Tips for Snowbirds

Every winter LandArc deals with emergencies where the owners have left for the winter but have not properly winterized their units. If you plan to head south for the winter, please review and follow these guidelines:

• Set your thermostat no less than 50 degrees. Any lower setting could cause frozen pipes and devastating damage.
• Draining the water heater and shutting off the water will serve as an extra measure against burst pipes.
• Winterize all exterior spigots by removing hoses, turning off the water, and draining the spigot from the outside.
• Leave a key with a neighbor and let LandArc know who to contact in an emergency.
• Keep doors open throughout the house to ensure heat gets to all areas of the house
• Keep cupboards doors open below sinks where plumbing lines are located

Man Charge with Embezzling from Condo Associations

The Chief Financial Officer of Total Realty Services has been accused of embezzling more than $560,000 from a number of condominium associations in Florida.  Roberto Velez had taken the funds from 10 associations over a period of three and a half years.  Velez deceitfully breached the duty owed to those communities as the individual in charge of money intended to benefit the residents living in those associations.  

The Pinellas County Sheriff office has charged Velez with grand theft. 

This unfortunate incident underscores the importance of community associations getting actual copies of their bank statements each month. LandArc has made it a practice to include bank statements and detailed reconciliations for each account of its customers, even multiple reserve accounts or checking accounts in some cases. 

Click here for more information about this unfortunate situation.

It's Here! It's Here!

Well, it is here at last.  The white blanket of frozen water that settles upon our cars, streets, and communities.  We have been fortunate so far when it comes to snow, but it is here now in southeast Michigan and likely here to stay.  Remember to drive safely.  If you feel like others are driving as though they “have never seen snow before,” consider that they may be driving slowly and carefully because they have seen snow and know what to expect from slippery and icy conditions.  So drive safely and consider driving slower than the listed speed limit in your community, just to be safe.  LandArc wishes you and your family a blessed and joyous Christmas season!

LandArc Community Service

LandArc gave back to the community this holiday season.  Eleven members of the staff worked three hours at Gleaners Food Bank, loading canned and dry food into boxes to send out to the community. According to Gleaners, one in six people don’t have enough food.   Gleaners staff stated that the amount of food loaded by LandArc staff was enough for about 4000 meals.

Holiday Tidbits

Just a couple more things to keep in mind with Christmas just around the corner: if you are holding a Christmas party, it is important to be considerate of your neighbors.  Keeping party noise under control makes the holidays fun for everyone.  Also, when it comes to family gatherings, educate your guests on parking rules in your community.  As always, have a fun and safe Christmas season.

In Light of Recent Events...

The thoughts and prayers of LandArc are with the victims of the school shooting in Connecticut on Friday, December 14.  Through God’s grace, may the fallen of that dreadful tragedy find solace.

50 Years of Improvement

With the changing times comes difficulties, but improvements as well.  Del Webb has greatly improved the construction of their active lifestyle communities since they opened their first community in 1960.  Their updated communities come with a shift in retirement views.  Faced with the common misconception of their communities thought to have been constructed for elderly individuals who have worked for many years and are ready to settle down, Del Webb is striving to educate people otherwise.  Their communities are active lifestyle communities, not retirement communities.  Many Del Webb homeowners still work or pursue other passions that have been placed on hold for many years.  With a large number of baby boomers entering retirement age, the number of active lifestyle communities in the United States will only increase.

To read more about Del Webb, click on the following link:

http://www.55places.com/blog/active-adult-community-design-50-years-making

A Message to Homeowners

Here are some things that homeowners should keep in mind with snow and cold weather rapidly approaching.  HOA residents should be aware of your associations' stance when it comes to snow removal, as well as holiday decorations.  By researching what is permitted ahead of time, homeowners would be able to avoid fees associated with misconduct and everyone will be able to enjoy this wonderful time of year.

LandArc would like to wish everyone a joyous holiday season!

HOA Considers Lawsuit

Homeowners in Fairies Farms, a North Carolina HOA, are considering a lawsuit against their former HOA management company, Carolinas Association Management, for mishandling money paid by homeowners.  According to the source listed below, Joe Patterson, president of Carolinas already has a shady history as a property management professional.  

Patterson’s license as a real estate broker was revoked in 2001 by the North Carolina Real Estate Commission.  Three years later, he was able to get that license back.  Patterson claimed that he only charged the fees to homeowners because the association board told him to.  The board denies this.   Residents in Fairies Farms simply want to know what happened to their money.

To read more about this story, click on the following link:

http://www.wsoctv.com/news/news/local/charlotte-homeowners-ask-hoa-management-company-be/nTLxJ/