2021 AMG Scholarship Winners Press Release

Association Management Group (AMG) - Carolinas Announces Winners in 2nd Annual Scholarship Program

HOA Management Company Servicing the Carolinas Awards Four College/University Scholarships to Community Members

(Greensboro, NC) July 22, 2021 – Association Management Group (AMG), a leading professional community association management company in the Carolinas, announced today the four college/university scholarships winners of $1,000 in its College/University Scholarship Program. AMG provides professional residential property management services to more than 30,000 homeowners across the Carolinas living in communities with homeowners or community associations.

AMG wholeheartedly believes in the preservation and enhancement of homeowner associations, emphasizing the value of community as it contributes to one’s overall quality of life. As a leading property management association, AMG works closely with dedicated community members, service providers and employees throughout the North and South Carolina regions.

This year’s scholarship prompt was based around just thatꟷ the importance of community. The essays were evaluated anonymously by a panel of eight judges, including representatives and staff from AMG, community board members from Greensboro, Charlotte and Greenville, as well as client community vendors. The program was open to residents and vendors from AMG properties, as well as AMG employees and family members from each respective category.

“We were pleasantly surprised by the turnout from this year’s program. It is so encouraging to hear from the future leaders of our community, especially in how their own experiences have shaped them into thoughtful, community-conscious individuals. I think giving back to the community is incredibly rewarding and it is uplifting to see young people with that same spark,” said AMG Vice President May Gayle Mengert.

The AMG scholarship recipients are:

• Manuela Monjimbo, attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, was awarded the Corey Flynt Scholarship. Flynt, who died in a car accident in 2017, was the son of AMG’s President Dacy Cavicchia and brother to Charlotte Director of Operations, Danielle Rudisill and Special Projects Coordinator, Cassie Kutay.

• Sophia Bowers, also attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, was awarded the Billie Butler Scholarship in honor of Butler’s 20+ years dedicated to serving AMG clients in the Charlotte area.

• Bethany Castro-Lucero, attending the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, was awarded the Ron Erickson Scholarship in honor of the late world-class financial planning professional and role model to all who knew him.

• Payton Egan, attending Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina, was awarded the Tommy Badgett Scholarship in honor of long-term AMG employee and friend, who recently passed away this past January. His memory, in addition to the previously listed honorees, will be cherished forever.

“This scholarship program has been a great way to highlight the significance of community while honoring the memory of four individuals and their contributions to our community. I cannot think of a better way to continue honoring their legacies than by doing our part to help make a difference in the lives of others. The chosen essays reflect the diversity of our communities, and all have a common theme of appreciating cultures aside from our own,” added CEO Paul Mengert.

About AMG:

AMG is a professional community association management company dedicated to building effective community associations. AMG guides and assists executive boards to help protect the association’s interests, enhance the lives of community members and improve the property values in the community. With offices throughout the Carolinas, AMG is a knowledgeable partner in enforcing community governing documents with a proven set of processes and techniques and supporting communities with a broad range of services that can be tailored to individual community needs. Association Management Company, Inc., is a locally Accredited Business by the BBB and is a nationally Accredited Association Management Company (AAMC) by the Community Associations Institute.

For more about AMG, visit AMGworld.com.

Solar Panel Restrictions: The Court Of Appeals Illuminates Panel Restrictions

A “hot” topic in HOAs is the extent of an HOA’s authority to regulate solar panels. The legislature enacted a statute in 2007 that makes deed restrictions (i.e. a Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions) void against public policy if they overly restrict an owner’s ability to install solar panels. The statute is N.C. General Statute § 22B-20 for those interested in reading it.

The courts have never shed light on the scope of the statute since its enactment until the N.C. Court of Appeals decided Belmont Association v. Farwig. The Farwigs installed solar panels on the front-facing roof of their home without prior architectural approval, and the association found them in violation of the declaration, which limits the type of improvements an owner can install without prior approval. Since the Belmont declaration did not explicitly refer to “solar panels,” the Farwigs argued that the general restriction against unauthorized improvements could not be enlarged to restrict the placement of solar panels.

Admittedly, the meaning of the statutes is clouded by unusual terminology and strange phraseology, and the court observed that certain parts of the statutes are ambiguous. The legislative history was convincing in the Court’s determination that the Belmont HOA had the authority to restrict the location of solar panels on the Farwig’s roof.

The Court determined that the legislature intended to prevent restrictions that “have the effect” of prohibiting the installation of solar collectors altogether, but not if the restrictions simply regulate their placement. As long as the declaration gives an HOA the ability to approve certain types of improvements (here, the Court determined that solar panels are the type of “improvements” that require architectural approval), then the HOA can limit where they can be placed.

The statute specifically says that it does not prohibit restrictions that disallow solar panels “on a roof surface that slopes downward toward” public access, such as a street. This was evidence that an HOA could prohibit the solar panels on the Farwig’s street-facing roof.

Relying on existing court decisions, the Court further held that restrictive covenants must be enforced reasonably and in good faith by an HOA. In short, an HOA’s declaration need not specifically use the words “solar panel”.

