Living Life in an HOA Community

If you own a home in a community, chances are you are living in an HOA (Homeowners’ Association)

There are many pros and cons of living in an HOA. Over the years the resident’s sentiments about living in an HOA have changed. Many homeowners now feel that living in the protection of an HOA-governed community is best for their livelihood and their home value. More and more homeowners are not opposed to living according to HOA rules because enforcement of the regulations is set in place to protect their property values.

According to the CAI 2022 HOMEOWNER SATISFACTION SURVEY-National research and analysis for condominiums, homeowners’ associations, and housing cooperatives show that 68% of residents say the rules in the community protect and enhance property values. https://foundation.caionline.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/FCARHomeownerSatisfactionSurveyResults2022Final.pdf

A great majority of homeowners enjoy the amenities that are managed by their HOA for their enjoyment. Families enjoy HOA life and buy into HOA communities to have a safe neighborhood to raise their children. Families enjoy meeting new friends and neighbors for social engagement and attending holiday gatherings. Retirees buy homes in HOA communities to enjoy recreational activities and services that may not be available in other neighborhoods. All ages enjoy amenities such as golf courses, community playgrounds, parks, a community pool, a clubhouse, a gym, and security services.

As the world we live in is changing, security is becoming a bigger issue for homeowners.

Here are a few common security measures that HOAs may implement:

1.    A Neighborhood Watch Group

2.    Security Patrol Service -HOAs may hire private security or hire a security company to provide this service and respond to security concerns.

3.    Security Cameras around the common areas to monitor suspicious activity.

4.    Provide Security Education

5.    Install and maintain neighborhood lighting for greater neighborhood visibility.

HOA Assessments are a topic some HOA residents are not fond of. Once they realize the value for what they receive, many are favorable. 58% of residents say their association assessments are “just the right amount” and 59% of residents say their association should insist that every homeowner pay assessments, involving attorneys only if delinquent accounts are not brought up to date after sufficient notification. This is according to the CAI 2022 HOMEOWNER SATISFACTION SURVEY - National research and analysis for condominiums, homeowners’ associations, and housing cooperatives.

AMG Has Been Transforming Community Management Since 1985

We are community focused.

AMG completely understands the true meaning of “home is where the heart is,” and takes very seriously the responsibility for keeping homes and neighborhoods running smoothly. Our community managers are highly sensitive to the needs of each of their communities, understanding their unique goals and objectives. We are dedicated to building relationships and helping neighborhoods transform into close-knit, thriving communities.

Paul Mengert, President of Association Management Group Interviewed With Melissa Painter at Fox 8 News.

Paul Mengert, President of Association Management Group Interviewed with Melissa Painter at Fox 8 News to promote Run on the Runway. The event will be held on March 25, 2023, on the airport’s 9,000-foot parallel runway. This certified run will benefit The Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC, Greensboro Urban Ministry, and Open Door Ministries of High Point. 

Here are a few talking points from the interview and facts about the event.

This is the 14th annual Run on the Runway

• The first run was held when the runway opened in 2010

• As of this year have raised $1 million to fight hunger

• Have raised over $130,000 this year over 50 sponsors.

• Run committee raises the funds, then distributes them equally to Second Harvest, Greensboro Urban Ministries, and Open Door Ministries of High Point

• We have about 1,500 people registered to run or walk to fight hunger and there is still time to participate.  You can walk up and register on Saturday.  Arrive early because participants are bused out to the runway and traffic gets backed up the closer it gets to race time.

• Lenny Peters Foundation and Bethany Medical are presenting sponsors.  Thanks to Lenny Peters Foundation and Bethany Medical for their support

• Events are 10K/5K/Mile Run or Walk/5K untimed sponsored walk to raise additional money to fight hunger.

• We may have a state record broken at the Run this year.  Dot Sowerby is participating and turned 90 on March 16. If she runs as well as she did this past weekend she will break the NC USATF state record for 90-94-year-old women.

• Race day registration/Check-in: 8:15 AM – 9:30 AM

10K Race Start: 9:00 AM

5K Run/Walk Start: 9:20 AM

5K Walk-Only Untimed Start: 9:25 AM

Kids Dash:  10:00 AM

1 Mile Start: 10:15 AM

Awards Ceremony:10:20 AM

To learn more about this event visit https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/Greensboro/PTIRun

5 Helpful HOA Board Meeting Tips

HOA board meetings are conducted with only the executive board present. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss topics pertaining to the operation of the association. This may include business operations, financial expenditures, voting on action items, delinquent assessments, legal issues, or other confidential topics.  AMG knows executive Board members need tools to help them perform their duties right away. We have prepared a Board Member Toolkit to help our community leaders be more effective.

Here are 5 tips to help board members have more effective meetings.

1.       Always Be Early. When the board meeting has a scheduled time, all members should arrive early so the meeting can be formally called to order at the designated meeting time. It is very important that all board members are in place when the meeting is formerly called to order.

