THE FLORIDA HOA & CONDO BLOG

Friend or Foe?

By Darlys Walker

Published October 3, 2012

Yes, it’s that time of year….AGAIN!!! Association elections are here. Let the mud slinging, back biting, fiasco’s begin!

But make no mistake; this isn’t the behavior of the “homeowner”. Well, in some cases it might be. However, more and more we are seeing unscrupulous behavior by “Bulk Buyers” who are intent on running for the Board to promote self-serving agendas such as inappropriately lower Association due’s or waiving reserves, adding thousands of dollars to their pocket!!

Often times we see a bulk buyer who has a majority vote encourage one of their employees to run for the Board, and thus votes not only themselves in, but their employee as well, allowing them to control every vote.

Is this legal? Well, I’m no attorney but the way I understand it, NO. Is it common place? Yes!! As a CAM, we have seen more of this activity in south Florida than any where else. Don’t get me wrong, our firm is affiliated with several bulk buyers who truly are friends of the community and are more interested in doing what is right for ALL homeowners and not just their pocket.

But homeowners beware. There are those who simply look at the community as a short term investment, get the units leased to whomever and get the money rolling in, lower the fees and drain the reserves all under the guise of being a “Board Member”.

There is no doubt, there needs to be stricter laws governing who can serve on an Association Board.

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.