Jeramy Stevens and Justin Osborne discuss the different types of land and the certification that’s available for land agents, as well as some of the important things to note about land sales in the East and the West.
Realtors Property Resource® (RPR®) — Accessible Data with Veronica McManus
Veronica McManus, director of industry relations with RPR®, and Monica discuss some of the benefits of this program for REALTORS® and their clients, and take a look at the many reports available in the system and how to engage with them.
BiggerPockets Podcast 337: Next Level Wealth-Building Through Overseas Development and Opportunity Zones with Russell Gray and Robert Helms
Want to learn from two guys who have weathered several real estate market cycles and come out on top?
You’re in the right place! In this episode, Brandon and David sit down with Russell Gray and Robert Helms, longtime hosts of the Real Estate Radio Guys program. In this wide-ranging discussion, Russell and Robert cover a TON of subjects, from house hacking to investing in overseas resorts.
The guys share the lessons they learned from the 2008 crash (hint: don’t rely too heavily on credit) and explain how they’re preparing for the next one. They break down how multifamily investing is just like running a business, and why hiring an assistant is the most important first step when scaling up.
Russell and Robert also tell us why having an A-student mentality can hinder new investors (and make them a target for gurus), and why you don’t need to know every step in order to just get started.Â
You’ll learn why Robert is about to make his 137th trip to Belize, why he and Russell stopped investing in Mexico and Australia, and why you should design your own personal investment philosophy, too.Â
If you’re a big-picture thinker interested in using the tax code to your advantage and staying on top of market cycles, this show will blow your mind. Listen here or on your favorite podcast app, rate and review us, and subscribe so you won’t miss the next one!
Truth in fiction: 9 books that add an HOA twist to your summer reading list
“You can’t make this stuff up. Somebody should write a book about it.â€
It’s a frequent refrain for community association board members, managers, and business partners, especially for those who have several years of experience and have collected numerous laughable, outrageous, and, sometimes, cringe-worthy stories.
Somebody, actually, somebodies, have written books set within community associations or that tackle many of the issues (neighbors, rules, pets, and more) you’re sure to recognize.
The beach is calling. The pool is inviting. The backyard is enticing. Take a seat, grab a book, and start reading.
A Man Called Ove (2014). By Fredrik Backman
Ove has staunch principles, strict routines, and a short fuse. People call him “the bitter neighbor from hell.†When a chatty young couple with two chatty young daughters move in next door and accidentally flatten Ove’s mailbox, it is the lead-in to a comical and heartwarming tale that will shake one cranky old man and a local residents’ association to their very foundations. A New York Times bestseller and soon to be a major motion picture starring Tom Hanks.
A River to My People (2019). By Jason Green
Follow a collection of short stories about life in the suburbs and the funny and infuriating antics, behaviors, rules, and regulations of community life. There are droll tales of walking dogs, trying to get grass to grow, dealing with speeding by teenagers and parents, errant parking, the work and the pleasure of backyard swimming pools, homeowners association election politics, and so much more.
Cats, Chaos, and Condo Board Wars (2019). By Nikki LeClair
When elections for condo board president come around, Hilary Brandt lets her friends and neighbors convince her to run against the by-the-letter, long-sitting president—also known as Hilary’s number one personal critic. As the election campaigns launch, a romance-that-almost-was reappears, a coworker tries to steal a client, and her opponent starts to fight dirty. Is the chaos just too much?
Condominium (2014). By John D. MacDonald
Welcome to Florida’s Golden Sands, the dream condominium complex built on a weak foundation and a thousand dirty secrets. It’s the home of shortcuts, crackdowns, breakups, oversights, and payoffs. Add it all up, and the new coastline community doesn’t stand a chance against the ever-present specter of disaster: the dreaded hurricane.
High-Rise (2012). By J.G. Ballard
When a class war erupts inside a luxurious apartment block, modern elevators become violent battlegrounds and cocktail parties degenerate into marauding attacks on “enemy†floors. Human society slips into a violent reverse as once-peaceful residents, driven by primal urges, recreate a world ruled by the laws of the jungle. Developed into a feature film, released in 2016, starring Tom Hiddleston.
Little Fires Everywhere (2017). By Celeste Ng
In Shaker Heights, everything is planned—from the layout of the winding roads, to the colors of the houses, to the successful lives its residents will go on to lead. And no one embodies this spirit more than Elena Richardson, whose guiding principle is playing by the rules. When an enigmatic artist and single mother arrives with her teenaged daughter and rents a house from the Richardsons, the status quo in this carefully ordered community is threatened. Named book of the year by The Washington Post, NPR, Southern Living, and more. Soon to be a Hulu limited series starring Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington.
The Condo Kids: The Case of The Disappearing Pool Monster (2019). By Jackie Burns
Excitement is just an elevator ride away for brothers Noah and Michael, who are best friends with all the other Condo Kids in their building. This tight-knit group of pals just want to have fun but always wind up in hilarious, sticky situations. The latest adventure finds the Condo Kids on the hunt for a mysterious underwater monster rumored to be living in the condo pool. This is the third book in a series for young readers.