2.      Always Be Prepared. Arrive at the board meeting ready to do business. Be prepared for the meeting and be well versed on the agenda if it was provided in advance.

3.      Be Prepared to Conduct Business. The HOA board meeting is a formal meeting, and its purpose is to conduct business. It is essential that each member come with the attitude to conduct business. Learn more about Board member ethics in our Toolkit.  

4.      Follow Carefully as the HOA President or Designated Leader Directs the Meeting. Most formal board meetings follow Parliamentary Procedure. AMG offers a Toolkit with The Best Information on Parliamentary Procedure.

5.      Help Your Board by Being a Good Board Member. Make it a priority to be in attendance at all board meetings. These helpful Guidelines will be a valuable resource for conducting a meeting.

This list is a good place to start if you are a new board member, and it can be a great reminder for seasoned board members. If all board members work together the board can be very effective in conducting business for the operation of the HOA.

Association Management Group has prepared a Board Education & Toolkit for HOAs. Over the last 30 years, it has become clear to AMG that well-informed executive Board members make better community leaders.

AMG knows executive Board members need tools to help them perform their duties right away. The following are six tools that Board members tell us they appreciate. Read Here

Proposal: Cap corporate landlords at 100 homes

Democratic lawmakers in some of North Carolina’s fastest growing cities want to ban corporate landlords from owning too many rental homes in areas like Charlotte and Raleigh. Rep. Kelly Alexander, D-Mecklenburg, introduced the Home Ownership Market Manipulation Act last week to cap — at 100 — the number of single-family homes that people or businesses can buy in the state’s most populous counties. The measure, co-sponsored by Democrats in Mecklenburg, Guilford and Cumberland counties, is unlikely to pass the Republican-controlled legislature. But it’s the first such proposal aimed at combating the growth of Wall Street-backed firms that have converted tens of thousands of homes to rentals across the country over the past decade.

Read more at: https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article272559767.html#storylink=cpy

CAI is being awarded a prestigious award from the Public Affairs Council (PAC) - the Lobbying Strategy Innovation Award for our Condominium Safety Policy Response and Initiative

I am honored to share that CAI is being awarded a prestigious award from the Public Affairs Council (PAC) - the Lobbying Strategy Innovation Award for our Condominium Safety Policy Response and Initiative – in response to the tragic Champlain Towers South condominium collapse. This is a prestigious award program recognizes three top organizations each year for their work in grassroots, communications, or lobbying strategy innovation. The 2022 Innovation Award Category winners include:

Lobbying Innovation: Community Associations Institute

Communications Innovation: AAA (The Auto Club)

Grassroots Innovation: Feeding America

The Condominium Safety Public Policy Initiative was developed under the leadership of Peter Kristian, AMS, PCAM, LSM (Chair) and the Government & Public Affairs Committee over a five-month period with the engagement and leadership of more than 600 volunteers who dedicated hundreds and hundreds of hours to develop a solid and sound public policy that has now been adopted by several states and continues to be considered and adopted by legislatures.

This award is dedicated to the memory of the 98 residents of Champlain Towers South who lost their lives, those who lost loved ones, and those who lost their homes in the tragic collapse in Surfside, Fla., on June 24, 2021.

Phoebe Neseth, Esq. CAI’s Director of Government & Public Affairs will be at the PAC Conference this week to accept the award on CAI’s behalf.

5 Reasons to Serve on Your HOA Board in 2023

1. Help Keep High Community Standards

A primary duty as a board member is to uphold the standards within the development of the community. This is done by looking out for the best interest of the community in every area. Keeping high standards will keep property values steady, and even increase the value of the community.

When you volunteer to serve on the HOA board, you have an opportunity to have input and vote on issues that involve community regulations and standards.

When you serve on the HOA board, you can be more involved in your community’s endeavors to protect the investment of all residents.

2. Opportunity to Help Community Members

Most people like helping their neighbors in any way they can. If you like serving and helping your community members, then volunteer to serve on your HOA board. As a volunteer, you will be making decisions that will help others. There are those who do not want to participate, but those who are willing to volunteer can have a voice for others, share their concerns, and bring them to the board. As a member of the board, you may be instrumental in bringing on new volunteers and show the positive aspects of the HOA to residents.

3. Opportunity to Help Solve Problems Within Your Community

As a volunteer on the HOA board, you’ll no doubt become known in the community. Neighbors will confide in you with complaints and issues they feel are important.

It’s important to remain professional in these situations. This will give you an opportunity to be a part of solving community problems. A volunteer board member can bring awareness to problems that exist unbeknown to the board.

4. Opportunity to Grow New Skills

A great reason to serve on your HOA’s board is that you will grow a vast number of new skills. You will learn leadership skills, gain teamwork and team building experience, and experience how the board operations work behind the scenes. Your communication skills and ability to make decisions will prove to be a valuable asset. Formal meeting management may be a benefit to you. If you stay on the board, you may have the opportunity to be elected to a higher leadership position.

