Del Webb Home Supremacy

Del Webb is committed to constructing premier homes.  Through experience gathered through the construction of more than 50 active adult communities, Del Webb is prepared to offer a new standard in home environmental efficiency.  Whether it involves electrical wiring or the external architecture of a home in an active adult community, Del Webb is prepared to offer among the best quality available.

To find out more, click on the following link: http://www.delwebb.com/why-delwebb/home-quality.aspx.

Routine Preventive Maintenance Checklist

Simple tasks performed at regular intervals throughout the year can make or break a homeowner association.  We have included a checklist containing routine preventive maintenance focal points, which has been taken from this website. (http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/111478)

Here are some things to keep in mind for routine preventive maintenance:

·         Roof:

o   Look for wear in asphalt shingles

o   Look for damage in clay tiles

o   Slate, while more durable, needs occasional inspection to look for damage.

o   Look for Corrosion in metal

o   Look for air circulation in wood shingles.

o   Look for leaks in built-up roofs/membrane roofs.

·         Roofing Elements:

o   Look for projections that may cause leaks.  Example of branches, loose joints, etc.

o   Look for corrosion caused by Galvanic Action, such as ferrous metals touching dissimilar metals.

o   Look for damaged cornice.

o   Inspect the underside of the roof for projection, including the eaves.

o   Inspect flashing for damage.  Flashing is installed on every protrusion through the roof and every joint where the vertical edge intersects with the roof.

o   Inspect gutters and leaders for clogged ice or other materials.

·         Exterior Wall Material:

o   Inspect mason and mortar for loose joints, stains, wet spots in the walls.

o   Look for loose stucco or plaster.

o   Inspect siding, shingles, and sheathing for damage (broken/missing boards, rotted or missing members, or signs of veins of dirt that indicate termite tunnels.

·         Exterior Finishes:

o   Inspect paint for cracks, damage.

o   Inspect any ornamental elements including cast iron and stone/terra cotta.

·         Fenestration (doors and windows):

o   Inspect doors for proper alignment and for any signs of deterioration.

o   Inspect windows for strength in joints and structural support.

·         Exterior Ceilings/Decks

o   Inspect porches for damage as a result of poor drainage.

o   Check wooden supports for damage.

o   Check for any insect infestations.

·         Grounds

o   Check for cracks/damage in driveways and sidewalks.

o   Check for leaks in window wells.

o   Inspect any storm drains.

o   Inspect retaining walls for damage.

o   Check for proper draining around foundations

o   Inspect landscaping for dead bushes, diseased plants

·         Interior Inspection

o   Load bearing masonry wall.

§  Check for cracks, damage.

o   Check caste in place concrete walls for

§  Settlement.

§  Cracks.

§  Other damage.

o   Inspect wood joists and beams.

o   Inspect steel beams, concrete decks for sloping or other degradation.

o   Inspect

§  Concrete floors

§  Wood floors

§  Carpet

§  Ceramic tiles

§  Interior walls/Finishes

§  Ceiling finishes

§  Fireplaces

§  Interior decorative masonry

§  Metal surfaces

§  Stairs

§  Interior doors/windows wood trim

§  Kitchen cabinets/counters

·         Mechanical/Electrical:

o   Make sure there is sufficient power to run all appliances.

o   Look for any deterioration in plumbing/mechanical systems.

·         Attic:

o   Look for condensation that might cause damage.

For more information about routine preventive maintenance, click on the following link: http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/111478

Governing Board Duties Increasing

As many cities, including Detroit, experience financial difficulties, some homeowner associations have assumed control of various duties for the associations they serve.  The nature of HOA communities has shifted to include property maintenance, trash collection, and other duties that were once performed by local governments.  As a result, it is becoming increasingly difficult for board members of HOA communities to take care of the day-to-day operational tasks of managing the communities they represent.  According to USA Today, 75%-85% of HOA communities perform their day-to-day activities with the assistance of an experienced property management company, while the other 15%-25% are still self managed.  

As the residual effects of the housing crises continue, governing board members of HOAs are required to take on more and more responsibilities.  This ranges from daily operations like dealing with contractors, bookkeeping duties like paying invoices, and collecting delinquent association fees from fellow members  These tasks can prove to be daunting without the assistance of a professional management company, such as LandArc.

