Miami Beach Condo Association Has Very Creative Idea for Project Funding.

A Miami Beach Condominium who has been unable to obtain a loan or grant for building restoration, and with little hope of gaining funds any other way, looks to Corporate America for assistance to restore their beautiful building, in an imaginative way.

Located on busy Collins Avenue and built in 1940 as the Lord Baltimore Hotel, this beautiful example of art deco architecture has undergone a long history. During World War II the building was used to house troops, and later become "La Playa" apartment building in the 1960's. In 2003 at the peak of the South Beach real estate boom it was converted to a Condominium Association.

Soon thereafter, in 2005 the City of Miami Beach issued the Association a violation to repair exterior concrete throughout the building. The Board passed a special assessment on the 32 units, and work began. Once the selected contractor had commenced work, additional extensive damage was discovered which had been unanticipated. The Board passed a second special assessment, and the work continued. However, in December 2008 the Associations funds ran out, the contractor ceased work, and the building was left looking like a gray shadow of its former glory.

The Board of Directors, unable to get a loan or grant, and with little hope of gaining funds from another special assessment, decided that the only way to get this project completed was to seek assistance from a corporation

The Board of Directors, unable to get a loan or grant, and with little hope of gaining funds from another special assessment, decided that the only way to get this project completed was to seek assistance from a corporation willing to fund the project, paying off the debt to the contractor, and completing the job.This is estimated to cost close to $250,000. "With its prime location, the building would be a great space to wrap with advertising (subject to city approval) in return for the funds and it would be great PR as a community project for any company willing to take up this unique opportunity. The tower on the north east corner of the building would make the perfect setting for a beverage company to advertise, " says Anthony Parker, President of the Board. "I love this neighborhood, this is my home and it's just such a shame that we can't get it back in the shape it should be; I worry constantly that we will lose it all if we can't get the funding to fix this."

He advised that the Board has considered several creative ideas and are currently willing to rename the building, wrap the building with advertising, or do whatever else it takes to get this project completed and their beautiful building back to the South Beach gem it once was.

For more information or to assist this community please contact Anthony Parker at 305-534-1212 or antparker@msn.com

Eliminate Flood Insurance Premiums for your Community

Don't you wish that you could eliminate Flood Insurance premiums for your community, forever? Did you ever think that this could be possible? We know just how to do it.. Read the following link to learn how, and contact us so we can help you today!


'Eliminate your Communities requirement for Flood Insurance'

8 Tips For A Successful Board Meeting

To ensure that your Board's meetings are efficient and effective, consider the following Board Meeting tips:

1. An agenda is developed for the meeting and provided to all board members and management before the meeting so that they know which topics are going to be considered and they can come prepared.

2. Minutes of the last meeting are distributed in advance so that they can be reviewed before the members come to the meeting. Any changes or corrections that have to be made can occur at the meeting.

3. A moderate degree of formality must be used in conducting the meeting. Certain rules for discussion are defined. Everyone's expectations regarding decision making are agreed upon and understood.

4. Principles of good communication are practiced. These principles include; only one person may speak at a time. No interrupting. No ridiculing another person's point of view. If it seems that there is another, unspoken meaning behind the words being used, it is the board's job to work with the speaker to identify the message.

5. Set time limits. For example, the meeting will start at 7:00 p.m. and adjourn at 8:00 p.m. Set a specific time limit for each particular agenda item (example: no more than 10 minutes will be spent on the financial report). If board members wish to continue beyond the agreed upon time limit, there should be a procedure for approval to continue the discussion.

6. The chair (usually the President or Manager) must encourage free discussion of the topic being considered, to keep the discussion moving, and to identify issues relating to the topic. It is also the chair's job to define the decisions that are made. The chair must always remember that the board members have been elected to govern the association, not just to discuss it.

7. Adjourn the meeting on time.

8. Follow up. There always will be action items that require attention from the manager or from specific board members. See that the follow-up is accomplished before the next meeting.

If you follow these guidelines you will spend less time in your meeting. You will accomplish more. And you may find more qualified owners willing to participate and assist the board of directors.

Law Gives Tenants Rights During Foreclosure - News Story - WFTV Orlando

Some of the biggest victims of foreclosures throughout Florida are not the homeowners, but the tenants living and renting the homes from the homeowners facing foreclosure. Florida, unlike other states, does not currently have any laws that protect the rights of renters in a foreclosure action, but a new federal law may provide these renters and their families some protection.

