LET’S LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD

By Rafael Aquino

Published October 30, 2019  

 

While I can appreciate a developer needing to have control of a project while sales reach a certain volume, I also believe owners should be able to appoint their board should that threshold not be met after some time. Things can get out of control quickly in the hands of an irresponsible developer.

 

During the last economic bubble, I saw first hand the impact of having a reckless developer in control of an association for too long. I recall taking on this association, once the developer turned over a majority of the seats, that was in total disarray. While the developer had control, he allowed owners to make changes to their homes that weren't permitted per the documents.  The developer allowed individual owners to install one kind of fence and other owners another; he allowed garages to be converted into in-law quarters; he allowed driveways to be expanded with no uniformity throughout. To make matters worse, the last couple of homes the developer did own had boarded windows because he never finished the interiors, and he wasn’t paying the maintenance fee. The developer became desperate and allowed whatever possible to close out the project. Should FS720 allowed for a mandatory turnover after a length of time, most of the issues above could have been avoided. Owners were left to clean up the mess at their expense.

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As the Co-Founder and CEO of Affinity Management Services, Rafael P. Aquino leads his team to redefine excellence. They serve community   associations   efficiently

and effectively with dedication and passion. Rafael’s energy and positive spirit is the foundation of Affinity Management Services’ company culture, which instills enthusiasm and excitement when providing expert advice to its board members and relieving the day-to-day burdens of running a community association.

 

Since 2007, Rafael has developed a work culture that values responsive and high-quality services. He has led his team by following a proactive vs reactive philosophy. The same approach Rafael instills in the day to day operations of each association. Today, Affinity Management Services maintains its success and benefits as a result of the foundation Rafael has built and continues to foster by providing educational seminars, continuing education classes for association managers and board members alike.


Rafael and his team help condominium and homeowners’ associations save money and improve their communities. His calm, personable, and service-oriented nature helps him to establish strong relationships with ease. Rafael is known as a sincere and honest leader who looks out for the best interests of his clients and communities, and he strongly advocates for their needs. His role requires coordination and communication, as such he takes logical and intelligent steps to approach challenges head-on.


As a graduate of Florida International University’s electrical engineering program and a licensed community association manager, Rafael’s education and skills equip him with unique insights to tackle complex problems through critical thinking. He understands how each component within a system works together in order to effectively arrive at solutions, techniques, and conclusions. Therefore, as he manages the multiple challenges of running a community association management company, he understands how each property is its own unique system and tailors’ specific services to assure that all their needs are met.

For more information about Rafael P. Aquino and Affinity Management Services please visit www.ManagedByAffinity.com or call 1-800-977-6279

Doral Office: 8200 NW 41st ST

Suite 200

Doral, FL 33166

Broward Office: 150 S Pine Island RD Suite 300

Plantation, FL 33324

O: 800-977-6279 ● F: 305-325-4053

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