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The focused nature of the multi-family industry

The focused nature of the multi-family industry

  • Posted: Dec 03, 2018
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The economy has been rapidly changing, and with it the demands from owners, investors, partners and tenants.

In no way have these dynamics become more evident than in 2018. Collectively, property managers represent many of the most successful and influential firms across the Florida, with some even having a State wide presence. A major factor for these firms was diversity across sectors. Due to the focused nature of the multi-family industry, apartment managers have many new properties in today’s market. What we sought to do with this month’s Investors Edition this was to determine where primary leadership was emerging and to identify those firms that had the right sense of growth, leases in place and management teams that are the standard in their market sectors. We were impressed by the number of owners that have shown growth in the past years under what would be described ideal circumstances. We focus our editions on the office, industrial, retail, mixed-use, vacation, and hospitality, and some miscellaneous uses. Not surprisingly, all but a small number of property management firms exhibited experience and capabilities with at least two of the sectors and more than a third of our members are active in three or more.

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In this competitive environment, many of the managers were confronted with rapidly changing market demand and found the need to recruit, hire, train and provide an orientation to the industry so that they could remain competitive. Indeed, our list of the top property management firms represents the best in their sectors and showed that by improving occupancy rates. On a period-to-period measure, from 2010 through year-end 2017, occupancy increased for all of the firms, with those likely attributable to portfolio changes (another kind of challenge). The gains were substantial, with all firms approaching the mid-90 percent range. We believe that leaders rise during both positive and negative market events. Our evaluation of occupancy changes, changes in leases, square footage under management and other factors all suggest that acquisitions with strong management practices will continue to show growth into 2020.

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Methodology

The Ranking of Property Management Firms utilized self-reported property characteristics for all firms. We measured square footage, number of leases, number and size of properties under management, property operations owned or managed participation in property sectors, sustainability practices and other factors. Preference was given to those firms that had strong fundamental growth and provided services to more than one sector. The overall size of the firm and the number of square feet figured in the rankings, and ultimately the firms were selected taking into account all of the submitted member information.

 

FIND TOP PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANIES IN FLORIDA: https://SFPMA.COM

 

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Here are five holiday party ideas that are sure to please your residents

Here are five holiday party ideas that are sure to please your residents

  • Posted: Nov 25, 2018
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Want to throw a holiday party that will bring residents of your community together for a fun-filled evening?

Here are five holiday party ideas that are sure to please your residents:

 

  1. Tacky Sweater Party

While so cliché these days, hosting a tacky sweater party is a great way for residents to break the ice and start mingling with each other. The ugly holiday sweater that was once popular in the 80s is making a big come back, and residents can easily find this festive attire online or come up with their own creations. Encourage residents to channel their inner-tackiness by offering prizes for the ugliest sweaters. If hosting the party at your neighborhood clubhouse, you can spruce up your community amenities for the event with bright-colored lights, oversized holiday inflatables, and tinsel-filled trees.

 

  1. Holiday Caroling Party

Round up your neighbors to meet at the community clubhouse for hot chocolate (and perhaps a seasonal adult beverage) and holiday cookies. Once everyone arrives, head out for an evening of holiday caroling. Having several copies of sheet music on hand will be beneficial for the group. It’s also helpful if you notify neighbors ahead of time that you will be caroling in the community to ensure that you will have an audience.

 

  1. Beer Tasting Party

There’s a very good chance that residents in your community have been to a wine tasting party, but what about a beer tasting party? Craft beer is on the rise, and it seems as though there are new breweries popping up in Florida every day. Encourage your guests to make an unbiased vote on their favorite beers by concealing the beverages in brown paper bags. As the evening comes to an end, make a toast and reveal the winning beers.

 

  1. Holiday Cookie Exchange Party

A cookie exchange is a classic holiday party and provides guests with an opportunity to load up on a diverse selection of festive cookies. Ask each guest to bring two dozen cookies and copies of the recipe to trade at the party. You can choose to either ask guests to bring a separate container to collect the cookies or provide containers for the guests.