In a day of appellate opinions that shook the HOA, condominium and real estate world (see our other two blogs on these cases, which are more impactful than Farwig), the Court at least reaffirmed that owners bear responsibility for their own actions. The Farwig court’s parting message to the Farwigs was that “Defendants installed the solar panels first and sought approval later”, and therefore, their own decisions foreshadowed the outcome.

Used by permission of Offit Kurman, Attorneys At Law

https://www.offitkurman.com/blog/2021/06/01/solar-panel-restrictions-the-court-of-appeals-illuminates-panel-restrictions/

North Carolina Appellate Court Rules That Restrictive Covenants More Than 30 Years Old May Be Extinguished

We first blogged about C Investments 2 v. Auger, a potentially impactful case for older communities, several months ago. The North Carolina Court of Appeals has now rendered its opinion, which is discussed below.

C Investments purchased seven lots in the Country Colony neighborhood in Mecklenburg County. As is typical with many subdivisions in Charlotte (and in many other cities and towns), the developer of Country Colony in 1952 recorded restrictive covenants to restrict lots to residential-only use, to place restrictions on the type of structures that could be built (“one detached single-family dwelling not to exceed two and one-half stories in height”), on the number of residences that can be placed on a lot, to require homes to meet a minimum square footage, and to require setbacks from property lines.

At issue is the effect of the Marketable Title Act, a law enacted almost 50 years ago to eliminate stale restrictions that impact title to real estate. Historically, real estate law said that any title defect, encumbrance, or restriction in an owner’s chain of title is binding on present and future owners. In part because of the costs required to search real estate titles back to the beginning of real estate recordkeeping, the North Carolina legislature in 1973 enacted the Marketable Title Act. Despite the MTA’s decades-old dictates, it had never been meaningfully interpreted by the courts.

To oversimplify, the MTA’s goal is to extinguish title restrictions and defects that are more than 30 years old, as long as the defect does not appear in an owner’s chain of title for the past 30 years.

The MTA does have some exceptions. One of these exceptions is “covenants applicable to a general or uniform scheme of development which restrict the property to residential use only, provided said covenants are otherwise enforceable.” Such restrictions are not extinguished by the MTA, even if they do not appear in an owner’s chain of title for more than 30 years.

C Investments argued that the only part of the 30+ year old exceptions that survive the MTA are those pertaining to residential use. The owners in Country Colony argued that if a declaration contains a residential use restriction, all covenants in the declaration survive.

The Court sided with C Investments, holding that the plain language of the statute compelled the Court to determine that the MTA extinguishes all covenants other than the residential use-only restriction. The Court emphasized that it was not the court’s position to divine what the legislature meant when the language in the statute is plain on its face.

Of particular concern for planned communities is whether the MTA, after Auger, extinguishes covenants recorded more than 30 years ago. That said, the subdivision at issue in the Auger case is not subject to the Planned Community Act (Chapter 47F), so this court opinion does not address the interplay between the Planned Community Act and the Marketable Title Act. The PCA has language that says, if it conflicts with other statutes, the PCA controls, and this part of the PCA may protect planned communities formed under the PCA from the record-cleaning mechanism of the Marketable Title Act. (As of the present, this issue has not been addressed by the North Carolina Courts.) In addition, if a community has covenants that were recorded less than 30 years ago, then the MTA has a provision allowing them to be renewed before the 30-year expiration date. Communities need to quickly take stock of their situation and decide if they need to act. Because the mechanics of applying the MTA to restrictions older than 30 years can vary, each situation must be evaluated independently.

There was a dissenting opinion in Auger, which means that the North Carolina Supreme Court can more easily consider the case if one of the parties appeals.

Used by permission of Offit Kurman, Attorneys At Law

https://www.offitkurman.com/blog/2021/05/26/north-carolina-appellate-court-rules-that-restrictive-covenants-more-than-30-years-old-may-be-extinguished/

Older Condominiums Thrown A Curve Ball By North Carolina Court Of Appeals

The North Carolina Court of Appeals has issued a “published” opinion (meaning the case is binding authority for similar cases), effectively eliminating an important and effective tool for the collection of delinquent assessments for older condominiums: the “power of sale” foreclosure (“POSF”). Also known as “non-judicial foreclosure,” the POSF essentially utilizes the same legal process as mortgage foreclosures, where a neutral third-party trustee oversees the foreclosure from the commencement of the foreclosure through the sale of the property. This process is more efficient, less expensive, and faster than lawsuits, and unlike traditional lawsuits, the issues that can be raised are limited.

Condominiums formed on or after October 1, 1986, are governed by the North Carolina Condominium Act, Chapter 47C of the General Statutes. The Act details the procedures for POSFs, and has provisions that expressly make POSFs available as a remedy for condominiums formed prior to 1986 – which are otherwise governed by older law, the Unit Ownership Act (Chapter 47A), which is silent on the issue of POSFs.

The case, Executive Office Park of Durham Association, Inc. v Rock, involved a pre-1986 office condominium in Durham. The owner of several units fell behind in payment of his assessments (a fact which he disputed); the Association filed a Claim of Lien and later commenced a POSF. The Clerk of Court hearing the case granted the Association’s petition to move forward with a foreclosure sale. Mr. Rock appealed to the Superior Court, which upheld the foreclosure order. Mr. Rock appealed to the N.C. Court of Appeals.