The Pinball Lawyer (2019). By Marvin Nodiff
Condo lawyer Joshua Fyler is in a fight for his life. His clients are disrupted by weaponized drones, greedy investors, and corrupt lawmakers. Fyler ricochets from one crisis to the next as he tries to salvage his reputation. Written by a founding member of CAI’s College of Community Association Lawyers and a retired community association attorney from St. Louis, Nodiff captures all the foibles of community association living in his sixth humorous and engaging novel.
White Elephant (2019). By Julie Langsdorf
A gaudy, newly constructed behemoth of a home soars over the neighborhood of Willard Park. When owner Nick Cox cuts down Allison and Ted Millers’ precious red maple—in an effort to make his unsightly property more appealing to buyers—their once serene town becomes a battleground. Newcomers and longtime residents alike begin to clash in conflicting pursuits of the American Dream, with trees mysteriously uprooted, fires set, fingers pointed, and lines drawn.
The post Truth in fiction: 9 books that add an HOA twist to your summer reading list appeared first on Ungated: Community Associations Institute Blog.
Which Style Is Tops in a Dream Home?
Which Style Is Tops in a Dream Home?
Modern, farmhouse, traditional, or rustic? Find out which architectural styles rank highest, and which TV designer people want to work with most.July 8, 2019By: Melissa Dittmann TraceyDesign & Arch…
June 2019 Housing Minute
Both pending and existing home sales rose on a month over month basis in May.
5 Easy Updates to Liven Up Your Home Staging
5 Easy Updates to Liven Up Your Home Staging
This home needed a big shot of decorating Botox. Luckily, there are several ways to turn this average condo into a design all-star.July 1, 2019Staging
BiggerPockets Podcast 336: $900 to $4.5MM Net Worth by 34 with Robert Jones
Location, location, location! On today’s show, Brandon and David sit down with Robert Jones, a real estate agent and investor in Colorado, who has built a cash-flowing portfolio with millions of dollars in equity in an expensive market.
Robert will blow you away with his knowledge on making deals work (even through the MLS) and choosing what to buy. You won’t want to miss his advice on buying properties with super low down payments, targeting ideal locations that attract ideal talents, and using agents to do the work of finding deals. You’ll also love his tips for creating systems so he can travel while making money and identifying the qualities of a good agent.
Robert is extremely humble for having such massive success, and he shares his whole playbook for how he built a portfolio of 26 units worth millions before the age of 35. DO NOT miss this one.
Download today!
Sign up here: 12 ways to recruit and retain volunteers
Volunteers play a critical role in making community associations vibrant and attractive places to live. Finding, motivating, directing, and maintaining volunteers’ interest, however, are challenging tasks.
Assigning association responsibilities to the right people, asking them to accomplish realistic tasks, and making them glad they did add to the challenge. Communities can perfect their recruitment and retainment strategies with the following tips and tricks.
Ask early. Start recruiting volunteers early. Tap into the excitement and energy people bring to their new home. Ask them to volunteer and get involved to channel that enthusiasm in a way that benefits the entire community.
Ask often. Many people will wait to be asked and, if no one asks, they may never volunteer. The best way to recruit is to personally invite people to get involved, rather than posting a notice in the newsletter, an email, or on social media.
Play matchmaker. Ask residents about their talents, interests, likes, and dislikes; then successfully match them with relevant volunteer roles.
Don’t overwhelm. Don’t overload volunteers, especially new residents, with too much work. Keep roles modest, and make sure they understand the monthly time commitment.
Respect their time. Start and end meetings on time, and always share the agenda a few days before a meeting so volunteers can prepare for the discussion.
Respect their ideas. When a volunteer shares an idea or recommendation, he or she is owed an acknowledgement, what the ultimate decision was, and why. If the idea isn’t appropriate, tactfully point out why without making it personal or attacking the idea.
Provide guidance. Have experienced committee members mentor and nurture newer members and provide them with the skills they need to take on greater responsibilities.
Educate. Providing relevant educational opportunities also is helpful and a wise investment in the community’s future.
Make it fun and rewarding. Build in time to socialize before and after a meeting, but don’t let it interfere with the purpose of gathering. Fun events build a sense of teamwork.
Make accommodations. People are more likely to volunteer if small accommodations are made to make it convenient. Be flexible and open to changes if it means greater volunteer participation. Consider asking your residents when they’d be most likely to attend meetings.
Build your bench. With more active, team-minded volunteers, your community can accomplish much more. It also will be in a better position when volunteers move or step down from their roles.
Thank gratuitously. Recognize volunteers for their efforts. Ways to express appreciation could include an inexpensive plaque or certificate of appreciation; public acknowledgement at the annual meeting; an expression of thanks on the association webpage; or a listing of volunteers’ names in the community newsletter or on social media. Keep in mind that board members typically are prohibited from accepting gifts.
The post Sign up here: 12 ways to recruit and retain volunteers appeared first on Ungated: Community Associations Institute Blog.
Monday Minute: Week of June 24, 2019
Both the House and Senate are in session this week. What issues should REALTORS® follow? Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac Designation; State and Local Tax Deduction Limitations; and U.S. Copyright Office Oversight.