Florida Association News Blog

The Present: These days, we are driven and focused on data and media consumption. The fiber optic technology continues to strengthen and the need for gigabit speeds becomes more and more evident.

It is important to engage with a telecommunication service provider that specializes in community associations offering bulk discounted rates.

The Future -FTTH: (Fiber to the Home) connectivity is no longer a luxury; it is a necessity and a requirement to provide for virtual remote distance learning, video streaming, entertainment, security, telemedicine, Zoom conferencing, remote work, and the use of multiple devices. Fiber to the Home (FTTH) provides residents increased faster speeds. According to New Street Research, Company Data, over the next decade FTTH deployment could increase by 20 million to 60 million. This would take FTTH availability from 25 percent to 35 percent of households.

The market research firm Strategy Analytics stated that while in 2020 we spent $90.7 billion on traditional pay TV (an 8% drop from 2019) and $39.5 billion on streaming (a 34% jump from the year before), by 2024 legacy pay TV will only account for $74.47 billion—with streaming ahead at $76.3 billion.

Telecommunication services are changing and negotiating a contract that protects the residents and property values takes time, understanding and education! Determine what makes sense when upgrading the existing infrastructure to meet future needs.

Fiber optics, or optical fibers, are long, thin strands of carefully drawn glass about the diameter of a human hair. These strands are arranged in bundles called optical cables.

Fiber optic internet is the way of the future for delivering broadband.

As the industry shifts to fiber optic cable for faster internet speeds, many associations will be negotiating new contracts. With fiber optic internet, the association has the flexibility and infrastructure to increase up to 10 Gb speeds over a more reliable network. The installation of the physical fiber requires digging the fiber to the building and the over-build and launch process. Fiber has virtually unlimited bandwidth and its durability will last for years to come! Fiber is future ready and fast!

Things to Consider: When seeking a new service provider, here are some things to consider:

Does the association currently have a bulk service agreement for internet, television and/or phone services in place and if so, will it expire or renew within 24 months? It takes time to evaluate your options for your residents and common areas.
How much space is available in the association’s telecom rooms?
Does the agreement provide for an access or easement agreement and if so, what are the options?
How many different paths to the building can the fiber cable take?
Is there sufficient power for the fiber-optic technology?
Will the service and fiber technicians and employees of the telecommunications company be direct hires or are they subs/1099 employees?
What speeds does the service provider are offer for the upload and download? Are they symmetrical?
Does the service provider offer a community channel?
What options for programming will the service provider offer (retail) outside of what the association’s bulk contract will provide?
Are there any startup costs or installation fees?
What are the fees for a technician to come out for a non-related company service call?
Does the service provider offer bundling TV, internet, and phone service packages to homeowners to save money?
Does the service provider offer incentives for switching providers?
Does the service provider offer temporary suspensions for snowbirds/seasonal residents?
Does the service provider offer an assigned Account Manager?
Does the service provider offer an SLA (Service Level Agreement) defining the service requirements?
Does the service provider offer the latest and greatest Wi-Fi based mesh network solution?
Does the service provider offer security solutions?

Hotwire Communications is a pioneering leader in fiber optic technology and has been providing cutting – edge fiber-based telecommunication services since 2000. A Florida-grown company headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Hotwire Communications has regional offices throughout the United States. Our client experience is our goal, and we strive to provide the white glove experience for internet, video, phone, and security services.

by Marcy L. Kravit, CMCA, AMS, PCAM, CFCAM, Director of Community Association Relations, Hotwire Communications, FCAP Program Coordinator

Tags connectivity, data, Fiber, future, Hotwire, Internet, network, TV No Comments »

We recently held an educational “Painting Projects Planning Process” webinar with Rudy Forjan from Benjamin Moore to discuss planning for any upcoming painting projects.

by Ashley Dietz Gray, VP Marketing, Campbell Property Management

Tags benjamin moore, CEU, paint, planning, process, Projects No Comments »

We recently held an educational webinar with Will Simons, RS from Association Reserves to discuss what a reserve study is and how such studies are used during an association’s budget planning process.

The webinar covered:

A review of the Florida Statutes pertaining to reserves
Best practices for budgeting
Plus, more!

Disclaimer: This video is for educational purposes only. You will not receive credits for watching the recording. Credits were issued only to those that attended the course.

by Ashley Dietz Gray, VP Marketing, Campbell Property Management

Tags Condo, Financial, HOA, Reserve Study, Reserves No Comments »

We recently held an educational “How to Prepare Your Community for Hurricane Season” webinar with Evan Bradley from Campbell Property Management to discuss preparing your community for hurricane season.