The Court properly noted that the neither the 1982 Declaration for the condominium nor the statutory provisions governing pre-1986 condominiums (the Unit Ownership Act) provided for POSF. The only foreclosure procedure available to the Association, according to the court’s opinion, was a “judicial foreclosure,” which is a “traditional” lawsuit without the streamlined oversight of a trustee in a POSF. The Court reversed the prior rulings of the Clerk of Court and Superior Court, thereby voiding the right to pursue POSF for this and some similarly situated pre-1986 condominiums.

Inexplicably, the Court did not even mention in its very short (7-page) opinion, much less acknowledge, the unambiguous provisions in the Condominium Act that make POSF available to pre-1986 condominiums – despite the fact that the Association’s counsel specifically raised this argument in the appellate brief filed by the Association. For that reason, it is our opinion that this case was wrongly decided, and should be and will be reversed either by a requested rehearing of the case before the Court of Appeals, or on appeal to the North Carolina Supreme Court.

What does this case mean for pre-1986 condominiums? Unless and until this decision is reversed on a rehearing or appeal to the Superior Court, those associations will need to have their attorney review their declaration to determine if POSF is an available option. If not, the Association can (i) file a Claim of Lien and wait for the ruling to be reversed by the courts; (ii) pursue a judicial foreclosure, or (iii) pursue a small claims court lawsuit in the magistrate’s court.

The full court opinion can be found here: https://appellate.nccourts.org/opinions/?c=2&pdf=40202

Used by permission of Offit Kurman, Attorneys At Law

https://www.offitkurman.com/blog/2021/05/20/older-condominiums-thrown-a-curve-ball-by-north-carolina-court-of-appeals/

Essential Summer Maintenance Tips for Your Home

Essential Summer Maintenance Tips for Your Home

The summer temperatures can take a toll on your home. Every season homeowners should have a maintenance list for the home. Here is a list of summer to-do items.

Inspect Your Home's Exterior

It was a long winter, and it’s time to inspect your home’s exterior for things that could put it at risk in the future. This includes rotted or loose siding, mold or mildew, and moss growth. Once you’ve inspected the siding, power wash the home’s exterior surfaces to remove dirt, dust, sap, and anything else that could damage your siding or paint job. If you notice weak spots in the siding, contact a professional service company to help repair the damage. If there are spots of chipped or cracked paint, touch them up before summer gets into full swing.

Wash Windows and Replace Window Screens

Washing your exterior windows won’t make much of a difference if you don’t wash your window screens, too. Remove your window screens and gently scrub them with hot, soapy water. If your screens are too filthy to be cleaned, you may want to replace them.

Check and Clean Your Fans and Air Conditioner

First, you should look at your ceiling fans. The tops of fans routinely collect impressive amounts of dust during the winter months. When you start using these fans in the summer, the fan will spread these particles around your house, potentially exacerbating allergies, and having a negative impact on your air quality. And they’re easy to clean. You can either use a duster with a long handle, or you can climb on up and clean these spots with a Swiffer pad or damp rag.

Then, you’ll want to make sure your air conditioning is working. If you’re installing a window unit, remove and clean any filters before installing. And if you have central air, make sure that you are consistently replacing your filters to make your unit more energy efficient and effective.

Clean Gutters and Downspouts

Leaves, twigs, pollen, and other debris accumulates in your gutters over the winter and spring. If your gutters and downspouts stay clogged during heavy summer rains, the overflowing water can lead to flooding and structural damage. Typically done at least once a year, you may have to do it twice if you have a lot of trees around your home. Check also to see if any rust, holes, or cracks are developing. Repaint or repair to prevent the escape of rainwater in areas that could lead to water intrusion.

Replace the Air Filters Throughout your Home

The heating and air-conditioning system in your home works by intaking air from a room, which is then heated or cooled by coils and gets blown back into your home through the floor vents. Inside, your furnace’s air filter acts as the lungs of the system by preventing dust, pollen and other airborne particles from entering and getting blown back into other rooms. With such an important role in keeping your house and its occupants healthy, it’s vital that homeowners replace the filter on a regular basis.

Check and Clean Walkways, Driveway, and Patio

It’s a good idea to check your walkways, driveway, and patio to see if there are any cracks or weeds that need to be pulled before you begin cleaning them and repair any damage. Once you have done that, get out the power washer and wash away the last years dirt and grime.

ANNOUNCING FOUR ASSOCIATION MANAGEMENT GROUP (AMG) COLLEGE / UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIPS

May 22, 2021
Subject: ANNOUNCING FOUR ASSOCIATION MANAGEMENT GROUP (AMG) COLLEGE / UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIPS

Dear Community Members,

As an association management company, AMG understands the importance of community and the value of education.

Community is not just a set of buildings; it also includes closely held relationships. Throughout the last three decades, AMG has had the opportunity to work with dedicated community members, service providers and employees throughout the community whom we consider AMG family. Together, we have built strong communities where families and individuals can grow and thrive.

