It’s sunny in San Diego . . .
and we’re not just talking about the weather

After a long winter, the warm weather, blue skies and bay breezes of San Diego are hard to resist. Combine that with the cameraderie and support of your peer network, fresh perspectives from industry experts, an eye-opening education program and a fun-filled 40th anniversary celebration, and the 2013 CAI Annual Conference and Exposition, April 17–20, is an event you can’t miss.

While San Diego revives your energy, the Annual Conference will renew your sense of purpose, bringing a positive outlook to your day-to-day experiences as homeowner leaders, management professionals and business partners.

Network with fellow CMCAs, earn continuing education credit and meet the NBC-CAM staff and Commissioners at the CAI National Conference! 

To learn more, view the conference brochure.

REGISTER ONLINE or call (888) 224–4321 (M-F, 9–6:30 ET). Register by March 13, and save $50!

Four inches Bankrupts HOA

$100,000 per inch. That’s what it cost a homeowners association to go to war with a couple living in the Olde Belhaven community, D.C., over an Obama for President sign they put in their yard back in 2008. The sign was apparently four inches taller than the maximum limit allowed by the association’s rules. But, Sam and Maria Farra refused to back down, arguing their right to display the sign was protected by the Constitution.  The Washington Post

Proposed Bill makes it Easier to Foreclose on Homes

A bill filed by Florida lawmaker, Sen. Alan Hays, R-Umatilla, could make it easier and faster or HOAs to foreclose on people who haven’t paid their HOA fees.  Some homeowners are concerned that the legislation would give HOAs too much power.  Hays said that the bill is a starting point for discussion and subject to amendments, but he said he wants to level the playing field in the way associations are governed. The Sun Sentinel

Texas HOAs rally for legislative support

Texas homeowners and business owners are seeking legislation to allow HOAs to borrow more money in order to protect property values and more tools to deal with foreclosures. “Allowing more flexibility for a condo association to borrow money for items such as major repairs [helps] keep property values high for owners,” said Judi Phares, chairwoman of Texas Community Association Advocates. American City Business Journals

The April recertification cycle is in full swing and Roland Richardson, Certification Assistant, has tips and tricks to make your life easier. Roland joined NBC-CAM last Fall and handles the recertification process. You may have received a letter and e-mail from him recently. Below are some of Roland’s recommendations for successful application and recertification.

1. If you are due to recertify and pay your annual service fee, send the paperwork and payment in together. Sending the recertification application and payment separately will delay your recertification as we wait for your payment to be processed or vice versa. “Oftentimes, people call me asking if I’ve processed their recertification, but until I receive payment, I cannot start the recertification review and audit. It’s best to send everything in at once so I can start the review immediately,” stated Roland.
2. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. According to Roland, “More and more I am seeing people fill out the contact information section and not answer the questions or sign the app. If you don’t complete the app, I will recycle it and email you to re-send a completed app.”
3. NBC-CAM does not keep track of your continuing education. “CMCAs often call asking how many CE credits they have. We do not track that information. It is the responsibility of the CMCA to track their continuing education and submit it to NBC-CAM when their recertification is due,” said Roland. It is worth noting that any courses you take through CAI are tracked by CAI. You can sign online at caionline.org and print your class certificate to submit as proof of continuing education. Roland reminds everyone that, “We provide a continuing education worksheet to help CMCAs track their education. It’s available online.”
4. When paying by check, include the invoice number. “Our Accounting Department is able to process payments much faster if the invoice number is on the check. If it isn’t, we have to spend time locating the individual which adds to our turnaround time,” Roland said. For management companies sending in one check for multiple individuals, please submit a list of names and invoices associated with that payment.
5. Recertify online. NBC-CAM has created an online recertification application! Sign on to our website and recertify online. Note: Have your 16 hours of continuing education proof handy because we’ll be asking you to enter it into the continuing education worksheet. If you have an active AMS, PCAM, NAHC-RCM, FL CAM or NV CAM, grab your ID because we will be asking for the number. “Recertifying online takes less than 10 minutes and it makes it easier for me to complete the review and recertify someone. Everyone should be going online to pay their fees as well because the card is processed immediately and you get a printable receipt for your records. I encourage our CMCAs to embrace this new online technology!” exclaimed Roland.

If you have questions about CMCA recertification, please read our comprehensive recertification webpage or contact us at info@nbccam.org. Leave your questions in the comment section so everyone can benefit!

