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Betsy Barbieux and Suzanne Lynn kick off a new season of CAM Matters by introducing the newest member of the Florida CAM Schools family, Chelsea Lowder. Chelsea works alongside Betsy in the Leesburg office and, among other things, is growing our network of community managers, board members and service providers. If you haven't already, join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/401330244541617 FLORIDA CAM SCHOOLS – BETSY BARBIEUX, CAM, CFCAM, CMCA – CAM MATTERS Florida CAM Schools, LLC Condos, Coops, HOAs and Beyond! Florida CAM Schools, provides education and professional development to condo, coop, and HOA management professionals. We offer training for condo, coop, and HOA managers, board members, service providers by providing continuing education courses, CAM prelicensing classes, staff development workshops, follow up support, on-line resources, course materials, assessment tools, and coaching services.   For more information on Florida communities, HOA community associations and management visit: https://floridacamschools.com/home/ CAM Matters on Social Media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/401330244541617 Florida CAM Schools on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Florida-CAM-Schools-LLC-104066087604324/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/betsybarbieux/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/betsybarbieux Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betsybarbieux/

Getting along with your neighbors is one of the most important – and sometimes challenging – aspects of living in a community. Even board members are sometimes at odds with one another. In this entertaining episode, Betsy Barbieux and Suzanne Lynn discuss how knowing your personality type – and the types of those around you – can help you navigate your way through the conflicts that inevitably arise.

Connie Lorenz from Asphalt Restoration Technology Systems, Inc. in Orlando, Florida – also known as “The Asphalt Chick” – joins Betsy Barbieux and Suzanne Lynn to talk in layman’s terms about an important but rarely mentioned responsibility for community managers and their boards – maintaining the roads, parking lots and other paved areas. They discuss the different methods and costs associated with these projects.

It’s a special FAQ episode with Betsy Barbieux and Suzanne Lynn. Maria wants Betsy to explain which records homeowners are entitled to see. Another viewer asks about credentials such as CAM, CCAM, CMCA, etc. Finally, the owner of a condo in the Florida Panhandle has a question about meeting minutes.

Phillip Massi from Assured Partners joins Betsy Barbieux and Suzanne Lynn to discuss insurance, and the specific coverage needs of community associations.

Betsy Barbieux and Suzanne Lynn talk about your community's Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document and why you should read and understand it before purchasing your home.

In this episode, Betsy Barbieux and Suzanne Lynn are joined by Lauren Broom from Space Coast Pool School, who talks about guidelines and gives tips for the proper operation of a community swimming pool.

So, you’ve been elected to your community association’s board of directors – or “voluntold” that you’re on it. What now? You’ll need to prove that you’re certified, and you have a couple of options. One is signing the “perjury statement,” saying you understand all the rules and responsibilities of being on the board. The other is taking a class to learn what you need to know. In this episode, Betsy Barbieux talks about the difference between the options.

In this episode, Betsy Barbieux and Suzanne Lynn discuss how knowing your association's rules without fully understanding them can be worse than not knowing them at all.

Betsy Barbieux and Suzanne Lynn start 2020 and the second season of CAM Matters with a discussion about the rights homeowners have when living in an HOA.

Over the last 12 episodes, we’ve learned what a community association is, the differences between a co-op, condo association and HOA, why association meetings matter, how rules can be enforced, and many other important topics. In this season finale episode, Betsy Barbieux and Suzanne look back at what was covered and what it all means. FLORIDA CAM SCHOOLS – BETSY BARBIEUX, CAM, CFCAM, CMCA – CAM MATTERS   Florida CAM Schools, LLC Condos, Coops, HOAs and Beyond!   Florida CAM Schools, provides education and professional development to condo, coop, and HOA management professionals.   We offer training for condo, coop, and HOA managers, board members, service providers by providing continuing education courses, CAM prelicensing classes, staff development workshops, follow up support, on-line resources, course materials, assessment tools, and coaching services.   For more information on Florida communities, HOA community associations and management visit: https://floridacamschools.com/home/   CAM Matters on Social Media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Florida-CAM-... LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/betsybarb...  Twitter: https://twitter.com/betsybarbieux   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betsybarbieux/

