2022
RESERVE STUDY REQUIRED!!!!
By
Jan Bergemann
Published June 24, 2022
It is now in the statutes: STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY RESERVE STUDIES
ARE REQUIRED for condominiums...
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WHAT NOW IF I HAVE A
RESERVE STUDY?
By
Rafael Aquino
Published June 22, 2022
Reserve studies are an essential tool
every association should have. I've written about its importance
many times ...
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THE NEW CONDO RESERVE LAWS – PART
ONE - GET READY
By
Eric Glazer, Esq.
Published June 20, 2022
Over the last few weeks, I
blogged about every condominium in every county now needing a
“milestone ...
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MANDATORY BUILDING INSPECTIONS?
By
Jan Bergemann
Published June 17, 2022
The new Condo
Safety Bill, just signed by Governor Ron DeSantis into law, will
require mandatory inspections for
...
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THREE SIMPLE STEPS TO GET THROUGH IT ALL
By
Rafael Aquino
Published June 15, 2022
Many
buildings in South Florida are finding themselves in a challenging
situation. Many of the standard services within...
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MANDATORY BUILDING INSPECTIONS –
PART TWO
By
Eric Glazer, Esq.
Published June 13, 2022
So last week
we discussed the fact that the change in the law will now
require every condominium building in the state ...
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SB 4D – ARE WE SEEING THE FINAL VERSION?
By
Jan Bergemann
Published June 10, 2022
The ink of the Governor’s signature under the Condo Safety Bill
isn’t even dry yet – and we already see the so-called ...
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DON’T SAY WE DIDN’T WARN
YOU
By
Rafael Aquino
Published June 8, 2022
The changes that came to our industry
via SB-4D have been our industry's talk since it passed. I've had so
many ...
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THE NEW CONDO LAWS ---- MANDATORY
INSPECTIONS – PART ONE
By
Eric Glazer, Esq.
Published June 6, 2022
Let’s start discussing the
new condominium laws that go into effect on July 1st.
We won’t cover them all in one week, ...
WILL THESE BILLS REALLY HELP?
By
Jan Bergemann
Published
June 3, 2022
During the
special session the Florida Legislature passed two bills that were
quickly signed into law by Governor ...
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MUCH NEEDED CHANGE ARRIVED…
By
Rafael Aquino
Published June 1, 2022
Change finally came for condos and
cooperative associations, and no one expected it to happen at a
special ...
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A DIFFERENT KIND OF MEMORIAL DAY – AT LEAST FOR ME
By
Eric Glazer, Esq.
Published May 30, 2022
I know that the intent of Memorial Day is to honor those who
have previously fought and died for this country. I certainly...
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PROXY VOTING?
By
Jan Bergemann
Published May
27, 2022
LET’S FACE IT: THIS COUNTRY HAS A
SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH ELECTIONS! No matter what system is ...
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WHAT’S A MOTION?
By
Rafael Aquino
Published May 25, 2022
A motion is a proposal that the
association’s membership take action or a position on a specific
topic or issue. The ...
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more...
PROXIES: WHAT ARE THEY AND WHEN CAN
WE USE THEM?
By
Eric Glazer, Esq.
Published May 23, 2022
The term “proxy” is often thrown around incorrectly. In simple
English, if you can’t make it to a meeting to actually ...
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LAST CHANCE?
By
Jan Bergemann
Published May
20, 2022
Next week’s
special session will be the last chance for Florida’s legislators to
get things right -- a chance they ...
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HOW WILL YOU PREPARE?
By
Rafael Aquino
Published May 18, 2022
This year has turned out to be
interesting thus far, and we still aren't even halfway. The overall
market has seen losses...
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THE HOUSING NUMBERS JUST DON’T ADD
UP
By
Eric Glazer, Esq.
Published May 16, 2022
I really hate
to be a Debbie Downer, but I have never been more afraid of an
economic collapse in Florida, especially...
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LEAVE KEYS? BUT BEWARE!!!
