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Six Requirements You Need to Get Your Property Management License in Florida

Six Requirements You Need to Get Your Property Management License in Florida

  • Posted: May 02, 2022
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Six Requirements You Need to Get Your Property Management License in Florida

To launch a career as a property manager in Florida, you must first obtain an appropriate license, but Florida does not offer a property management license. Rather than a property management license Florida requires you to obtain a real estate sales associate license to meet the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC) requirements.

 

To become licensed in Florida, you need to first meet the requirements to enter an approved educational program. Once you’ve completed the program successfully, you apply for a license. After being electronically fingerprinted, you’ll need to take and pass the licensing exam. You do not need a license if you are only managing personally owned properties. Some rental properties, however, need a licensing by the Division of Hotels and Restaurants. If a property owner hires a salaried employee to manage the property no broker’s license is required, but if they are paid by commission or transactional basis they must have a license.

Community Association Managers (CAMs) differ from property managers. CAMs must hold a valid Community Association Manager license. Obtaining this FREC license follows a similar process, but requires a different educational program. A CAM manages:

  • a ten or more unit association,

  • an association with greater than a $99,999 budget.

Check each applicant’s license status before hiring any person. Use the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s Licensee Search webpage to determine their licensing.

Property Management License in Florida

The first step in how to obtain a property management license in Florida is meeting the requirements to enter the higher education program. You need to already have graduated from high school or earned your general education diploma (GED). Also, you must be at least 18 years old. These minimums allow you to apply for entry to an approved real estate sales associate pre-licensing course.

Property Management License Florida Course

You will need to successfully complete the real estate sales associate pre-licensing course approved by the Florida Real Estate Commission. More than one possible course exists and the one you complete must contain a minimum of 63 hours of coursework. This is the introductory coursework to the larger licensing educational structure. It provides the foundation for other courses. You may complete the courses via correspondence, online or in person, depending on the options the school you choose offers.

Complete Your Application.

Complete and submit form DBPRRE1 which is the Florida application for a real estate sales associate license. You can fill it out online by visiting the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation website. Click the link for “Apply for a License.” You can complete it online or print it and submit it by fax or mail. The appropriate application fee must accompany it.

Submit Your Electronic Fingerprints

You must submit your electronic fingerprints via a FREC approved electronic fingerprinting site. You can obtain the sites closest to you by phoning 877-238-8232. You then visit them to submit your prints and pay the fingerprinting fee.

Ace Your Real Estate Sales Associates Exam

Sit for your Florida real estate sales associates exam. To qualify for a license, you must score at least a 75 percent on the test.

Receive Your License

Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your real estate license via postal mail. It typically takes seven to 10 business days to receive this in the mail.

Further Licensing Options

Beyond obtaining the sales associate license that functions effectively as a Florida property management license, you can also obtain higher licenses. You can obtain a broker’s license after 24 months as a real estate sales associate after completing a 72 classroom hours brokers course and a 60 hour post-licensing course which both must be FREC approved. For a license as a CAM, successfully complete a course of 18 hours education.

If you searched for how to get a property management license in Florida, you now know why you could not find it online. For property management, you need a sales associate license. To manage a community, you’ll need a CAM, also known as, a property association management license Florida requires. Florida property management license requirements differ depending on the size and/or budget of the community association.

While it is not a quick process, you can obtain your real estate license in about two years. That is the time it takes to complete about 60 hours of college coursework, assuming you complete 12 hour semesters. Some schools structure the courses in such a way that you must complete the classes in a specific order and cannot register for more than 12 hours per semester. After completion of the school program, passing your license exam is the only hurdle. You can enter a career in property management in Florida within two years.

      Become a CAM!

Start your new Career

CAM Licensing: Start your new Career

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The Hurricane season starts on June 1 but it’s never too early to prepare.

The Hurricane season starts on June 1 but it’s never too early to prepare.

  • Posted: Apr 28, 2022
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The Florida hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOOA), this year is predicted to be another above-normal season.

