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Proposals from Vendors for the yearly budgets, here are some of the things to consider

Proposals from Vendors for the yearly budgets, here are some of the things to consider

  • Posted: Jan 06, 2025
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As Board Members are asking for Proposals from Vendors for the yearly budgets, here are some of the things to consider.

BY ROYALE MANAGEMENT

Budgets take time for any Condo and HOA Community, each year many of the services paid for by these associations come under review at budget season. While its nice to think about cost savings we feel it is much more important to look at workmanship, licensing, scope of work and then Costs. SFPMA and our Members are here for every community, on our Directory finding everything from Services to the businesses that keep your operations up and running to the Legal Experts safely protecting Condo and HOA’s from disputes and Litigation.

Search our members directory, Find a Company Ask for and  Request an RFP – Request for Proposal for your buildings Budget.

 

HERE IS A LIST OF THINGS NO VENDOR CONTRACT SHOULD CONTAIN:

1) An automatic renewal clause. While it’s ok for an agreement to continue on a month to month basis it’s wrong to saddle future board with an obligation to track and cancel an agreement on a certain date or between certain dates to keep it from automatically being extended for an additional term.

2) A right of first refusal. This allows an existing vendor to match the price and terms of any new vendor proposal and thereby force the association to keep them. Most often an association gets proposals from new contractors because they are unhappy with more than the price and terms and giving a vendor a right to stay because they agree to match price and terms, does not solve the problem and can only lead to litigation.

3) Contracts with unnecessarily long terms. While a vendor that has upfront cost for things like equipment like a laundry vendor bringing in new equipment who needs to recover the equipment cost agreement terms should be kept as short as possible. Five years might be ok for the laundry contract but would not be for a landscaping contract in this case a one year term would long enough.

4) Cancellation only for “cause” clause. Proving cause only makes the lawyers richer and can be hard to do. The best solution is to build in a “cause free” ability to cancel with a 30-day notice.

 


 

Royale Management Services, Inc

Phone: (954) 563-1269

Full-service, CAM (Community Association Management) licensed, residential property management company, specializing in management, consulting and accounting for Condominium Associations and Home Owners Associations.

“The expansion into Community Association and Home Owner’s Association management was a natural move after a number of our clients serving on condo boards asked for our help with their associations accounting, budgeting and management, due to increasing operating cost and sloppy accounting records maintained by their current bookkeepers and managers.”

 

Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RMSCondo/

Learn more on our Website:  http://royalemanagement.com/

Find us on SFPMA Members Directory

 

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Budget preparation time is upon us! We strongly encourage, that every year around this time, association managers and Boards review and ensure that your capital reserve study is accurate and up-to-date.

Budget preparation time is upon us! We strongly encourage, that every year around this time, association managers and Boards review and ensure that your capital reserve study is accurate and up-to-date.

Budget preparation time is upon us! We strongly encourage, that every year around this time, association managers and Boards review and ensure that your capital reserve study is accurate and up-to-date.

This is one of the most important decisions a board will make for the future of their association. It is an easy and effective way to ensure your community’s capital replacement items are being properly funded with minimal impact on the individual homeowners. 

With the recent update to the Capital Reserve Study Standards, the impact of inflation and supply chain issues over the past few years (in some cases resulting in costs as much as 50% higher for some typical components), it is even more critical to have an updated reserve study to ensure the financial health of your community.

To stay on track for a healthy financial future, it is recommended that your Reserve Study be updated every three (3) years.

The Falcon Group Capital Reserves team consists of 6 CAI Certified Reserve Specialists (RS) as well as a Professional Reserve Analyst (PRA) designation awarded by the Association of Professional Analysts.

Contact our Reserve Specialists today for a new or updated reserve study!

 

Contact Us:

Tampa Bay

1211 1st Avenue, N.
Suite 106
St. Petersburg, FL 33705

P (813) 438-3568

West Palm Beach

5651 Corporate Way
Suite 4
West Palm Beach, FL 33407

P (561) 290-0504

Miami

15405 NW 7th Avenue
Miami, FL 33169

P (305) 663-1970


Capital Reserve Study ( what is involved )

The primary purpose of a Reserve Study is to offer recommendations as to the amount of money a community, building or other organization should set aside on a yearly basis for the future replacement or major refurbishment of their commonly owned elements.

The Falcon Group believes that a properly funded capital reserve program is the right formula for keeping a community’s physical assets in prime condition while providing some key benefits to residents. We strongly recommend updating your Capital Reserve Study Every 3 years.

A regularly updated Reserve Study can provide the following benefits:

  • Maintaining and/or increasing property values by maintaining exterior appearances through timely repair or replacement of common elements.
  • Facilitating project efficiency and cost effectiveness, as well as, minimizing disruptions and unit owner inconvenience by allowing the association to secure contractors to complete an entire project during a finite and desired schedule.
  • Reducing the likelihood of member dissatisfaction associated with the passage of large or sudden assessments.

All of our Capital Reserve Studies are prepared under the direction of a Reserve Specialist (RS) and/or a Professional Reserve Analyst (PRA).