Betsy Barbieux gets a lot of questions from homeowners, board members and community managers. In this episode, she answers a few of the most frequent queries including what constitutes a quorum, how important it is for board meetings to be run under Robert’s Rules of Order, and the responsibility of the board and/or community manager when it comes to dealing with difficult neighbors. FLORIDA CAM SCHOOLS – BETSY BARBIEUX, CAM, CFCAM, CMCA – CAM MATTERS Florida CAM Schools, LLC Condos, Coops, HOAs and Beyond! Florida CAM Schools, provides education and professional development to condo, coop, and HOA management professionals. We offer training for condo, coop, and HOA managers, board members, service providers by providing continuing education courses, CAM prelicensing classes, staff development workshops, follow up support, on-line resources, course materials, assessment tools, and coaching services. For more information on Florida communities, HOA community associations and management visit: https://floridacamschools.com/home/ CAM Matters on Social Media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Florida-CAM-Schools-LLC-104066087604324/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/betsybarbieux/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/betsybarbieux Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betsybarbieux/

Wondering if you have the right kind or personality to be a community manager or to serve on your association’s board of directors? Of course you do! In this episode, Betsy Barbieux explains how it takes all kinds of people to make a community work, as long as everyone plays to his or her strengths. FLORIDA CAM SCHOOLS – BETSY BARBIEUX, CAM, CFCAM, CMCA – CAM MATTERS Florida CAM Schools, LLC Condos, Coops, HOAs and Beyond! Florida CAM Schools, provides education and professional development to condo, coop, and HOA management professionals. We offer training for condo, coop, and HOA managers, board members, service providers by providing continuing education courses, CAM prelicensing classes, staff development workshops, follow up support, on-line resources, course materials, assessment tools, and coaching services. For more information on Florida communities, HOA community associations and management visit: https://floridacamschools.com/home/ CAM Matters on Social Media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Florida-CAM-Schools-LLC-104066087604324/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/betsybarbieux/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/betsybarbieux Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betsybarbieux/      

While some community association boards choose to handle the management responsibilities themselves, an increasing number are hiring licensed community managers to help keep the financial books balanced, handle compliance issues, make sure meetings are run properly, maintain common areas, and perform other important services. In this episode, Betsy Barbieux and Suzanne Lynn discuss the benefits of hiring a professional. FLORIDA CAM SCHOOLS – BETSY BARBIEUX, CAM, CFCAM, CMCA – CAM MATTERS Florida CAM Schools, LLC Condos, Coops, HOAs and Beyond! Florida CAM Schools, provides education and professional development to condo, coop, and HOA management professionals. We offer training for condo, coop, and HOA managers, board members, service providers by providing continuing education courses, CAM prelicensing classes, staff development workshops, follow up support, on-line resources, course materials, assessment tools, and coaching services. For more information on Florida communities, HOA community associations and management visit: https://floridacamschools.com/home/ CAM Matters on Social Media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Florida-CAM-Schools-LLC-104066087604324/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/betsybarbieux/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/betsybarbieux Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betsybarbieux/  

When you add up the value of all the property in your community association, your board is responsible for managing the equivalent of a multi-million dollar corporation. In this episode, Betsy Barbieux and Suzanne Lynn talk about charging, collecting, spending, and saving the association's money. FLORIDA CAM SCHOOLS – BETSY BARBIEUX, CAM, CFCAM, CMCA – CAM MATTERS Florida CAM Schools, LLC Condos, Coops, HOAs and Beyond! Florida CAM Schools, provides education and professional development to condo, coop, and HOA management professionals. We offer training for condo, coop, and HOA managers, board members, service providers by providing continuing education courses, CAM prelicensing classes, staff development workshops, follow up support, on-line resources, course materials, assessment tools, and coaching services. For more information on Florida communities, HOA community associations and management visit: https://floridacamschools.com/home/ CAM Matters on Social Media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Florida-CAM-Schools-LLC-104066087604324/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/betsybarbieux/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/betsybarbieux Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betsybarbieux/

Betsy Barbieux recently attended a Community Association Managers event where one of the speakers said there aren’t any co-ops in Florida. Actually, there are nearly 8,000 housing cooperatives – mostly mobile home parks -- in the state, and while there are some similarities with condominium and homeowner associations, there are also some very distinct differences. In this episode, Betsy and Suzanne Lynn explain what a co-op is and discuss the benefits and drawbacks of living in one.   FLORIDA CAM SCHOOLS – BETSY BARBIEUX, CAM, CFCAM, CMCA – CAM MATTERS Florida CAM Schools, LLC Condos, Coops, HOAs and Beyond! Florida CAM Schools, provides education and professional development to condo, coop, and HOA management professionals. We offer training for condo, coop, and HOA managers, board members, service providers by providing continuing education courses, CAM prelicensing classes, staff development workshops, follow up support, on-line resources, course materials, assessment tools, and coaching services.   For more information on Florida communities, HOA community associations and management visit: https://floridacamschools.com/home/   CAM Matters on Social Media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Florida-CAM-... LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/betsybarb... Twitter: https://twitter.com/betsybarbieux Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betsybarbieux/

With Hurricane Dorian threatening Florida’s Atlantic Coast, Betsy Barbieux goes over the responsibilities of community associations in preparing for and dealing with the aftermath of hurricanes and other emergencies.