5. Take Part in Making New Rules and Change Existing Rules

By serving on your HOA board, you have an opportunity to create change in your community. As you learn how decision making is handled, you may have opportunities to vote on rules and suggest new rules to be voted on. There may be opportunities to make suggestions on new policies, to implement and help lead a committee to carry these policies out.

If you have been thinking about getting involved in your community, volunteering on your homeowner’s association board is a great place to start. Contact your HOA office and ask how you can get involved.

5 New Years Resolutions for HOA Managers

As the New Year begins, HOA managers and boards should start thinking about what 2023 has in store. Here are some important resolutions that are essential for a well running homeowners association.

1. Recruit Board Members

Each HOA manager needs to focus on recruiting and finding people who are interested in community affairs. One way to approach them is with an invitation to join an HOA board. Another good idea is to put a notice in the newsletter that they are accepting new members. Also, ask current board members to accept new people.

2. Planning Committee

Events are an integral part of an active community. Put together a committee that will create events that all residents will participate in. Set up an advanced schedule for the year. Propose a budget for yearly events and plan promoting the events.

3. Community Safety

Plan and implement safety measures in the community. Once a year, preferably at the beginning of the year. Conduct a safety check on all community lights, door locks, pool lights, fencing and community signage. Make sure all safety measures have been taken to keep residents safe.

4. Community Maintenance

Make sure all pool equipment, playground equipment, tennis court and all recreational amenities are functioning properly. Make necessary repairs to the common buildings, grounds and areas. Make a new year plan and budget for lawn maintenance, seasonal planting and curb appeal for the community.

5. Review and Update Governing Documents

As part of the HOA New Year’s resolutions, a board should consider reviewing and amending old documents. Doing so will allow these documents to reflect the times and environment today, as outdated documents can put associations in a bind. As new technologies continue to emerge, HOA boards will likely need to do this every year to avoid getting left behind the times. Refresh yourself on the procedures for holding annual meetings and Board elections, the types of architectural changes that are allowed, and the procedure for getting changes approved by the Board or the architectural control committee. Also, it can be a good idea to consider whether the rules governing the use of common areas need updating.

Even the simplest New Year resolutions can keep you on track and make being an association Board member a more enjoyable experience. Why not try one or more of these resolutions to make 2023 a positive and successful year for you and your Board?

SAFETY REMINDERS FOR RESIDENTS TO KEEP IN MIND THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

While everyone wants to enjoy the holiday season in their community, it is important to make sure everyone stays safe during this enjoyable time. Here are 4 safety reminders that will help everyone in the community stay safe.

1. Outdoor Yard Ornaments

During holidays and even birthdays, gaining in popularity are gigantic yard signs, blowup novelties, special effects, and more. With all of these comes risks. If you are going to use ornamental yard decor, ensure that it is within your property boundaries and does not go on to sidewalks, driveways, or common areas.

Glass ornaments can be attractive to young children and can break easily. Stepping or crawling on the glass is a problem, but some ornaments also contain lead, mercury, or methylene chloride, which can poison children if they touch, taste, or swallow them.

2. Disrupting Noises

Ensure your yard decor or outdoor festivities and parties are not loud and disturbing the solace of your neighbors. Don't use outdoor decor that makes noise or has flashing lights that can disturb your neighbors.

Make sure you are informed about your association’s noise rules. It’s not uncommon for homeowners to file general grievances about the level of noise they hear coming from a neighbor’s home. This might be loud music or noisy parties that go late into the night.

3. Electrical Items Outdoors.

While holiday lighting does contribute to the splendor of the season, it is crucial that outdoor light safety be of the utmost concern for the protection of you and your community.

Make sure you plug in all outdoor electrical decorations into a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI). This safety outlet is designed to cut the power if electricity comes into contact with water, which is common outside. Also make sure your outdoor lights are labeled “waterproof” if you live in a wet area.

Don't run your extension cords through window or door cracks. The cord could become pinched, which can ruin the insulation around the wires and lead to a dangerous shock.

4. Parking Problems

Another problem during the holiday season are parties that result in parking problems. This problem can be exasperated because many visitors are spending the holidays with families, resulting in more parking congestion. This congestion can also endanger children in the community.

Parking problems like these can result in community disputes and complaints. This usually results in enforcing HOA parking rules, which are a set of policies that regulates where residents and guests leave their vehicles. These rules are part of the HOAs governing documents such as the CC&Rs.

These are some safety concerns to keep in mind this holiday season. Check your HOA rules to be incompliance with lighting, parking and animated decorations.

HOW TO PREPARE YOUR HOME FOR THE FALL SEASON

Although it doesn't quite feel like it yet, Fall is just around the corner. What better time to start prepping your home for the weather to come? We've gathered the most important Fall home maintenance tasks to get you and your home ready for this next season.

MAKE SURE YOUR ROOF IS IN GOOD SHAPE

Inspect for missing and loose shingles. Ice, rain, snow and wind combined with rapidly changing temperatures and humidity wreak havoc on roofs. Your roof is your first defense in protecting your home. Without it functioning properly, water damage can occur. This causes deterioration to insulation, wood and drywall, making electrical, plumbing and HVAC systems vulnerable.