NBC-CAM hosts a listserv for community association managers. The listserv is intended to create a powerful, on-line community for community management professionals to share information. Recently, some questions have been sent to the listserv. Are you able to help? Leave and answer in the comment section below and NBC-CAM staff will post your answer to the listserv.

Question 1: Dan from Florida

Our association is considering floor tile for its 3 story elevated walkways and stairs here on the gulf beach in Florida. We have an offer to install a porcelain body non skid tile on bare concrete (after removing the old urethane waterproof membrane) backed with a 25 year warranty from Laticrete. We have had minimal spalling episodes on this component. Can anyone offer their pros and cons with tile and what to expect in 2 yrs. 5 yrs. 10 yrs after installation.

Question 2: Larry from Louisiana

Does anyone have any experience with epoxy-pipe lining companies in high-rise condos?  If yes, would you please share your positive or negative experiences?

Question 3: Candee from IL

If you have a case of bed bugs in a condo building that appears to be limited to one unit do you notify the entire building?  Just curious as to what others have run into and any personal experience on this matter, would love to hear from you.

By author Seth Godin

Eleven things organizations can learn from airports 

By:  Geoffrey James

The New York Times recently ran an article about how email can make people less productive. However, misuse of email is only the tip of the proverbial iceberg. Here are 10 actions that you can take today that can make you at least twice as productive as your colleagues.

1. Avoid meetings that lack an agenda.

Meetings can only be productive if people know why they’re meeting in the first place. An agenda provides focus and purpose. The lack of an agenda guarantees meandering conversations that dive into rat holes. They’re a waste of your (and everyone else’s) time.

2. Never pick up on an unknown caller.

Unless you’re working in telesales or product support, there’s no reason why you should ever take a call from somebody you don’t know. After all, when was the last time you took an unexpected call that was truly important? Days? Weeks? Months?

3. Permanently turn off your voice mail.

A voice-mail message consumes minutes of your time (more if you have to replay) to communicate information you could absorb from an email in seconds. Explain in your outgoing message that you don’t use voice mail, and instead provide your email address.

4. Hone your email program’s sorting rules.

It takes time and energy to change gear to sort through (and respond to) a long list of disconnected messages. Most email programs allow you to route different types of messages into folders, where you can review and respond en masse rather than piecemeal.

5. Periodically disable email and texting.

When you must do creative work or absorb complex information, the last thing you need is your computer and phone chirping and beeping for your attention. Whatever it is, it can wait until you’ve finished the task at hand. Trust me.

6. Give social butterflies short shrift.

For some people, a day at work means an endless coffee klatch. They wander the halls searching for somebody, ostensibly to discuss business but really just to chat. Don’t let these time leeches hobble your success. Just say no. If necessary, get rude.

7. Reward your body with high-quality fuel.

What you eat determines your energy level, and your energy level determines how much you can get accomplished. Sugary treats provide a quick energy boost but then create an even deeper dip. Heavy foods take energy to digest, leaving you with less to use.

8. Take a five-minute walking break every hour.

The human body is not designed to sit for hours at a stretch. Attempting to do so inevitably creates aches and pains that leech your energy as your body tries to compensate and heal them. So get up and move! Use a timer if you have to.

9. Make your decisions more quickly.

Most people waste an extraordinary amount of time obsessing about (and second-guessing) their decision making. However, you’re always better off making a good-enough decision quickly than waiting for an imaginary best decision.

10. Completely disconnect for 12 hours every day.

If you stop pretending to be productive when you’re eating and sleeping, you’ll be far more productive when you’re actually working. Being always available is an unfailing recipe for stress, illness, and bad decision making. Give it rest.

Geoffrey James writes the Sales Source column on Inc.com, the world’s most visited sales-oriented blog. His newly published book is Business to Business Selling: Power Words and Strategies From the World’s Top Sales Experts. @Sales_Source

Redrawn flood zones await coastal homeowners after Sandy
Federal, state and local officials are expected to announce revisions for flood zones in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, and that may mean more obstacles for homeowners who are seeking to rebuild. Building in a flood zone translates to increased costs and structure requirements, such as strict minimum heights. New York Post (1/13)

Americans may spend more to improve housing this year
Spending on home improvements in the U.S. is expected to increase this year, a report by Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies says. About 17% of gross domestic product during the first nine months of 2012 went toward spending on housing, and the figure could be higher this year, says Eric Belsky, managing director of the center. The Boston Globe (tiered subscription model) (1/18)

