2023

 

PREVIEW LEGISLATIVE SESSION 2024

By Jan Bergemann

Published December 8, 2023

The 2024 Legislative Session starts on January 9, 2024 and ends on March 9, 2024 – SINE DIE! So far just a few community ...

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ADDRESSING THE GOVERNANCE CRISIS IN FLORIDA

By Rafael Aquino

Published December 6, 2023  

The recent discussions and testimonies before The Florida Senate's Regulated Industries Committee on the state of ...

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SO WHAT CAN WE EXPECT IN 2024?

By Eric Glazer, Esq.

Published December 4, 2023

I just finished watching the meeting before The Regulated Industries Committee in The Florida Senate.  The topic, ...

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LOTS TO BE THANKFUL FOR?

By Jan Bergemann

Published November 24, 2023

Yesterday was Thanksgiving Day and I hope you and your families had a great day and a wonderful Turkey Dinner. That ...

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A SEASON OF GRATITUDE  

By Rafael Aquino

Published November 22, 2023  

As the weather crispens in South Florida, heralding the arrival of Thanksgiving, it's a perfect time to pause and ...

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THANKSGIVING: SO WHAT ARE YOU THANKFUL FOR?

By Eric Glazer, Esq.

Published November 20, 2023

Every Thanksgiving week, I basically use the same blog, and change it up with new current events.  Here we go……..

MANDATORY RESERVES?

By Jan Bergemann

Published November 17, 2023

During the spring legislative session the Florida legislature enacted SB 154 -- a bill sponsored by Senator Jennifer ...

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THE LONG VIEW: EMBRACING RESERVES 

By Rafael Aquino

Published November 15, 2023  

In the wake of the Champlain Towers tragedy in Surfside, Florida, the conversation around condominium safety and ...

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THE NEW LAWS – A LITTLE BACKGROUND

By Eric Glazer, Esq.

Published November 13, 2023

This blog is going to make a lot of people angry and perhaps a lot of people thinking I did the right thing, but here we go…..

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IS THE BUDGET READY?

By Jan Bergemann

Published November 10, 2023

Well, hopefully your association has finished working on the budget, held the necessary budget meeting and is telling you ...

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A CRUCIAL TURNING POINT FOR  ASSOCIATION

By Rafael Aquino

Published November 8, 2023  

As the South Florida real estate market ascends to record highs, an undercurrent of change signals a crucial turning ...

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IT’S BUDGET TIME.  YOU BETTER BE INCLUDING BAD DEBT

By Eric Glazer, Esq.

Published November 6, 2023

It’s November -- and November means it’s time to get out the budget for next year.  One of the line items that should ...

LACK OF RESERVE FUNDS?

By Jan Bergemann

Published November 3, 2023

Whenever you see Op-Eds in the local media in the moment, you will see their “Editorial Boards” blaming the Legislature ...

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NOVEMBER CHECKLIST: PREPARING FOR YEAR-END

By Rafael Aquino    

Published November 1, 2023  

November is upon us, and with the cooler temperatures and the scent of pumpkin spice in the air, it also brings us a ...

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SOME HALLOWEEN FUN

By Eric Glazer, Esq.

Published October 30, 2023

There is so much dread in the world right now.  So much death and uncertainty.  I think it’s OK if this week we try to...

PAST DUES?

By Jan Bergemann

Published October 27, 2023

Huge increases in monthly maintenance fees caused by insurance premiums and statutory requirements like ...

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NAVIGATING THE PEAKS & VALLEYS

By Rafael Aquino

Published October 25, 2023  

In the world of community associations, the cyclical nature of real estate can have a profound impact on the financial ...

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HOW TO COLLECT WHAT’S DUE?

By Eric Glazer, Esq.

Published October 23, 2023

We are already starting to see an uptick in the amount of owners falling behind on paying their assessments to their ...

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NO PEACE ON EARTH?

By Jan Bergemann

Published October 20, 2023

We are closing in on the Christian holiday of Christmas and the message for Christmas is: "PEACE ON EARTH AND GOOD ...

