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Find Blog Articles for Florida’s Condo, HOA and the Management Industry. 

“Condominium Board Member Certification”  April 17 at 2pm Est | Live on Zoom

“Condominium Board Member Certification” April 17 at 2pm Est | Live on Zoom

  • Posted: Apr 17, 2023
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“Condominium Board Member Certification”

April 17 at 2pm Est | Live on Zoom

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. Course: 9630075
Enroll for Condo Cert

 

“HOA Board Member Certification”

April 24 at 2pm Est | Live on Zoom

This webinar covers the essentials of HOA board membership, and is updated regularly to remain current with the latest 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. Course: 9630140

Enroll for HOA Cert

 

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Apr 19 Free Lunch & Learn: How To Select A Contractor. | Sponsored by KBRLegal

Apr 19 Free Lunch & Learn: How To Select A Contractor. | Sponsored by KBRLegal

  • Posted: Apr 17, 2023
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This one-hour class will guide association members, CAMs, and building managers through the process of how to select a contractor for an upcoming commercial project. It starts with knowing your stakeholder, creating an RFP, hosting a pre-bid meeting, evaluating the quotes, and ends with making your contractor recommendation.

Wednesday, April 19, 2023

Meet the sponsors at 11:30 a.m.

Class begins at 12 p.m.

 

Capriccio Ristorante

2424 N University Drive, Pembroke Pines, FL 33024

1 Credit OPP/ELE

Course #9631934 | Provider #0007984

 

Register on Eventbrite by April 18. Space is limited.

Lunch is generously sponsored by: SFPMA Members.

Bashor & Legendre, LLP

Centennial Bank

Kaye Bender Rembaum

M.A. Construction Group

Rainbow Roofing Solutions

United Claims Specialists

Wayne Automatic Fire Sprinklers, Inc.

WeDry USA

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Presented by Castle Group Season 4, Episode 7 of ‘Association Leadership’ Florida’a Newest Insurance Laws

Presented by Castle Group Season 4, Episode 7 of ‘Association Leadership’ Florida’a Newest Insurance Laws

  • Posted: Apr 17, 2023
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Presented by Castle Group

Season 4, Episode 7 of ‘Association Leadership’

Florida’a Newest Insurance Laws

Wednesday, April 19, 2023 | 12 Noon to 1:00pm Est.

Webinar live via Zoom

REGISTER NOW

Castle Group invites you to join us for Season 4, Episode 7 of Association Leadership. This week’s discussion is on Florida’s newest insurance laws- how they could affect your association, and the proposed legislative changes to the milestone, structural integrity, and reserve study requirements.
Castle Group CFO Craig Vaughan will host the live webinar. He will be joined by Attorneys Jeffrey A. Rembaum & Michael S. Bender- Kaye Bender Rembaum, P.L.- Board Certified Specialists in Condominium and Planned Development Law.

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Allstate Resource Management sponsored:  10th Annual Make-A-Wish Polen Capital Golf Tournament at The Boca Raton

Allstate Resource Management sponsored: 10th Annual Make-A-Wish Polen Capital Golf Tournament at The Boca Raton

  • Posted: Apr 07, 2023
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Allstate Resource Management sponsored:

10th Annual Make-A-Wish Polen Capital Golf Tournament at The Boca Raton

This past weekend, Allstate Resource Management sponsored the 10th Annual Make-A-Wish Polen Capital Golf Tournament at The Boca Raton! The event raised over $570,000!

Our Vice-President/Golf Enthusiast, Andy Fuhrman, enjoyed the day on the green and was joined by Norman Wedderburn, the President/CEO of Make-A-Wish Southern Florida.

Thanks to Allstate Resource Management and other amazing sponsors, the Make-A-Wish Polen Capital Golf Tournament has granted more than 300 heartfelt wishes for the brave and deserving children battling critical illnesses in our local community.

 

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Cohen Law Group’s – Make-A-Wish Fundraiser – Please donate today. Thank you for your support!

Cohen Law Group’s – Make-A-Wish Fundraiser – Please donate today. Thank you for your support!

  • Posted: Apr 07, 2023
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We are asking SFPMA Members to Show their Support.

Cohen Law Group’s
Make-A-Wish Fundraiser

We are raising money for Make-A-Wish to help grant wishes for children with critical illnesses.
It’s truly amazing what wishes can do.

Link to Make a Donation- https://secure2.wish.org/site/TR/WishYourWay/Make-A-WishSouthernFlorida?px=7266942&pg=personal&fr_id=4725

A wish renews hope, uplifts spirits and encourages the belief in the impossible. Make-A-Wish grants thousands of unique wishes each year. A wish begins with hope. And hope begins with you.