Scholarships to Honor Community Members

To help share our ideas of community to the next generation, AMG is proud to announce a set of scholarships in the amount of $1,000 each, beginning with the 2021/2022 school year. These scholarships honor the memory of four individuals who made a difference in the lives of others: 

• Billie Butler Scholarship – Billie joined our AMG Charlotte office in 1994. For more than 20 years, Billie used her nurturing skills to assist AMG staff members and provide exemplary customer service to AMG community members. She was a kind soul that was loved and respected by all.

• Ron Erickson Scholarship – Ron was a financial planning professional, a big-hearted mentor, and a true friend to many. Ron's dedication to public service and helping others was world class. He was a role model to all who knew him.

• Corey Flynt Scholarship – Corey was the son of AMG's President, Dacy Cavicchia. Corey tragically passed away in an automobile accident in 2017. He attended the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, was loved by many, and cared passionately for his family.

• Tommy Badgett Scholarship – Tommy passed away in January 2021 and began working for AMG in 1994 as a repairman. Over the years, his role expanded to include being a certified pool operator before retiring in 2015. He was not only a long-time employee of AMG but a kindhearted and one-of-a-kind friend. He is deeply missed, and his memory will be cherished forever.

You are eligible to apply for these annually awarded scholarships if you are:

• An employee of AMG or their child or grandchild.

• A resident of a community managed by AMG or their child or grandchild.

• A vendor of an AMG managed community or their child or grandchild.

These scholarships can be used towards any public college/university in North or South Carolina. (This includes vocational programs and community colleges. Nonpublic or non-Carolina institutions may be considered on a case-by-case basis, so others are still encouraged to apply.) The selection of the recipients will be based on a 300-word essay about the meaning of community.

Please visit our website: www.AMGworld.com/scholarships or email Stacey Speight at sspeight@amgworld.com for more information.

Sincerely,
May Gayle Mengert, AMS
Vice President

Two HOA Community Managers of Association Management Group (AMG) Earn Advanced Management Certifications

AMG's Melissa Cook and Dave Hebert, Earn the Association Management Specialist (AMS) Designation

(Greensboro/Winston-Salem, NC) DATE, 2021 – Melissa Cook and Dave Hebert, two community managers with Greensboro-headquartered Association Management Group (AMG), recently earned as Association Management Specialists designations from the Community Associations Institute (CAI), an international membership organization focused on building better communities. According to CAI, the AMS credentialing process requires two years of professional experience in association financial, administrative and facilities management, in addition to completion of multiple management courses and passage of a comprehensive exam.

“Earning an AMS credential requires both a personal and a professional commitment to self-improvement. Plus, it shows a dedication to providing the highest level of professional service to our community association clients and residents,” said Dacy Cavicchia, president of AMG, one of the Carolinas’ largest professional homeowner association manager organizations. “The AMS designation says our community managers understand the importance and unique challenges of community association management, and that they are committed to preserving communities, protecting property values and meeting owner/resident expectations.”

“I am very excited to not only obtain the AMS, but to do so with the AMG team,” said Cook, a Greensboro Community Manager. “I am also thrilled that this occurred during my fifth year with the company, marking that anniversary with this great milestone.” Cook earned her Certified Manager of Community Associations (CMCA) credential, a prerequisite to the AMS, two years ago. “I chose to pursue the AMS because it is a national certification. It enables me to work with community associations throughout North and South Carolina from any of AMG’s Carolina offices.”

Hebert also serves as a Greensboro Community Manager.  With the company for nearly three years, Hebert said, “I want to continually grow, in general, as well as within AMG. I see a future with AMG, and I want to be prepared to take on more responsibility and challenges. The AMS is the next step in that process.” With a background in teaching and management, Hebert added, “I was familiar with areas covered by the AMS training. But the process furthered my understanding of the ‘why’ of things and offered a more in-depth study of the job.”

About Association Management Group (AMG): AMG is the Carolinas’ leading professional community association management company, dedicated to building effective, successful community associations. AMG guides and assists association executive boards to protect their interests, enhance the lives of community members, and improve the property values of the community. With offices throughout the Carolinas in Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Charlotte and Raleigh, NC; as well as Greenville, SC; AMG is knowledgeable partner in enforcing community governing documents with a proven set of processes and techniques. AMG specializes in supporting communities with a broad range of services that can be tailored to individual community needs. Association Management Group, Inc. is a locally Accredited Business by the BBB, as well as a nationally Accredited Association Management Company (AAMC) by the Community Associations Institute (CAI). For more about AMG, visit http://www.amgworld.com.

How to spot and correctly identify North Carolina’s six venomous snakes

Original Article Source:https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article250722774.html

Article by BY BROOKE CAIN

APRIL 16, 2021 06:18 PM, UPDATED APRIL 19, 2021 03:36 PM

Excerpt (non-edited)

“For many, the sight of any snake will cause the heart to race. But of the 38 species of snakes in North Carolina, the majority are nonvenomous and not aggressive toward people unless threatened.”

5 Ways For Your HOA to Prepare For Summer

With summer coming upon us, the time draws near for HOA communities to prepare for the season. Here are 5 tips that will make the transition into summer easier:

Prepare Amenities for Use

Prepare your outdoor amenities, so they are ready to be used by the residents in your community. This means ensuring grills have gas and are in working order, the decks are scrubbed/dry/safe for use, all the chairs/umbrellas in common areas are in good repair, etc. Doing all of this in the months leading up to the equipment and facilities being the most heavily used helps avoid headaches for the HOA from complaints that equipment was not ready for use.

