THE BLOGGERS ARE CELEBRATING THE
HOLIDAYS!
We'll be back with new blogs on January 6,
2025!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
By
Jan Bergemann
Published December 13, 2024
Another Year comes to an end – and it was quite a “wild”
year. I already got my Christmas wish fulfilled in November –
and ...
Read more...
CELEBRATING THOSE WHO
MAKE COMMUNITIES THRIVE
By
Rafael Aquino
Published December 11, 2024
As the year
draws to a close, it's time to pause, reflect, and appreciate the
remarkable efforts that make our communities more ...
Read more...
IT’S NOW TIME TO BE NEIGHBORLY AGAIN
By
Eric Glazer, Esq.
Published December 9, 2024
What a year 2024 was. Florida particularly had it
tough. Here, in our state, we not only had to deal
with perhaps the most ...
HAVING TO SELL YOUR UNIT?
By
Jan Bergemann
Published December 6, 2024
It
looks like more and more condo owners realize that their budget
can’t afford the “real cost of living” in a condo after the ...
Read more...
THE IMPORTANCE OF
TRANSPARENCY WHEN SELLING YOUR CONDOMINIUM
By
Rafael Aquino
Published December 4, 2024
Eric
Glazer's recent blog, "So
You Want to Sell Your Condominium Unit?" highlights a
critical aspect of condominium ...
Read more...
SO YOU WANT TO SELL YOUR CONDOMINIUM
UNIT?
By
Eric Glazer, Esq.
Published December 3, 2024
When
it’s comes to buying commercial real estate, it’s always
been caveat emptor or let the buyer beware.
Well, when ...
MORE FORECLOSURES ON THE HORIZON?
By
Jan Bergemann
Published November 29, 2024
We saw a huge wave of foreclosures rolling over Florida’s
condominium communities in 2007/2008, caused by a horrible ...
Read more...
A THANKSGIVING MESSAGE OF GRATITUDE
By
Rafael Aquino
Published November 27, 2024
As we
prepare for Thanksgiving tomorrow, I want to take a moment to
express my gratitude to you, the readers of this blog...
Read more...
FORECLOSURES ARE
ALREADY RISING
By
Eric Glazer, Esq.
Published November 25, 2024
I can tell you
this………delinquent accounts are on the rise. And this is
before mandatory reserves and for many, mandatory ...
HOA BOARD ELECTIONS?
By
Jan Bergemann
Published November 22, 2024
No
matter how you look at the statutes regulating HOA election
procedures [FS
720.306(8) + (9)] it’s pretty obvious ...
Read more...
ENSURING A SMOOTH
POST-ELECTION TRANSITION
By
Rafael Aquino
Published November 20, 2024
Following a
well-organized election, the next critical step for any homeowners
or condominium association is ensuring a ...
Read more...
THE ANNUAL MEETING IN AN HOA – WHAT
COULD GO WRONG?
By
Eric Glazer, Esq.
Published November 18, 2024
Last week we spoke about all the errors that can be made
before we even get to the annual meeting and election
night. Today, ...
ELECTIONS -- OR A NIGHTMARE?
By
Jan Bergemann
Published November 15, 2024
Elections are the talk of the town in the moment – not only in
Washington, but as well in Florida’s community associations...
Read more...
7 BEST PRACTICES FOR
PREVENTING HOA ELECTION FRAUD
By
Rafael Aquino
Published November 13, 2024
Election
season in Florida's homeowners and condominium associations can be
stressful, and allegations of election fraud ...
Read more...
SO YOU THINK THERE’S NO FRAUD IN ELECTIONS?
By
Eric Glazer, Esq.
Published November 11, 2024
So many of the new laws this
year are focused on charging people with a crime for
intentionally tampering with the election...
TALKING ELECTION NIGHT?
By
Jan Bergemann
Published November 8, 2024
In his blog posted on Monday, Eric said that he is not talking
politics. WELL, I DO! If we want to see owner-friendly bills
enacted...
Read more...
FOSTERING POSITIVE
CHANGE IN YOUR COMMUNITY
By
Rafael Aquino
Published November 6, 2024
In Florida,
community associations rely on board members to act in the best
interests of the residents. But how do you know ...
Read more...
ELECTION NIGHT
By
Eric Glazer, Esq.
Published November 4, 2024
And here
we find ourselves………..the election is here. And this
one is significant. No doubt that whoever wins will
probably ...