 

  1. Winter Wonderland Party

While snow is a rare site in Florida, you can still get into the holiday spirit by hosting a winter wonderland party. Choose food and beverages that correspond with the snowy theme, such as marshmallows for roasting, snow cones, cheese fondue, and a white party punch. Decorate your community amenities with an abundance of white string lights, and take the ambiance up a notch by renting a snow machine.

As you begin to plan the holiday party for your HOA community, take these five suggestions into consideration to throw a party that is sure to be a crowd pleaser.

 

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Having a Building Condition Assessment performed

Having a Building Condition Assessment performed

  • Posted: Nov 14, 2018
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Having a Building Condition Assessment performed

As buildings age they become more inefficient, which can mean unnecessary, out of pocket expenditures every month. Having a Building Condition Assessment performed by a P.E. is especially important for aging facilities. It is imperative to the overall health and future of your building to conduct a “checkup” every 3-5 years. Contact us today for more information or to schedule an assessment.

Find us on the Members Directory:  https://sfpma.com/listing/the-falcon-group/

 

40/50 Year Recertification for Miami-Dade and Broward County, Florida

Is your building approaching 40 years of age? Are you aware that there may be county requirements that as a building owner you may need to comply with, known as the 40 Year Recertification?

Even if you have not yet received a “Notice of Required Inspection” by the code compliance section of your county or city, it is the property owner’s responsibility to acquire the initial 40/50-year (re)certification and to recertify their building every 10 years thereafter. Because of this, the inspections must be done by or under the supervision of a qualified, Professional Engineer (PE) or Registered Architect (RA).

Florida – Miami
15405 NW 7th Avenue
Miami, FL 33169
P: (305) 663-1970

 

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Falcon is here to help

We provide both Structural and Electrical inspection expertise in-house with Professional Engineers, Registered Architects and Licensed Inspectors. Our professionals are able to perform site visits, prepare reports, and provide repair recommendations and specifications. Falcon can also assist with the bidding process for the repair work, along with the construction oversight to ensure all repairs are being done with all recommended requirements enforced. We provide a list of the necessary repairs in the report at no cost to you.

Our services are provided in these South Florida Cities:

[one_third]
  • Aventura
  • Boca Raton
  • Carol City
  • Coconut Creek
  • Coconut Grove
  • Cooper City
  • Coral Springs
  • Dania Beach
  • Davie
  • Deerfield Beach
  • Fort Lauderdale
  • Hallandale Beach
[/one_third] [one_third]
  • Hallandale
  • Hialeah
  • Hillsboro Beach
  • Hollywood
  • Homestead
  • Lauderhill
  • Miami Dade and Broward Counties
  • Miami
  • Miramar
  • North Lauderdale
[/one_third] [one_third_last]
  • North Miami Beach
  • North Miami
  • Oakland Park
  • Parkland
  • Pembroke Pines
  • Plantation
  • Pompano Beach
  • Sunrise
  • Tamarac
  • West Park
  • Weston
[/one_third_last]

 

“The Falcon Group is one of the best for all of your Buildings. When you need architectural, Engineering Services and Structural including 40 Year Recertification. They should be the number one choice. In Florida, William Pyznar and the Team who are members of SFPMA are the type of company we stand behind for our Property Management Industry.” SFPMA

 

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DON’T LET TAXES COMPOUND THE PROBLEM OF A NATURAL DISASTER

DON’T LET TAXES COMPOUND THE PROBLEM OF A NATURAL DISASTER

  • Posted: Oct 10, 2018
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DON’T LET TAXES COMPOUND THE PROBLEM OF A NATURAL DISASTER

by Enrolled Agent Steven J. Weil, Ph.D., EA, LCAM, Royale Management Services, Inc.

In the unlikely event that you or someone you know becomes the victim of a natural disaster, and where you or where they live becomes a federally-declared disaster area, you will want to know all the ways to mitigate the results.  Not only can preparation help to protect life and property, it can also guard against staggering financial loss.

The key is to know what to expect.  If you live in a condo or HOA, you will want to know what the association’s master insurance policy covers and what it does not.  Insurance may help defray some of the costs associated with restoring and replacing damaged and destroyed property, but to keep monetary losses as low as possible, it helps to understand the relevant sections of the tax code.  Under the new Tax Cut and Jobs Act, for example, there is tax relief for victims who suffer casualty losses and are living in a federally-declared disaster area.