Prepare to open the community pool.

Schedule an initial inspection with your pool vendor to ensure the facility passes city inspection if required. Cities can get busy the closer it is to summer, so be sure you are not delayed in scheduling an inspection. Also, be sure any repairs are made before the inspection. Barring city inspection, be sure to test emergency phone lines, test fences, and gates, update pool rules that are posted, update pool hours, and inspect any pool furniture.

Hire a professional landscaping company. 

It is a good idea to look for winter damage in your HOA community, but when it comes to the dos and don’ts of landscaping for the summer, it’s best to leave it to the professionals. This option gives you top experience and unrivaled knowledge of flowers, trees, grass, and climate. It is also a cost-efficient alternative to manual labor and a huge benefit to your residents and potential buyers and renters.

Making sure common areas are safe.

After a long winter, your community’s playgrounds should be inspected before summer takes full effect. Ensure all children’s playground equipment is free of potential hazards and replace bolts and other structural pieces as needed. Watch out for any other hazards such as glass or insect infestations to remove as well. Post children at play signs near playground amenities to prevent accidents along roads.

Plan community events for the summer

Summer months are the perfect time to plan events that encourage residents to get out of their houses and mingle with neighbors. Potlucks, outdoor movie screenings, community talent shows, and dances are all memorable bonding experiences. If you are a board member, use these opportunities to introduce yourselves to residents and answer questions. 

From the classic cookout to a pool party or a family fun day, the options of what type of event is appropriate are endless. When deciding what, exactly, is an appropriate event for your community association will largely be determined based on the lifestyle the people in your specific community choose to live. 

How to Make Sure Your Community Stays Connected During COVID-19

COVID-19 has hit everyone hard. One of the virus’s many unfortunate consequences is the decimation of our normal community interactions. Most people move to a community to experience the benefits of living in that community: companionship, activities, and more. 

If you are a board member looking for ways to reinvigorate your community during COVID-19, keep reading. In this article, you will find the top four ways to make sure your community stays connected during COVID-19. 

4 Ways for a Community to Stay Connected During COVID-19

Want to keep your community connected? Here are four ways to do just that. 

1.Leverage online resources. 

You likely have an online portal or email system for your residents. You may even use AMG’s AMG CONNECTS system. Leverage this technology to keep your community informed and involved. 

For example, you can organize digital events using tools like Zoom. These could be meetings for the community or even concerts or virtual parties. Use email communication to determine the types of events or services that your residents prefer. Then organize them digitally, which will help keep your community cohesive. 

2.Encourage your community to donate and support small, local businesses. 

COVID-19 has been hard for everyone. However, some members of your local community are probably suffering more than others. Small businesses all over the country have struggled to stay open during this time. Families throughout North and South Carolina are struggling with lost wages and home-schooling. 

As a community leader, you can organize food drives, donations, and even provide local, small business recommendations to your community. This will help your city thrive while also providing a sense of unity among your residents. 

3.Check on elderly and ill residents.

Another group that has been hard-hit by COVID-19 is the elderly and chronically ill. Make sure to socially distance. However, visiting, bringing groceries too, and communicating with these people is great. As with donating, philanthropic work can bring everyone together. Plus, it will provide a lot of positive benefits to members of your community who are more isolated. 

4.Plan safe and socially-distanced events. 

Depending on the rules of your location, you can also plan safe, outdoor, socially-distanced events for your community. Make sure all safety requirements are followed. If you are part of a large community, you will also want to ensure that you are following attendance recommendations.

Spring and summer are great for outdoor events in North and South Carolina. Now is the time for your residents to get out of their homes and begin enjoying their community again. Outdoor fitness classes, socially-distanced picnics, and more are all ways to enjoy the outdoors and bring your community together. 

Don’t let COVID-19 cause your community to lose cohesion. You have to be more creative than normal. However, the benefits to the mental and physical well-being of your community are immense. If you’d like to learn more community management strategies and live in North or South Carolina, contact AMG today.

Why Hiring a Community Management Company for Your HOA Will Save You Time & Money?

Managing your HOA can be a strain on your time and money. There are seemingly infinite tasks associated with running a community. It takes money to perform all of these tasks as well. Because most HOA boards are run by volunteers, it can be hard to find the time to get everything done efficiently. 

Hiring a Community Management Company can solve all of your problems. Plus, they can save you time and money as well. Keep reading to find out why. 

Why Hire a Community Management Company? 

Hiring a community management company can be one of the most important things you do for your HOA. The right community management company will be made up of professionals with years of experience. That expertise helps provide your HOA with the following benefits, all of which will save your board both time and money. 

1.Financial help. 

Because money is such an important commodity for HOAs, let’s begin by discussing the financial help a community management company can provide. At AMG Association Management Group, for example, we offer a wide variety of fiscal services. These include bookkeeping and accounting, fee collection, association banking, and association taxes. 