The Falcon Group has prepared over 3,500 Capital Reserve Studies. Each Capital Reserve Study we perform is a customized analysis, prepared in coordination with our Reserve Specialist (RS) and our client, and is based on a “real-world” methodology for each item in regards to:

  • Inspection

  • Evaluation for repair or replacement

  • Evaluation for anticipated “Useful Life”

  • Integrated into a repair or replacement plan and budget

 

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“Condo Craze & HOA’s” Watch us live on YouTube with Eric Glazer Sundays.

“Condo Craze & HOA’s” Watch us live on YouTube with Eric Glazer Sundays.

“Condo Craze & HOA’s”

Watch us live on YouTube with Eric Glazer

Sunday 11am

Eric Glazer graduated from the University of Miami School of Law in 1992 after receiving a B.A. from NYU. He has practiced community association law for more than 2 decades and is the owner of Glazer and Sachs, P.A. a five attorney law firm with offices in Fort Lauderdale and Orlando.

Eric is Board certified by The Florida Bar in Condominium and Planned Development Law and the first attorney in the State that designed a course that certifies both condominium and HOA residents as eligible to serve on a Board of Directors and has now certified more than 20,000 Floridians all across the state.

Mr. Glazer is certified as a Circuit Court Mediator by The Florida Supreme Court and has mediated dozens of disputes between associations and unit owners. Eric also devotes significant time to advancing legislation in the best interest of Florida community association members.

Join our YouTube Page and Watch the Show every Sunday 11am

 

The Broward County Condo & HOA Expo returns Tuesday, Feb 18th, @ Broward County Convention Center.

The Broward County Condo & HOA Expo returns Tuesday, Feb 18th, @ Broward County Convention Center.

  • Posted: Jan 05, 2025
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February 18, 2025 AT 8:30 AM – 4:30PM
AT THE BROWARD COUNTY Convention Center.

 

Be sure to mark your calendar and complete your FREE REGISTRATION today!

The Broward County Condo & HOA Expo is an event you can’t afford to miss! In a single day, you’ll get the tools, information, and contacts you need to gear up for your property’s busy season:

  • Learn and get FREE CEU’s from 10+ different seminars and courses covering today’s essential management topics (But hurry – Seats fill up fast!)
  • Get advice from experts in law, security, property management, tax, accounting, and more.
  • Browse the newest products and services.
  • FREE PARKING! Use the Northport Parking Garage connected to the Convention Center, and we will validate your parking at check-in!
  • FREE LUNCH! As a Community Association Manager, Board Member, Board President, or active HOA member, use promo code RO2 when registering in the next 7 days and receive free lunch at the expo!
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CONDO SOLUTIONS (RADIO SHOW) on WSTU 1450 am Mondays (9 am – 10 am) by Peter Mollengarden, Esq of KBR Legal

CONDO SOLUTIONS (RADIO SHOW) on WSTU 1450 am Mondays (9 am – 10 am) by Peter Mollengarden, Esq of KBR Legal

  • Posted: Jan 05, 2025
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CONDO SOLUTIONS (RADIO SHOW) on WSTU 1450 am

Mondays (9 am – 10 am)

by Peter Mollengarden, Esq of KBR Legal


Peter Mollengarden, Esq. on ‘Condo Solutions’

Live on Mondays, from 9:05am to 10:00am.

 

Join Kaye Bender Rembaum attorney Peter C. Mollengarden and CPA Mark Brechbill every Monday and call in live with your community association-related questions. The number is 772-220-9788.

This is available locally in Martin and St. Lucie counties on 1450 AM, or online at WSTU1450.co

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“Condo Craze & HOA’s” Watch us live on YouTube with Eric Glazer

“Condo Craze & HOA’s” Watch us live on YouTube with Eric Glazer

  • Posted: Jan 04, 2025
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“Condo Craze & HOA’s”

Watch us live on YouTube with Eric Glazer

Sunday @11am

Eric Glazer graduated from the University of Miami School of Law in 1992 after receiving a B.A. from NYU. He has practiced community association law for more than 2 decades and is the owner of Glazer and Sachs, P.A. a five attorney law firm with offices in Fort Lauderdale and Orlando.

Eric is Board certified by The Florida Bar in Condominium and Planned Development Law and the first attorney in the State that designed a course that certifies both condominium and HOA residents as eligible to serve on a Board of Directors and has now certified more than 20,000 Floridians all across the state.

Mr. Glazer is certified as a Circuit Court Mediator by The Florida Supreme Court and has mediated dozens of disputes between associations and unit owners. Eric also devotes significant time to advancing legislation in the best interest of Florida community association members.

 

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“Condo Craze & HOA’s” Watch us live on YouTube with Eric Glazer

“Condo Craze & HOA’s” Watch us live on YouTube with Eric Glazer

  • Posted: Jan 03, 2025
  • By:
  • Comments: Comments Off on “Condo Craze & HOA’s” Watch us live on YouTube with Eric Glazer

“Condo Craze & HOA’s”

Watch us live on YouTube with Eric Glazer

Sunday @11am

Eric Glazer graduated from the University of Miami School of Law in 1992 after receiving a B.A. from NYU. He has practiced community association law for more than 2 decades and is the owner of Glazer and Sachs, P.A. a five attorney law firm with offices in Fort Lauderdale and Orlando.

