Have you ever noticed when things go wrong
they tend to rapidly deteriorate into total chaos? This often
ends in finger pointing, passing blame and total dysfunction.
Case in point, Joe Smith, Board President of
a luxury high-rise meets with Sam Jones, Property CAM. Joe tells
Sam to order new floral arrangements for the elevator vestibules
on each floor. Joe gives Sam a budget of $300 per arrangement x
30 floors. For a total of $9,000, plus $1,000 shipping and tax.
Total approved expense is $10,000.
Sam the CAM loves Elvis, so he orders floral
arrangements with a “Vegas Motif” and stays within budget. The
arrangements arrive and are placed in each vestibule and the
Homeowners go crazy, not only are the arrangements hideous
against the Mediterranean décor but the Homeowners are aware
that the Board is currently working on a “special assessment”
due to the high delinquency and low cash so that the community
can pay its operating expenses. So who’s to blame here?
EVERYONE!
The Board President should not be directing
the CAM, without first getting direction from the entire Board.
The Board should ensure that the CAM understands the protocol
for approving such expenses. The CAM should use common sense and
know due to the financial condition of the Association these
funds were not available. The Board President after gaining
proper approval from the entire Board should have clearly
defined the acceptable standard and design of floral
arrangements to be purchased. Incidents like this occur every
day and are a result of “Lack of Communication” and establishing
expectations. Document clearly stated protocols so that
Association funds are not wasted.
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
estate
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.