All of the financial services offered by community management companies can be time-consuming and hard for non-specialists to complete. Unless you have an accountant with lots of time on your HOA board, it is best to bring in the professionals. Not only will they take care of these essential tasks, but they will also save you money in the long run. When everything is done correctly the first time, you will not have to pay fines or multiple fees. Plus, having a third party enforcing dues and other financial transactions for the community can solve many conflicts. 

2.Facility and community upkeep. 

Another big part of running an HOA involves community and facility upkeep. Depending on the type of community your HOA governs, there may be a lot of common spaces that need to be kept clean and in good repair. The better your common spaces are, the more appeal your community will have, which keeps your resident turn-over rate low. 

Facility services require working with vendors. A good community management company will have existing relationships with the best vendors. They can handle these relationships and ensure the work is done properly. When high-quality work is done the first time, your HOA will not have to spend more money on repairs or replacements. 

Residents of the Carolinas should consider AMG for their community management needs. We have physical offices in Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Charlotte, and Raleigh/Durham, NC, and Greenville and Aiken, SC. That means we are your local Carolina source for community management. Don’t gamble on an impersonal national company. With AMG you get a company with lots of resources and community-focused priorities. 

Our experts have experience running a wide range of communities. From condominiums to townhomes, life style communities, lake management, and common interest offices we can manage it all. It doesn’t matter what your HOA manages, you will love working with AMG. 

Contact us today to receive more information or a quote. 

Know Your Real Estate Terms. What is an HOA Fee or Assessment?

Definition time! Today’s lexicon is “HOA Fee.”

HOA Fee stands for Homeowners Association Fee and it’s an obligatory monthly fee paid by homeowners in certain types of residential properties.

You may see this at closing as part of your buyer’s expenses and or a proration. Your cloning agent or Title Company will order an “Estoppel Letter” from the HOA management company. This document will show what HOA fees have been paid and if any assessments are due or past due. Your closing company will prorate annual fees between the buyer and seller. You may see this proration on your closing statement if the property is in an HOA community.

AMG offers services to assist with resales and documentation required by some attorneys or lenders. We're here to assist professionals representing buyers or mortgage companies requiring essential real estate data and documentation for association real estate transactions.

The Homeowners Association (HOA) collects the fee and uses it to improve the community. Condominium association fees generally pay for maintenance of the grounds and common areas, the exterior of the building, insurance, swimming pool, clubhouse, and/or other amenities. In many instances, the condo fee includes services such as garbage and water.

From the smallest condominium to the largest lifestyle community, resident amenities are a fundamental advantage to living in a community Association. These amenities may be as grand as golf courses, lakes, and pools or as humble as a unique sitting area. No matter how large or small the amenities, prompt, proper, and cost-effective operations are vital to that community.

Tips For A Stress Free Thanksgiving

Make a Plan
Get out a notebook, your calendar, and a pen and brainstorm Thanksgiving. Start thinking about a menu, figure out when you need to go shopping and contemplate what prep can be done on what days.

Enlist Guests to Help By Bringing Something
Everyone loves to taste new items. This will give a variety and more food to go around. Another option is to delegate an entire course to a guest, like appetizers, drinks, or dessert.

Make Your Menu
Now that you know what the guests are bringing, you can begin planning your own shopping, prep, and cooking.

Stick With What You Know
If you're hosting Thanksgiving, you know your guests expect to see, like turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and pie. If you want a little variety here are a few sides that might be a hit.

    Brussels Sprouts Gratin
    Loaded Mashed Potatoes
    Roasted Cauliflower Salad With Pomegranate
    Cranberry  Dip

Make a Grocery List
Organize your shopping list the way the store is laid out: produce, meat, dairy, canned goods, grains, baking, and snacks.

Get Your Serving Dishes Ready
Pull out all of the necessary serving dishes and utensils, too, and make sure they are ready to go.

Schedule Food Prep
Tasks like chopping vegetables and baking pies can be done a day or two ahead of time. Whatever you can do ahead without sacrificing quality, do it. It'll save you time, effort, and stress on meal day.

Tableware Inventory
Inventory place settings, linens, the room around the table, and chairs. Do you have enough for the number of guests you're expecting? Double-check your serving dishes too.

Beverage Station
Are you going to set up a separate area for soda, water, and wine? Since you'll be busy on Thanksgiving day, it might make sense to let your guests help themselves. It makes sense to set up a beverage station.

Plan Decorations
There's no need to go overboard. Plan your table decor, flowers, candles, and mini gourds.

Make a Thanksgiving Day Timeline
Include, at a minimum, the following elements: breakfast, appetizers, sit-down dinner, and dessert.
Chances are it will not be as perfect as you have planned. With a few early organization tips, you will feel more at ease and in control.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Working From Home? What Homeowners Need in a Home and the Benefit of Living in an HOA Community

 Since Covid-19 work has changed significantly. Where we work, how we work, the hours we work, and the enhanced safety precautions.

With major employers now stating that their employees will be working from home for the foreseeable future, many homebuyers have adjusted their existing home space and converted rooms for workspace. Buyers have also added to their list of desirables in their next home.

Some not only need to plan for a home office space but also need to accommodate the homeschooling or distance learning needs of their children as well. This includes having adequate outdoor recreation space for children to exercise.

