Take It To The Board with Donna DiMaggio Berger Donna DiMaggio Berger

Could volunteer board members do their jobs more effectively and less stressfully with the solid communication skills a professional coach can impart? In this episode of Take It to the Board, host Donna DiMaggio Berger speaks with Carmelo Millimaci, Professional Certified Coach. He is a member of the International Coaching Federation and a Senior Coach of Ackert Inc., a leader in development coaching. He also founded Attune Coaching and Consulting. They discuss how community association board members could use their professional skills in their volunteer roles, and how a little coaching could go a long way. 
Highlights Include:
What constitutes coaching?What does it mean to take a coaching approach when trying to resolve conflicts?What is the professional definition of coaching?What are the core coaching competencies?When dealing with a resident violating the rules, how can a board or manager defuse the situation and reach a resolution with that person?How can a history of conflict between two parties create challenges for the coaching process? What is an “inquisitive mindset” and how can that help address conflicts?How can directors with very different views on the community, enforcement, and other issues learn to trust each other?Is it possible to coach the personality type that can’t really accept consequences?How important is it to stress diversity on a board? What does diversity contribute?What questions should new board members ask about their roles and their obligations?Should community associations craft mission statements or vision statements?What are the three levels of listening?How can board members undertake effective planning and goal-setting?How should boards choose the best “mouthpiece” to communicate with residents, vendors, etc.?How can board members and managers conduct interviews with new purchasers and tenants to set the right tone?Helpful links:
Becker Lawyers | Legal and Business StrategistsFlorida Condo & HOA Law Blog | Powered by beckerlawyers.com Becker's Online Class LibrarTakeItToTheBoard.comTake It to the Board with Marisa DiLenge (Part I)Take It to the Board with Marisa DiLenge (Part II)Ackert Inc.International Coaching FederationAttune Coaching and Consulting

In this episode of Take It to the Board, host Donna DiMaggio Berger speaks with State Representative Dan Daley, the Florida House or Representatives member for the district which includes portions of Coral Springs, Sunrise, Plantation, and Tamarac. He is the Democratic ranking member of the Redistricting Subcommittee, and he also serves on the Commerce Committee; the Environment, Agriculture and Flooding Subcommittee; Infrastructure and Touring Appropriations Subcommittee, and the Local Administration and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee. Donna and Dan discuss how legislation affects community associations, affordable housing, how community association bills do (and don’t) get passed, and what it means to be a public servant these days.
Highlights Include:
How often do constituents living in condominiums and homeowners’ associations contact their legislators? How personal should legislators get with their social media channels?What is the Florida Legislature prepared to do to fix the property insurance crisis?How do boards respond to their residents on fixed incomes who might not be able to afford the increased assessments needed to pay for new safety mandates?Why do legislators lump community association proposals into one large omnibus bill each year? Why not stand-alone bills? What affect does this have on the bills getting passed?What can and should Florida be doing right now about sea level rise and its possible acceleration of structural deterioration?How do Florida legislators balance their part-time work in Tallahassee with full-time jobs? Is a legislative role only possible for certain people with certain careers?Is the legislature as involved with community associations as it once was? Is the issue of building more affordable housing in Florida on the Legislature’s radar?With a limited number of bill slots, how does a legislator decide which bills to sponsor each year?To what extent do community associations need to be on alert for mass shootings? What role will bills like Jaime’s law, which requires background checks on the sale or transfer of ammunition, have?Helpful links:
Becker Lawyers | Legal and Business StrategistsFlorida Condo & HOA Law Blog | Powered by beckerlawyers.com Becker's Online Class LibraryTakeItToTheBoard.comBecker's Online Class Library: Budgeting and Reserves

Florida community associations always need money for maintenance, repair, and capital improvement projects, but especially now with new safety laws in place, and Brewster Cole, First Vice President of Valley National Bank, is “the man with the money." Brewster has spent 16 years lending money to condominiums, co-ops, HOAs, and country clubs, and has carved an impressive niche for himself and Valley National in this sector of the lending market. He and host Donna DiMaggio Berger discuss the ins and outs, and the ups and downs, of when to lend and to whom.
Highlights include:
Florida community associations need hundreds of millions of dollars for immediate repair and maintenance projects. Does the fact that many of them need loans to address deferred maintenance or to cure code violations make them less attractive borrowers?Is it possible that the State of Florida might offer low interest loan programs in the post-Surfside landscape?What does a lender look for when evaluating an association as a prospective borrower? Will the current property insurance crisis in Florida play a role? How about the number of leased units? Do lenders take pending litigation into account?How long does the approval process typically take?Association loans can range from a few hundred thousand dollars to millions. How does a lender determine the limit for a particular association?What types of loans are available for community associations? Other than construction loans for particular projects, what other types of financing options are there?How does a line of credit typically work when the association is taking one for a construction project? How do capital improvement projects and/or milestone inspections affect credit?What is the difference between lines of credit and traditional loans?What type of collateral is required for association loans?How important is it to establish and maintain personal relationships between borrowers and lenders?Once upon a time it was very difficult for cooperative purchasers to obtain financing. What has changed?Will lenders start seeing older coastal buildings as unacceptably risky borrowers?Helpful links:
Becker Lawyers | Legal and Business StrategistsFlorida Condo & HOA Law Blog | Powered by beckerlawyers.com Becker's Online Class LibraryBecker's Online Class Library: Construction Road Map for Community AssociationsReal Estate Law Blog  | Powered by beckerlawyers.comSuccessful Community Association Living Starts With the Purchase Decision with Marisa DiLenge, Founder of DiLenge Real Estate Team (Part I)Take It To the Board: Successful Community Association Living Starts With the Purchase Decision with Marisa DiLenge, Founder, DiLenge Real Estate Team (Part II)