WHAT’S REALLY SCARY?
By
Jan Bergemann
Published November 1, 2024
I hope you all had fun at Halloween and saw enough scary costumes –
and not too many bad tricks But many condo owners ...
Read more...
CREATING CONNECTIONS
DURING THE FESTIVE SEASON
By
Rafael Aquino
Published October 30, 2024
As we enter the festive season,
communities have a wonderful opportunity to foster connection and
create a vibrant ...
Read
more...
SOME
HALLOWEEN FUN
By
Eric Glazer, Esq.
Published October 28, 2024
We did this last year
and it was fun. Certainly we can all use some fun.
It’s Ok. I think we all deserve it. So, let’s
have ...
IS ELECTRONIC VOTING SAFE?
By
Jan Bergemann
Published October 25, 2024
In the last years the Florida
Legislature was all gung-ho with allowing electronic voting in
community associations [FS 718.128,...
Read more...
THE POWER OF TEAMWORK
IN MANAGING ASSOCIATION ELECTIONS
By
Rafael Aquino
Published October 23, 2024
In today's world, the focus has often
shifted from collaboration and growth to finding faults and calling
out mistakes...
Read
more...
YOUR ANNUAL MEETING AND ELECTION IT AIN’T AS EASY AS IT SOUNDS –
PART TWO
By
Eric Glazer, Esq.
Published October 21, 2024
So last week we spoke about all of the things that can go
wrong with your first and second notice of the annual
meeting...
ELECTION INTEGRITY? NOT IN COMMUNITY
ASSOCIATIONS!
By
Jan Bergemann
Published October 18, 2024
This country is permanently fighting over election integrity – and
elections in community associations see their fair share of ...
Read more...
PREPARING FOR A
SUCCESSFUL ASSOCIATION ELECTION
By
Rafael Aquino
Published October 16, 2024
Preparing early for your association's
annual elections is crucial to ensure everything runs smoothly,
legally, and in ...
Read
more ...
YOUR ANNUAL MEETING AND ELECTION IT AIN’T AS EASY AS IT SOUNDS
By
Eric Glazer, Esq.
Published October 14, 2024
So we’re now in that time of year where the first notices of
the annual election must go out for the association, whether
or ...
LIABITY FOR "BODY OF WATER"?
By
Jan Bergemann
Published October 11, 2024
I always wonder why folks in this country always think that somebody
else should be liable for their negligence. And that ...
Read more...
HOA'S & CONDO'S AFTER
A STORM
By
Rafael Aquino
Published October 9, 2024
A few weeks
ago, Hurricane Helene left its mark on Florida's west coast,
reminding us once again of the unpredictable ...
Read more...
THE BODY OF WATER DOCTRINE
By
Eric Glazer, Esq.
Published October 7, 2024
We too often here about a child drowning in a body of water.
So many of our beautiful communities are built next to...
RECORD INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS: A JOKE!
By
Jan Bergemann
Published
October 4, 2024
Another homeowner won against his association in Appeals Court for
not allowing him to inspect the records in a timely manner
...
Read more...
THE IMPORTANCE OF
COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS MAINTAINING A WEBSITE & RECORDS
By
Rafael Aquino
Published October 2, 2024
I
n
today's digital age, transparency and accessibility are essential
for building trust within community associations. ...
Read more...
APPEALS COURT MAKES IT CLEAR EVEN TO A SMALL HOA:
ALLOW ACCESS TO THE ASSOCIATION’S OFFICIAL RECORDS OR ELSE
By
Eric Glazer, Esq.
Published September 30, 2024
Wayside is a small, ten-home, self-managed homeowners’
association located in Seminole County. Pecchia and Porter
both ...
CONDO OWNER – WANT TO SAVE YOUR
HOME?
By
Jan Bergemann
Published September 27, 2024
The media is permanently reporting
about condo-owners complaining about the financial impact of the
CONDO SAFETY BILL HB 1021. ...
Read more...
BUILDING A THRIVING
COMMUNITY: WHY CULTURE MATTER MORE THAN RULES
By
Rafael Aquino
Published September 25, 2024
In today's world of association
governance, it's easy to get caught up in rules, regulations, and
amendments—sometimes to ...
Read more...
CAN A CONDO PREVENT OWNERSHIP OF MORE THAN ONE UNIT?
By
Eric Glazer, Esq.
Published September 23, 2024
Often times, condominium associations amend their documents
in an attempt to prevent an owner from owning more...