This is where the benefit of living in an HOA community may play an important role in the work at home family. HOA’s with common area playgrounds and parks are perfect for parents to take the kids out for some much-needed sunshine and exercise.

Working from home is impacting the way homes are being built, renovated, and marketed. The type of features that have become important to buyers have changed at all price points.

Of course, homebuyers with larger budgets have the luxury of seeking homes with extra bedrooms or offices and dens already included. But many buyers are not as fortunate and need to find the needed space in more creative ways.

The easiest way to add working space is within the bedrooms. This offers the ability to close a door for privacy. Larger bedrooms (both in master and secondary bedrooms) have been a top priority for homebuyers. Another important feature is an open floorplan which features a Great Room design. For generations, kids have done their homework at the kitchen table, and a spacious kitchen/family room combo makes it easier for home learning without becoming cluttered. Another option for homebuyers is a separate formal dining room that could be converted to a workspace.

With all the changes in working and learning environments for both adults and kids, the home is even more important than ever. As needs change, homebuyers seek different features from their new dwellings.

10 Ways Community Residents Can Enjoy Halloween While Staying at Home During a Pandemic

Halloween and other holidays might look a little different this year, but that doesn’t mean you have to stop the fun and games. It’s safe to say that going door to door trick-or-treating during a pandemic isn’t going to happen. Halloween is canceled.

HOA residents can still enjoy the holiday while staying at home with their families.

 Here are 10 ways for your family to celebrate Halloween while staying safe at home.

1. Buy some traditional Halloween candy to share with the family.

2. Make Halloween themed cookies, cakes, and ghostly marshmallows. Don’t forget to use orange and black toppings and icing.

3. Carve your traditional Halloween pumpkin and put them out on the front step.

4. Decorate the outside ends inside of your home for Halloween or fall-themed decorations..

5. Have a home costume party. Have each member of the family make their own Halloween costumes and take pictures for sharing online.

6. Play Halloween games such as hide and seek in the dark.

7. Have a Halloween craft night. Make ghosts and skeletons out of craft items or food items.

8. Use your camera or phone to film a family Halloween video to share with friends on social media.

9. Cook a Halloween themed dinner using all the colors of Halloween.

10.  Have a zoom call and chat with friends and family to stay in touch.

Enjoy family fun times, make new memories, and continue family traditions. You might have to get creative and find new ways of doing things.

Stay safe during the pandemic.

 

How To Enjoy The Holidays WIth Family During Social Distancing

Sadly, this year may inhibit family and friends from gathering in large gatherings due to the pandemic. Most states are wearing masks and still practicing social distancing. 

In the past, a family would drive across the country to get to a family member's home for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner and celebrations.  This year may look slightly different. Will families be toasting their glass up to the computer screen on a Zoom or Skype virtual gathering? What will family holiday gatherings look like during a pandemic?

Here are a few ideas for families to feel close and enjoy the holidays during a pandemic.

1. Make the most of the traditions you can safely continue. You can still decorate your home inside and out for Halloween and carve pumpkins. You can bake pumpkin pies and desserts as you have done in the past. You can enjoy your favorite bags of candy and plan indoor activities with the kids to win candy. You can cook up your great-grandmother’s cornbread stuffing for Thanksgiving and use the Halloween candy to decorate a Gingerbread house.

2. You can gather the family to create homemade holiday cards and send sweet treats to family members by mail or shipping.

3. You can still safely decorate your home inside and out for Christmas. You can get a tree and celebrate as you would in holidays past. And you can definitely drive around town and look at everyone else’s holiday decorations. The best part is the traditional hot chocolate.

4. Keep a festive holiday spirit in your home.  Play music, read stories, watch holiday movies, and keep your home bustling with sights and sounds of the holiday season.

5. Make a list of all the things you can do safely and sit down as a family and make your holiday plans.

6. Go virtual. Post images on social media so other family members can see, comment, and share.

7. Take selfies and start a group text and share holiday moments through text messages.

8. Take a picture lighting the Menorah and cook your family's great Hanukkah foods

How to Increase Your Neighborhood Engagement

A majority of Americans are stuck in the endless loop of home-work-home. This hectic life has disallowed most of us to make new human connections. A recent survey suggests that many people don’t know their neighbors. Resolving this should be a primary concern for community leaders.

If you are a board member of any homeowners association (HOA), you are responsible for ensuring that neighbors at least get to know each other. Here are some ways through which you increase homeowner participation in your community:

1.       Form Committees

From new arrivals to neighborhood old-timers, committees provide an excellent opportunity for people to come together and get to know each other. Different committees are responsible for various activities. An annual meeting will provide a perfect time for residents to come together and discuss ideas and learn more about people’s interests.

2.      Welcome New Residents to the Neighborhood

Your HOA may have a person to welcome new residents to the community. This will make them feel included and get things off to a great start.

3.      Recognize Your Community Volunteers

Volunteers are a big part of any neighborhood. It is important to recognize the volunteers for the work they have done to uplift the neighborhood. This recognition will not only go a long way in uplifting volunteers’ spirit, but it will also increase engagement among residents.