Community associations are permitted to prohibit or regulate pets, but the lines have been blurred in recent years as some residents use the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) and Fair Housing Act to circumvent the rules. In this episode, Betsy explains how these laws relate to service and emotional support animals.

The media often take the side of homeowners who say they’re prohibited by their community association from flying flags and displaying other patriotic and religious symbols on their homes or in their yards. In this episode, Betsy provides the facts and explains how state statutes supersede community rules. Betsy - Hi, I'm Betsy. And this is CAM Matters. Welcome to our show today on enforcement and more. We started in a previous show with some general things about enforcement, the who and the why. But today, we're gonna talk a little bit more about specifics. Come join us. Welcome to CAM Matters, condos, co-ops, HOAs and beyond. Betsy Barbieux is an information leader in Florida on community association living, rights and obligations. She is an expert on the rights and obligations of owners as well as the association. If you live or are planning to live in the state of Florida, there's a good chance you'll be part of a community association. And by the end of the show, you'll know a little bit more about community associations and why they matter. Suzanne - Hi, I'm Suzanne Linn, and this is Betsy Barbieux. We are talking about CAM Matters and today, specifically about enforcement. Now we talked about the who, the why and the what. But we didn't get into the juicy details. Betsy - Oh-- Suzanne - And we're gonna-- Betsy - I know what you're gonna do. Suzanne - Let's do kind of devil's advocate here because I'm gonna take the side of the homeowners. And then, you're gonna give the other side which most people never hear. No one has ever heard the other side-- Betsy - No. Suzanne - on news. Betsy - No, definitely not. Betsy - They always hear your side. Suzanne - Which is-- Betsy - But they don't ever hear my side. Suzanne - For example, I move into a community. And these mean boards, they don't let prisoners of war fly the POW flag. Betsy - Yeah, but nobody tells-- Suzanne - So again, we're getting into these-- Betsy - the other side of the story. Suzanne - What's the other side? Betsy - Let's tell the other side of the story. And I'm gonna try to say this and not cry, but I'm gonna cry. Suzanne - Okay, oh. Betsy - But I am a mother of a United States Marine. Suzanne - Oh. Betsy - And-- Betsy - So this is personal. Betsy - Thank you, Adam Howard, First Sergeant Adam Howard for service. But I'm sayin' that to say, I am for the military. And I am for the flag. But, but you signed a contract that said you could put things outside your home or outside your front door or that you could not. Suzanne - Right. Betsy - It's a contract. It's not personal. A lot of documents say that you cannot hang any flags, whether it's in a condo or in a co-op or an HOA. But the statutes supersede your documents. So in Florida, and I don't know about all those other states, but in Florida-- Suzanne - There are other states besides Florida? Betsy - In other states besides Florida, I don't know about them, but Florida allows exemptions from enforcement. Betsy - Okay, what does that mean in lawyer terms? Betsy - See if your mind will wrap around that. Suzanne - It didn't. Betsy - In other words, your documents might say you're supposed to enforce something like you can't have any yard art. Suzanne - Okay. Betsy - But the statutes supersede and say, certain kinds of things are exempt from enforcement, even though your documents say the board has to do it. Suzanne - Is that the case with flags? Betsy - That is the case with flags, and that's where I'm goin'. Suzanne - Okay. Betsy - In a condominium, you can fly an American flag and on five days of the year, the military holidays of the year, you can fly a second flag, representing the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. It has to be a portable, removable flag. So you can't bolt it, in a condominium, to the outside of the building. Because in a condominium, owners don't own the outside of the building. Suzanne - Right. Betsy - And the thought there is, you can't bolt something to the outside of something that does not belong to you. But they can have a stand or something that's removable and portable for the flag. One flag, United States flag, and five days of the year, one of the armed forces flags. Suzanne - So no Confederate-- Betsy - No Confederate. Suzanne - No football flags-- Betsy - No football flags, none of those, nothin' else you can fly. In a homeowner's association, you can fly two flags from your home all the time. You can fly the American flag and the Florida flag or the American flag and Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard. And they added, in HOA, POW/MIA. Suzanne - Oh, okay. Betsy - So I don't why they didn't add it in condo law. Suzanne - Interesting. Betsy - But in HOA law, you can fly the POW/MIA flag. Also in a homeowner's association, because a homeowner owns the dirt that