The Hurricane season starts on June 1 but it’s never too early to prepare.

Take a moment to go to out web page for the top professionals /members ready to help. Remember to SAVE to your favorites, this way you will be prepared if you have damage to your buildings/HOA homes and condos.

http://FloridaAdjusting.com – A division of SFPMA

Damage from a hurricane can be costly for all businesses and can pose hazards for you and your employees. Fortunately, there are ways that you can fortify your business against a hurricane to minimize losses and reduce risks for workers.

As part of “Planning Ahead” for a Disaster, the SBA encourages you to consider taking these simple steps to prepare: Assess your risk; Create a plan, Execute your plan. Statistics show that 25% of small businesses don’t re-open after a disaster. Visit the SBA’s Prepare for Emergencies website to learn more about how to prepare and recover if a disaster strikes.

NOOA officials also encourage consumers to take the following steps:

  • Visit Ready.gov and Listo.gov for useful and valuable disaster preparation resources including checklists and templates for your business and your home.
  • Download the FEMA app to sign-up for a variety of alerts and to access preparedness information.
  • Consider purchasing flood insurance.

Visit the National Hurricane Center’s website at hurricanes.gov throughout the season to stay current on watches and warnings.

ELECTRIC CARS ARE COMING ! IS YOUR PROPERTY READY?

ELECTRIC CARS ARE COMING ! IS YOUR PROPERTY READY?

  • Posted: Apr 22, 2022
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ELECTRIC CARS ARE COMING ! IS YOUR PROPERTY READY?

by VANDELAY COMMUNICATIONS LLC

2022 is looking to be the year of the Electric Vehicle. Whether you like the idea of switching from ICE (internal Combustion Engines) to EV (Electric Vehicles) or not….they are coming and in droves.

Almost every major auto manufacturer is bringing an EV to market this coming year and from the looks of it, the wave will be small at first, but tremendous by 2023. What this means for Residential Condos and apartments, especially in High Rise buildings with limited parking, is you must be planning for it now.

Our company is already working with several Florida Management companies to bring state of the art EV charging equipment to their properties. Up until lately a lot of buildings have been allowing residents to add their own “outlet” or charger to their parking space. What this has done has taxed the electric panel to full capacity as well as contributed to a much higher electric bill because there is no control over demand charges as well as the inability to know exactly what someone is using by way of kilowatt hours.

The equipment today can offer several huge advantages to circumvent all the problems and headaches associated with EV charging as well as bring a new revenue stream to your property. the units today offer the capability to have a totally hands off approach and allow for this new stream of revenue. 90% of all EV vehicles are charging from home. Having this ability, brings value to the property by way of higher rents, higher sales prices of units and no drain on the HOAs funds except for the initial buildout which is paid back over time through correct set up of the systems financial utilities tools.

For more information or a personal presentation please contact us.

STEVEN T. MILANA
Executive Vice President of Development
Vandelay Communications LLC
“Veteran Owned Small Business”

Office: 480-805-1962
Cell: 954-214-2590
steve@vandelaycommunications.com

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Here are a few tips to keep those clients happy, and increase customer retention in the service industry.

Here are a few tips to keep those clients happy, and increase customer retention in the service industry.

  • Posted: Apr 22, 2022
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Here are a few tips to keep those clients happy, and increase customer retention in the service industry.

When you’re in the service industry, nothing is more important than keeping your clients happy. Entrepreneurs are married to their business, right? Well, your clients are your wife, and a happy wife is a happy life. Some people naturally excel in customer service. They have more empathy, listen better, and were born kind to the core. God bless them. Others, like me, have to develop a knack for customer service and find ways to fight the urge to… well, punch someone in the face.

Remember YOU can send SFPMA Articles, Sales, Projects We will send to Clients all over Florida. A a member of SFPMA you should get involved and make the most of your membership.  ideas: post articles, share your membership page, Log into the members portal for your own marketing ( Use the listed Managers List and let them also know what you do and how you can help them, We send to them all the time (over 230,000 emails sent in our weekly  Email Blast to clients/members all over Florida, Is your information part of them?.)