Last year, Cohen Law Group raised over $25,000 to grant 5 wishes and this year our goal is $35,000.

Together, we can grant more wishes.
Please donate today. Thank you for your support!

Cohen Law Group will be matching Donations to Make-A-Wish!


At Cohen Law Group, It’s About Justice!
It’s more than a slogan, it’s our firm’s mantra. We are zealous in protecting your rights. We offer 24-hour availability through our answering service. Call us today.
(407) 478-4878

 

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The State of Florida Property Management Association and Educational Providers bring, in person and online events every month.

The State of Florida Property Management Association and Educational Providers bring, in person and online events every month.

  • Posted: Apr 02, 2023
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The State of Florida Property Management Association and Educational Providers bring, in person and online events every month.

EVENTS: BOARD MEMBERS & MANAGERS FIND COURSES, SEMINARS, WEBINARS, RADIO SHOWS, YOUTUBE LIVE, EVENTS ALL OVER FLORIDA.
In our efforts to bring educational courses to our industry in a safe way, Educational Members provide many courses online through Zoom, Radio and Video presentations. Take advantage of these online Courses many are approved by the State of Florida where after watching, joining and taking part in will give you credits and certifications for the Courses. These lively, interactive and informational courses are approved for board member certification and property manager continuing education credits. (ECU Credits) some are held in a Video setting while others are online through Zoom and other platforms. SFPMA is happy to bring to you these Educational Resources for you to take part in.
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We offer the best Digital Marketing strategies at affordable prices. by AAA Computer Designs

We offer the best Digital Marketing strategies at affordable prices. by AAA Computer Designs

  • Posted: Apr 02, 2023
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Digital marketing is something that every business needs to reach out to its audience.

We offer the best Digital Marketing strategies at affordable prices.

📞 Call us at +1 561-718-1148.
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Raleigh’s First Citizens Bank will buy Silicon Valley Bank

Raleigh’s First Citizens Bank will buy Silicon Valley Bank

  • Posted: Mar 29, 2023
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Raleigh’s First Citizens Bank is buying most of Silicon Valley Bank, the tech-focused financial institution which collapsed earlier this month. First Citizens will acquire all deposits and loans of the former Silicon Valley Bank in exchange for company stock worth up to $500 million, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) announced Sunday.

The FDIC had controlled Silicon Valley Bank since it failed following a bank run on March 10. In the agreement, all Silicon Valley depositors will automatically transfer to First Citizens, and on Monday, the 17 former Silicon Valley branches will open as First Citizens Bank locations.

“First Citizens has a proud history of growing organically and through strategic acquisitions that build our core capabilities in a careful and deliberate manner,” First Citizens CEO Frank Holding Jr. said in a statement Monday. “This transaction leverages our solid foundation to add significant scale, geographic diversity, compelling digital capabilities and most importantly, meaningful solutions for customers throughout their lifecycle.” Holding added the deal will “accelerate” the company’s expansion goals in California and the Northeast. First Citizens and the FDIC entered a loss-share agreement which ensures both parties will share in the potential recovery and losses on loans, the government and bank announced.

“We welcome the news, which comes at no cost to taxpayers,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said. “The banking system is safe,” Jean-Pierre added. “Americans can be confident, and we have seen deposits stabilize at regional banks throughout the country, and in some cases outflows have modestly reversed. What we have done these past 14 days has worked.” The FDIC had given bidders until Friday night to make offers for Silicon Valley Bank.

WHAT IS FIRST CITIZENS BANK?

According to a Federal Reserve database, First Citizens was the 30th largest bank in the country by consolidated assets at the end of last year. It operates 582 branches and offices nationwide, 60% of which were in North Carolina or South Carolina.

It is the Carolinas’ fourth largest bank, behind Bank of America, Truist, and Wells Fargo, and employs more than 2,000 in the Triangle area, according to Wake County Economic Development.

First Citizens was founded in Johnston County in 1898, and for most of the past century, it’s been helmed by three generations of the Holding family.

The company’s headquarters are in the North Hills neighborhood of Raleigh. Silicon Valley isn’t the first major purchase First Citizens has made in recent years.

In January 2022, its parent company First Citizens BancShares purchased New York-based CIT Group for approximately $2.2 billion. According to First Citizens spokesperson Angela English, First Citizens has bought more than 20 FDIC-backed banks since 2009.

