on the roadmap towards the waterbody of your dreams, proactive management solutions are shortcuts. By implementing preventive measures and sustainable practices, you can sidestep the need for extensive restoration efforts, as well as smaller roadblocks like nuisance weeds and algae. Shoreline managementnutrient mitigation, biological bacteria, fountains and aeration, and ongoing water quality monitoring can help you cultivate a healthy, beautiful, functional waterbody – and enjoy it for as long as possible.

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Elevate your pond management plan with new technologies

Furthermore, advanced technologies and solutions like professional dronesbathymetric mapping, and electrofishing can serve as navigational tools on your management journey. These technologies help stakeholders better understand depth, underwater features, and even fish populations, allowing them to use their time, attention, and resources more efficiently.

Achieve your ideal waterbody with help from experts

Lake and pond management is never smooth sailing. Water is in a constant state of change, impacted by weather conditions, wildlife, land use, and countless other factors. Navigating these complexities requires a proactive approach that incorporates as much knowledge and innovation as possible. With an experienced Aquatic Expert as your guide, you can enjoy each milestone on your journey while keeping your goals firmly on the horizon.

United Professional Engineering (UPE) is a leading professional engineering company based in south-east Florida.

United Professional Engineering (UPE) is a leading professional engineering company based in south-east Florida.

  • Posted: Jan 16, 2024
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United Professional Engineering UPE has been in business since 2005 and we have a diverse team of Professional Engineers, Building Inspectors and General Contractors. Our services include Structural Engineering, Building Upkeep and Restoration Engineering, Building Inspections, Threshold Inspections, Civil Engineering and more.

At UPE, we understand how valuable your time is and we are committed to providing our industry leading expertise to your next project. Our team welcomes any and all challenges to ensure a smooth and cost-effective project for all our clients and everyone involved. Your journey with us is important, and we take pride in making it memorable!

Today, one of the largest investments is building a structure and how to maintain its lifespan. Structural integrity, environmental factors, atmospheric elements, and maintaining aesthetics are all important factors that we evaluate very carefully, when working on a project. At UPE our highly qualified licensed designers, engineers and general contractors promises to ensure your investment is protected.

Our trusted team members are ready to listen, help and guide you through the process from start to finish. It doesn’t matter what size of your project, we will be able to alleviate your stress and provide you with the quality of service you deserve.

Structural Engineering

A reminder that we have a Condominium Association Board Member Certification webinar coming up Wednesday (Jan. 17) afternoon at 2pm Est. Alan Schwartzseid, Esq. will teach the class. It provides the certification required for new board members

A reminder that we have a Condominium Association Board Member Certification webinar coming up Wednesday (Jan. 17) afternoon at 2pm Est. Alan Schwartzseid, Esq. will teach the class. It provides the certification required for new board members

  • Posted: Jan 16, 2024
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Condominium Association Board Member Certification webinar

Wednesday (Jan. 17) afternoon at 2pm Est.

Alan Schwartzseid, Esq. will teach the class that provides the certification required for new board members.

ALSO offers two (2) IFM credits for licensed CAMS in Florida. Here is the link to enroll for free:This webinar covers the essentials of condominium board membership, and is updated regularly to remain current with legislative amendments to Florida’s Condominium Act. In addition, this webinar satisfies Florida’s requirement for new condominium board members. It also serves as an excellent refresher course. Licensed CAMS will receive two (2) CE credits as IFM or ELE.

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_umc0gbrIQDuT-pqj0fSWgQ#/registration

A few other events this week.

Condominium Board Member Certification (2 IFM/ELE & Board Cert)

Wednesday, Jan. 17 | 2:00pm Est | Zoom

Enroll for Jan. 17 at 2pm

Electronic Voting & Virtual Meetings with guest Kaye Bender Rembaum

Thursday, Jan. 18 | 12:00pm Est | Luncheon in city of Orlando

Enroll for Jan. 18