they live on, you can erect a free-standing flagpole, not more than 20 feet high, so long as it doesn't block any sight lines or intersections or anything like that. And the statute goes on to say, you can fly two flags from that flagpole. Suzanne - No kidding. Betsy - Yep. Betsy - And again, you can fly the United States flag and the Florida flag or Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, POW/MIA flag. Suzanne - Okay, so this is kind of a pole that we're talkin' about. Betsy - A pole, a 20 foot pole. Suzanne - So let me ask you this. You know how when you go to a store, and you've got the flags. They're the holiday flags. Betsy - Mm-hmm. Suzanne - I mean, does that come under the umbrella of a flag, or is that more art? Suzanne - That you would like, stick in a-- Suzanne - No, like it would go in your flagpole. It could be a football team, or it could be maybe a Florida-- Betsy - Oh no, no, no, no college, no. The only flags that can be flown from the flagpole-- Suzanne - Okay great, that's a flagpole, opposed to, okay, opposed to almost art on your house. Betsy - No, no other flags. Suzanne - Huh. Betsy - No other flags, period. Suzanne - Okay. Betsy - It's either the United, whether it's a condominium or a co-op, condominium or a HOA, it's the United States flag, Florida flag, military flag. Suzanne - I gotta go. I gotta go take our flag down 'cause I didn't know this. Betsy - No, we can't have like a flamingo or something out there. Suzanne - No kidding, okay. Betsy - No decorative flags, no college flags, no other special group kinds of flags. Suzanne - Wow. Betsy - Only American flag and Florida flag or the military ones. Suzanne - Okay, this is really good to know. Betsy - And that is not-- Suzanne - Wow. Betsy - the board disrespecting veterans. It's not the board disrespecting those who've served our country. They're simply enforcing the regulations of the statutes and the documents. Suzanne - So you see a lot of other flags, like Florida State University. Betsy - Mm-hmm. Suzanne - You know, you see a lot of them. I just thought that was okay. Betsy - No, no. Suzanne - Wow, okay, all right. Betsy - And the statute for condominiums goes on to allow the attachment of a religious symbol. And the original request was from our Jewish friends in South Florida. Betsy - This is interesting 'cause you've told me about this before. Let's come back. We're gonna talk about the religious symbols right after this. Are you ready for a new career? Do you have skills or interests in management, real estate, construction, maintenance, accounting, strategic planning, project management, budgets, human resource management, lawn and landscaping, pool services or any other expertise needed to operate a community association? If you do, Community Association Management could be for you. For more information, feel free to email Betsy at betsy@floridacamschools.com or visit the Florida CAM Schools website at www.floridacamschools.com. Florida Community Association Management continues to grow. Career opportunities abound. Suzanne - Hi, welcome back to CAM Matters. I'm Suzanne with Betsy. And I'm still reeling from the whole flag thing. Suzanne - I mean-- Suzanne - She's gonna get a violation. Suzanne - My gosh, I know; I know. Like football teams? That's seriously not okay? Betsy - Mm-mm. Suzanne - Okay. So we're moving from flag violations and rules into religious symbols because how many times do you see a statue of Mary? What is the problem with that, and how did it start? Betsy - Okay again, and I'm having to talk kind of out of two sides of my mouth, condo and homeowner's association. Suzanne - Sure, right, right. Betsy - We don't have any specific law for the flags and religious symbols for cooperatives. So I'm talking condos and HOAs. In condominiums, I think we sort of tagged on, started on that just a minute ago. But in condominiums, you don't own the outside. So the outside of the front door is not yours, but the inside of the front door is yours. And there are exceptions to everything I say. Suzanne - So your living space. Betsy - Your living space is yours. The Jewish tradition is to attach a mezuzah, I should have brought one, to the door frame. Some of 'em are this big. Some of 'em are huge. But it fits on the molding on the outside of your door. It has a piece of scripture rolled up inside. And it acts as a blessing to the family and a reminder of their heritage as they come and go. Betsy - And they touch it. Suzanne - And they get a blessing, right? Betsy - And so, they come and go. So that was the request for the legislation. And the legislators wisely didn't limit it to the mezuzah, but said that anything that is three by six by one and a half inches, any religious object can be attached to the mantle or the frame of your door. Suzanne - It can be. Betsy - It can be. In a homeowner's association, you do own the outside of your house with restrictions on certain things like flags-- Suzanne - Right. Betsy - that can be flown from it. Yeah, you're gonna get in so much trouble. Suzanne - We are. I can see a letter comin' already. Betsy - The other thing that a lo