The Webinar covered:
- Hurricane Season Overview
- Recent Near Misses
- Pre-Storm Planning
- Pre-Storm Guides
- Pre-Storm Evacuation Planning
- and more…

by Ashley Dietz Gray, VP Marketing, Campbell Property Management

Tags 2022, evacuation, guides, Hurricane, planning, prepare, Season, Storm No Comments »

Although it’s pool season year round in South Florida, it’s also helpful to follow these tips as the weather heats up and we see an influx of more residents and guests. The following tips will guide you when keeping your pool area safe.

1. Inventory your keys/fobs now to ensure that you have an updated list of who has what for access to the pool area.

2. Make sure your pool contracts are up to date. Updated contracts will ensure that issues with the pool or the equipment are identified and resolved to lessen any down time with the pool. Regular monitoring is key to getting those issues resolved with as little inconvenience to your residents as possible.

3. Have your drain covers inspected to ensure they are compliant with safety standards. They typically need to be replaced every 5 to 7 years but should be inspected annually.

4. Do your pool rules sign need to be updated due to Health Department new rules? Get your signs ordered now.

5. Make sure your pool furniture is cleaned and inspected.

6. Does your pool safety equipment meet guidelines and is fully operational?

With a little bit of effort on the front end, the following months of pool use will be more pleasurable for your residents and their guests.

by Diana Quigley, Education and Change Management Manager, Campbell Property Management

Tags Health, Pool, Safety, Summer, Tips No Comments »

We recently held an educational “EV Charging in Condos – How to Make it Happen!” webinar with Alessandra Stivelman from Eisinger Law and Pere Francino from City Vitae to discuss the EV and EV charging market and installation.

The Webinar covered:
- EV and EV Charging market
- EV Charging 101: How long does it take?
- Individual vs. common parking charging
- What is the cost of installation?
- The legal angle of EV Charging in condos
- and more…

by Ashley Dietz Gray, VP Marketing, Campbell Property Management

Tags charging stations, Electric Vehicle, EV, Parking, Tech No Comments »

Inflation is currently at its highest level in 40 years. And it does not appear to be going down anytime soon. Last year, the inflation rate hit 7% and by February of this year it increased to 7.9%. Consumers have seen prices of everything from gas to groceries increase.

As you can see from the chart below, we have been very fortunate with inflation rates hovering around 2% for the last 10 years, as represented by the green line. While in the last 30 years, we have rarely exceeded 4%, as represented by the red line. Now, we are faced with 8%, which again, we have not seen in over 40 years.

Inflation has already affected many community associations with many raising their dues between 3-5% for the 2022 budget year. But that increase was not enough especially with the continued impact of insurance, labor, and material increases. Most community associations need to be prepared to raise dues 10-15% in 2023 to combat inflation.

Homeowners are usually not happy when dues go up. However, as expenses for communities increase, so does the need for an increase in the dues. Now is the time to prepare your residents for an increase in dues in 2023 so they are not blindsided.

Here are some of the items in most community associations that are increasing in cost:

Landscaping costs – Prices for materials, gas and fertilizer have all increased causing landscape companies to raise prices. Supply shortages fueled by the Ukraine-Russia conflict (Russia is one of the main suppliers of fertilizer around the world) have caused fertilizer prices to go up 30%.
Property Management – Labor shortages for maintenance, janitorial and even admin and property manager positions mean the cost of labor has gone up as property management companies try to attract talent with higher salaries and better benefits.
Labor costs – The great resignation has played a major role in the rising cost of labor. Legions of workers, especially those in low-wage positions leaving their jobs means employers need to pay more to get workers to show up.
Maintenance and repair costs – As a direct result of the global supply chain shortages, prices have soared. Associations need to factor in higher costs for the regular maintenance of their communities. Outside vendors such as pool companies have raised their prices and many parts are simply much more expensive than they used to be.
Premiums for insurance – Insurance increases are on the rise; where there is an incumbent on the deal, we are seeing 15-30% increases on insurance. And, where there is a replacement carrier required, we have seen rate increases in the 50-100%+ range. Click here to view a recent webinar we held on the current insurance market.
Project costs – There is no doubt that any large projects your community needs to get done are going to cost more. Material prices overall are up 20.3% since 2021. Add in the labor shortages and supply chain constraints and not only are projects going to cost your association more, they are also going to take longer to complete.