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A MOMENT OF SILENCE

By Rafael Aquino

Published October 18, 2023  

In the unfolding tragedy in Israel, countless innocent lives are being lost. Regardless of our beliefs or affiliations, let's ...

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PERSPECTIVES

By Eric Glazer, Esq.

Published October 16, 2023

It’s hard writing a blog for over 50 weeks a year for the past decade.  For me, the situation in Israel had made it ...

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NON-MEMBERS ON ASSOCIATION BOARD?

By Jan Bergemann

Published October 13, 2023

Honestly, I think it’s real bad idea for more than one reason. Non-members have no real personal interest in the welfare of ...

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THE PILLARS OF STRONG COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION LEADERSHIP 

By Rafael Aquino

Published October 11, 2023  

In the vast realm of community association governance, the role of board members is both challenging and essential...

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BUT THEY DON’T EVEN LIVE HERE!

By Eric Glazer, Esq.

Published October 9, 2023

Election season is beginning in all of our condos and HOAs.  Now is the time that most of your associations are sending out...

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NO MORE CHINESE VIRUS!

By Jan Bergemann

Published October 6, 2023

Honestly, I’m sick and tired of all these “regulations” that were forced on us by our Federal government. I had enough ...

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 RECOGNIZING THE RESILIENCE & DEDICATION OF ASSOCIATIONS 

By Rafael Aquino

Published October 4, 2023  

The advent of the COVID-19 pandemic introduced a landscape fraught with unparalleled challenges. Few could...

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UNFORTUNATELY – BACK TO COVID-19 FOR A MOMENT

By Eric Glazer, Esq.  

Published October 2, 2023

In 2020 when Covid was roaring, I had lots of questions thrown at me regarding what Boards can and cannot do ...

“LIVE LOCAL” ACT – A GOOD IDEA?

By Jan Bergemann 

Published September 29, 2023

Governor Ron DeSantis signed SB 102 – dubbed the “LIVE LOCAL” Act – into law. In my opinion this bill was a bad idea ...

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THE LIVE LOCAL ACT: IMPLICATIONS FOR COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS

By Rafael Aquino

Published September 27, 2023  

For centuries, the concept of altruism has been a guiding principle, underpinning the very foundations of our ...

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FLORIDA’S NEW “LIVE LOCAL” ACT

By Eric Glazer, Esq.

Published September 25, 2023

Here’s a new law that is already causing chaos in our communities.  As many of us are unfortunately already ...

IDEA GOOD, LANGUAGE BAD!

By Jan Bergemann

Published September 22, 2023

I agree with Eric about HB 437 – many homeowners are welcoming this new law, but it would be even more welcome ...

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FAIR AND EFFECTIVE HOA ENFORCEMENT

By Rafael Aquino

Published September 20, 2023  

Homeowners Associations (HOAs) are the backbone for maintaining harmony and the visual aesthetics of many ...

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NEW HOA LAW IS WELCOMED BY MANY

By Eric Glazer, Esq.

Published September 18, 2023

There has been so much talk about the new condo laws. However,  one new HOA law is a major change to the ...

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WHY IS THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE PROTECTING CRIMINALS?

By Jan Bergemann

Published September 15, 2023

In the last Legislative Session the Florida Legislature again refused to go after criminals in community associations.  They ...

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THE THREE CORE PRINCIPLES OF COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

By Rafael Aquino

Published September 13, 2023  

Community association board members are responsible for shaping harmonious living spaces, ensuring financial stability, ...

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UNITED WE STAND – BUT DON’T DARE LEAVE YOUR SHOES OUTSIDE

By Eric Glazer, Esq.

Published September 11, 2023

For the rest of my life September 11th will always be one of the toughest days of the year for me for obvious reasons.  I ...

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NO INTEREST IN YOUR INVESTMENT?

By Jan Bergemann

Published September 8, 2023

I always wonder why just a few owners are showing interest in the biggest investment of their lives. For most folks buying ...

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PREPARING FOR HURRICANE SEASON'S PEAK 

By Rafael Aquino

Published September 6, 2023  

With just one week until the peak of hurricane season on September 10th, it's vital to emphasize that community ...

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A LABOR DAY TRADITION CONTINUES

By Eric Glazer, Esq.