Claims require documentation.  You will surely want to make an inventory of the valuables in your home to help you document losses for insurance and tax purposes.  Take photos or videotape not only the interior of your home but also the property and structures outside it.  Damage to your vehicles, landscaping and other possessions may also be tax deductible.

If there’s a chance you might have to evacuate your home, take important documents with you or move them to a safer location, like a bank safe deposit box or a waterproof or fireproof container. Consider photographing important documents like birth certificates, car registration, driver’s license, proof of home ownership, insurance policies, important contracts, medical information, passport, tax documents, etc., and upload these electronic records to a secure cloud-based service.

Tax deductions for homes and buildings with structural damage require a qualified appraisal and records of the repairs to restore the building to its previous condition. Homeowners insurance will cover some personal goods in many cases, whether or not the home is covered for the type of disaster that occurred. Keep in mind that all claims for damage must first be submitted to the property owner’s insurance carrier, even if the property is not covered, in order to take a casualty loss deduction. In other words, your disaster loss may be tax deductible but only to the amount over any insurance reimbursement.

Two additional limitations may be waived in certain federally-declared disaster areas:  You must deduct $100 per event and reduce the total of all personal use property losses by 10 percent of your adjusted gross income.

Be aware that the IRS may extend tax filing deadlines, permit easier access to victims’ funds held in workplace retirement plans, and make other provisions designed to provide financial relief to those affected by a natural disaster.  The IRS website can help you learn about any special announcements, bulletins or special relief being offered during ongoing disasters.

Disaster-related losses can be deductible on your tax return, but only if you follow the rules and provide the appropriate documentation.  You also may be permitted to choose either the current year or the previous year to claim your losses, and your refund could be greater in the non-disaster year than in the current disaster year.

Help in determining the best course in your situation is always available from a qualified tax professional to help you make sure you are taking advantage of every relevant tax provision available to you.

 

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Escaping The Towering Inferno – Condominium Fire Sprinkler Retrofit and Engineered Life Safety System Requirements

Escaping The Towering Inferno – Condominium Fire Sprinkler Retrofit and Engineered Life Safety System Requirements

  • Posted: Oct 05, 2018
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Escaping The Towering Inferno –

Condominium Fire Sprinkler Retrofit and Engineered Life Safety System Requirements

There appears to be some confusion surrounding the compliance date of the Engineered Life Safety System for those condominium associations that previously voted to opt out of the requirement to install condominium fire sprinkler retrofit. What is not confusing is that the safety of all occupants living in high-rise condominiums is paramount. No one wants to be responsible for death or injury caused by an incident that can be minimized with necessary precautions. How should the board of directors of a “high-rise” condominium balance the needs for fire safety against the considerable expense incurred in the implementation and installation of fire safety systems?

A high-rise building is a building where an occupiable floor is greater than seventy-five feet (75’) above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access. Pursuant to Florida law, condominiums that are considered high-rise buildings are required to have, or otherwise install, a fire sprinkler system, unless the condominium association had previously opted out, or is otherwise exempt, as further addressed below, by following the proper statutory protocol for which the deadline to do so has long since passed. However, for those high-rise condominiums that did successfully opt out, the association is still responsible for the installation of an Engineered Life Safety System (the “ELSS”).

A caveat, and for some condominium associations, a blessing, is that the fire sprinkler system (or ELSS) is not required if every unit in the condominium has exterior walkway access. Therefore, if the only access into the condominium unit is through an interior hallway, the condominium association would need to install a fire sprinkler system (or have already opted out and thereby need to comply with the requirements of the ELSS).

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Section 718.112(2)(l), Florida Statutes, is quite clear on the requirements to install a fire sprinkler system, but the statute does not address the condominium association’s requirements for the implementation of the ELSS – that comes from the Florida Fire Prevention Code (the “FFPC”). The FFPC defines an ELSS as a system which contains any or all of the following systems:

1) partial automatic sprinkler protection,

2) smoke detection alarms,

3) smoke control,

4) compartmentation, and/or

5) other approved lifesaving systems.