Eric is Board certified by The Florida Bar in Condominium and Planned Development Law and the first attorney in the State that designed a course that certifies both condominium and HOA residents as eligible to serve on a Board of Directors and has now certified more than 20,000 Floridians all across the state.

Mr. Glazer is certified as a Circuit Court Mediator by The Florida Supreme Court and has mediated dozens of disputes between associations and unit owners. Eric also devotes significant time to advancing legislation in the best interest of Florida community association members.

 

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Loans and Borrowing Money – What Community Associations Need to Know

Loans and Borrowing Money – What Community Associations Need to Know

Loans and Borrowing Money – What Community Associations Need to Know

The video is ready – if you missed the webinar…watch the video now.

by Becker

There is a lot of confusion when it comes to obtaining a loan as a community association. This webinar is intended to clear the confusion and provide you with the necessary tools to obtain a loan.

You will learn:

  • What is and is not collateral for a community association loan
  • What type of loan documents to avoid
  • The borrowing process from beginning to end
  • When to get your attorney involved
Becker - Mark D. Friedman
Mark D. Friedman
SHAREHOLDER
Becker
mfriedman@beckerlawyers.com

Watch the Video !

 

One of our goals are the promotion of member companies to our industry.

One of our goals are the promotion of member companies to our industry.

  • Posted: Dec 28, 2024
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Our Goals are to advocate on behalf of our industry, advance through education and information.

Letting Property Managers, Condo and HOA Boards and Owners stay up to date with the ever changing laws and regulations. When it comes to running properties we feel its important to feature new products being used today as well as the top companies for Service, Business and Property Management.

How we achieve our goals is through the promotion of member companies to our industry.

Our members are the experts in their collective fields. They Supply SFPMA with articles and information, projects and products that are being used all over Florida. Weekly our teams send out direct emails, informative articles and sales getting your information in front of the decision makers.

Our team is made up of top industry professionals who genuinely want to see you succeed and who will be thoroughly committed to helping you achieve your goals.

 

Our Members include: Property Management Companies, Building Owners, HOA’s, Condo Boards, Self Managed Associations, Business and Service members throughout Florida.

 


SFPMA has had so many companies join this past month and the current month we are still adding the new members to our members directory.  this usually takes only a few days,  We are working had to have all of them added and will have the remaining member companies posted this week.

Our IT Team had to make changes to our platform so everything runs smoothly with no down time, there have been other factors with WordPress changes, thus making sure our platform, and website  work well with the changes they have made took time.

Thank You for your understanding.

 

Some sfpma news:

  • We have hired 11 new employees for memberships to social media.  As we grow our members also benefit this allows us more postings, letting clients all over Florida learn about members and how they can help them in their Condos, HOA’s and Property Management industries.

We have updated our CRM for billing, the membership Team is currently going through each members directory listing – expect to get a call – we want to make sure all your information is up to date,  as clients come and view your membership page we want to make sure the contact information is correct.

Our Billing dept for memberships is also going through and will be sending out information requests check your emails for letters and statements.

SFPMA

 


Finding top Companies working in our Industry is important for Property Managers, Condo & HOA Board Members.

Property Managers, Condo & HOA Board Members are use our members in the buildings and communities they manage, for them this equates to happier residents, fewer high-priced emergency repair bills and cost savings overall. Through membership its all about forming relationships that lead to increased business for your company and lasting relationships for you.

 

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You don’t get to take a holiday break from condo rules.

You don’t get to take a holiday break from condo rules.

  • Posted: Dec 20, 2024
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If you’re one of the 62 million Americans living in condo and homeowners associations (HOAs), you don’t get to take a holiday break from condo rules.

Humbug, you say? Well…

“A hallmark of a shared ownership community is that you give up some of your rights for the good of the community. If there are restrictions involving holiday decorations, including lights and signage, you’re generally bound by them

Option 1: Nothing may happen if the HOA rules aren’t enforced.
Option 2: You might get a letter asking you to take down your decor.
Option 3: You might get fined for breaking condo rules.

 

Be safe, Ask your board for rules they may have for decorations on the Grounds….

Constructive ways to balance your need to deck the halls with condo rules that ban decorations:

  • Talk to your neighbors.
  • If it’s your first holiday in your new home, check your association’s rules and regulations to find out what’s really allowed.
  • Condos that ban lights and signage most of the year may be lenient about decorations during the holiday season. “But do understand these rules and regulations are enforceable by boards of corporations that are created contractually,”

Take your holiday case to the board. Call the president and ask if you can speak at the next meeting. Show up with a short written proposal to modify the HOA rules to allow specific kinds of decorations, like lights on balconies or door wreaths.

Check state laws on condo rules. Got no satisfaction from your trip to the condo board? You might be able to appeal to a higher authority. Some states have a large body of home owners association laws that may override HOA rules in certain instances, while other states have few home owners association laws.

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