CLEAN OUT YOUR GUTTERS

It’s good to clean out your gutters every season, but it is most important to do before fall hits because you don’t want them to get clogged. All of the leaves on your trees will fall and these can easily get stuck in your gutters and cause damage if the weight becomes too heavy.

FIX ANY CRACKS IN YOUR DRIVEWAY

When water gets into cracks it freezes, expands, and can make the crack even bigger. Enough small cracks can turn into big cracks, and eventually the concrete can crumble. You would prefer a driveway without a giant pothole. So, using concrete crack sealer, fill it up and be done with it.

SEAL UP AIR LEAKS

A home with air leaks around windows and doors is like a coat left unbuttoned. Gaps in caulk and weatherstripping let cold air into your warm home, and sealing up a drafty house can save up to 20% on your heating bills, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

FERTILIZE YOUR LAWN

You know what they say: The best offense is a good defense. If you want to keep your lawn looking great in the spring and summer, you need to prep it for the fall and winter. Roots are still active when the grass isn't growing, so applying fertilizer will prevent winter damage.

HAVE YOUR FURNACE INSPECTED

Hire an HVAC professional to test for leaks, check heating efficiency, and change the filter. They can also do a carbon monoxide check to ensure air safety. It’s also a good idea to stock up on extra air filters and change them every few months.

SWEEP YOUR CHIMNEY, AND CLEAN YOUR FIRE PLACE

This is an extremely important check that you need to do before the start of the fall season. Creosote is a very high flammable substance that builds up inside the chimney as a result of burning wood and it needs to be cleaned out for your safety and energy efficiency. Before you get the fireplace up and running with your marshmallows, your fireplace also needs a thorough cleaning. Make sure there are no nests from spiders, and clean out all the leaves that may have fallen into the fireplace area.

PUT SEASONAL FURNITURE AWAY

A lot of homeowners forget to store their summer patio furniture before fall. While this may not be a problem for drier regions, homes that experience a lot of rain should contemplate putting their seasonal furniture away before fall hits. This could potentially save you a lot of money and from needing to replace your outdoor furniture next year.

INSPECT YOUR SCREENS AND WINDOWS

Fall is the perfect time to throw open windows and let fresh, cool air inside before the days get too chilly. But you should check your screens first to make sure they are aren't warped or bent. Large spaces encourage curious insects to enter your home. This is also a good time to check your window weatherstripping to make sure the felt is intact and not letting any drafts through.

Fall is right around the corner. With it comes dropping temperatures that can damage your home. How are you preparing your home for this transition from summer to autumn?

HOA and Condo Manager Association Management Group (AMG) Awards College Scholarships

Carolinas HOA Management Company Gifts Four College Scholarships to Community Students

(GREENSBORO, NC) Four college students have been awarded $1000 scholarships from  Association Management Group (AMG), one of the Carolinas’ largest professional homeowner association managers, representing more than 30,000 property owners. Open to residents and vendors of AMG properties, as well as AMG employees and family members, the third annual AMG College Scholarship Program selected the winning students based on essays they wrote about the importance of community. The essays were evaluated anonymously by a judging panel comprised of twelve people: representatives and staff from AMG, HOA board members from Greensboro and Charlotte, NC, and Greenville, SC, as well as client community vendors. “We are in the business of helping create safe, enjoyable, attractive communities with the goal of enhancing the quality of life of residents through effective homeowner association governance,” said AMG Founder and CEO Paul Mengert. “It’s quite meaningful to hear from these students about how powerful community has been in their lives and the ways their neighborhoods are inspiring them to be our leaders of tomorrow. How these scholars value their communities is a true tribute to the dedicated volunteers who serve on their hometown association boards.”  

This year’s AMG College Scholarship Program winners:

Tiffany Soliben of Aiken, SC, who attends Aiken Technical College in Graniteville, SC, was awarded the Corey Flynt Scholarship. The scholarship commemorates the life of Flynt, who died in a 2017 car accident. He was the son of AMG President Dacy Cavicchia and brother to Charlotte Director of Operations Danielle Rudisill and Special Projects Coordinator Cassie Kutay.

Christian Willis of Greensboro, NC, a student at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC, received the Tommy Badgett Scholarship, named in honor of a long-term AMG employee and friend who passed away in January 2021.

Hakim Thompson of Mebane, NC, matriculating at North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, NC, won the Billie Butler Scholarship, which celebrates Butler’s twenty-plus years of service to AMG clients in the Charlotte area.                                                                                       

Khamryn Pollock of Woodruff, SC, a student at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC, was awarded the Ron Erickson Scholarship, to commemorate the life and accomplishments of the late world-class financial planning professional and role model.

“The AMG College Scholarship Program celebrates several inspiring people who mean so much to AMG and their communities,” said May Gayle Mengert, AMG Vice President. “AMG cannot think of a better way to honor their lives and legacy than by assisting future generations in their advancement, as these individuals have the same passion and commitment for higher education.”