Read more about this and how it can affect your Community Association below...


Law Gives Tenants Rights During Foreclosure - News Story - WFTV Orlando

Why your lawyer won't take or return your phone calls - top 10 reasons

We found this to be a great "Top 10 List". Its a great report we wanted to share.


Why your lawyer won't take or return your phone calls - top 10 reasons

Can the Association check credit scores for prospective owners and tenants?

It is not surprising in today's economy that more and more boards are asking if they can check credit scores to determine whether or not a potential purchaser or potential renter in their community has the financial resources to meet their financial obligations to the community after moving in.

As with any other restriction or board action, the first step is to determine the source of such authority and whether it is statutory or documentary (Florida Statutes or Condo Docs). The Florida Statutes do not allow the Board the right to check credit scores for potential purchasers and renters. We must then look to an association's governing documents to determine if such authority is allowed to the board.

Let's take the best case scenario (for a board wishing to do this) that the association's original recorded governing documents contained the right to check credit scores. The board in this situation would still need to obtain the consent of the potential purchaser or renter to check his or her credit, since any time a credit inquiry is made, the persons score is affected slightly. A board that makes such an inquiry without first advising the subject that such action will be taken and getting consent to do so exposes itself to great liability. Most boards and management companies choose to include a form along with the screening application that must be signed by the applicant acknowledging and consenting to a credit check.

Even if all of the above is properly handled a board still has a complicated issue with which to contend when the credit report comes back negative. First, is a low score really indicative of the person's current financial situation or is it the result of a life event such as a job loss, divorce, or illness? Moreover, some people fail to build up high credit scores because they don't like credit! These are the folks who don't have 10 credit cards, don't demand high limits on the ones they have and pay for most things in cash. This might actually be a desirable resident!

If the low credit score is truly indicative of a person who will be unlikely to meet their financial obligations after moving in, it is essential to speak with your association attorney to ensure that the association's governing documents allow you to reject an application based solely on such information found on a credit check. To add further, even if the governing documents allow for such action by the Board it does not always mean that a court will uphold it in the event of a challenge. A knowledgeable community association attorney can walk you through this and be sure to limit the Associations and Board Members liability.

Now, if the Board is considering an application for purchase, you should take into consideration that the lending institution (mortgage company or bank) will more than likely have already done a very thorough credit history check on the prospect, probably even more thorough than any the Association will have done.

One last thing you should think about when pondering whether or not it is necessary or even desirable to check credit scores for potential new association residents: how many of your long-term residents' would be disapproved if you checked their credit scores today!?


Excerpts taken from Donna Berger, Esq.

2010 Census: Distinguishing Census Workers from Con Artists

The first phase of the 2010 U.S. Census is under way, with workers verifying the addresses of households across the country. Eventually, more than 140,000 U.S. Census workers will count every person in the United States and will gather information about every person living at each address including name, age, gender, race, and other relevant data.

The big question from many of you is -- how do you tell the difference between a U.S. Census worker and a con artist? So below are some recommendations from the Better Business Bureau and law enforcement across the country.

If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, they will have a badge, a handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag, and a confidentiality notice. Ask to see their identification and their badge before answering their questions.

However, you should not invite anyone into your home. Do not give your Social Security number, credit card or banking information to anyone, even if they claim they need it for the census.

While the Census Bureau might ask for basic financial information, such as a salary range, don't give them anything pertaining to your financial situation. Also, they should not be asking for any donations, so don't give them money. 

If they start with any pressure or you are not comfortable with the questions, please close the door and call the police. Also be advised that according to the Census, they will not be using anyone with the community group ACORN. If a worker says they are with ACORN, feel free to close the door and report it to the police.

Also, census workers will NOT contact you by e-mail. Do not respond to anyone claiming to be with the U.S. Census by e-mail. Use the ``delete'' key!

Keep in mind that you will not receive a 2010 U.S. Census form until March of 2010. No one will come to your door if you complete the form and mail it back to the 2010 U.S. Census office on or before April 1. If you did not complete the form for your address, then you will be contacted by a worker.

The Census is extremely important. That is how our State and County gets money from the federal government, so I encourage everyone to participate. Lord knows this state and county are disasters when it comes to proper funding for many services we need. So please do your best, but also be totally aware and cautious so as not to become a victim of fraud or identity theft.

Again, when in doubt, please call police.


Carmen Caldwell, for The Miami Herald. January 17, 2010