"An absolute MUST HAVE for anyone owning or planning to purchase a condominium." -Jerome Jahn, Attorney and Real Estate Broker, Pasadena, CA "A valuable guide to all aspects of community living." -Stephen C. Sawicki, Attorney, Orlando, FL Move into a community with a homeowners association and you not only buy a home, you choose a way of life. Homeowners Association and You is the ultimate guide to choosing and creating a harmonious community of good neighbors and peaceful living. With questionnaires and checklists to help you work together as a group, sample letters and legal forms to run your association smoothly and a sample orientation manual to get your association off to a good start and stay on track, Homeowners Association and You has everything you need. With it, you will be able to: - Create a positive community atmosphere - Resolve common problems regarding people, pets and parking - Deal with a disruptive homeowner - Keep your home and your association financially secure - Discover how you can be a community leader A truly essential tool for anyone who lives in a gated community, condominium or other homeowners association. Ideal for everyone involved with Homeowners Associations Residents, Managers, Board Members, Real Estate Agents, Bankers and Title Companies
Autorentext
Dr. Marlene M. Coleman has lived in a condominium community in Los Angeles for the past twenty-five years. She has held positions as a Committee and Board member, as well as served two terms as President of the Board of her Community Association-having turned it around from near disaster. She is also actively involved in both state and national Community Association organizations. Dr. Coleman is Associate Clinical Professor of Family Medicine at the University of Southern California Medical School, an Attending Physician in College Health at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, California, and a pediatrician in private practice in Newport Beach, California.
Inhalt
Introduction -
Part 1: Building Community
Chapter 1: Community Living -
Becoming a Part of the Community
Being Active in Your Community
Chapter 2: Understanding the Structure of the Association -
Understanding the Association
Chapter 3: Knowing the Players of the Association -
The Board of Directors
Committee Support
Managers and Management Companies
Part 2: Managing Legal Issues
Chapter 4: The Legal Structure of the Association -
Legal Counsel
The Association's Legal Needs
The Importance of Legal Counsel
Avoiding Legal Problems within the Association
Management
Preventing Legal Problems
Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs)
Bylaws
Articles of Incorporation
House Rules
Insurance
Due Process
Enforcement
Conflicts of Interest
Chapter 5: Resolving Conflicts -
Negotiating within the Community Association
Mediation
Arbitration
Dispute Resolution Diagram
Unoffensive Correspondence
Sample Notices, Letters, and Forms
Letter One: Letter from Owner to Owner
Letter Two: Letter from Owner to Owner with a Copy to Management
Letter Three: Delinquency Letter
Letter Two: Violation of Rules
Letter Three: Parking Violation
Letter Four: Foreclosure Letter
Notice One: Annual Membership Meeting
Notice Two: Regular Board of Directors Meeting
Notice Three: Special Board of Directors Meeting
Notice Four: Executive Session Board Meeting
Form One: General Request and Review Form
Form Two: Architectural Request and Review Form
Form Three: Emergency Contact List
Form Four: Manager's Log of Owners' Requests
Form Five: Architectural Violation Log
Part 3: Managing the Community
Chapter 6: Ground Rules for Success -
The Ground Rules
The Disruptive Homeowner
The Three Ps
Chapter 7: Proactive and Preventive Financial Management -
Keeping a Forward View
Taking a Team Approach
Basic Considerations in Financial Management
Operating Budgets
Reserves
Investments
Financial Oversight
Chapter 8: Planning and Monitoring -
Priority Areas
Preventive Maintenance Systems
Emergency Preparedness
Community Security
Preferred Supplier Systems
Association Operations
Community Association Annual Overview Form
Community Association Action Item Form
Community Association Management Action Tracking Form
Committee Recommendation Form
Chapter 9: Communication and Meetings -
Board and Committee Meetings
The Annual Meeting
The Purpose of Minutes
Checklist for Conducting Meetings
Template for Meeting Minutes
A Note on Proxies
Sample General Proxy
Welcome Packets and Homeowner Manuals
Checklist for New Resident Welcome Packet
Welcome Letter for New Resident
Newsletters
Suggestion and Response Systems
Community Association Suggestion and Response Form
Being Part of the Larger Community
Committee Interest Form
Chapter 10: A Final Note: You and Your Association -
Glossary -
Appendix A: Key Questions and Evaluations of Your Association -
Appendix B: Board Member Orientation Manual -
Appendix C: Recommended Readings and Resources -
Index -
About the Authors