"You don't achieve harmony by everyone singing the same note" - Doug Loyd

Sunday, February 27, 2011

The hidden cost of going 'green' - MSN Real Estate




Society is conditioned as to what is considered aesthetically pleasing based on our experience and trends. Board members especially tend to push going green without thinking. The link below is an article that shows that going green can end up costing you more money. The money you saved in one area ends up being spent and paid to someone different, who is cashing in on the trend. For instance you may notice a lower water bill, but you your total expenses increased.  Because the money previously paid to your water company is now paid to the landscaper or insurance company or a specialized repair company. Changing who your paying doesn't save money!  If your total expenses decreased you have to figure out why.  Which is where detailed accounting comes into play.  

From blighted to bling: 10 revitalized neighborhoods - MSN Real Estate

Awesome examples of what happens when artists or even just people for that matter are allowed to express themselves. I can testify about the Phoenix First Friday event. When it originally started out the artist's were scattered through out downtown. People had to drive from one to the other causing a poor turn out. Shortly after they moved it people started coming out in droves. Police have to direct traffic because of the literally thousands of people walking up and down the street. I was never interested in going before, but now it looks like it could be fun. Check out what they have accomplished by checking out the link below. It will amaze you.

From blighted to bling: 10 revitalized neighborhoods - MSN Real Estate

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Western Revival in Santa Fe: Southwest Style and Modern Architecture Come Together

I love this interview with Emily Henry. I've noticed that from along Hayden Rd. from Indian Bend Rd. south all the communities have decided to use color match their paint using dirt. Environmentally friendly doesn't mean earth tones or desert colors. I don't understand why people aren't seeing the big picture. Along Hayden Rd. from Indian Bend Rd. South communities have either the park, mountain views, golf course, or the greenbelt as a back drop. If you stand outside your community and look around what do you see? Do it at different times of the day.

Environmentally friendly means using what nature gave us and creating art. Like using a paint color which changes slightly depending on the angle of the sun. Then allows us to use the absolutely gorgeous art we get from our summer sunsets and capturing its reflection in a reflection pool or some other object. At which point your community can complement your surroundings and not fight it or conflict with it.

Western Revival in Santa Fe: Southwest Style and Modern Architecture Come Together

Sunday, February 20, 2011

How to Install a Sprinkler System - Installing an Underground Sprinkler System - Popular Mechanics

Detailed instructions with photos on how to install an irrigation system without digging up your entire yard. After seeing these pictures no wonder sprinkler systems leak so much. I just want to know how you know if you have a leak in the pvc that runs under sidewalks and driveways.

How to Install a Sprinkler System - Installing an Underground Sprinkler System - Popular Mechanics

How to Fight Lawn Disease - Popular Mechanics

Is your landscapers equipment to blame for areas where grass will not grow? Identify and fight fungi infections in your lawns and common areas. In some cases your community needs to be made aware of the infections to avoid spreading them. This includes keeping pets out of these areas.

Natural Lawn Care - Popular Mechanics

Is your community's landscaping maintenace schedule harming our enviroment?

How to Plant Water-Efficient and Chemical-Free Grass - Popular Mechanics

Wondering which grass to plant this summer?

What You Need To Know To Keep Your Lawn Healthy - Popular Mechanics

Cleaning Made Painless

This is a little off topic but ladies this is something to make your life easier.  House cleaning is a chore, is time consuming, and in general a pain.  I discovered a company that makes products that make cleaning easier and faster.  These products are awesome and work with one swipe.  If you have difficulty getting streak free and lint free windows and mirrors.  It will no longer be a problem.  I actually got complemented on how clean my back sliding glass door was, from a clean freak!  It only took me about 5 mins. to clean the inside and out.  My windows don't get cleaned often so they were pretty dirty.  If you have greasy messes or have a man in the house that likes to work on vehicles.  The degreaser is awesome and government approved for use around food!  I am using it as a replacement for Holy Cow.  The best part is that it is cheaper than Holy Cow or any of the products you use now.   You can use it to clean your hands, clothes, shower tiles, etc.  All the products are great and are quality!  The cleaning rags are more like napkins you find at high end resorts! 

Go to http://www.thecleanteam.com/ and check them out!  These products will save you time and money!   Products are shipped fast and customer service is out of this world.  If you need to know how to clean anything, just call them up and ask or send an e-mail.  

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

HOA Landscaping

If your landscaping irrigation needs some repairs or your trying to conserve water.  One must consider all available options and the cost involved.  The costs involved would include the installation and maintenance involved over the long term.  If you save on water but the system is maintenance intensive all the savings is lost and installation cannot be recouped.  However, if the system is maintenance free then the cost of installation can be recouped within a few years, unless you start planting in plants.  Then you lose any savings you anticipated.  Provided that your efforts to conserve reduces your water bill enough to make a difference or not.  For communities if your not seeing a several thousand dollar reduction in your water bill, then you wasted money. 