About AMG:  AMG is a professional community association management company dedicated to building effective community associations. AMG guides and assists executive boards to help protect the association's interests, enhance the lives of community members, and improve the property values in the community. With offices throughout the Carolinas in Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Charlotte and Raleigh, NC, and Greenville and Aiken, SC, AMG is a knowledgeable partner in enforcing community governing documents with a proven set of processes and techniques, and supporting communities with a broad range of services which can be tailored to individual community needs. Association Management Group, Inc. is a locally Accredited Business by the BBB and is a nationally Accredited Association Management Company (AAMC) by the Community Associations Institute. For more about AMG, visit https://www.amgworld.com.

5 𝐓𝐈𝐏𝐒 𝐓𝐎 𝐊𝐄𝐄𝐏 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐒𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐎𝐋 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐒𝐔𝐌𝐌𝐄𝐑

Summer is here. It’s time to welcome longer days and warmer temperatures. With the heat rising, it’s also time to start thinking about ways to keep your house cool and ready for the long, hot days ahead. Follow these tips on how to stay cool in extreme heat, both before summer hits and in the middle of a hot spell.

𝐌𝐀𝐊𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐌𝐎𝐒𝐓 𝐎𝐅 𝐀𝐈𝐑 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐃𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆

When no one is home, set the air conditioner or heat pump thermostat a few degrees higher than normal. When you are home set the thermostat to help you feel cooler without using too much energy. Check the system air filter regularly and change it when it looks dirty. A dirty filter makes the system work less efficiently and reduces airflow. Make sure all vents and registers are well-sealed where they meet floors, walls and ceilings.

𝐏𝐀𝐘 𝐀𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐎 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒

Switch off the lights in unoccupied rooms. This is always a good idea because it helps conserve energy and lower electric costs. It also helps keep your house cooler. Incandescent bulbs are inefficient and can become quite hot. As a result, you will have warmer indoor temperatures. Aside from turning off unnecessary lights, consider using cooler, energy-efficient bulbs instead.

𝐊𝐄𝐄𝐏 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐒 𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐄𝐃

As simple as this tip may seem, 30 percent of unwanted heat comes from your windows, and utilizing shades, curtains and the like can save you up to 7 percent on bills and lower indoor temperatures by up to 20 degrees. In other words, closing the blinds essentially prevents your home from becoming a miniature greenhouse.

𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐎𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐇𝐔𝐌𝐈𝐃𝐈𝐓𝐘

If you live in an area with dry heat your body perspires, your sweat evaporates, and you cool off – just the way nature intended. If you live in an area with lots of humidity (which I do) you sweat and it doesn't evaporate. Instead it soaks your clothes leaving you feeling hot, wet, sticky, and miserable.

𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐏 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐎𝐋

Weather stripping is in the same category as insulation: it’s thought of as a winter measure, but is equally helpful in summer, as it keeps cool air from escaping through doors and windows. Weather stripping is very inexpensive and doesn’t take much time to install; you can strip the area around a door in less than half an hour.

Grilling 101: 12 Tips for Safe Summer Fun

Nothing says summer like food seared on a grill to tasty perfection; just ask the seven out of ten US adults with a grill or smoker. Unfortunately, nothing else says summer like grill fires. According to the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA), July is the peak month for grill fires, followed by June, May, and August, resulting in approximately 10,600 home fires annually and costing an average $149 million in property damage every year. From 2014 to 2018, close to 20,000 people go to the ER every year with injuries caused by grills–nearly half with contact burns.  Don’t be fooled: All grills–from large pig-cookers to small hibachis–deserve respect.

Want to make sure the only thing getting burned by your grill this summer is food? Follow these tips.

General

* A clean grill is a safe grill. Remove grease from the grates and trays before using it.

* Grill outside only, away from the house, deck benches and railings, balcony overhangs, and tree branches.

* Keep it stable. Make sure your grill is in a flat area and won’t tip over.

* Set boundaries: no children or pets within three feet of grills (many grill injuries are caused by running and playing too close to the cooking action).

* Dress for success. Beware of long sleeves, dangling shirt tails, and apron strings around flames.

* Gear up. Invest in grilling gloves and tools (tongs, spatula, etc.) that protect you from fire and high heat.

* Be ready to douse a fire. Use baking soda on a grease fire, and a fire extinguisher or bucket of sand on other fires.

*Make sure your grill complies with the rules of your community association and municipality.

Gas Grills

*Annually check for gas grill leaks by drizzling lightly soapy water onto the hose–a gas leak will bubble. If there’s a leak and no flame, turn off the grill and gas and call a pro for repairs. If the leak doesn’t stop after turning off the grill or you smell gas while grilling, call the fire department. 

* Always open a gas grill lid to light it.  

* Wait to relight a gas grill if the flame goes out: Try again after five minutes.

Charcoal Grills

* Consider charcoal chimney starters–both those that use newspaper and electric.