By
Jan Bergemann
Published May
13, 2022
There is a lot to
consider if you’re leaving your unit for a longer period of time –
like our so-called “snow-birds” do...
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5 TIPS BEFORE YOU GO BACK HOME…
By
Rafael Aquino
Published May 11, 2022
In today's blog, I wanted to provide
five tips that snowbirds should follow before leaving home. ...
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more...
OUT OF SIGHT DOES NOT MEAN OUT OF
MIND
By
Eric Glazer, Esq.
Published May 9, 2022I like to re-publish this article every few
years because it is so important. As we get closer to ...
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EASY LIVING? WHAT A JOKE!
By
Jan Bergemann
Published May 6, 2022
Eric talked on Monday about “FALSE ADVERTISING ON CONDO
LIVING” that dated many, many years ago. Don’t...
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IF I HAD ONE WISH…
By
Rafael Aquino
Published May 4, 2022
Problems are part of life and business;
however, it's how we deal with the problems that separate those that
move on to ...
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WERE WE SUCKERED IN BY FALSE
ADVERTISING?
By
Eric Glazer, Esq.
Published May 2, 2022
I remember as a kid growing up
in Brooklyn, Red Buttons would do a commercial that aired in New
York, promoting...
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FIRE SAFETY SYSTEM -- FAIR WARNING?
By
Jan Bergemann
Published April 29, 2022
A serious DEADLINE (January 1,
2024) is creating another serious expense for Condo owners
in the near future: FS 718.112 (l) --
Firesafety.—Any
high-rise association ...
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EXTINGUISHING THE FLAMES
By
Rafael Aquino
Published April 27, 2022
Most
in-home fires are caused by ordinary things like a stove burner,
candle, or extension cord. Mental lapses, poor ...
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ANOTHER FIRESTORM IS JUST AROUND THE
CORNER
By
Eric Glazer, Esq.
Published April 25, 2022
As we know,
The Florida Legislature is having trouble fixing the problems of
allowing condominium buildings to ...
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FINANCES = UPROAR!
By
Jan Bergemann
Published April
22, 2022
Apathy is rampant
in community associations. Participation at board meetings – or even
annual meetings with elections...
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WHICH REPORT DO YOU
NEED?
By
Rafael Aquino
Published April 20, 2022
Financial Reporting requirements are
outlined in the Florida Statutes for both Condos and HOA’s with the
specific ...
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THE TAX MAN COMETH TODAY
By
Eric Glazer, Esq.
Published April 18, 2022
We got three
extra days this year to pay up. Three extra days to turn in our
income tax forms and pay Uncle Sam. Instead...
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WHEN BOARD PRESIDENTS THINK THEY ARE
DICTATORS!
By
Jan Bergemann
Published April 15, 2022
In earlier posts
I had already pointed out that there are quite a few board
presidents who think their names are Adolf, Joseph ...
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5 TRAITS OF A GREAT BOARD MEMBER
By
Rafael Aquino
Published April 13, 2022
Do you have what it takes to be a good
board member? Chances are you do. If you have a mix of some of the
...
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WHEN THE PRESIDENT THINKS THEY’RE
THE KING
By
Eric Glazer, Esq.
Published April 11, 2022
(We blogged about this nearly 3 years ago, but in light of
recent events, it bears repeating.) Here’s an issue that ...
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BOARD OFFICERS = DEEDED OWNERS?
By
Jan Bergemann
Published April
8, 2022
When reading the Florida statutes in regards to meetings and
elections you will find that the word “MEMBERS” can
be...
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WHAT YOUR ASSOCIATION
BOARD DOES FOR YOU
By
Rafael Aquino
Published April 6, 2022
Community Association Board Members
help associations run smoothly. The board consists of volunteers who
execute ,,,
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ELECTION CONFUSION – WHO CAN BE A
DIRECTOR AND/OR AN OFFICER?
By
Eric Glazer, Esq.
Published April 4, 2022
Now that
Covid is basically and finally in the rear view mirror, most
associations are having their annual elections in ...