An ELSS must be developed by a registered professional engineer experienced in fire and life safety system design and authorized by the local compliance authority. Typical examples of ELSS within a high-rise condominium building could be a partial fire sprinkler system that serves the common areas, fire and smoke alarms that are in compliance with the local fire authority standards, and fire proof walls, floors and corridors designed to prevent the flow of the fire and smoke throughout the condominium building.

As to any high-rise building required to install the automatic fire sprinkler system that did not opt out, the FFPC requires that any condominium that meets the definition of a high-rise building, must, by December 31, 2019, have installed the automatic fire sprinkler system. As to those who opted out, the exact date for ELSS compliance is anything but clear. The Condominium Act does not provide a date, and while the FFPC provides a clear deadline for the installation of the automatic fire sprinkler system, the FFPC does not patently provide a similar date for the installation of the ELSS. Some lawyers and fire safety professionals take the position that, because the ELSS is a substitute for the automatic fire sprinkler system, December 31, 2019 is, therefore, the ELSS compliance date. However, others may take the position that the lack of patent clarity in the FFPC means no deadline is provided.

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Whether the local fire safety authorities will actually interpret and enforce the Florida Fire Prevention Code to require an ELSS approved plan, or ELSS completed installation by December 31, 2019 or even still, take the position that no ELSS deadline is provided at all is anyone’s guess. The answers might even vary by jurisdiction. What is clear is that:

  • The Florida legislature needs to address the ELSS compliance deadline to provide clarity for the betterment and safety of all of Florida’s high-rise communities; and
  • Any board member of a high-rise condominium association with questions regarding any of the issues addressed herein needs to consult with both their association’s legal counsel and with the local fire safety officials with jurisdiction for enforcement of the ELSS.

Jeffrey Rembaum, Esq. of Kaye, Bender, Rembaum attorneys at law, legal practice consists of representation of condominium, homeowner, commercial and mobile home park associations, as well as exclusive country club communities and the developers who build them. He is a regular columnist for The Condo News, a biweekly publication and Legal Writer for Florida Rising Magazine, was inducted into the 2012, 2013 & 2014 Florida Super Lawyers. He can be reached at 561-241-4462.

Re Published with Permission: JR / KBR Legal

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Keep Everyone Up to Date and Connected

Keep Everyone Up to Date and Connected

  • Posted: Jul 21, 2018
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Keep Everyone Up to Date and Connected

What’s on your Desk? Members should send us information and news, We use this to post and send to our industry.

Keep everyone up to date and connectedSFPMA using Mail Chimp and Direct E-Mail makes it easy to send timely, personalized, relevant messages to large groups, small groups, or specific individuals. Recipients can customize how they receive messages and they can respond via the links within. Keeping everyone up to date and connected is key.

Add to our Events Calendar
Members can send us an Email and fill out the form on the Members Portal when they are having an event, meeting, and seminars. We add this to our events calendar a place that everyone can view. The events are also sent to our Social Media pages and the Many Groups we are part of. If you look at any social media group they have hundreds and some have thousands of members our goal is to let many people view the events and show up, We believe in information and through these events many companies get new clients once they find out what you do and how you can help Managers, Board Members, Condo and HOA professionals.

Just click this link to List your company.

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Recruiting Potential HOA Board Members

Recruiting Potential HOA Board Members

  • Posted: Jun 26, 2018
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Recruiting Potential HOA Board Members

Interview qualifications a candidate must be given are communication, education, willingness and other skills necessary for a new position on the Board

One of the best ways to enhance your community and make it the best that it can be is to volunteer as a member of the HOA board. Becoming a board member can take up a lot of valuable time, but it is well worth the investment of energy and passion. At times, filling positions on the board can be a challenge because homeowners have a lot of demands on their time, but having a stable and energetic board is one of the most crucial parts of a successful homeowners association. Here are a few tips for recruiting potential HOA board members.

Appeal to the Specific Talents of Your Homeowners

Sometimes homeowners may not be getting involved in their community because they believe they do not have the right strengths or talents for the job. However, an HOA board does not simply need people who are good at accounting (although this is a very important skill for HOA boards to possess), it needs people with all manner of skills. Find people in your community who are skilled at construction, design, information technology, or gardening and appeal to their specific skill-set to help get them involved

Direct Complaints into Participatory Roles

When a homeowner expresses discontent in the way the association is being run, far from being a bad thing, these complaints are actually opportunities for wonderful, passionate residents of the community to get involved. If you find that a particular homeowner is often politely complaining, try to see if you can encourage them to get involved so that they can have an active hand in improving the community.