* Use only charcoal starter fluid if using a liquid lighter. Never squirt charcoal fluid or other flammable liquids onto a fire. Keep all containers of lighter fluids away from a hot grill. 

Surfside tragedy makes condo buying challenging nationwide

Surfside tragedy makes condo buying challenging nationwide

Real estate agents, condo associations and mortgage brokers say the new rules from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are having a chilling effect on the market.

Under new rules instituted by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in the wake of the collapse of Champlain Towers South condominium in Surfside, Fla., last year, condo boards or property managers are required to answer a 12-question form about the structural integrity of the building and the financial health of the association for the transaction to proceed

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2022/07/14/new-condo-lending-rules-surfside/?fbclid=IwAR0B7uXNgx7ut-9RNal3PnYehzh9vKUIIonA4QT7B5XKuSotLacuFuep5VA

Source Washington Post

An Update from us on solar panels in North Carolina

Recently, the Supreme Court of North Carolina handed down a decision (in Belmont Association, Inc. v. Farwig) which greatly affects the ability of planned communities to regulate the location and placement of solar panels on lots within the community. The ruling does not affect condominium communities created under Chapter 47A or Chapter 47C of the North Carolina General Statutes. The ruling does, however, potentially affect all planned communities with restrictions recorded on or after October 1, 2007 (the effective date of N.C.G.S. § 22B-20). 

In Belmont, the Farwigs installed solar panels on the front of their home without architectural approval. When they subsequently applied for approval, they were denied and told to remove the front-facing solar panels as they were only permitted on the rear roofs in the community. 

The Declaration didn’t expressly address the issue of solar panels, but they were considered an “improvement” under the architectural provisions of the Declaration. The court held that the architectural provisions contained in the Declaration (as applied to the Farwigs’ solar panels) had the effect of prohibiting the installation of solar collectors under 22B-20(b) and were invalid since, in the Court’s judgment, neither of the two exceptions contained subsections (c) and (d) of the statute applied.   

In analyzing the two exceptions contained in the statute, the Court first concluded that 22B-20(c) provides an exception for a deed restriction, covenant, or similar binding agreement that does not have the effect of preventing the “reasonable use” of a solar collector. Second, 22B-20(d), provides another exception which permits a deed restriction, covenant, or similar binding agreement that runs with the land that would prohibit the location of solar collectors that are visible by a person on the ground in three specific locations described in the statute.   

The Belmont Court concluded (without significant explanation) that the restriction in the case prevented the reasonable use of solar panels and, therefore, the exception in subsection (c) did not apply. The Court then held that the exception in subsection (d) did not apply either because the restriction at issue here did not expressly prohibit the installation of solar panels in the relevant location(s) – rather the restriction only had the “effect” of prohibiting the installation of the solar panels by leaving that decision up to the architectural reviewer. In other words, the Court was careful to distinguish language “having the effect of prohibiting solar panels” from language that actually and expressly prohibits them.  Ultimately, having determined that neither exception applies, the Court ruled in favor of the Farwigs and found that the restrictions, as applied to their solar application, were invalid under 22B-20(b). 

This is an important decision for many of our association clients as it indicates a very narrow reading of the statute regarding solar panels. When making a decision regarding solar panels and the location thereof in the community, it will be important for Association’s to review the relevant Declaration provisions, likely with the assistance of counsel, to determine if one of the exceptions to the statute applies. 

If your Declaration contains an express prohibition that is consistent with the language of subsection (d), you should still be able to deny solar installations based on that express restriction. If you do not already have an express prohibition in place, however, there is no one-size-fits-all answer and we recommend that you consult your association’s attorney to discuss potential strategies in light of the Belmont decision. 

If you have any questions about this decision or other community association matters please reach out to one of our community association attorneys.

Source and Credits:

Sellers, Ayers, Dortch & Lyons, PA

704-377-5050

www.sellersayers.com

Tips For Negotiating a Condo Association Landscaping Contract

Tips for negotiating a condo association landscaping contract

Read the full article: https://www.seacoastonline.com/story/business/2022/06/03/tips-negotiating-condo-association-landscaping-contract/7487787001/

HOA and Condo Manager Association Management Group (AMG) Builds Hope for Triad Area Pediatric Cancer Patient

GREENSBORO, N.C. (PRWEB) JUNE 08, 2022

Volunteers from Association Management Group (AMG), one of the Carolinas’ largest professional homeowner association managers representing more than 30,000 property owners, constructed a custom backyard playset on June 3 for six-year-old Jenifer Maria Sanchez of Winston-Salem, a pediatric cancer patient in treatment for leukemia. Sanchez is the recipient of the free playset thanks to AMG and Roc Solid Foundation (RSF), a Virginia-based nonprofit that works with hospitals, organizations, and volunteers to Play It Forward and build hope for children and families fighting pediatric cancer. The team of twenty-five AMG staff worked from 9:00 a.m. till 1:00 p.m. on Friday with tools, instruction, and guidance from an RSF project leader to create the playscape, which featured swings, a tree house, a slide, and a climbing area. “Thank you so much, volunteers, for this hard labor and for helping us create happy memories, even when our world is upside-down. Jenifer appreciates everyone taking time out of their lives to build her playset in her own yard. This is something Jenifer needs in her life right now. Our hearts are so full with love for this organization,” said mother Jenifer Ocampo.