U.S. housing industry is facing changes from regulations
The final version of the Qualified Residential Mortgage rule, which will define the minimum down payment required for home loans, is likely to be released in the coming months, U.S. regulators say. That rule, along with underwriting and servicing measures released by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau last week, have the potential to reshape home lending in the U.S. “These changes will impact business operations and the future of mortgage access for years to come,” says David Stevens, president of the Mortgage Bankers Association. Bloomberg (1/18)

Predictions on where the housing market is headed
The housing market could begin favoring sellers this year, and buyers should be prepared for a more competitive market, Kathryn Buschman Vasel writes. Among the housing trends she cites are continued low interest rates, a stricter lending process, increasing home prices, a possible increase in housing inventories and less refinancing activity. Fox Business (1/17)

Following Hurricane Sandy, Community Associations Institute will present a panel discussion on disaster planning and preparation for community associations in the Poconos.

The event will be hosted by the Pennsylvania & Delaware Valley chapter of CAI, a national non-profit organization that advocates for community associations and those who call them home.

The program will cover issues including insurance, planning and preparation for disasters, clean-up, communication with residents and related topics.

The session, which costs $30 for CAI members and $50 for non-members (discounts apply for registering early) will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 23 at the Sycamore Grill in Delaware Water Gap.

The session includes dinner and advanced registration is suggested. Individuals can register online at www.cai-padelval.org or call 877-608-9777.

Speakers include Robert A. Travis, with Community Association Underwriters, which has an office in Stroudsburg; Mike Partel, a disaster clean-up specialist with RestoreCore, and Dave Timko, community manager of Pocono Farms Country Club Association.

For more information, call 877-608-9777 or visit cai-padelval.org.

NBC-CAM updates the pre-approved course provider list each month.  Get the most up to date info on continuing education providers here.

CAI released a statement regarding the federal Qualified Mortgage standard yesterday:

On January 10, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) released its long-awaited federal Qualified Mortgage (QM) standard. The new federal guidelines, which are required by the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (commonly known as the Dodd Frank Act), establish minimum requirements for all mortgage loans.

As anticipated, the QM standard considers community association assessments a key factor when determining if a borrower is qualified for a mortgage. Ensuring borrowers can afford to pay association assessments will lead to stronger communities and prevent foreclosures.

“The Ability-to-Repay standard will ensure home buyers are able to fulfill all their financial obligations related to owning their home—including their association assessments. This will create a greater degree of financial stability for community associations, while at the same time helping to ensure fairness and equity for all owners in the community,” said Thomas M. Skiba, CAE, chief executive officer of Community Associations Institute.

Under the QM standard, lenders are required to prove borrowers have the financial resources to pay mortgage principal and interest, insurance premiums, property taxes and association assessments. Lenders that extend mortgage credit without fully documenting a borrower’s income and assets and ensuring the borrower has the ability to make all monthly mortgage payments will face stiff penalties and fines.

Lender documentation of association assessments and special assessments required to meet the new ability to repay standard will be a key issue for CAI members. CAI will continue to work with the CFPB and the banking industry to ensure that all parties understand the role played by community associations to provide lenders assessment information in a reasonable and cost-effective manner.

Key features of the QM standard include:

• Ability to Repay—lenders must document that borrowers have sufficient assets and income to make monthly mortgage payments and pay other mortgage-related obligations such as community association assessments.
• Borrower Debt-to-Income Ratio—borrowers may not spend more than 43 percent of their monthly income for payment of      mortgages and mortgage-related obligations such as association assessments.
• Legal Safe Harbor for Lenders—except in the case of high-cost mortgages, lenders that comply with the ability to repay standard will be offered protection from borrower litigation.
• High Risk Loan Terms Prohibited—lenders are no longer permitted to offer mortgages that allow loan balances to increase (negative amortization) or interest-only payments. Mortgages may not have  terms of greater than 30 years.
• Transitional Standard—all loans eligible to be guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac or for Federal Housing Administration insurance will be granted QM status during a transitional period.
• Delayed Effective Date—lenders will have one year to comply with the QM standard, which is effective January 2014.

CAI is reviewing the final QM standard and will provide additional updates to CAI members once a full analysis has been completed. Summary documents provided by the CFPB may be viewed here.

For more information, visit caionline.org or contact the CAI Government & Public Affairs Department at 888.224.4321.