The purpose of restrictions in a community association is to maintain the lifestyle and the look of the community. That's one of the reasons homes in associations are valued at 5 to 6 percent more than those in non-association neighborhoods. Betsy Barbieux explains how enforcement is an important responsibility and a necessary evil. TRANSCRIPT   Betsy - Hi, I'm Betsy, and welcome to CAM Matters. Today, we're going to be talking about enforcement and why that matters. [Announcer] Welcome to CAM Matters. Condos, co-ops, HOAs, and beyond. Betsy Barbieux is an informational leader in Florida on community association living, rights, and obligations. She is an expert on the rights and obligations of owners, as well as the association. If you live or are planning to live in the state of Florida, there's a good chance you'll be part of a community association. And by the end of this show, you'll know a little bit more about community associations and why they matter. Suzanne - Hi, welcome to CAM Matters. I'm Suzanne Lynn and this is Betsy Barbieux. And we are talking about enforcement today. And I don't know, I think when you start thinking about boards and community living, it kind of gets a bad rap. I want to talk about first of all, why we've got to have these rules and why there is enforcement. Betsy - It does get a bad rap and I'm glad that I have a chance to defend it. Suzanne - Right? Betsy - And to tell the other side. You hear of so many mean boards, Suzanne - Right. Betsy - and they're mean to these old people. Suzanne - Well, the neighbors are talking to other neighbors. Yes, absolutely. Betsy - And I tell you, no one ever presents the other side. So I'm gonna present the other side today. Enforcement, the why of it is, and I'm gonna tag back to something that we said earlier, in an earlier show. Suzanne - Okay. Betsy - The why is because of these. We are in, we as in owners and the board the association, the corporation, are in a contractual relationship. The parties to the contract have to fulfill the mandates in the contract. Betsy - That's a lot, can I just pick this up? Suzanne - Yeah. Suzanne - Yeah, so is this the typical? Betsy - Oh, that's small. Suzanne - Okay. Betsy - Just put it back down. Suzanne - Yeah, I didn't want to get a hernia. Betsy - But we are in a contractual relationship. When you moved into your community, I'll just go back and refresh just a little bit. Suzanne - Yes. Betsy - But when you moved into your community, you traded off some of your rights to do what you want with your property, in exchange for something else. If you moved from Texas, and had a farm in Texas, and you move here, yes, you will have to clean up after your dog. And you probably did not in Texas. Suzanne - Probably not. Betsy - On the farm. Suzanne - The cattle, no. Betsy - Yeah. No in fact you use that for other stuff. Suzanne - Right. Betsy - But this is a contractual relationship. When you moved in, you were given the opportunity to read these, whether you know it or not, you were. These were public, we talked about them being public. It's possible that here, you don't really recognize that you have a trade-off. You might have promised in your contract to not paint your house, or not re-roof, or put a fence in or pool in without getting permission from the Homeowner's Association. You might have moved into your condo and became contractually obligated to not hang a roof on your door, or put a flowerpot outside of your front door. Suzanne - But you just signed. "I want this place." Betsy - "I want this place." Betsy - Right. Betsy - The reason for the restrictions is to maintain the lifestyle and the look of the community. I think I mentioned earlier that homes in community associations are five to six percent higher in value than homes that are not. Have you ever driven through a neighborhood that does not have a Homeowner's Association? Suzanne - You mean with the cars jacked up on cement blocks? Betsy - Yes. Suzanne - Where they're changing the oil? Betsy - Yes. Suzanne - Yeah, I've seen them. Betsy - And the old dishwasher and old refrigerator out in the yard? Suzanne - And the fact is you were probably attracted to your community because it had a certain look to it. Betsy - They're uniform, harmonious, Suzanne - Right. They have a nice scheme and design to them. And that probably attracted you. So we don't want you to be the neighbor that puts your car up on the blocks. Betsy - Right. Suzanne - To change the oil. Betsy - Right. Betsy - So that is why we have a contractual obligation. The board has to enforce these. And the owners, by moving in, have agreed to comply, voluntarily comply. Suzanne - 'Cause it takes enforcement to keep a certain standard. Betsy - And quite frankly there are a few people who should not live in these kinds of communities because they can't stand a line drawn in the sand, and you just have to stomp on it. Suzanne - Okay. Betsy - There's some people who just shouldn't be