Community Associations Network Industry News

The city of Phoenix Housing Department and the Arizona Association of Community Managers (AACM) are partnering on an annual community project to make facility improvements at the Pine Towers senior housing complex.

From 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 3, city Housing staff and AACM representatives will be enhancing the center courtyard area, installing six sidewalks, trimming and pruning trees and shrubbery, top dressing granite, mowing lawns and installing plants.

The property receiving the community makeover is located at 2936 N. 36th St. and is owned and operated by the city of Phoenix for elderly and disabled residents.

AACM is a statewide organization, established to represent the interests of community association management companies throughout the state of Arizona and to promote professionalism in the community association management industry. Membership in AACM requires that the member firm and its representatives demonstrate the highest levels of honesty, integrity and capability to their clients, other firms, service providers and AACM. For more information about this project contact AACM at 602-743-4908.

The city of Phoenix Housing Department provides and promotes diversified housing opportunities and enriches the quality of life for low -to moderate-income families, seniors, and persons with disabilities by developing, managing, and subsidizing affordable housing.

The city owns approximately 3,500 units of public and other affordable housing and manages over 5,200 housing choice vouchers. These programs provide homes to more than 25,000 Phoenix residents.

Posted by Joe at 9:47 AM | Permalink

NEW ORLEANS, LA, FEBRUARY 23, 2007--Eleven attorneys serving homeowner and condominium associations across the country were inducted today into the College of Community Association Lawyers (CCAL), bringing to 102 the number of industry practitioners admitted by the prestigious organization.

The new members were inducted at the 28th Annual Community Association Law Seminar in New Orleans, a popular, two-day forum in which hundreds of attorneys and other industry leaders explore trends and practices in the law governing common-interest communities.

CCAL was established in 1993 by the Community Associations Institute (CAI), with membership consisting of CAI member attorneys who have distinguished themselves through their contributions to the field of community association law. CCAL members are also recognized for committing themselves to high standards of professional and ethical conduct in the practice of association law.

The inductees are:

* Joseph J. Cusimano, Esq., Kaman & Cusimano, Cleveland, OH
* Helio De La Torre, Esq., Siegfried, Riveria, Lerner, De La Torre & Sobel, Coral Gables, FL
* Andrew G. Elmore, Esq., Chadwick, Washington, Moriarty, Elmore & Bunn, P.C., Glen Allen, VA
* Lynn Krupnik., Esq., Ekmark & Ekmark, L.L.C., Scottsdale, AZ
* Jamie Lyons, Esq., Weissman, Nowack, Curry & Wilco, PC, Atlanta, GA
* P. Thomas Murray, Jr, Esq., Eads, Murray & Pugh, P.C., Indianapolis, IN
* Charles A. Perkins, Jr., Esq., Perkins & Anctil, P.C., North Chelmford, MA
* Kelly G. Richardson, Esq., Richardson & Harman, LLP, Pasadena, CA
* James H. Slaughter, Esq., Forman Rossabi Black, PA, Greensboro, NC
* Wilbert Washington, Esq., Chadwick, Washington, Moriarty, Elmore & Bunn, P.C., Fairfax, VA
* Alan P. Young, Esq., Young & Haros, LLC., Stroudsburg, PA

"This is a superb class of inductees and some of the industry's most accomplished legal experts in the community association field," said CCAL Dean George E. Nowack, Esq., dean of CCAL and partner in the Atlanta-based firm of Weissman, Nowack, Curry & Wilco, P.C. "Their professional accomplishments and reputations reflect their individual commitment to excellence in community association law and their dedication to the advancement of this specialization."

"We're pleased to see these respected and deserving industry leaders admitted to CCAL," added CAI Chief Executive Officer Thomas M. Skiba, CAE. We welcome their expertise and look forward to their contributions."

CCAL provides a forum for the exchange of information among experienced legal professionals working in the community association field. Its goals include promoting high standards of professional and ethical responsibility, improving and advancing community association law and practice, and facilitating the development of educational materials and programming pertaining to legal issues.

CAI is a national membership organization dedicated to helping homeowner and condominium associations meet the expectations of their residents. The 29,000-plus member organization accomplishes this mission by providing information, tools and resources to homeowners and professionals who govern, manage and support common-interest communities.

By helping members learn, excel and achieve, CAI strengthens the governance and management of community associations throughout the country, making them better places to live.

Posted by Joe at 10:06 PM | Permalink

Robert J. Bruss
Inman News

If you want to avoid costly mistakes when buying a condo, co-op or townhouse, "Tips and Traps When Buying a Condo, Co-op, or Townhouse, Second Edition" by Robert Irwin explains virtually all the potential pitfalls and how to avoid them. This easy-reading book is filled with many examples from the author's experiences with these unique types of housing, which require more than just casual investigation.