1. Under Promise, Over Deliver

Topping off the list is this old adage, I’m sure you’ve heard it before. Humans naturally overestimate themselves when it comes to doing work. They see a task or think about how long it will take and respond in kind. What we fail to think about are all the other things we need to get done, or the distractions we face on a regular basis. If you think you can get something done in one day, tell them it will take one week. If you finish in a day, they will be pleasantly surprised.

2. Manage Expectations

This is related to #1, but I’d like to focus more on the process. Having a process and explaining this to your clients from the start is the best way to manage expectations. If you don’t want your clients to call you every day or every hour, you should tell them from the beginning how client communication works — that you will have weekly or bi-weekly calls and other questions can be submitted via email. If you don’t want to go back and forth over design changes forever, tell them from the beginning that they have 2 rounds of feedback, and anything above that will be billed hourly.

3. Be Transparent: Don’t be afraid to say “I Don’t Know”

Everyone thinks that your clients come to you because you’re the expert. You should have all the answers, and that’s why they hired you. The truth is, you may be great at what you do, but you do not have all the answers. Things are constantly changing and your client may learn about something before you do. That’s okay. If you’re ever in a situation where you don’t know something, say “I don’t know, but let me do my research and get back to you.”

4. Mo’ Money, Less Problems

My grandmother used to say, “If it’s a problem that can be solved with money, it’s not really a problem.” Growing up I’d hear this a lot, but it took me 8 years in business to really grasp what this meant. It took experience.

Early on, if a client was unhappy or didn’t feel that I was adding enough value, I’d say something like “Well, I’m sorry you feel that way, I’ll try and do better, but I did the work so pay me”. I know you’ve been there, but believe me when I tell this will create friction in the relationship and potentially lose you a client for life. The better response is “I’m sorry you feel that way. I’m happy to refund you your money for the last month and we can find someone that may be a better fit.” Chances are they will appreciate the humility and decide to keep working with you. It works like a charm.

5. Get To Know Your Clients on a Personal Level

Becoming friends with my clients is something I’ve put a lot of emphasis on because I’ve witnessed the power of this first hand. Nearly all of my clients would call me a friend today, and that’s because I stay up on what’s going on in their personal lives. Are they taking a trip? Do they have a girlfriend, or are they married with kids? What other projects are they working on? When you know this information, you can start every call or meeting with a personal touch, immediately changing the tone of the conversation from a business meeting, to a relaxed conversation between partners.

“How you think about your customers influences how you respond to them.” — Marilyn Suttle

6. Share Valuable Content and Information

One of my personal favorite client interactions is sharing valuable content from credible sources with my clients. If I learn something new in one of the email digests I receive (Product Hunt, Launch, Morning Brew) that relates to their market or industry, I share it with them. It lets them know that a) I’m always learning about my industry, and b) I’m thinking about them. It could spark a conversation that could lead to new work or a shift in strategy, but either way, it brings you a little closer together.

7. Call Your Clients Regularly

The key to a positive relationship is communication. I like to schedule calls with all of my clients either every week or every month, and set some touch points to reach out to them randomly to catch up. We even tried creating an app for this call KIT List (Keep In Touch), which send you reminders to call your clients. Ask them how they feel about the service you’re providing, on a scale from 1–10, and if it’s not a 10, ask what you can do to make it a 10.

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6 HOA Violations & How to Avoid Them

6 HOA Violations & How to Avoid Them

  • Posted: Apr 22, 2022
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6 HOA Violations & How to Avoid Them

by Holly Bunch on Apr 19, 2022 1:00:00 PM

A Homeowners Association (HOA) is a private body made up of members of society who own property within a common area, led by an elected board of volunteers. The association’s main objective is to grow and add value to the property by protecting communal regions and setting rules and regulations.

Different organizations have rules that members must adhere to regarding architectural amusements like fences, swimming pools, entrances, exterior home designs, and HOA.