Is living in a community association the right fit for everyone? In this second of two installments, host Donna DiMaggio Berger speaks with Marisa DiLenge, founder of the DiLenge Real Estate Team. She has been a licensed real estate consultant since 1992. She is also a member of the National Association of Realtors, a member of the Masters Brokers Forum of Broward County, a member of the Florida Association of Realtors, and a member of the Realtor Association of Greater Fort Lauderdale. They discuss how an experienced and professional realtor is now more important than ever.
Highlights include:
Should home renovations be done for the owner’s enjoyment or always with an eye towards resale value?Developers love density, but is a pool on top of a parking structure a good idea?How much due diligence should potential buyers do, particularly when purchasing in older coastal buildings?What can past board minutes tell a potential purchaser about the community he or she is considering?How does one find a well-credentialed realtor?What creates risk when denying  an application? Does requiring minimum credit scores really result in a financially healthier community?Are “55 and Over” communities holding their value?Is  there a conflict of interest when a realtor serves on his or her own board of directors?How do environmental factors, such as “cancer clusters,” affect the asking price?Can unauthorized  social media pages for a community association negatively impact property values?Who is getting priced out of the current market?Helpful links:
Becker Lawyers | Legal and Business StrategistsFlorida Condo & HOA Law Blog | Powered by beckerlawyers.com Becker's Online Class Library

Is living in a community association the right fit for everyone? In this first of two installments, host Donna DiMaggio Berger speaks with Marisa DiLenge, founder of DiLenge Real Estate Team. She has been a licensed real estate consultant since 1992. She is also a member of the National Association of Realtors, a member of the Masters Brokers Forum of Broward County, a member of the Florida Association of Realtors, and a member of the Realtor Association of Greater Fort Lauderdale. They discuss how an experienced and professional realtor is now more important than ever.

Highlights include:
How much longer will the seller’s market last?What constitutes a reasonable price point?For the Florida market, where are the buyers coming from these days? Are the challenges and costs associated with maintaining and repairing older coastal buildings going to make these communities unaffordable for a large portion of Florida’s population? Would some owners be better off selling now?Will we see a time in the near future when only the very rich can afford to live on Florida’s coast?Will Florida support  affordable housing arrangements similar to New York’s?Will realtors be the ones to tell purchasers that they need to obtain and review  safety and financial reports?Where does the money for rising insurance rates come from? Do the association documents allow for certain budget cuts to close the gap?What kind of information can a potential purchaser or tenant reasonably expect to receive from a broker with regard to an association’s rules and restrictions?What role can a realtor play in communicating rules and restrictions to a potential buyer?What kind of due diligence and inspections should  purchasers undertake prior to closing?Helpful links:
Becker Lawyers | Legal and Business StrategistsFlorida Condo & HOA Law Blog | Powered by beckerlawyers.comReal Estate Law Blog | Powered by beckerlawyers.comBecker's Online Class Library

Can you imagine getting 99 people to agree on the same sofa? That is similar to the tasks that lie before Brian Steele, Director of Operations at East Coast Facilities. Among other services, the company provides landscaping to residential communities throughout Florida. In this episode of Take It To the Board, host Donna DiMaggio Berger and Brian discuss how landscaping for community associations is an extension of the real estate asset and how emotions can run high when trying to accommodate different tastes. According to Brian, landscaping choices don’t only boil down to what people want to see, but also what plant material is most appropriate for the space and what the association’s budget can accommodate. Brian also discusses his travels and travails, as well as the curious case of the missing avocados.

Highlights include:
Why people are so emotional about landscaping choices.The effectiveness of landscaping committees.How the recent Florida law that makes it easier for a homeowner to remove a tree that “poses an unacceptable risk” might create confusion about what owners and boards can do when they want to remove a tree.The kinds of trees and plant materials that pose problems for sidewalks, driveways, homes, and pools due to invasive roots or other growth issues.What is xeriscaping and why does Florida need a law to protect it?Is there any such thing as maintenance-free landscaping?  How to mitigate against the deterioration caused by abundant plant material and pools when they are located on top of concrete parking structures.What an association can typically save when asking for a price on post-storm debris removal in advance. What is “hatracking” and is it okay?The possibility of getting insurance coverage to replace damaged plant material.The legal importance of ensuring that hedges are installed and maintained in accordance with all state and local requirements.How to get the most “bang for the buck” when it comes to landscaping. 
Helpful links:
Becker Lawyers | Legal and Business StrategistsFlorida Condo & HOA Law Blog | Powered by beckerlawyers.com Becker's Online Class Library