In its purchase of Silicon Valley, First Citizens will take on $110 billion in assets, $56 billion in deposits, and $72 billion in loans, the company said Monday. During an investor call Monday, Holding recognized his bank “is not well known for expertise in the digital innovation economy.” In the industry, First Citizens has been viewed as a more traditional bank, far from the profile of Silicon Valley Bank, which geared its services toward early-stage technology startups. But Holding pointed out “our home market in Raleigh” is a leader in innovation.

“We are committed to continuing to help innovators, enterprises, and investors move bold ideas forward,” he said. “This acquisition positions First Citizens to support that growth both for Silicon Valley’s markets and right here in our own backyard in the Research Triangle Park by combining First Citizens’ traditional relationship banking, creativity and ability with the strengths, relationships, and expertise of legacy SVB.”


Exciting news in the banking industry as First Citizens Bank announced its acquisition of Silicon Valley Bank. This comes on the heels of First Citizens BancShares’ purchase of CIT Group in January 2022 for roughly $2.2 billion. The acquisition of CIT included Community Association Bank (CAB), a major player in the community association banking space, which has since been re-branded as part of First Citizens Bank. This move further solidifies First Citizens Bank’s position as a leading financial institution.

 

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Florida Legislature Considering Bills Proposing Changes to Condo Safety Reforms, Construction Defect Lawsuits

Florida Legislature Considering Bills Proposing Changes to Condo Safety Reforms, Construction Defect Lawsuits

  • Posted: Mar 29, 2023
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Florida Legislature Considering Bills Proposing Changes to Condo Safety Reforms, Construction Defect Lawsuits

As the 2023 Florida legislative session gets underway, there are several bills impacting associations and real estate

Senate Bill 154 and House Bill 1395

Perhaps the most important of these are Senate Bill 154 and House Bill 1395, which deal with issues such as inspections and condominium association financial reserves that were addressed in the condo safety reform law that was passed last May with the adoption of Senate Bill 4D during a special legislative session. Under the new law, inspections are required for buildings that have been occupied for 30 years — or 25 years if they are within three miles of a coastline. After these initial inspections, the buildings will have to go through the process again every 10 years.

Flalegislature-300x169If adopted, the new bills could result in changes to the time by which buildings, including those within three miles of a coastline, will have to be inspected. The two bills include different timeframes by which the initial milestone inspection may have to be performed (e.g., SB 154 triggering all such inspections at 30 years with discretion for local officials and authorities having jurisdiction to compel some at 25 years depending on “local circumstances, including environmental conditions such proximity to salt water”; or HB 1395 requiring the initial inspections at 25 years for all buildings regardless of proximity to salt water).

 

SB 154 also includes provisions that would allow local officials to extend inspection deadlines if building owners have entered into contracts with architects or engineers but the inspections cannot be finished in time.

HB 1395 further proposes to increase the types of professionals that may perform phase 1 of the milestone inspections from architects and engineers to also include general contractors licensed under Chapter 489, Florida Statutes, with at least five years of experience in building/constructing threshold buildings, or as a building code administrator or licensed building code inspector.

The bills also include changes to portions of the statutes governing the financial reserves studies and requirements that were implemented under last year’s law. Some of the changes provided in SB 154 include clarification as to which building components must be included as part of the required reserve funding. It would also allow reserve studies to “recommend that reserves do not need to be maintained for any item for which an estimate of useful life and an estimate of replacement cost or deferred maintenance expense cannot be determined.” The bill’s sponsor says that provision could apply to building foundations.

HB 1395 includes different proposed changes pertaining to the structural integrity reserve items, such as providing for modified deadlines to the December 31, 2024, deadline established under last year’s reforms.

These are just a sampling of the various changes being considered by the legislature this session. As is usually the case with the legislative process, the provisions of SB 154 and HB 1395 will likely undergo various changes and may become mirror images of each other via lawmakers’ negotiations resulting in a final version that may be voted into law. Condominium association stakeholders should keep an eye on these bills given that their adoption by the legislature could surely result in significant changes to the monumental laws adopted last year affecting condominium associations in Florida.

House Bill 85

The legislature is also considering changes to the state’s statute of repose for construction defect lawsuits, which is used to determine how long a party has to file a claim for latent construction defects after a structure or improvement has been completed.

Currently, the state’s 10-year period of repose starts to run from the latest of these four events: 1) the date of actual possession by the owner, 2) the date of the issuance of a certificate of occupancy, 3) the date of abandonment of construction if not completed, or 4) the date of completion of the contract or termination of the contract between the professional engineer, registered architect, or licensed contractor and his or her employer. After the 10-year period expires, a claim for latent defects can no longer be brought.