Published September 4, 2023

Yves Takenenuf is a Board member at Black and Blue Condo, a 100 unit condo located in Central Florida that ...

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THE WINNERS: THE “SPECIALIZED” ATTORNEYS

By Jan Bergemann

Published September 1, 2023

Let’s be very honest: At the beginning of the 2023 Legislative Session owners of property in Florida’s community ...

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HOA VS CONDO LIVING 

By Rafael Aquino

Published August 30, 2023  

Florida, with its beautiful beaches, vibrant culture, and diverse communities, offers an appealing lifestyle for ...

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HEY HOA OWNERS……DO YOU GUYS FEEL LIKE YOU’RE THE WINNERS?

By Eric Glazer, Esq.

Published August 28, 2023

If you live in an HOA and have been a reader of this blog, you know that you have been reading about the devastating...

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EXPECT HEATED BOARD MEETINGS!

By Jan Bergemann

Published August 25, 2023

The media is already full of reports about heated – or even chaotic – meetings of condo boards. The reason: Much ...

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About HOA & Condo Blog

Eric Glazer

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 three 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.

 

Since 2009, Eric has been the host of Condo Craze and HOAs, a weekly one hour radio show that airs at 11:00 a.m. each Sunday on 850 WFTL.

   

See: www.condocrazeandhoas.com.

   

Eric is the first attorney in the State of Florida that designed a course that certifies 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. He 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.

As the Co-Founder and CEO of Affinity Management Services, Rafael P. Aquino leads his team to redefine excellence. They serve community   associations   efficiently

and effectively with dedication and passion. Rafael’s energy and positive spirit is the foundation of Affinity Management Services’ company culture, which instills enthusiasm and excitement when providing expert advice to its board members and relieving the day-to-day burdens of running a community association.

 

Since 2007, Rafael has developed a work culture that values responsive and high-quality services. He has led his team by following a proactive vs reactive philosophy. The same approach Rafael instills in the day to day operations of each association. Today, Affinity Management Services maintains its success and benefits as a result of the foundation Rafael has built and continues to foster by providing educational seminars, continuing education classes for association managers and board members alike.


Rafael and his team help condominium and homeowners’ associations save money and improve their communities. His calm, personable, and service-oriented nature helps him to establish strong relationships with ease. Rafael is known as a sincere and honest leader who looks out for the best interests of his clients and communities, and he strongly advocates for their needs. His role requires coordination and communication, as such he takes logical and intelligent steps to approach challenges head-on.


As a graduate of Florida International University’s electrical engineering program and a licensed community association manager, Rafael’s education and skills equip him with unique insights to tackle complex problems through critical thinking. He understands how each component within a system works together in order to effectively arrive at solutions, techniques, and conclusions. Therefore, as he manages the multiple challenges of running a community association management company, he understands how each property is its own unique system and tailors’ specific services to assure that all their needs are met.

For more information about Rafael P. Aquino and Affinity Management Services please visit www.ManagedByAffinity.com or call 1-800-977-6279.

Doral Office: 8200 NW 41st ST

Suite 200

Doral, FL 33166

Broward Office: 150 S Pine Island RD Suite 300

Plantation, FL 33324

O: 800-977-6279 ● F: 305-325-4053
Jan Bergemann

Jan Bergemann is president of Cyber Citizens For Justice, Florida 's largest state-wide property owners' advocacy group. CCFJ works on legislation to help owners living in community  

associations. He moved to Florida in 1995 - hoping to retire. He moved into a HOA, where the developer cheated the homeowners and used the association dues for his own purposes. End of retirement!

 

CCFJ was born in the year 2000, when some owners met in Tallahassee - finding out that power is only in numbers. Bergemann was a member of Governor Jeb Bush's HOA Task force in 2003/2004.

 

The organization has two websites to inform interested Florida homeowners and condo owners:

News Website: http://www.ccfj.net/.

Educational Website: http://www.ccfjfoundation.net/.

   
We think that only owners can really represent owners, since all service providers surely have a different interest! We are trying to create owner-friendly laws, but the best laws are useless without enforcement. And enforcement is totally lacking in Florida !