Click on the following link to read more:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2013/03/03/hoas-pick-up-duties-left-by-struggling-cities/1960671/

Coyote Information

Southeast Michigan is having a growing problem with coyotes in neighborhoods.  This can be a problem when homeowners have small pets or young children. While coyotes rarely attack humans, all animals can behave in unexpected ways if they feel threatened. We have prepared some tips from the DNR for dealing with any coyotes that might be present in your neighborhood:

• Never approach or touch a coyote
• Never intentionally feed a coyote
• Eliminate all outside food sources, especially pet foods and bird feeders
• Put garbage out the morning of pickup day
• Clear out wood and brush piles; they are good habitat for rats and mice and may attract coyotes
• Do not allow pets to roam free when coyotes are present - consider keeping pets indoors or accompany them outside, especially at night
• If you see a coyote, yell, clap your hands, bang pots and pans, in general make a lot of noise to scare away the coyote and let it know that this is your space and you don’t want it there. By making yourself seem scary and threatening the coyote should retain its fear of people and easily scare away, this may not work if the coyote is being fed or if there are food sources like pet food or bird feeders in the area.

For more information about coyotes, please visit the following link:

http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-153-10370_12145_12205-60378--,00.html.

Homeowners Identities Stolen

Thousands of homeowners served by a Florida Management Company have had their identities stolen.  This was because a computer server was stolen during a break-in.  The management company runs six associations in the Osceola Florida area.  There were no signs of forced entry, which indicated the thief may have had a key. 

LandArc has strict security measures and system redundancies to ensure that our information is always safe and secure.

For more information about the Florida Management company break-in, click here.

HOA "Shakedown"

In a homeowner association, decisions are made with the entire community in mind rather than individuals.  As a result, there are some instances where homeowners feel that since they pay their dues, they have a right to get their way.  So in some cases, homeowners start withholding dues in order to “shakeup” the board and get their desired outcome.  When this happens, the source listed below states that it is important to gain an understanding of the situation in a personal manner (a phone call from a board member as opposed to an email or letter).  

If the homeowner’s request is reasonable, then the situation could be resolved along with possibly waiving any late fees that have been incurred.  If the request is not reasonable, then explain the reasons why.  In many cases, withholding fees could simply be the result of financial difficulties.  If that is the case, the homeowner might be able to receive accommodations such as a payment plan based on their situation.  To read more about this topic, click here.

BIA Trade Show

Tomorrow, LandArc will have a table set up at the BIA Builders and Remodelers Trade Show in Sterling Heights.  This show will take place tomorrow, February 13th from 10 am to noon at Best Western Sterling Inn Banquet and Conference Center 34911 Van Dyke Avenue, Sterling Heights, MI, 48312.  Stop by and see us.

Hot and Cold

This has been a strange year so far in terms of temperature.  On Tuesday, it was 50 degrees, fairly comfortable.  Yesterday, it dropped down to the mid twenties with snow added into the mix.  Today, it’s cold as well.   This is because the jet stream.  The flow of air that dictates weather patterns in the United States is taking an odd path, pushing cold air to the south and pulling warmer air to the north.

Based on this, it is important to keep an eye on your pipes with all the freezing and refreezing going on.  Did you know that when water freezes, it also expands?  Which is why routine preventive maintenance is necessary for your community.  This way, you can be sure that you do not experience any problems in your community that could have been prevented through routine measures.

2013 Winter Board Review

Presentation Dinner

Now that winter is underway, it is time to think about preventive maintenance.  We can help.  LandArc is holding a presentation on Tuesday, February 26 at 6:30 pm. Among the topics that will be discussed are: routine preventive maintenance, handling delinquencies, and saving money. This event will take place at the Station 885 at 885 Starkweather, Plymouth, MI, 48170. Dinner will be included. 

Call (888) 646-9888 or email rcomins@landarc.com to register.

A drawing and giveaway will be held at the conclusion of the evening.

HOA Conspiracy Busted

In an unfolding fraud scheme involving Las Vegas Valley homeowner associations, a former construction manager has pleaded guilty to fraud.  Dax Louderman is one of  28 defendants in this case who were involved with this HOA conspiracy.  More than $8 million dollars was funneled through secret bank accounts to contracts with various HOA communities.  These contracts ranged from construction to landscaping to community management contracts.   The conspirators are also accused of using election rigging and various other tactics to get people into HOA boards who then awarded them with contracts.   There were a total of eleven HOA communities that were targeted in this conspiracy.

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

http://www.lvrj.com/news/construction-manager-pleads-guilty-to-conspiracy-in-hoa-probe-183527641.html

Cold Concerns

It’s cold outside in Southeast Michigan.  While driving into work this morning, the thermostat in my car read 4 degrees and that is without wind chill.  When it’s this cold outside (and you can usually tell by the squeaking sound snow makes beneath your feet) there are certain precautions that need to be taken to protect your home and protect yourself.  Limit exposure to these frigid temperatures to prevent frostbite and always make sure you wear proper winter gear: hat, gloves, scarf, etc.