Irwin explains both the advantages and disadvantages of what he calls "shared ownership properties." But don't be misled. He does not even mention the popular "tenant in common" (TIC) residences that have become popular in several cities to avoid the legal aspects of condominiums.

Purchase Bob Bruss reports online.

Although the book's emphasis is on the negatives of condos and co-ops, as it should be, the author occasionally discusses the benefits of this special type of housing. But he spends much of the book warning what to look for and avoid in apartment buildings that have been converted to condos or co-ops.

This ultra-complete book uses many pages warning about the negatives of cooperative apartment buildings, found mostly in New York, Chicago, Florida and a few California cities. The huge negative of the board of directors' inquisition approval or disapproval of prospective co-op buyers and renters, Irwin warns, holds down the market value of co-ops compared to equivalent condominiums that do not require approval of prospective buyers.

As the current and previous owner of several condominiums, Irwin shamelessly shows his battle scars from dealing with boards of directors and architectural committees. He warns condo buyers to read the CC&Rs (covenants, conditions and restrictions), by-laws and rules before purchase, but don't think you can change these limitations after you buy.

If the book has a drawback it would be it is too positive about buying a condominium. Irwin fails to emphasize the possible drawbacks prospective buyers should consider, such as poor soundproofing, living close to your neighbors, restrictions on pets, limitations or prohibitions against renting to tenants, and other rules that were enacted to benefit the condo owners.

For example, Irwin omits the reasons why condo boards of directors struggle to limit or prohibit rentals because when rentals pass 20 percent to 30 percent of the units, mortgage lenders either stop lending in the complex or charge buyers abnormally high interest rates due to the increased risk of foreclosures.

Although Irwin obviously has considerable personal experience with condominiums, as a critical reader I wondered why he made some statements.

To illustrate, he says: "You owe it to yourself to attend at least one board meeting before buying a unit in any development. After all, these are the people who will be setting and enforcing the rules under which you'll be expected to live." First, the author makes it sound like the condo (or co-op) board of directors is the enemy, although they act on behalf of the owners. Second, I doubt whether prospective buyers would even be allowed to attend most monthly board meetings.

Chapter topics include "Is It a Good Investment?" "How to Decide if a Condo, Co-op, or Townhouse is Right for You"; "Nine 'Red Flag' Questions You Must Ask Before You Buy"; "Buy Old, Buy New or Buy a Conversion?" "How to Evaluate What You are Buying"; "Checking the Inspection and Disclosure Reports"; "Living by the Rules"; "Beware the Architectural Committee"; "Fighting the Board"; "Can I Rent Out My Condo, Co-op or Townhouse?" "Tips on Financing a Condo or Co-op"; "Just for Condo Buyers"; "Just for Co-op Buyers"; "Just for Townhouse Buyers"; and "Tips for Selling Your Condo, Co-op or Townhouse."

This is an excellent book for anyone considering the purchase of a condo or co-op. It raises virtually all the unique issues that confront owners of these specialized types of housing. On my scale of one to 10, this ultra-complete book rates a solid 10.

"Tips and Traps When Buying a Condo, Co-Op, or Townhouse, Second Edition," by Robert Irwin (McGraw-Hill, New York), 2007, $16.95, 202 pages; available in stock or by special order at local bookstores, public libraries and www.Amazon.com.

Posted by Joe at 1:14 PM | Permalink

Fairfax, Va., Feb. 16, 2007... The International Association of Fire Chiefs is pleading with the media to help us inform the public of the high number of house fires with fatalities that have occurred since the beginning of February. “We have lost too many people in home fires in the last two weeks,” said President Chief Jim Harmes. “Last night, six were killed in a house fire in Louisiana, two in house fires in Tennessee and one in my own community in Grand Blanc, Michigan. It is mid-February and by media reports, 59 people in the U.S. have perished in house fires in 17 states since the beginning of this month. We have got to do something,” said Harmes.

“These are not just statistics; these are lives—lives of the people we serve in our communities. These are the same lives that you, the media, serve. Help us to get the word out to our readers and listeners. Our citizens now have more protection available for their homes than ever before and yet people are losing their lives because they are not taking this protection seriously.”

A quick check of media reports for the first 16 days of February reveals 59 house-fire fatalities. Thirty fatalities were single or double fatalities, and 29 deaths resulted from just six house fires and were counted as multiple fatalities (three or more individuals). A list of these deaths by date and location is found at the end of this release.

“These are not just numbers; these are personal tragedies that each of us as a fire chief feels every time a life is lost. Help us prevent these needless tragedies. Help us get the word out to those communities that we—the media and the fire departments—both serve,” said Harmes.

