“IF YOU DIDN’T VOTE, DON’T BITCH!”

By Darlys Walker

Published July 2, 2014

I saw this bumper sticker a few days ago while stuck in traffic and it made me think of just how many of our Homeowners don’t participate in election meetings and how the only time we hear from them is when they have a complaint!

My personal experience has been, when you have a Homeowner who is constantly complaining, recommend to them they should run for the Board so they can actively have their concerns addressed. 9 times out of 10 they will make excuses why they can’t serve and they will stop complaining. At least they will stop complaining about THAT particular issue.

In our industry it is often said, the fewer people who show up for meetings, the happier they are with the way operations are going. But, I disagree. I don’t t think this means they are happy, I think it means they are NOT UNHAPPY! Homeowners simply don’t care if it’s not adversely affecting them. I recently had a Board who used word manipulation to boost attendance. After holding, a number of meetings on a 500 unit community with only the 5 member Board and 2 Homeowners attending, the Board posted a meeting notice to discuss “Upcoming Budget Needs and Association Fee Increases”. It worked, over 75 people attended and were told, collections were at an all time high, the property was in a great cash position, a number of property upgrades were being budgeted and there was no need for an assessment increase! The meeting ended on a positive note. Two committees were formed and since attendance had been low in the past, they now have 30-40 people attending regularly.

Has your Association used alternative methods to get attendance?

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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