SOLUTION FOR CONDO CRISIS?
By
Jan Bergemann
Published September
20, 2024
In all honesty,
and I am sorry to say this, I don’t think there is a feasible
solution for the condo crisis. Latest developments have ...
Read more...
NAVIGATING THE CHALLENGES AHEAD:
NO ONE-SIZE FITS-ALL SOLUTION
By
Rafael Aquino
Published September 18, 2024
The
upcoming wave of special assessments or loans for condo repairs,
inspections, and SIRS reserves is creating a...
Read more...
IT’S TIME FOR BANKS OR OUR GREAT STATE TO COME TO THE RESCUE
By
Eric Glazer, Esq.
Published September 16, 2024
Last week I made it clear that Floridians better understand
that if they cannot afford the mandatory wave of special
assessments ...
SOLVING THE CONDO CRISIS?
By
Jan Bergemann
Published September 13, 2024
I don’t really think there is a good solution to the pending
condo crisis. Lots of money is required, money many condo owners ...
Read more...
NAVIGATING OWNER
PUSHBACK: HOW MANAGEMENT CAN GUIDE ASSOCIATIONS THROUGH TOUGH
TRANSITIONS
By
Rafael Aquino
Published September 11, 2024
In the wake of recent legislative
changes in Florida, condominium associations are facing a new era of
mandatory ...
Read more...
WARNING…IF YOU’RE STILL THINKING
THAT IT WON’T HAPPEN……
By
Eric Glazer, Esq.
Published September 9, 2024
We are
living in some incredible times right now in the world of
condominiums. Many years from now, we will look ...
THE BLAME GAME IS ON!
By
Jan Bergemann
Published
September 6, 2024
No matter what
media outlet report you are watching or reading, the blame game is
on. Condo owners in hi-rises are ...
Read more...
THE BALANCING ACT OF LEADERSHIP: EMPOWERING YOUR
TEAM WHILE LEADING WITH VISION
By
Rafael Aquino
Published September 4, 2024
As a leader, your primary role is to
set the direction and empower your team to achieve the goals you've
outlined. ...
Read more...
A LABOR DAY TRADITION CONTINUES
By
Eric Glazer, Esq.
Published September 2, 2024
Neda
Vacacion is the President of Creepy Crawl Condo in Broward
County. Neda couldn’t be happier that Labor Day is ...
SELLING YOUR HOME?
By
Jan Bergemann
Published August
30, 2024
Considering the fact that many older
hi-rise condominium buildings are badly maintenance and in need of
very costly structural ...
Read more...
THE RISING TENSIONS IN
COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: NAVIGATING CONFLICT AMID SOARING COSTS
By
Rafael Aquino
Published August 28, 2024
As headlines increasingly warn of a
looming crisis in the condo market, many boards are feeling the
pressure. Stories of ...
Read more...
TERMINATION: NOW YOU SHOULD BE SCARED TO DEATH OF IT
By
Eric Glazer, Esq.
Published August 26, 2024
Wow! How quickly things change. We’ve spoken about on the
Condo Craze and HOAs show about a recent Miami case
involving ...
FULLY FUNDED RESERVES?
By
Jan Bergemann
Published August 23, 2024
Since more than 20 years Florida Statutes 718.112 call for
funding reserves, but left the option open for owners to vote
down ...
Read more...
APPLAUDING THE UNSUNG
HEROES: CONDO BOARD MEMBERS UNDER PRESSURE
By
Rafael Aquino
Published August 21, 2024
In recent months, the
media has amplified the voices of condominium owners frustrated by
rising fees, often painting ...
Read more...
SORRY CONDO OWNERS
-- IT IS WHAT IT IS WHAT IT IS
By
Eric Glazer, Esq.
Published August 19, 2024
Even the possibility of
The Florida Legislature going into Special Session in order
to solve this alleged condo crisis is insane...
HOW TO TERMINATE A CONDO?
By
Jan Bergemann
Published August
16, 2024
There are nice
ways to terminate a condo – and there are nasty ways. And both seem
to work! The NICE WAY: A developer ...
Read more...
MARKETS OVER
REGULATION: COMMUNICATION IS KEY IN CONDO TERMINATION
By
Rafael Aquino
Published August 14, 2024
Condominium
management's intricate dance between regulation and market forces is
ever-present. Regulations are vital ...
Read more...
