Exceeding Expectations

By Darlys Walker

Published January 22, 2014 

While it may be true that Florida Statues only require the Board of Directors to hold one meeting per year, the Annual Meeting, Board Members need to realize that regular meetings may not be required or expected.  Holding regular meetings will result in informed owners, which results in more productive meetings, more involvement by the owners, stronger sense of community and yes, even stronger resale values. Time and time again, we see Associations who are dysfunctional, whose meetings are so volatile that no one wants to run for the Board or serve on a committee. This results in a Board who doesn’t really want to serve, who will hold minimal meetings and make decisions that follow the path of least resistance.

Without regular meetings the owner complains because nothing is being addressed and they are uninformed. This unhappiness permeates through the community, into the marketplace, and soon the community has a bad reputation with Realtors. And guess what? That affects your resale values!

By utilizing regular, properly noticed meetings and communicating with the owners, a community can prosper. If your community is currently on the downward path of dysfunction, it’s never too late to regain your footing. Warning the process can and likely will be painful. The first few meetings will be consumed with all of their anger and unhappiness that has built up. Once everyone has gotten this out of their system, and as long as the Board stands united, after 3 or 4 meetings there will be a shift. The meeting will become increasingly productive and friendly. You don’t have to go from one Annual Meeting to monthly meetings, but consider exceeding the owner’s expectations by increasing to quarterly meetings. The improvement you see in your community will be well worth the effort.

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.  

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

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