Safe Footing for Winter Weather

Today, we are dealing with winter’s first blast of snow and ice. In management, during the winter months, the weather man is our new best friend. We intently watch the weather forecasts, deciphering weather maps, tracking Arctic blasts, and snow fall projections. Thankfully most forecasts that call for the end of civilization as we know it, prove to be overstatements.

Today’s storm and wind gusts proved to be quite accurate. Thankfully, most of our snow removal contractors have more than met the challenge and removed drifts and snow accumulation to provide safe travel for vehicles. Safe footing for walkers on a day like today requires the participation of every resident.

Early this morning, I ventured out to help shovel the walk of my adjoining duplex condo owner. I took their trash containers out to the curb, walking not on the icy driveway but the snow covered grass. I enthusiastically attacked the snow drift against their garage door clearing the way for the plow to drop their blade. Then with slightly diminished gusto, I moved on to the hidden sidewalk with my trusty shovel. About 30 minutes later, I returned the shovel to the safety of the garage to be reminded that frozen smooth concrete and snowy wet boots are a lethal combination. With flailing arms and fancy footwork I succeeded in skating my way back inside. What could I have done differently?

• Use a skid free mat in garage to dry off boots,
• Walk on grass areas rather than icy walkways
• Wait until weather warms up
• Apply ice melting agents and wait for them to react with ice
• Drive to curb or mail box to avoid slipping
• Ask neighbor to pick up trash containers
• Test out shoe and boot tread to make sure they are weather appropriate

If all else fails, Pray for Spring!

You're a Board Member, Now What?

In lieu of posting a lengthy article on the ins and outs of serving on the board of your home owner's association I am going to post a wonderful presentation that was provided to Cummings Property Management by one of our board presidents.

We used this presentation during our latest educational seminar, "Welcome to the Board" on November 2nd. We had a great turn out, once again confirming that those who care enough to get involved in their community value the resources that we provide on a monthly basis. I strongly encourage you to share this presentation with anyone you might know who also serves on the Board of Directors of their homeowners association.

Leap of Faith

Young, ambitious, upwardly mobile, single; are these terms a fair description of a typical condo owner? How about retired, empty nest, snow bird, would these terms be a better description? The answer to both questions is a resounding yes. While the stereotypical profile of a condo co-owner normally evokes images of Morty Seinfeld and Jack Klompus engaged in a power struggle over Del Boca Vista phase III, the reality can often be quite the contrary.

Living in a planned community, with all of its amenities, can be a benefit to co-owners in any stage of life. For many younger condo owners a busy career and active social life can often take precedence over yard work and home maintenance. Having these “chores” done for you is a very attractive proposition. It’s a necessary evil for any homeowner and a burden to those who value their free time to the extent that they aren’t willing to sacrifice the hours needed to keep up a home. It’s quite possibly the biggest factor leading the post college generation into the rental market.

For decades couples and individuals in their 50’s, 60’s and beyond have been flocking to condominium communities with a clear purpose to shed the burden of day to day upkeep on the homes that they raised families in or lovingly maintained for a better part of their lives. The benefits of having the snow removed, the lawn maintained and the painting done by a professional are not lost on this demographic.

The newfound time and freedom that comes later in life following retirement can be refreshing. Who wants to spend it maintaining a home that has already served its purpose?

The challenge to the Management Industry is in creating and maintaining communities that appeal to both of these market segments. While the lifestyles and priorities of these two polar opposites may differ the one common thread that ties them together in a condo community is freedom.

The role that a management company plays in this relationship is in enhancing communication within the community. Fostering the relationship between the board of directors and the community at large is very important in maintaining and enhancing any community. When working with communities that comprise a diverse range of ages it is more than important, it is job number one.

Emphasizing the benefits and freedom that come with condo ownership can bring harmony to the relationship between young and old. Once they realize that they are both seeking the same benefits from the communities that they share then common ground is established. Once you have common ground then cooperation and respect amongst neighbors will organically develop, making management easier.

Guest Contributor Sean Gartland

Fall Preparations

Indian summer that brief, idyllic time between the humidity of August and the frost of mid-October is upon us. The carefully tended summer annuals will be the first to respond to the change is season, requiring removal and bed preparation for the winter months. Turf areas that suffered from this summer’s heat and drought respond promptly to Fall seeding due to reduced temperatures and cool rains. During this brief interlude we hope that your lawn crews are making the necessary grass repairs, applying chemical treatments for weed control and fertilizer to carry over to the spring growing season.

This is also the time to consider replanting of trees on your complex. The ravages of the Emerald Ash Borer have left communities with voids in their landscape which can be addressed affordably through the corresponding sales at nurseries and garden centers. The success rate of late season transplanting is increased due to favorable temperatures and rain falls.

The benefits to your budget include reduced irrigation needs, units are cooled aiding in reduction of air conditioning costs and the community benefits from the overall improvement in appearance. (Although it is also time to start thinking about next year's finances. Join us for one of our Budget Workshops on 10/6 & 10/14)

Community Association Institute (CAI), our leading resource on how these actions impact communities has produced a wonderful report, Green Communities that is free to download and print. It is stated in the report that, “A single mature tree can absorb as much as 48 pounds of carbon dioxide annually and release enough oxygen into the atmosphere to support two human beings". If you need a reason to plant that sounds like a compelling basis to begin digging those holes.

We here at Cummings Property Management look forward to a wonderful Fall Season in all of our communities. I hope that you have a productive and fun time getting ready for the cold weather to sweep in over the next few months.

Click here for a video presentation from one of our partner vendors.

Grand Blanc Senior Center Comforts of Condo Living YouTube

Tending To Your Empty Nest

Seven years ago, my husband and I were informed by my parents that they “had mowed their lawn for the last time”. This comment would not seem out of place since they were in their mid-70’s and were ready to scale back on the day to day responsibilities of a home and yard.

The alarming aspect of their decision was due to a commitment I had made several years earlier. I had told them when they were ready to move, my husband and I would purchase a duplex condominium and become their wall mates. In our mid- 50’s, we did not feel ready to give up our independence and adopt a new lifestyle, but a promise is a promise.

In retrospect, it was the best move we could have made. We were confirmed empty nesters with vacation property that we had to schedule to visit. We scheduled based on the chores we had to accomplish at home and a very large yard that required weekly attention. Now as "almost" retirees, we love the gift of time that we have gained by going condo.

Rather than scheduling an evening to mow, we have time to entertain our grandchildren. We do not have to be a burden to our grown children requesting help cleaning the eaves or reaching the high point on the house with a paint brush or the ever popular request of cutting down overgrown trees and shrubs. The community we chose to join does allow us to develop and maintain the flower beds around our unit, so I can still exploit my green thumb urges.

We have given up the responsibility for building and yard maintenance and assumed the responsibility to pay a very minor share for others to perform those tasks. I am also assured that our community will continue to be a place of choice for others to also become members, thus protecting our financial investment. I have been told by someone much wiser than me that life is always a matter of making good choices. I think we have made a very wise choice.

I recently had the honor of presenting to members of the Grand Blanc Senior Center during one of their weekly pot luck lunches. I was happy to give a brief discussion of the benefits of Condo Life. I shared the stage with Rob Bennett of Bennett Answering Service who discussed the benefits having a live person to check in on you every day. This is a new service they are developing for the senior market.

Head over to our YouTube page to see a short video of the presentation.