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HOUSE LEADERSHIP – SPROWLS + PEREZ
-- FAILED CONDO OWNERS
By
Jan Bergemann
Published April 1, 2022
After looking into all the details and the excuses made to
explain the failure of the CONDO SAFETY BILL it’s pretty obvious
...
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PAY NOW OR LATER…
By
Rafael Aquino
Published March 30, 2022
The use of associations funds is one of
the most critical roles a board of directors manages on behalf of
its members. Many times ...
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SO NOW THAT THE LEGISLATURE DID NOTHING WHERE DO WE STAND?
By
Eric Glazer, Esq.
Published March 28, 2022
I always thought that the dry part of the Board Certification
Course was teaching about budgets and reserves. The material
...
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NECESSARY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION BILL
By
Jan Bergemann
Published March 25, 2022
After many not-so-good experiences I’m not really a fan of
Advisory Councils or Task Forces any more. The HOA Task ...
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HOW WILL YOU MANAGE
THROUGH INFLATION?
By
Rafael Aquino
Published March 23, 2022
The topic of reserves is so important,
and it's one that is needed to be had even more so in today's
environment. With...
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MAYBE
IT’S TIME TO BRING BACK AND OLD LAW
By
Eric Glazer, Esq.
Published March 21, 2022
Even after the death of 98 innocent people at The Champlain
Towers in Surfside, the fact is…….The Florida Legislature ...
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DID 98 PEOPLE DIE IN VAIN?
By
Jan Bergemann
Published March
18, 2022
After the
collapse of the Champlain Towers South condominium in Surfside on
June 24, 2021 about everybody ...
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WHICH SIDE ARE YOU
ON?
By
Rafael Aquino
Published March 16, 2022
Many industry leaders thought this
would be the year of change. After the tragedy at Surfside, we all
believed that ...
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MY APOLOGIES TO THE FAMILIES OF THE
VICTIMS
By
Eric Glazer, Esq.
Published March 14, 2022
Today, I feel
sadness for the victims in Surfside and their families. I said
a million times on the air and in columns ...
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PROBLEMATIC PROVISIONS OR
OWNER-PROTECTION?
By
Jan Bergemann
Published March 11, 2022
As Eric stated in
his blog on Monday enforcement of unpaid dues has been made a lot
more difficult by the Florida ...
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STAY AGGRESSIVE...
By
Rafael Aquino
Published March 9, 2022
Staying on top of your association
receivable should always be top of mind for any Board Member,
especially the ...
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IT’S GETTING TOUGHER TO COLLECT
THOSE UNPAID ASSESSMENTS
By
Eric Glazer, Esq.
Published March 7, 2022 W
hen I started
practicing law in 1992, condominiums and HOAs had it a lot
easier when it came to collecting their ...
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HOA PROPERTY OWNERS: STEPCHILDREN OF
THE LEGISLATURE?
By
Jan Bergemann
Published
March 4, 2022
Well, the 2022 Legislative Session
is nearly over and no matter what condo laws will pass one thing is
obvious: The...
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GETTING EDUCATED IS
KEY…
By
Rafael Aquino
Published March 2, 2022
In this
coming year, we can expect many changes to our industry. Some of the
changes that are expected are: ...
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WHERE WE ARE AT FOR THE MOMENT AND THANK
YOU SENATOR BRADLEY
By
Eric Glazer, Esq.
Published February 28, 2022
I first want
to give you some good news. On the more broad scale, I want you
to know that the listeners and viewers of ...
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WAITING FOR THE CHALLENGE?
By
Jan Bergemann
Published February 25, 2022
The fight over e-mails among board members being “PUBLIC
RECORDS” or not has gone in the next round ...
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EMAIL TIPS
By
Rafael Aquino
Published February 23, 2022
Emails have become a necessary evil
throughout the years. While it has helped us communicate, speed up
response ...
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BEFORE YOU HIT THAT “SEND” BUTTON
By
Eric Glazer, Esq.