4.      Use Technology

You can always use technology to increase social interactions. It depends on your association to choose any technological solution that can help increase neighbors’ connection. A digital newsletter notifying residents of events, awards, recognition of residents, and updates is a great way to increase engagement.

5.      Have Fun Together

National holidays and festivals can give you a great chance to come together and have fun. Make sure that your neighborhood comes together to celebrate select days. If your HOA does not have a person in charge of planning events for the neighborhood you may want to volunteer to head up a committee for event planning.

The Final Word

Our hectic lifestyle has forced us not to make many connections. For most of us, home is the place where we come after a long day at work, just to sleep. This, obviously, doesn’t allow residents to come together and talk. To increase engagement, you will have to make an effort to ensure that your neighbors get to know each other.

Architectural Committee and Approval Process...Follow the Rules

Architectural Committee and Approval Process...Follow the Rules

AMG is pleased to share with you two blog posts from the Black, Slaughter & Black law firm.

The first discusses the necessity of following formalities outlined in the association’s governing documents. In particular, approvals or denials must follow the express language of the declaration, including a properly appointed committee.

https://lawfirmcarolinas.com/blog/dont-screw-up-your-architectural-committee-approval-process/

The second blog highlights the difficulty in recovering the association’s legal costs (even when the association seems to prevail on relevant points). 

https://lawfirmcarolinas.com/blog/new-architectural-review-decision-from-the-court-of-appeals-martin-v-the-landfall-council-of-associations-inc/

AMG believes the takeaways from these two blogs are that it is: 

1. Important to follow the formalities outlined in the governing documents for the community related to approving and  enforcing architectural controls; 

2. Educating community members on the importance of following the governing documents is crucial;

3. If the association does not approve an application, guidance should be given to the owner if possible (and not just a “declined”); and

4. The importance of communicating with owners to effectively gain compliance, before legal intervention is needed. 

Not only will following these steps lead to happier communities; it will prevent the high and likely unrecoverable legal costs. AMG recommends community leaders discuss the architectural approval criteria and process (for their community) with legal counsel prior to taking action. 

Association Management Group (AMG) Unveils College Scholarship Program

Association Management Group (AMG) Unveils College Scholarship Program

School May Be on Disrupted, But Planning for the Future Doesn’t Have to Be

Application Deadline May 15, 2020

Senior year in high school this year is unlike any in recent memory. Schools are closed. Students are participating in “distance-learning,” and missing all the fun things of their final year. Although students may be “stuck at home,” they are likely still thinking of the future and the opportunities of college.

“As an association management company, all of us at AMG recognize that the term community is not just a group of buildings. It is also closely held relationships,” says Paul Mengert, AMG president. “The importance of community and the value of education go hand in hand. To help share our ideas of community with the next generation, we are proud to announce the following new scholarships, which will be available for use in the 2020/2021 school year,” he adds.

In keeping with AMG’s emphasis on community, these three scholarships honor the memory of three individuals who demonstrated community by making a difference in the lives of others.  You can learn more about them at amgworld.com/scholarships.

To apply and learn more about AMG’s new scholarships, please visit https://www.amgworld.com/scholarship-application.

In addition to completing the application, applicants can select to apply for one or more the scholarships. The final component of the application is a 300-word essay on one of three topics about community.

Striking the Right Balance

When May Gayle and I founded AMG back in 1985, we did so to help clients preserve, protect and enhance their communities.

Over the last 35 years, we have been extremely blessed to build a team of professionals who have joined us in helping community Associations across North and South Carolina administer their responsibilities. Much of our work has centered around balancing of members’ rights.

This month, we find ourselves facing unprecedented challenges with the COVID-19 outbreak, trying to help our clients balance member rights. On the one hand, we want to be sympathetic and helpful to individuals in the community. On the other, we have a duty to help our clients fulfill their fiduciary duties of looking out for the rights and interests of all members.

This is most evident in enforcing covenant provisions and violations. There is a natural reaction under the current crisis to delay taking any enforcement actions. However, doing so may interfere with the rights of other members who are perhaps being damaged or inconvenienced by a violation. 

Similarly, delaying fee collection from those who are experiencing financial hardship sounds like a reasonable thing to do. However, many Associations need essentially all member payments to meet the obligations of the community. If some members don’t pay, it is likely that other members may be forced to pay more. Again, this is a balancing of rights. 

So, what have we learned over the last 35 years? 

1.     Be kind - Even when we disagree, don’t be angry.

2.     Follow Governing Documents - Do what the documents state and avoid making decisions that are already made in the governing documents or by law. 

3.     Avoid delays - As strange as it sounds, not acting promptly seems to make things worse.  Yet, if a member needs additional time to address a covenant violation, our recommendation is and always has been to be reasonable and try to work things out.  Typically, an extra couple of weeks is not a big problem in the overall scheme of things, and as long as an agreement is in place to resolve the situation then the HOA has fulfilled its’ responsibility. 

During this crisis, similar to past challenges we have faced (such as hurricanes and 9/11), AMG recommends being nice, following the governing documents and laws and acting promptly. It is easier to address problems sooner rather than later. 

Please feel free to call on any member of the AMG team for assistance and know that our prayers for everyone are strong.

Paul K. Mengert, Chairman and CEO

Association Management Group, Inc.