For most community associations, the budget for 2023 will reflect higher anticipated expenses, which means dues will need to increase. Now is the time to prepare your residents for this increase. This year is unlike any other year. You CAN NOT rely on “standard” budget raises and expect to be able to pay your bills in 2023. You should NOT wait until the end of the year, hoping this will change. You need to start planning NOW and letting your owners know NOW.

Throughout the remainder of 2022, we will have a blog post each month discussing this inflation storm and offer tips for your association to ride it out.

by Ashley Dietz Gray, VP Marketing, Campbell Property Management

Tags costs, expenses, Inflation, price index, prices, raise dues, rate No Comments »

How To Create Professional Business Documents | Printerland

We recently held an educational “Updating Governing Documents” webinar with Emily Gannon from Kaye Bender Rembaum to discuss why updating governing documents is critically important.

The Webinar covered:
- The Hierarchy of Governing Documents
- The Amendment Process
- Common Misconceptions
- and more…

by Ashley Dietz Gray, VP Marketing, Campbell Property Management

Tags CEU, Docs, Governing Documents, Legal, Watch the Webinar No Comments »

SB 518 Private Property Rights to Prune, Trim and Remove Trees would require a permit to remove problem trees in community associations. This bill harms millions of Floridians owning property and living in HOAs and condo associations.

The Florida Legislative Action Committee, the legislative arm of Community Associations Institute (CAI) in Florida, whose volunteers throughout the State work with State Legislators to try and provide legislation that will assist all who live and work in community associations, and block legislation that would have a negative impact on Community Associations, are asking that you respond to the following “Call to Action” to the Governor against SB 518.

Click here to tell Governor DeSantis do NOT sign SB 518!

by Ashley Dietz Gray, VP Marketing, Campbell Property Management

Tags Action Committee, Call to action, Legislative, SB 518, Trees No Comments »

If you’ve been in Florida for any length of time and live around any body of water, you’ve experienced midges, or commonly referred to as “Blind Mosquitos”. Midges are small, dainty flies with one pair of long, narrow wings, and long, skinny legs. They are usually found around lakes and ponds. They can reproduce in vast quantities and that’s when they become a big issue for communities. Although they are called “Blind Mosquitos”, the big difference between them and the mosquito is that midges do not bite humans. It’s common to see midges in big swarms or “clouds” in the air, often around dusk and they thrive in the warm, moist climate year-round in Florida.

Part of what makes midges so difficult to control is their ongoing lifecycle that starts in ponds, lakes and stormwater systems and ends on land. They lay their eggs on a waterbody’s surface before sinking into the muck. When the eggs hatch, they either borrow further into the sediment or swim freely through the water. This process takes as little as two or three weeks. That means that you are fighting a losing battle because while you’re trying to control the adult ones, you still have plenty of eggs and larvae ready to continue the cycle.

So, how do you control them then? Bug sprays won’t keep the midge flies away. Pesticides alone won’t solve the problem long-term. Professionals recommend the following:

1. Surveillance where samples are taken to identify and estimate their population levels;

2. Nutrient Abatement by ensuring your water is in constant motion with aeration systems, shoreline planting to absorb nutrient run-offs (such as landscape fertilizer run-offs), and algae control to improve overall water quality;

3. Biological control by adding certain fish, which feed on midges. Just make sure that the fish species and the amount is estimated by someone with experience. Adding the wrong fish, the wrong quantity, or adding into the wrong waterbody can have adverse effects;

4. Chemical control is done mainly to reduce annoyance and may include larvicides applied to waterbodies, ULV adulticide, barrier treatments applied to siding and foliage, or more.

For more information on midges, contact your professional aquatic services vendor.

by Diana Quigley, Education and Change Management Manager, Campbell Property Management

Tags blind mosquitos, body of water, Midges, pests No Comments »

Tips to Consider in Preparing Your Community Association for a Fiber Network: The Present & the Future of the Internet and TV

Watch the Webinar: Painting Projects Planning Process

Watch the Webinar: Fundamentals of Reserves CEU Webinar

Watch the Webinar: How to Prepare Your Community for Hurricane Season

Tips for Pool Season

Watch the Webinar: EV Charging in Condos – How to Make it Happen!

Is your community association prepared to raise dues 10-15% or more in 2023?

Watch the Webinar: Updating Governing Documents

Take action! Tell Governor DeSantis do NOT sign SB 518!

Midges! How can you control them?

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