The HOA makes homeowners and buyers appreciate their surroundings and ensures that lawns are cut and home exteriors remain attractive. Although some rules and regulations may seem challenging, members who comply with them reap significant rewards from the association.

 

HOA Violations and How to Avoid Them

HOA violations are practices that go contrary to the set covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&Rs) set by the association. They include:

  • Landscaping

Having unkempt, overgrown, and heavily weeded lawns would be a crime for any property owner. They also consider using trees taller than the recommended height and color for fencing an offense.

You can avoid landscaping violations by following the set rules, such as maintaining well-kept and clean lawns and ensuring the fence trees are within the required height, such as 5 feet maximum. In addition, use drip irrigation and controlled sprinklers on lawns and along sidewalks.

  • Noise

It is considered a crime for group members to play loud music between the evening and early morning. Additionally, it is against the HOA rules and regulations for members to hold social gatherings between the restricted hours or even have guests in parking areas, playing deafening music and making loud noises during odd hours.

Like many cities and counties, the HOA adheres to noise ordinances enacted for the benefit of its members. Property owners should constantly refer to the rules on noise pollution management to ensure that they give their neighbors and the general community peaceful nights and calm mornings.

  • Vehicles and Parking

Residents will break HOA rules by parking non-permitted vessels on the streets or driveways, such as boats or commercial autos. Driving outside of designated locations or exceeding the speed limit in congested regions is also deemed a crime.

Members must follow established area speed restrictions, parking rules in defined zones, and the types of vessels permitted to park on the land and along the streets.

  • Pets

Residents love pets, and some consider them family. Therefore, the HOA has rules on the types of pets and areas where pets can and can’t walk, leash dogs, or pick up pets. Every resident must not violate the pet restrictions and rules. Otherwise, the HOA and neighbors may not be remorseful for such offenses.

Members need to know the number of pets per homestead, the good breeds and weights, and the law on picking up after the pets.

  • Undisclosed Rentals

Renting or leasing out different places on the property to get extra money may violate the association’s bylaws. State, federal, and sometimes local regulations govern and supersede HOA operations. With this in mind, they establish regulatory standards with other organizations, such as housing insurance companies.

Insurance companies determine the occupant-to-rented property ratio. As a result, property owners need to acquire written permission from the HOA before subletting their properties.

  • Trash

Poor waste management and careless placement of trash and dust bins on the property are considered violations. It is an HOA offense to leave the receptacle bins outside during non-collection hours, in front of people’s homes, or inconspicuous spots. They detract from the value of a property. 

 

Are you looking for a way to keep your roof clean and looking new? by Anne Dondero

Are you looking for a way to keep your roof clean and looking new? by Anne Dondero

  • Posted: Apr 13, 2022
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Are you looking for a way to keep your roof clean and looking new?

We have a green Eco friendly solution that eliminates chlorine/bleach, harsh chemicals, pressure cleaning or soft wash ever again.

With a light spray every couple of years algae will not grow guaranteed.

Call today 800-673-1136 for more information!

https://spotlessroofsolutions.com/

Members of SFPMA

 

Anne Dondero / President of Spotless Roof Solutions

 

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View this month’s Becker Lawyers Community Updates…..March 2022

View this month’s Becker Lawyers Community Updates…..March 2022

  • Posted: Apr 08, 2022
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First learn what to look for in a Property Management Company benefits, services they provide, how they collect fees, how repairs are addressed and laws & licensing.

First learn what to look for in a Property Management Company benefits, services they provide, how they collect fees, how repairs are addressed and laws & licensing.

  • Posted: Mar 10, 2022
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Find out how Association members can help you with the management of your buildings?

FLORIDA MEMBERS DIRECTORY

Managing properties can quickly become overwhelming, even for experienced investors. There is always something going on that requires attention and it takes very little time for things to get out of hand.  Hiring a Property Manager can provide an opportunity to regain control and restore stability to both your properties and possibly life in general.