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Three Kaye Bender Rembaum Attorneys Receive New Florida Bar Certification as Specialists in Condominium and Planned Development Law

Three Kaye Bender Rembaum Attorneys Receive New Florida Bar Certification as Specialists in Condominium and Planned Development Law

The law firm of Kaye Bender Rembaum announced that the Florida Bar has confirmed that three of its attorneys, founding and managing member Robert L. Kaye, firm member Andrew B. Black and senior associate Allison L. Hertz, are among the inaugural class of esteemed attorneys to be officially certified in the new area of Condominium and Planned Development Law. The new certification is effective as of June 1, 2018.


Robert L. Kaye, Andrew B. Black and Allison L. Hertz

Board certification is the highest level of recognition by the Florida Bar and recognizes attorneys’ special knowledge, skills and proficiency in various areas of law and professionalism and ethics in practice. Only certified attorneys may utilize terms such as “specialist,” “expert” and/or “B.C.S.” (Board Certified Specialist) when referring to their legal credentials. Board Certified Florida Bar Members are rigorously evaluated for professionalism and tested for their expertise in their areas of law. According to the Florida Bar, certification is the highest evaluation of attorneys’ competency. Attorneys must meet stringent application criteria before officially becoming certified, including satisfactory peer review as it relates to character, ethics and professionalism, satisfying the certification area’s continuing legal education requirements and passing a rigorous examination.

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“For more than 30 years, I focused my practice on community association law. I am honored and proud to be recognized by the Bar for this high level of expertise in this area, as demonstrated by being awarded this certification,” said Kaye. “I am also proud of Allison and Andrew joining me among The Florida Bar’s inaugural class to receive this particular certification. We are pleased to not only offer our clients the high-quality legal services that they are accustomed to receive from all of our attorneys but to also have available board certified legal services in this area of law.”

Kaye, Black and Hertz are among the first lawyers obtaining the Condominium and Planned Land Development Law certification by the Florida Bar. They account for less than one percent (1%) of nearly 118,000 Florida lawyers. Thus far, only 127 lawyers obtained this certification. The Florida Bar website maintains a free online directory of all board certified attorneys, categorized by specialty area. Find it at FloridaBar.org/certification.

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Kaye Bender Rembaum is a full-service commercial law firm concentrating on the representation of more than 1,000 community associations throughout Florida. With offices in Broward and Palm Beach counties, the Firm was recently presented with the 2018 Readers’ Choice Award for Legal Services by the Florida Community Association Journal, an award they’ve received annually since 2014. Members of State of Florida Property Management Association (SFPMA.com) For more information, visit www.KBRLegal.comcall 954-928-0680 and follow the Firm on www.facebook.com/KayeBenderRembaum.

 

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Aerial drone imagery and digital data provides engineers detailed, comprehensive information to develop effective repair and maintenance programs.

Aerial drone imagery and digital data provides engineers detailed, comprehensive information to develop effective repair and maintenance programs.

Falcon Drone Services, a subsidiary of The Falcon Group, is a multi-faceted aerial imaging company with a strong engineering and production background. We understand and can anticipate the needs of your facility.

 

Drone technology has become an essential inspection tool for the assessment, mapping, and planning of existing buildings, roadways, bridges and communities. Aerial drone imagery and digital data provides engineers detailed, comprehensive information to develop effective repair and maintenance programs. At Falcon, we refer to the integration of drone technology and engineering as Dronegineering.

Miles Abrams

Vice President of Falcon Drone Services

mabrams@falcondrones.us

(908) 864-0442

 

Our drones pilots can be utilized for a multitude of applications:

  1. Building Inspections
  2. Site Planning & Surveying
  3. 3D Modeling
  4. Thermographic Imaging
  5. Construction Safety & Progress Reporting
  6. Energy Audits & Leak Investigation
  7. Marketing & Promotional Videos

Contact us today! We would be glad to meet with you and discuss our capabilities, or even arrange for a demonstration flight.

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