Also, make sure that you check up on the regulations in your HOA community to see what snow removal procedures are in place.  While vendors are hired to take care of many snow removal activities, their contracts can limit what situations they are supposed to handle, so it is always better to be aware of such things before a sudden snowfall catches you unawares.  As always, cold temperatures create the risk of pipes freezing/bursting which creates problems for everyone involved.  Precautions are often as simple as leaving the cupboard below each sink open so warmer air inside of your house can reach water pipes.  Implementing routine preventive maintenance activities makes things easier for you and it also makes our job at LandArc easier too.

A New Way to Connect

Sometimes, the best way to learn about a community is to talk to the people living there.  Del Webb is now offering that option on their website.  Prospective home buyers can now see reviews living in Del Webb communities to get a first hand explanation of what it is like to live in that community.  Through the power of the internet, shoppers have access to a vast wealth of knowledge which they can view before making a purchase decision.   Del Webb’s new feature on their website makes this easier than ever.

For more information, click on the following link:

http://www.cnbc.com/id/100384156

Homeowner Sues Neighbors, Association

When neighbors of Suzanne Taylor decided to clean up her cluttered patio area in a Buffalo HOA, Taylor filed a lawsuit against her neighbors and the Waterfront Village Association.  The case lasted for more than three years, until a federal appeals court ruled against Taylor and awarded attorney fees to Waterfront Village.  Taylor claimed the Association denied her disability accommodations for depression (which she had no formal diagnosis).  She also claimed, in the lawsuit, that neighbors trespassed on her land and stole her property.  She lost the lawsuit on both accounts.   The parties involved are currently in the settlement process.

http://www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20121216/CITYANDREGION/121219338

Delinquency Tips

Delinquencies.   This one single word causes every homeowner association board member to shudder.  And for good reason.  In the current economical environment, money is tight for everyone, but when homeowners fall behind on their payments, the entire community suffers.  Even those who stay on top of their payments are forced to make sacrifices to fill deficit gaps caused by delinquencies. 

According to the source listed below, the best way to keep an HOA community running smoothly is to have clear, decisive delinquency policies.  By applying a concrete, uniform policy situations caused by delinquencies are kept fair for everyone.  It also helps to have an experienced property manager to help collect delinquencies.  LandArc has long experience in taking appropriate measures to handle homeowner delinquencies. Collection agencies have proven very effective partners in this process, and attorneys are also needed in select cases. 

For more information about this topic, click on the following link: http://realtytimes.com/rtpages/20120919_hoadelinquencies.htm

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

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

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/

A Speeding Debate

Del Webb resident Dennis Kay is looking for a solution to motorists speeding through the active lifestyle community he calls home.  Kay recently attended a city council meeting in Hemet California.  However, there was no action taken.  Kay wants nothing more than to be able to back out of his driveway without fear of an accident.  

There is an ongoing debate over who’s responsibility is it to insert traffic signals within the community. 

The city of Hemet says that the association has the responsibility to maintain the streets within the community.   The association disagrees and says that it is up to the city, since the community streets are within city limits.  Kay is surely not the only resident in this community hoping for a solution to this problem, regardless of who holds the responsibility. 

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

http://www.pe.com/local-news/riverside-county/hemet/hemet-headlines-index/20121119-hemet-del-webb-resident-wants-to-slow-speeders.ece

HOA Chain of Command?

Here is a useful link that explains a bit about the chain of command in a typical HOA community. The writer of this article refers to the chain of command as a network. This network has the HOA’s community manager in the center because it is the manager that keeps most of the records in the association. Not because the community manager makes all of the decisions for the association. Also included in this web is the Board Of Directors and whatever vendors might perform services within the community. The article also offers great advice for homeowners who live in HOA communities. For example, an home issues should be reported to the property management company rather than the vendor or the board of directors.

Also, the writer of the article advises homeowners to not allow a violation to reach a boiling point which could negatively impact all homeowner’s within an HOA. Finally, the writer of the article encourages homeowners, once again, to communicate with the community manager rather than with the board of directors or the community vendors. While the latter approach might seem easier, communicating to a community manager, such as LandArc, is the best way to ensure that problems are handled in an efficient manner with proper record keeping.

For more information, click on the following link:

http://www.mesquitecitizen.com/viewnews.php?newsid=3309&id=77