The importance of having income real estate to you and your family? We are here to help you with the selection process for hiring the right company for the management of your buildings. Your Property Manager will make critical decisions on your behalf making it extremely important that you do your homework during the hiring process, your decision to hire or not hire a management company should hinge on whether or not it is a good fit with your lifestyle and makes sense financially. Individual investors will have to assess the opportunity cost of both options based on their unique circumstances.

 

1. How far do you live from your rental property and how frequently can you visit the property?

If you are close you may be able to make the regular visits required for maintenance, inspections, collections, etc., otherwise the further you live the higher your travel time and expenses will be. The larger the distance the more temptation there is to not keep a close eye on things, and that can be a recipe for disaster. You should plan making monthly scheduled visits and there is always the potential for a middle of the night emergency call that requires your immediate attention. In the long run, is this feasible for you?

2. How do you deal with the of day to day operations yourself?

This is a tough one. we all like to think of ourselves as level-headed and even-keeled, but at the end of the day it takes a special kind of person to deal with the ups and downs of property management. Behind the seemingly simple task of collecting rent every month lie a number of unpredictable problems can push people to their limits. Ask yourself how you would react in the unfortunate event that tenants:

  • Get in fights with other tenants or neighbors
  • Have domestic disputes
  • Conduct illegal business in the dwelling
  • Carry on all night parties and revelry
  • Try to sneak extra people or animals into the home
  • Decide to sue you
  • Trash the property
  • Incite the wrath of the HOA because of repeated deed restriction violations
  • Refuse to pay rent because they are a “professional tenant” and know how to work the legal system for the maximum amount of free housing at the owners expense?

 

3. How many rental properties or units do you have?

As your portfolio grows so do the management challenges, and it becomes easier for things to fall through the cracks. Investors with large portfolios stand to reap significant benefit by leveraging the efficiencies a property manager can provide. Size can also constrain investors’ ability to consider purchasing new properties if they’re already maxed out managing their current holdings.

4. Do you do all the maintenance and repairs yourself?

If you can’t do it yourself, do you know who to call? Finding reliable handymen and contractors can take a while and in the mean time you may unknowingly hire people that are unethical, uninsured, do poor quality work, over charge etc. maintenance and repairs are a significant component of land lording and if you question your ability to ensure the work is done well and in a timely manner, you might want to consider hiring a property management company.

5. How quickly are you able to get your unit ready to be rented?

Advertising, fielding calls, and showing the unit can take a considerable amount of time, but are critical tasks as vacancies will quickly eat into your profit margins. If you question whether you have the skills or the time to make this happen, or if you have historically had an unacceptably high vacancy rate, you may want to consider hiring a property management company.

6. Are you capable of handling the paperwork nightmare.?

From profit and loss statements to tax deductions, this area needs special attention and becomes an increasingly larger burden for larger portfolios. some owners (especially those with a back ground in finance) will do just fine, others may opt to hire an accountant to help with the book keeping. If you feel like this might be a weak point you might want to consider hiring a Community Association Management Company.

7. Are you willing to be on call 24/7/365?

Its important to answer this question honestly, because when an emergency happens at your property you can’t ignore it. Your special event, important meeting, vacation, or personal crisis doesn’t relieve you of your obligation to your tenant. These emergencies don’t happen all the time, but when they do you have to be willing to handle them immediately. can you handle being called at 2 in the morning to fix someone’s overflowing toilet?

8. Are you willing to confront tenants about late payments and if need be evict them from the property?

Many new owners dislike feeling like the bad guy and try to be understanding by making exceptions. The problem is that this only invites additional abuses and excuses by tenants. Late payments must be dealt with immediately, and while sometimes a friendly reminder is all that’s needed, other times, it can be a very confrontational process ending in eviction. Unlike running a charity, running a successful rental business means enforcing the rules even it means evicting a single mother who lost her job and won’t be able to pay rent anytime soon.

9. How well do you understand the laws governing Community Association Management?

Ensuring the property is run in accordance with the law is critical in both preventing lawsuits and shielding yourself from liability if you are sued. Familiarity with contracts is also very important as your rental agreement is the only binding agreement between you and the tenant.