Published February 21, 2022
Florida Statute states: 120.565 Declaratory statement by
agencies.— (1) Any substantially affected person may ...
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THINGS CAN CHANGE QUICKLY!
By
Jan Bergemann
Published February 18, 2022
Remember last year
in January? Our government changed – and things quickly began to
unravel. Remember the gas ...
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PROACTIVE VS REACTIVE
By
Rafael Aquino
Published February 16, 2022
Much has changed in our condo and
homeowners associations over the past year. As Eric mentioned on ...
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WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES
By
Eric Glazer, Esq.
Published February 14, 2022
It’s almost a
dream, but a year ago things were certainly different in the
condo world than they are today. I was ...
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BILLS ON THE MOVE?
By
Jan Bergemann
Published February 11, 2022
We are past half-time of the 2022
Legislative Session and so far the only owner-friendly bill
on the move is
SB 394 ...
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WHAT IS ALTERNATIVE
FUNDING?
By
Rafael Aquino
Published February 9, 2022
It seems as if we are moving toward
reserves being required within our communities or, at a minimum,
associations have ...
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LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
By
Eric Glazer, Esq.
Published February 7, 2022
The Florida Legislature is in full swing. Each year lots of
bills get filed, but few make it to the finish line and ...
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WILL CONDO OWNERS EVER LEARN?
By
Jan Bergemann
Published February 4, 2022
Anybody who
thought that the collapse of the Champlain Towers South would be a
wake-up call for condo owners ...
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THE TIME IS NOW…
By
Rafael Aquino
Published February 2, 2022
Many within our industry understand the
challenges associations face; however, no challenge is more
prominent...
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HOW IN THE WORLD DID WE GET
HERE?
By
Eric Glazer, Esq.
Published January 31, 2022
So, I get a call a few weeks ago from a reporter at The New York
Times. He was doing a story about the incredible ...
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LOANS AND MORTGAGES FOR CONDOS?
By
Jan Bergemann
Published January
28, 2022
The collapse of the
Champlain Towers South has changed a lot in the condo world. New
laws, new insurance policies ...
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CHANGE IS COMING… ARE YOU
READY?
By
Rafael Aquino
Published January 26, 2022
Changes are coming to condo
associations, and this recent update by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
to its underwriting...
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IT MAY BECOME IMPOSSIBLE TO GET A NEW
MORTGAGE IN MANY CONDOS
By
Eric Glazer, Esq.
Published January 24, 2022
As if condos
didn’t have enough problems, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have
just come out with new guidelines that ...
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NEW SHERIFFS IN TOWN?
By
Jan Bergemann
Published January
21, 2022
On Monday Eric
talked in his blog about
Senate Bill 274, a bill filed by Senator Ana Maria
Rodriguez (R-Miami). To be ...
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THESE INFRACTIONS NEED TO
END
By
Rafael Aquino
Published January 19, 2022
I'm all for the proper policing for our
community associations. The funds within community associations ...
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THERE MAY BE LOTS OF NEW SHERIFFS IN
TOWN IF THIS BILL PASSES
By
Eric Glazer, Esq.
Published January 17, 2022
Senator Anna Maria Rodriguez
filed our mandatory condo education bill in Florida’s Senate.
But if you think she’s ...
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LOTS OF COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION BILLS ARE
FILED!
By
Jan Bergemann
Published
January 14, 2022
It will be a busy
legislative session this year. Just look at all the owner-friendly
community association bills are filed. I ...
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CHANGE IS NEEDED NOW
By
Rafael Aquino
Published January 12, 2022
Over the next few months, we will see
how much change will be coming to our condominium associations.
Multiple...
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ANOTHER STUNNING GRAND JURY REPORT
ABOUT FLORIDA CONDOMINIUMS
By
Eric Glazer, Esq.
Published January 10, 2022
I’ll tell you something – I give a lot of credit to Kathy
Fernandez Rundle, The State Attorney for Miami-Dade County...
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