Please, help us pass along these life-saving suggestions:

Check smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to be sure they are working properly.
Have an escape plan with a meeting place.
Once you exit your home, DO NOT return. Too many people lose their lives going back into a burning home.
Stoves are not made for heating homes.
Supplemental heating devices should be used and maintained in accordance with manufacturer recommendations. Keep combustibles clear. Do not leave supplemental heating devices unattended.
If you are burning wood in your fireplace, make sure your chimneys are properly maintained. That goes for your furnace, as well.
If candles are necessary, use them in a safe environment in a fireproof container and away from children. Do not leave them unattended.
And for the long term, consider getting a residential fire sprinkler. According to statistics, the risk of death by fire is reduced by 82 percent when smoke detectors are accompanied with residential fire sprinklers.
List of fire fatalities, based on media reports, for the first part of February:

Feb. 3 New York (Long Island) family of three
Feb. 3 West Virginia (Bens Run) one fatality
Feb. 3 Wisconsin (Marinette County) two fatalities
Feb. 4 New York (Mount Vernon) one fatality
Feb. 4 Texas (San Antonio) one fatality
Feb. 5 Ohio (St. Marys) one fatality
Feb. 6 Rhode Island (Providence) one fatality
Feb. 6 Tennessee (Maryville) family of four
Feb. 7 Kentucky (Bardstown) family of 10
Feb. 7 Washington (Selah) one fatality
Feb. 8 Kansas (Topeka) one fatality
Feb. 8 New York (Brooklyn) two fatalities
Feb. 8 New York (Newburgh) one fatality
Feb. 8 Wisconsin (Milwaukee) two fatalities
Feb. 9 Delaware (Wilmington) one fatality
Feb. 10 Minnesota (St. Paul) one fatality
Feb. 10 Pennsylvania (South Philadelphia) one fatality
Feb. 11 Connecticut (Waterbury) one fatality
Feb. 11 Ohio (Mount Vernon) two fatalities
Feb. 11 Pennsylvania (West Philadelphia) family of five
Feb. 11 Texas (Fresno) four fatalities
Feb. 12 Michigan (Saginaw) one fatality
Feb. 13 Indiana (Indianapolis) one fatality
Feb. 14 Nevada (Las Vegas) two fatalities
Feb. 14 Washington (Snohomish) one fatality
Feb. 15 Delaware (Ogletown) one fatality
Feb. 15 Michigan (Grand Blanc) one fatality
Feb. 15 Pennsylvania (Mount Joy) one fatality
Feb. 15 Pennsylvania (West Philadelphia) family of three
Feb. 16 Tennessee (Palmyra) one fatality
Feb. 16 Tennessee (Smyrna) one fatality

Posted by Joe at 1:58 PM | Permalink

From the "Good News Houston" blog comes a list of community associations that have adopted the "Rights and Responsibilities for Better Communities" resolution. To see the blog and the list

Posted by Joe at 3:40 PM | Permalink

DALLAS, Feb. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Associa, the nation's leader in community association management, recently established a new subsidiary, Urban Association Services, Inc., to meet the growing demands of downtown development and management needs across primary, secondary, and tertiary markets.

Associa's Urban Association Services will specialize in the development of new communities with a focus in project and budget consulting, developer relationships, and community management.

Urban Association Services was created to help developers realize their vision and ensure a smooth transition to homeowners with complete and highly professional association management services from the nation's leader. The company's leadership represents some of Associa's -- and the nation's -- most experienced developer and community management knowledge.

Bernard Meyer, Senior Vice-President, Business Development, said, "Our job is to help interpret and execute the developer's vision with an unparalleled level of experience nationwide. Working hand-in-hand with developers and their partners, we deliver complete and specialized turnkey support, including project planning, innovative programs, and association management for all types of properties."

"Urban Association Services capitalizes upon decades of experience in this industry, and focuses on the specialized knowledge needed to help ensure project success, such as multi-faceted budget analysis and the fine details of residential planning, and community development and management."

Founded in 1979, Associa is America's leading community association management and developer services company. For over two decades, Associa has provided management and consulting services for newly conceived condominiums and lofts, condo hotels, master planned communities, mixed use and other projects.

The nation's leader in community association management and developer services, Associa is committed to providing the best service to community associations, real estate professionals, developers and builders.

With more than 70 offices across the nation and growing, Associa is the largest company in the United States devoted exclusively to the management of community associations. Associa has established a variety of national purchasing programs which afford clients products and services of the highest quality at the most competitive prices for their needs, as well as community support services such as association websites, newsletters, and other neighborhood communication channels.

For more information, please visit http://www.associaonline.com

Posted by Joe at 4:47 PM | Permalink