SFPMA: The reversal of wearing Masks. This is great news for many, now you do not have to put on the masks if you dont wish to.

SFPMA: The reversal of wearing Masks. This is great news for many, now you do not have to put on the masks if you dont wish to.

  • Posted: Mar 06, 2022
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SFPMA has been monitoring the COVID-19 & Omicron and its impact on our industry. Mask Mandates are Changing!

We are encouraging all members, Property Managers, Board Members for Condo and HOA’s and the industry in general to follow:

We understand that everyone has questions:

It is important to recognize we are not health care professionals. We have been looking to the experts. The CDC and other qualified health officials should continue to be the primary source of current information and guidance. Were offering general, precautionary guidance from officials and adding some common-sense guidelines for our industry.

Mask Mandates are changing!

Many States have already set as requirements for businesses, schools and Offices all over the US. The reversal of wearing Masks. This is great news for many, now you do not have to put on the masks if you dont wish to. As we go forward some that are at risk still will protect themselves, while others wont put them on. Dont get mad at them or start a problem…. You dont know what they are doing in Their Live! they might have a lower immune system in their bodies? they might take the stand that masks dont work? they even may believe in the Science or lack of?

Every person has the right to keep wearing a mask or not! so work with your group, community and management to find a solution you can adapt to keep everyone in your buildings safe. this could mean, in the common areas, with visitors and guests inside and outside your buildings. its best to have an open discussion with a group. find out what they think? and put in place rules to keep everyone safe.

Thank You, Be Safe. SFPMA

We know it’s a balancing act for community association leaders— and the desire to keep residents and guests safe as the face mask debate continues— even for the fully vaccinated. ( Part of this article copied from: Covid Masks) We are all working together for the safety for all.

As some local jurisdictions and/or states lift and others reinforce mask mandates, what does this mean for homeowners associations and condominium communities with shared spaces including—fitness centers, clubhouses, lobby areas, and mailrooms? We contacted CAI members, practicing common-interest law to share an update on face masks in common areas. From the outset of the pandemic, Edmund Allcock, a partner with Marcus, Errico, Emmer & Brooks in Braintree, Mass., and a fellow in CAI’s College of Community Association Lawyers (CCAL), encouraged community associations to follow recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as state and local guidelines, to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

“At the beginning of the pandemic, we recommended closure of (common areas),” says Allcock. “Since the development of the vaccine, everything seems to have reopened, so I do not see why the clubhouse, or the gym should be any different.”

In Washington, application of state and local health mandates to community associations have been inconsistent, notes Anthony L. Rafel, managing partner at Rafel Law Group in Seattle, and a CCAL fellow. “The governor’s proclamations and the state secretary of health’s orders requiring masks in indoor congregate spaces make no exception for community associations,” he explains. “We’ve advised our community association clients that the requirements are applicable to common areas.”

Meanwhile, the California Department of Public Health has clarified that “indoor public settings” applies to board and commission meetings, but there is some disagreement as to whether community associations have to follow the state’s mask mandate, says Nathan R. McGuire, managing partner at Adams Stirling in Northern California, and a CCAL fellow. McGuire notes that his firm is advising that community associations are not public. Therefore, the guidance does not technically apply to them.

When it comes to guidelines community associations should follow to minimize the spread of COVID-19, Rafel says to lean on the side of greater protection for residents and guests. “Masks should be worn in lobbies, hallways, gyms, clubhouses, and meeting spaces if required or recommended by federal, state, or local health officials,” he says.

McGuire also believes masks should be required in indoor common areas to mitigate the spread of the disease. “Another option is to require only those who are unvaccinated to mask indoors and allow them to self-attest to their vaccination status. Meaning that, if someone enters the indoor setting without a mask, the resident or guest is self-attesting that they are vaccinated,” he notes.

Find out more on our Industry Web Pages for Condo, HOA and Property Management.

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