It takes a team effort to restore hope to young cancer patients, according to Ashley Martin, Roc Solid Foundation Director of Marketing. “AMG's support not only allows us to make a big impact on a family during an extremely difficult time in their lives, but it also shows that family they are not alone on the journey of fighting pediatric cancer. Seeing the community surround them with support provides a feeling of hope that will stay with them far beyond build day.” Winston Salem Mayor Alan Joines participated in the dedication of the new playset. “It’s great to see organizations like AMG go beyond good corporate citizenship," he said. "For this family and so many others, they are good neighbors making a difference in our communities."

Though it was a long morning of measuring and lifting, drilling and hammering in the warm June sunshine, the expression on Jenifer’s face when she saw the new playscape, complete with signed best wishes from each member of the AMG construction team, made all the effort worthwhile, said Paul Mengert, AMG founder and CEO. “AMG specializes in supporting communities. In the business of managing community associations (HOAs) and condominiums, helping one’s neighbor is an important–and inspiring–responsibility. We have a decades-old culture of giving back to the Triad community, with both money and volunteer hours. It’s gratifying to do our part to help restore fun and play to the life of a little girl experiencing cancer.” AMG President Dacy Cavicchia agreed. “For us, this was a team-building exercise in caring for our community, something we enjoy and believe in. According to Roc Solid foundation, sixteen thousand US children are diagnosed with cancer each year. Of course, treatment is critical, but so is having a happy, normal life. It feels good to be a part of providing this family with a wonderful playspace they can enjoy for years.” AMG hopes to participate in another Roc Solid playset project soon with its Charlotte, NC team.

For details on Roc Solid Foundation or to learn how you can Play It Forward for pediatric cancer patients, visit: https://rocsolidfoundation.org/

To learn about AMG, visit: AMGworld.com/.

About AMG: AMG is a professional community association management company dedicated to building effective community associations. AMG guides and assists executive boards to help protect the association's interests, enhance the lives of community members and improve the property values in the community. With offices throughout the Carolinas in Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Charlotte and Raleigh, NC, and Greenville and Aiken, SC, AMG is a knowledgeable partner in enforcing community governing documents with a proven set of processes and techniques, and supporting communities with a broad range of services which can be tailored to individual community needs. Association Management Group, Inc. is a locally Accredited Business by the BBB and is a nationally Accredited Association Management Company (AAMC) by the Community Associations Institute. For more about AMG, visit AMGworld.com/.

A message from Paul Mengert, Association Management Group’s CEO

A message from Paul Mengert, Association Management Group’s CEO

 I want to thank the many Association Management Group employees and customers who participated in the 2022 PTI Run on the Runway event. Thanks in part to our team’s dedicated effort, more than $135,000 was raised for area food banks. They leverage the funds for each dollar raised into as many as seven meals for families in need.

 It was great to see our employees and customers pitching in to support our community! It reflects the caring heart of the AMG family and our compassionate clients.

“Good morning waive from our youngest supporter!”

Triad developer abandons neighborhood road covered in potholes and other problems: 2 Wants to Know

The community is certainly nice. Many of the homes are big and beautiful. The only real problem is the roads, they're falling apart.

Click Here to read the full article

COVID Impacting Your Home Finances? You May Qualify for Help.

COVID-19 was a one-two punch for a lot of us, not only putting health at risk, but also homes. As an educator of community association volunteer boards*, it’s an important part of my job to share news that makes a difference to homeowners and associations. And I have good news that will have an enormous impact on our friends and neighbors.  The State of North Carolina has recently won approval of its Homeowners Assistance Fund from the federal government, a part of President Biden’s 2021 American Rescue Plan that provides money to homeowners facing financial challenges due to COVID. Qualified homeowners can request up to $40,000 in financial aid to prevent mortgage delinquencies, defaults, displacements and foreclosures. An important part of this fund includes assisting owners in paying their HOA and condo dues, preventing possible foreclosure and keeping them current with their community association policies.

 North Carolina’s $273 million Fund provides temporary and permanent relief for people living in single-family homes, townhomes, condos, and mobile homes–both homeowners and those without a mortgage. It includes mortgage reinstatement to catch up on late payments and other housing costs due to forbearance, delinquency, or default.  The Fund will also pay for homeowner’s insurance, flood insurance, mortgage insurance, and delinquent property taxes to prevent foreclosure. Additional financial hardships that may qualify for assistance include job loss/business closure, fewer hours or lower pay, difficulty finding a new job, death of a spouse or partner, and increased expenses due to the pandemic, such as health care, caring for a family member, higher child care costs, and increased overall costs due to quarantine. Best of all, there is no repayment of qualified assistance.   

