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Alive and Thriving
By
Darlys Walker
Published January 20, 2016
The answer to Eric’s question is, discrimination
is alive and thriving in our society today. Unfortunately, it is not
limited to race, color or religion. As CAM’s we see a different side
to homeowners than others. Most owners will develop a very open line
of communication and feel free to make inappropriate comments to the
onsite staff. Given the state of the world today, we are receiving
more and more discrimination based comments, along with poor and
sometimes illegal decision from our boards. Several events come to
mind. Most recently,
A property in central Florida was looking to
hire an off duty police officer to live onsite and perform
property monitoring tasks. The board mandated that management
only present an “African American officer” for consideration,
because “White policeman cannot be trusted with a gun”. Isn’t
this reverse discrimination?
Recently we had the privilege of bidding to
provide service to two communities just blocks from each other.
While both communities host a very large population of Russian
owners, one board member asked us, “How do you plan on keeping
the Russians out?” EXCUSE ME? We declined their request for
management services.
I often wonder if the irresponsible comment comes
from a place of hate or a place of ignorance. I believe in most
cases, it’s ignorance. At the beginning of my career while managing
my first condo association, a young lady came into the management
office, requesting a copy of the bylaws. She stated, she was
bringing her fiancée back later in the day to look at the amenities,
and make an offer to purchase a unit. As promised, she returned. She
asked if I would give her a tour of the amenities. Please note, she
had another female with her. I said, “Sure, but I thought you were
bringing your fiancée with you? YES, you know where this is going!
Open mouth insert foot!! She replied, “I did”! No, I didn’t
purposely discriminate. I just made a very wrong assumption and it
was a very valuable lesson learned. Simply, don’t open your mouth
and show your ignorance! Think before you speak and remember there
is good and bad in every race, religion, sex and nationality.
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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
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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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