Sunday, February 13, 2011

The Net

I believe the internet has caused society in the United States to become heartless. It has definitely made it easier to blow someone off, ignore them, or screw someone over.  Since they aren't standing in front of you.  Society is losing its conscious and sense of humanity due to the lack of face to face contact.  I wouldn't say we are less social, just heartless.

Financials




Just as board members are volunteers who don't know the law or governing documents. Owners don't know how to identify, read, or understand what the financials are telling them. Recently, when asked why the board did not send financials with the annual meeting packets. The management company played stupid. Like they didn't know. When asked, some owners thought the budget were the financials.


Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Suntree Landscape Director has Orgasm in Front of Membership

After attending our annual meeting for Suntree HOA, I have to give the board some credit. They almost have their crap together, still they are missing some fundamentals.  Not to mention missing the financials and minutes from the ownership packets.  We got budgets but that's it.  The annual meeting is specifically to discuss how our money was spent. 
As with most communitites, Suntree's single largest expense is landscaping, Making it a hot topic among owners at annual meetings.  Meaning that any person seeking the landscaping chair, has to be as thick- skinned and prepared to be thrown in front of the fireing squad without taking it personally.  I was however shocked at how our landscape director perfomed her presentation and focusing on money and not landscaping.  I'm also disappointed how she behaved and ignored one owners very valid, cost effective, smart, reasonable, suggestion based on business judgement.  Her level of excitement was more like someone having an orgasm then patting themselves on the back for it.  It proves she is only about spending the money and hiding it from everyone.  She has been the reason for almost $100k in spending over the last few years with no real impact on aesthics!  She needs to spend her own money and stay out of ours.   


Monday, February 7, 2011

Contact 13 Investigates: HOA Hall of Shame - KTNV ABC,Channel 13,Las Vegas,Nevada,News,Weather,Sports,Entertainment,KTNV.com,Action News .:.

Contact 13 Investigates: HOA Hall of Shame - KTNV ABC,Channel 13,Las Vegas,Nevada,News,Weather,Sports,Entertainment,KTNV.com,Action News .:.

Best Flow Chart Ever

Ladies A Must Read

This Just May Save Your Life!

Inner Peace

Men Are......

Values Change

Doormats

Read Doris Vescio's letter to the Sun City Anthem Board of Direc - KTNV ABC,Channel 13,Las Vegas,Nevada,News,Weather,Sports,Entertainment,KTNV.com,Action News .:.

HOA Hall of Shame: Sun City Anthem - KTNV ABC,Channel 13,Las Vegas,Nevada,News,Weather,Sports,Entertainment,KTNV.com,Action News .:.

HOA Busters - KTNV ABC,Channel 13,Las Vegas,Nevada,News,Weather,Sports,Entertainment,KTNV.com,Action News .:.

HOA Busters - KTNV ABC,Channel 13,Las Vegas,Nevada,News,Weather,Sports,Entertainment,KTNV.com,Action News .:.

HOA Busters

Friday, February 4, 2011

What motivates your board members decisions?

Some may see previous posts as ranting.  I see it as releasing frustration caused from a board who doesn't listen to reason, logic, professionals, owners when the facts are in front of them.  For that reason, they deserve to be used as an example of how personal obsessions cause narrow minded, unreasonable, & illogical decisions which is behavior more representative of a child assigned to be a hall monitor, verses a responsible adults.  High School student councils function more professionally and efficiently than most HOA boards.  I would think that the embarrassment alone would stop the behavior, but it doesn't. 

So we have to approach it from a different angle and recognize how individuals think.  Being aware of the type of behavior to watch out for in others and themselves we can have a better understanding about what motivates them.  In using the stupidity of my HOA boards actions as examples, of how dysfunctional personal agendas cause a board to become and prevent a community's progress. I hope it causes more people to want to serve on HOA boards for the purpose of returning morality, values, honesty and action based on the greater good of the whole, back to communities.  As our focus on environmental issues and cost savings measures change so does our way of thinking about things.  We cannot change one without the other following. 

This knowledge can help to put struggling associations on the path to success and set the standard by, which all other communities are judged.  As volunteers, I believe that the duty to them should be held to higher standards, because their actions directly affect the affordability of the community.  Just because they are volunteers does not mean their ignorance should grant them immunity or allow them to act like a child with ADHD.  A judge once said (cannot remember who said it), "ignorance of the law is no excuse."  Meaning there is no such thing as an innocent mistake when acting as a fiduciary for an entire community.  After all you did volunteer.  That is just my belief.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Repeating the Same Mistakes Expecting Different Results



I just had to share some news I got today.  I found out Suntree HOA changed landscaping companies.  It explains why our budget showed $11,000.00 for a sprinkler audit.  Most landscape companies charge a high fee upon the initial contract signing for a sprinkler audit.  This is essentially a guarantee that once you sign the contract you don't cancel it after they disclose everything they found wrong during the initial inspection.   





Site Search

Loading