 As Chairman of the Community Association Institute’s (CAI) Legislative Action Committee for North Carolina, we had numerous interactions with federal and state officials about this much-needed Fund. I’m proud that our team’s efforts were a vital part of getting community association fees included in this crucial program. But more importantly, I’m proud of how we worked together during these COVID times to lighten the financial burden people are carrying and relieve some of their anxiety. That’s what good neighbors do...and good neighbors are what community associations are all about. 

 Are you in financial trouble due to COVID? Do you need help paying your HOA dues or other housing costs?  The NC Homeowners Assistance Fund website has all the details, including frequently asked questions and eligibility/application forms. Visit https://nchaf.gov/ or call 1.855.MYNCHAF.

By:

Paul K. Mengert, CMCA, PCAM

Association Management Group, Inc. 

New Appellate Case: Almason v. Southgate on Fairview Condominium Association

In a decision issued today (February 1, 2022), the North Carolina Court of Appeals examined several issues that associations deal with regularly—budget ratification, owner attendance at board meetings, rules governing board meetings, and association records requests. Nothing in the decision is groundbreaking, but the findings of the court may provide comfort that your association practices are proper (or may suggest you need to make some changes).

Almason v. Southgate on Fairview Condominium Association, Inc. et al. is an “unpublished opinion,” which means the decision is not controlling legal authority and should not be cited in other cases. However, even unpublished opinions give a sense of the Court’s thinking as to specific issues and how subsequent courts may rule.

In Almason, the owners in a condominium subject to the NC Condominium Act (NCGS 47C) had numerous complaints against their association and its board members, including:

• There was no quorum present for the budget ratification meeting.

• There was no motion, second or vote to ratify the budget at the member meeting.

• The board was not allowing owners to attend sufficient board meetings.

• Board rules limiting owner attendance at board meetings to 15 minutes were unreasonable.

• Board policy prohibiting owners from recording board meetings violated the Bylaws.

The NC Court of Appeals decided all these issues in favor of the Association.  

Appellate cases are detailed and fact specific. However, here are some takeaways:

• Budget Ratification. Regardless of language in bylaws, all planned communities created after January 1, 1999 and all condominiums must follow the statutory budget ratification process. Those statutes specially provide that no quorum is necessary for the meeting. And no vote to “approve” the budget is necessary in that the budget will be ratified unless a majority of all the owners in the association vote to reject the budget. So the budget can be ratified in three ways: (1) no motion is made to reject the budget, because members are fine with it; (2) a motion is made to reject the budget, but the motion does not receive a vote of a majority of all owners in the association, so the budget is ratified; or (3) not enough owners show up at the meeting to constitute a majority of the entire membership (with so few owners present, there is no way the budget can be rejected).

• Owner Attendance at Board Meetings. There are statutes governing owner attendance at board meetings that apply to all condominiums and all planned communities. “At regular intervals, the executive board meeting shall provide [owners] an opportunity to attend a portion of an executive board meeting and to speak to the executive board about their issues and concerns.” The owners in Almason argued that a policy allowing owners to only attend three board meetings per year was unreasonable. The Court noted that the Bylaws did not require the board to allow owners to attend a certain number of meetings, and that the phrase “regular interval” could even mean “attendance at one Board meeting between annual meetings.”

• Rules Governing Attendance at Board Meetings. In Almason, the Association had a board policy that owners were permitted to attend 15 minutes of a board meeting, which the owners argued was arbitrary. As noted above, the statute governing owners attending board meetings states that owners have a right to attend “a portion” of such board meetings. The Court held that the Board’s 15-minute limit complied with the Association’s bylaws and statute.

• Owners Recording Board Meetings. In Almason, the Association had a board policy prohibiting the recording of Board meetings by owners in attendance. The owners argued there was no basis for such a policy in statute or the bylaws. However, the Court noted that association membership and board meetings are governed by Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised (12th Edition), and that Robert’s permits a deliberative assembly to make and enforce its own laws. As a result, the board “had the inherent authority to enact and enforce rules for its meetings and that those rules would apply to owners attending those meetings.”

• Records Request. In Almason, the owners made certain records requests pursuant to statute and took the position that the Association had failed to produce those records. The Association noted that it has produced records in its possession and that the additional records being requested did not exist. Owners’ position was that “it is not credible that no minutes exist for these months.” The Court held that owners “presented no evidence that such records actually exist to contradict the [Association’s] testimony the Board does not keep such minutes.” The takeaway here is that while an association has an obligation to turn over certain documents to owners upon request, the documents have to actually exist.

With such a long opinion (16 pages), it’s always best to read the actual case if you want to know how it might impact a different association. And then talk to an attorney about your specific facts. The Almason decision can be found here: https://www.nccourts.gov/documents/appellate-court-opinions/almason-v-sgate-on-fairview-condo-assn-inc-0. 

Sincere thanks to Jim Slaughter and Law Firm Carolinas for providing the above blog post.