THE OTHER WAY TO
TERMINATE A CONDOMINIUM
By
Eric Glazer, Esq.
Published August 12, 2024
Last week in my blog, I discussed how developers attempt to buy
enough units in order to vote to Terminate the condominium...
Read more...
CONDO TERMINATION MADE MORE
DIFFICULT?
By
Jan Bergemann
Published August
9, 2024
Developers were
licking their chops after condo bills SB-4 and HB 1021 took effect.
Owners of older buildings, facing ...
Read more...
WHAT LIES AHEAD: THE CHANGING LANDSCAPE OF CONDO
ASSOCIATIONS
By
Rafael Aquino
Published August 7, 2024
As we look
forward in the world of community association management, it's
becoming increasingly clear that the impacts ...
Read more...
DOES A DEVELOPER ALWAYS HAVE THE ABILITY
TO TERMINATE A CONDO?
By
Eric Glazer, Esq.
Published August 5, 2024
Let me tell
you what you should be looking for in your condominium documents
after you stop reading this: the provisions ...
Read more...
NO REGULATORY AGENCY FOR HOAs?
By
Jan Bergemann
Published
August 2, 2024
Since the
HOA TASK FORCE convened in 2003-2004 we have been asking
the Florida Legislature to add HOAs to the jurisdiction ...
Read more...
THE LEGISLATIVE
DISPARITY: HOAs vs CONDOS
By
Rafael Aquino
Published July 31, 2024
When
discussing the regulation of community associations, it is
impossible to overlook the disparity in legislative oversight ...
Read more...
AND WHAT ABOUT HOAs?
By
Eric Glazer, Esq.
Published July 29, 2024
When our blog was published last week about the new powers of
the DBPR, some owners in HOAs really were ...
Read more...
IT ALL DEPENDS ON THE DIVISION!
By
Jan Bergemann
Published July
26, 2024
Looking at the new Condo Laws (FS 718) it seems that the Florida
legislators was sick and tired of hearing complaints ...
Read more...
INCREASED POWERS FOR THE
DBPR: A DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD
By
Rafael Aquino
Published July 24, 2024
The recent expansion of powers granted
to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR)
marks a significant ...
Read more...
THE DBPR HAS LOTS OF NEW POWER – WILL
THEY USE IT?
By
Eric Glazer, Esq.
Published July 22, 2024
There have
been lots of complaints over the years that when condominium
owners bring their complaints to the DBPR and ...
MANDATORY EDUCATION – FOR FREE!
By
Jan Bergemann
Published July 19, 2024
Now everybody has to attend seminar, if you are – or want to become
– a board member. And so do community association ...
Read more..
A TRIUMPH IN LEGISLATION
By
Rafael Aquino
Published July 17, 2024
For years,
I have been a staunch advocate for requiring HOA board members to
attend a course before serving on a community...
Read more...
MANDATORY EDUCATION IS HERE AND SO ARE
THE CLASSES
By
Eric Glazer, Esq.
Published July 15, 2024
We fought
long and we fought hard, but we got what we wanted;
mandatory education for all condo board members ...
FLYING FLAGS IN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS?
By
Jan Bergemann
Published July
12, 2024
What flags can you fly
if you live in one of Florida’s countless community associations?
That’s a question many courts ...
Read more ...
THE CHALLENGE OF
DECISION-MAKING IN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS
By
Rafael Aquino
Published July 10, 2024
Leadership
in community associations often involves navigating complex and
contentious issues that can stir strong ...
Read more...
WHICH FLAG CAN YOU FLY?
By
Eric Glazer, Esq.
Published July 8, 2024
I
hope everyone had a great 4th of July long weekend.
More than any other day of the year, it certainly is the day to
fly the flag ...
Read more...
MORE NEW LAWS!
By
Jan Bergemann
Published July
5, 2024
The Florida
Legislature enacted this year lots of bills dealing with community
association rules and living. Everybody ...
Read more...
IMPACT OF HB 293: A CALL
TO ACTION FOR BOARDS & ARC COMMITTEES
By
Rafael Aquino
Published July 3, 2024
With the
recent passing of HB 293, Homeowners Associations (HOAs) and
Architectural Review Committees (ARCs) must ...
Read more...
SOME OTHER NEW ASSOCIATION LAWS
By
Eric Glazer, Esq.
Published July 1, 2024
While not the ones that got the most attention, there were a few
other bills that were signed into law by the Governor ...