here. Suzanne - Sure. Betsy - You need to go back to the farm. Suzanne - Right. Betsy - And that's okay. Suzanne - And you want more flexibility and just. Betsy - And that's okay. But for a lot of people, 9,600,000 in Florida, this is the way they like to live. So that's the why. The board is not picking on you, or shouldn't be. We can talk about equitable. Suzanne - Right. Betsy - But the board is doing what it has to do. It has no choice. If it says that you have to build your home with a setback of 50 fee or a setback of 80 fee, then you can't build your home any other way but that. Betsy - Well it's important, I mean you wanna keep things as they are, and the important part is being aware when you're moving into a community that that's existing. Suzanne - You know, we're hoping with this series of CAM Matters that this will help people.   Betsy - Right. Sure. Suzanne - So that they'll know some things before they move in. Betsy - So when we first started this show, you talked about you wanna give the other side, because it's very true. One neighbor talks to another, they only hear this, "They want to make him get rid "of their dog that's 13 years old." Well, there's more to the story, if it comes down to the board, it's probably because they've exceeded the amount of pets, and they've now made that story so refined to make it look like they're the victim. Suzanne - Yeah, so and pets are another matter. Betsy - Right, we'll do a show on that. Suzanne - We'll do a show on pets. But when the board is asking you to comply, it's because they have been required to by the documents. Yes, there are occasionally bully boards, but for the most part they're not. Betsy - Right. Suzanne - They're just doing what they're supposed to do from the contract. Suzanne - Right, well I'll tell you what, when we come back we are gonna talk about the who part of enforcement. And this is where things can get a little bit crazy, so you don't wanna miss it. Announcer -  Are you ready for a new career? Do you have skills or interest in management, real estate, construction, maintenance, accounting, strategic planning, project management, budgets, human resource management, lawn and landscaping, pool services, or any other expertise needed to operate a community association? If you do, Community Association Management could be for you. For more information, fell free to e-mail Betsy at Betsy@FloridaCAMSchools.com, or visit the Florida CAM Schools website at www.FloridaCAMSchools.com. Florida Community Association Management continues to grow. Career opportunities abound. Suzanne - Welcome back to CAM Matters with Suzanne and Betsy, and today we're talking about enforcement. And we covered the why, now we're getting to the who. And this is where it gets a little more personal because sometimes it feels like it's personal, like they're beating you up a little bit. Like they're targeting you. Betsy - And they're probably not. Suzanne - Okay. Betsy - Now again, there are some boards that are out of line, but for the most part, most are not. Suzanne - Okay. Betsy - They are enforcing the restrictions in the documents because they have to. Suzanne - Okay. Betsy - Again, we're going back to this as a business. And if you want to know how big of a business it is, let's do a little bit of arithmetic. Suzanne - Okay. Betsy - If you take the value of a home or a unit, multiply that times the number of homes or units in your community, and right there. Suzanne - That's a lot. Betsy - That's a lot right there. Suzanne - That's a big number, right? Betsy - And you can even take a 10 year ago depressed value. Suzanne - Okay. Betsy - Of a home or a unit. Multiply that times the number of units. Add to that your budget amount, which could have a lot of zeros after that. Add to that the reserve account amount. Reserves are the strategic savings. Suzanne - Okay. Betsy - For the big ticket items that we're going to replace in years to come like roof, paving painting, elevator, pool, servicing. Suzanne - Okay. Betsy - Those kinds of things that we're gonna replace in five, 10, 15, 20, 30 years. You add to that, which in some communities reserves are millions of dollars. Suzanne - Oh, wow, okay. Betsy - And then you add to that the value of the common property, the things at the pool, the clubhouse the roads are on. You add that, and we have something with a dozen or more zeros after it. Suzanne - Wow. Betsy - This is a multi-million dollar corporation. You as owners think of it as your home, but the board has to put on their business hat and see it as a business. Suzanne - Okay. Betsy - And they are fulfilling their contractual obligations to enforce whatever it says in here. And as much as it might feel personal when you get that violation letter, it's not, it's business. The board has to be equitable in its enforcement, so they can't let one owner slide. Suzanne - Sure, Betsy - And then hammer on another owner. Suzanne - Right. They've gotta be cons