If adopted, House Bill 85 would revise the triggering events for the period of repose for suits brought for latent construction defects to the earliest of: 1) the issuance of a temporary certificate of occupancy, 2) the date of the issuance of a certificate of occupancy, 3) or the date of issuance of a certificate of completion, or 4) the date of abandonment if construction is not completed.

The repose period would start to run seven years from the earliest of the foregoing four events. These changes, if adopted, could have significant changes to the time frame within which an association may assert a claim against parties responsible for construction defects.

As the legislative session unfolds and reaches its conclusion on May 5th, our firm’s attorneys will continue to monitor these and other bills impacting the state’s community associations and real estate industry.

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If you are looking for Rolling Insect Screens, Jansen Shutters & Windows can help!

If you are looking for Rolling Insect Screens, Jansen Shutters & Windows can help!

  • Posted: Mar 28, 2023
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The Jansen Family have been serving the homeowner and construction industry of the Florida Gulf Coast from Fort Meyers to North TampaTarpon Springs and the Islands since 1973.

In 2002, Phillip Jansen and his son Travis opened Jansen Shutters & Windows with the intention of providing the best hurricane protection necessary to ensure the safety of your family and business.

As our company grew we expanded out product line to include, Out Door Living Products. Which includes our exclusive “Jansen Vista” Motorized Insect Screens, Fabrication, Louver, Pergolas and more. We are proud to say everything we manufacture is American Made. Our work does not stop at installation, we believe it is necessary to educate our customers about the products we provide. So you can pick the best products that fits your lifestyle and budget.

Storm Protection

Motorized Croci Rolling Shutters, Nautilus Rolling Shutters, Accordion Shutters, Armor Screen, Rolling Hurricane Screens, Impact Bahama & Colonial Shutters, Clear Lexan, White Aluminum & Metal Storm Panels.

Windows & Doors

Impact and Non Impact, Single and Double Hung Windows, Casement and Horizontal Roller Windows, Sliding Glass, French Doors, Entry Doors by Plastpro, DAB Garage Doors, Windoor  PGT Vinyl & Jeld-Wen Vinyl & Wood Products.

Outdoor Living

Jansen “Vista” Motorized Insect Screens, Solar Shades, Pergolas, Sunbrella Awnings, Sun Air Retractable Awnings, Canopies, Sun Sails, Fencing, Estate Gates, Louvers, Bahama Shades  and Privacy Barriers.

Aluminum Products

Fabrication is our specialty. You Dream it we will weld it! Wrought Iron Interior and Exterior Railings, Gates with Access Control Systems, Carports, Welded Ornamental Products, Soffits, Gutters, Elite Rooms and more.

 

Give us a call today at (941) 484-4700 to schedule your free estimate!

If you are looking for Rolling Insect Screens, Jansen Shutters & Windows can help!

Rolling Insect Screens provide the barrier needed to keep the pesky insects where they belong . . . outside!

Our Rolling Insect Screens provide a see through barrier from insects and are available in a variety of different colors to choose from.

 

JANSEN SHUTTERS & WINDOWS
341 SAND PINE BLVD,
VENICE, FL, 34292,
941 484 4700
PHIL@JANSENSHUTTERS.COM

Give us a call today at (941) 484-4700 to schedule your free estimate!

 

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Take part in our Industry Expos presented by L&L Management, SFPMA – Our members take part in these to show our industry the top companies ready to help with everything from Business to Services for your buildings and communities.

Take part in our Industry Expos presented by L&L Management, SFPMA – Our members take part in these to show our industry the top companies ready to help with everything from Business to Services for your buildings and communities.

  • Posted: Mar 24, 2023
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Networking and Education is key for Managers, Board Members in Condo and HOA’s 

Take part in our Industry Expos presented by L&L Management, SFPMA – Our members take part in these to show our industry the top companies ready to help with everything from Business to Services for your buildings and communities.


APRIL 4TH, 2023 AT 8:30 A.M. AT THE
SIGNATURE GRAND – BROWARD COUNTY.


Palm Beach Condo & HOA Expo
APRIL 11TH, 2023 AT 8:30 A.M.
AT THE PALM BEACH CONVENTION CENTER.


Orlando Condo & HOA Expo
APRIL 26TH, 2023 AT 8:30 A.M.
AT THE ORLANDO CONVENTION CENTER


Tampa Bay Condo & HOA Expo
APRIL 27TH, 2023 AT 8:30 A.M.
AT THE TAMPA BAY CONVENTION CENTER.

EVENTS: BOARD MEMBERS & MANAGERS FIND COURSES ALL OVER FLORIDA.