THE FLORIDA HOA & CONDO BLOG

RECIPE FOR DISASTER!

Darlys Walker

Published June 13, 2012

We have all heard the saying “Buyer Beware”, and while most of us may think this applies to purchasing used vehicles or new appliances, it should be stamped across every purchase contract of a home or Condominium belonging to an Association.

The Board does have the right to amend the bylaws as they deem to be in the best interest of the Association. As a CAM, we receive a plethora of complaints from homeowners, especially those in Condo buildings. The unwanted smell of cigarettes and cigars is the #2 complaint that we receive. Believe it or not, the #1 complaint…. is the smell of CURRY!

I happen to be a fan of the tasty spice and am not offended by its aroma, but our office is contacted on a regular basis by Homeowners and Boards knowing wanting to know what can be done and, “Can we make them stop cooking with curry, it is smelling up the hallways!” As stated in Monday’s blog, it is not written in the constitution that you cannot smoke in your home or cook in your home with curry! Can you imagine the uproar from eastern ethnic groups if a Board chose and was successful in changing their document requiring curry to be deleted from their recipes! YIKES! I can see the media having a field day with this.

I pose this question. Don’t most Associations provide that every homeowner should have “Quiet Enjoyment” in their home? Last time I checked, cooking and smoking were both fairly solitary quiet events.

Board members, rather than tempt fate by placing rules on what a unit owner can or cannot do in their home, seek alternative solutions. Additional air filters, weather stripping around doors, open ventilation and the use of Ionizers (These can be purchased at Brookstone or The Sharper Image) can make an immediate impact on any unwanted odor! But lets not overlook the real issue, Boards are elected to make decisions and take actions to the benefit of the entire Association and the law gives them the authority to do so. Everyone should keep this in mind during election time. Association living is not for everyone, so “Buyer Beware”. Read the documents before going to the closing table and be an informed purchaser.

Darlys Walker

Darlys Walker, Founder and CEO of Condominium Concepts Management, Inc. (CCM), is recognized for her straight talk, subject matter expertise, and valued insights regarding real

state management, leasing, and HOAs. Her company serves a diverse portfolio of properties, from 16-units up to 600 as well as large mixed-use developments.

From its beginnings in 2000, CCM has become a well-respected asset manager and now works with over 100 associations with 16,000 units served by over 300 employees. Darlys and her team deliver resources and responsiveness through six regional offices - in Orlando, Miami, Jacksonville, Charleston, Nashville and Atlanta.

Darlys Walker is best known for her passion and precision, understanding that the only difference that matters in today's demanding marketplace is service delivery ... doing what is promised and what is right. She knows that every community serves two masters ... the property owner/developer and the resident/homeowner. "If we are not equally responsive to both, we are not doing our job," she states.

Her clients say it best: "Darlys really knows her stuff" ... "at the top of her profession and it shows in the caliber of her clients" ... "delivers quality resources that match up well with needs and expectations that are really rigorous."

She is a licensed Real Estate Broker in four states, holds an Associate's Degree in Marketing and has earned the Accredited Real Estate Manager designation from the Georgia Institute of Real Estate Management. Also she is one of few certified as a Lead-Based Paint Abatement & Removal Trainer in Georgia.

Darlys Walker and her team have been selected to manage the condominium conversion process and day-to-day operations for many of the Southeast's most high-profile condominium communities including luxury high-rises, mid-rises and garden-style homes. Most recently she has been recognized as an expert in 're-versions' of communities from condominiums to leased homes, as well as repositioning projects. A visionary and a tireless perfectionist, Darlys demonstrates hands-on leadership, working individually with each client and staff associate to achieve defined business outcomes and satisfaction.



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For more information about Darlys Walker and Condominium Concepts Management, Inc. please visit www.condominiumconcepts.com.