Heil Heil Smart and Golee - News and Helpful Tips

Kids love to play games, which can be a great source of entertainment, bonding, learning and friendly competition. But when those silly rules get in the way, and games become prolonged arguments among siblings or friends, it often means the end of the game, upset children or even a physical altercation.

A number of websites provide rules for many games-from Capture the Flag and Simon Says to Ghost in the Graveyard and Duck Duck Goose. There are even rules for the simple game of tag. Or is it that simple?

You can also learn new games. Ever hear of Honey, Do You Love Me or Doggy, Where's Your Bone? How about Sock Wrestling, Slug Bug or Dead Box? Curious about Punch the Icebox or Sardines?

Visit http://www.gameskidsplay.net/, or type "kids games" into your search browser to find other sites, and let the games begin-without any arguments about the rules.

Simple Stain-Removing Solutions

Try as you might to prevent them, spills, drips and splatters in your house are inevitable. Whether you, your family or your guests are the culprits, stains happen. Most, if not all, are treatable, especially if you act quickly and use the right stain-removing technique.

If there's an accident on your carpet or a rug, start by scooping up any solids and soaking up any unabsorbed liquids. Then, blot the stain with a white cloth or paper towel. You should work from the outside in so you don't spread the spill, and dab at it instead of rubbing or pressing hard.

You also can try spot cleaning with a soapy water mix. Dilute a ¼ teaspoon of clear hand-dishwashing soap with 1 cup of lukewarm water. Spray the solution on the stain, and mist the area with clean water or blot with a wet towel. Then blot the area with a dry towel. Repeat this process until you get as much residue out as possible.

Follow these specific instructions for cleaning up the more stubborn stains and sticky spots on your floors:

· Red wine: Begin with the same three steps-blot, apply soapy water and rinse. Then, dribble very hot water from a sponge onto the spill. Continue to blot with a clean towel, and repeat until the carpet no longer shows any red.

· Soft drinks and coffee: Begin with the same three steps-blot, apply soapy water and rinse. Then dab on hydrogen peroxide. Wait one hour before repeating the process. Hydrogen peroxide bleaches a stain without breaking down carpet dyes. Use a 3 percent solution, which can be found at a drugstore, and apply at full strength.

· Candle wax and chewing gum: These are easiest to remove when hot or cold. For the cold method, harden the spot by rubbing it with an ice cube inside a plastic bag. Then, carefully scrape off the residue with a dull knife or a plastic card, such as an expired credit card. For the hot method, apply paper towels over the waxy area, and then use a clothes iron on low heat to soak up the wax. Replace the paper towels until all the wax is removed. Use a hair dryer to heat gum. Then with a plastic bag over your fingers, pull the goo off.

So the next time your carpeting endures a nasty spill, rest assured that it doesn't have to become a permanent stain. With these simple tips, you can keep your carpets and rugs looking great for years to come.

Chimney Safety

There's nothing as serene as a warm, crackling fire on a cold, winter night. There's also nothing more dangerous if your chimney is damaged.

Broken or cracked chimneys can let heat, smoke and toxic gasses, such as carbon monoxide, into your home. Your home could even catch fire. Chimney damage is often obvious, but sometimes it can be hidden. Use the following checklist, provided by Ready Virginia!, to help ensure that you can enjoy your fireplace and avoid problems-or even a disaster:

Remember, disasters can happen even in the best of homes. That's why every home should be equipped with carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. Here are a few tips:

Keep the Home Fires (Safely) Burning

One of winter's great pleasures is relaxing in front of a warm, cozy fire. For most months of the year, however, the fireplace stands idle, and these long periods of disuse can lead to hazardous conditions when you light your first fire of the season.

Your fireplace needs regular care and cleaning to assure a safe and roaring fire. Creosote, a flammable, tar-like substance that accumulates in the firebox, chimney and flue, should be removed by a professional once a year, eliminating the worry of a potential fire hazard. Your chimney should also be inspected annually to ensure there are no structural problems.

Clean your fireplace and its accessories regularly to prevent the accumulation of soot, ashes and creosote tars. The following guidelines will help you keep your fireplace in good working order throughout the wood-burning season:

· Vacuum or sweep the hearth weekly to prevent dust and soot buildup. Do not sweep or vacuum until all embers have been extinguished for at least 12 hours.

· Burn only well-dried, seasoned wood to minimize dangerous creosote buildup and reduce the risk of toxic fumes and excessive smoke.

· Don't use water to drown a fire except in case of an emergency. Water will make a paste of the ashes, which is difficult to remove.

· Don't use an abrasive cleanser inside the fireplace; many such cleaners leave a flammable residue. Instead use a stiff-bristled brush to gently scrub the walls of the firebox.

· When cleaning your fireplace, sprinkle damp coffee grounds over the cooled ashes to keep down the dust.

For more tips on fireplace care and maintenance, as well as kerosene heaters, wood-burning stoves and furnaces, download the U.S. Fire Administration brochure, Winter Fires: Safety Tips for the Home, at www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/fa-249-508.pdf.

Snow Removal: Watch Your Back

Lower back strain is one of the most common injuries related to shoveling snow. The following measures can help you prevent injuries and keep your back healthy while shoveling:

Rules for the Holidays

The holidays are just around the corner, and for many people, that means lots of festivities with friends and loved ones. With all of the merriment that's sure to ensue, it's important that residents who are hosting celebrations are not only considerate of their neighbors, but also take note of the association's rules. A complete listing of your association rules and regulations can be found in our Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&Rs), but here are a few key items to look up that are particularly pertinent during the holiday season:

Outdoor Decorations: Decking the halls with seasonal ornaments is a great way to bring the holiday spirit home. Many love to spread the joy by decorating the outside of their homes and front yards as well, but before you scurry up that ladder to hang the decorative lights along the side of your roof, take a quick peek at the CC&Rs to find out the guidelines for outdoor decorations, as well as the guidelines for flags and signs if you plan on decorating with those. This will help make sure your outdoor winter wonderland isn't an association violation.

Parties: We hope you all have plenty of chances to eat, drink and be merry this holiday season. If you plan on hosting a large get-together or party, there are a few things you'll want to keep in mind. First, keep the revelry and noise to a minimum, and wind the party down at a reasonable time-you don't want your celebrating to interfere with your neighbors' attempts to get visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads. Check your CC&Rs to find out what the association deems acceptable noise levels and what the quiet hours are, as well as guidelines for hosting parties.

Parking: The holidays bring many people together, and that means extra cars will need to be parked. To make sure your guests are covered, look at the CC&Rs to find out the rules on visitor parking in the association, including where they can park and what kind of parking passes they may need.

Overnight Guests: It wouldn't be the holidays without Uncle Marv and Aunt Ethel bunking in little Jimmy's room. Of course, depending on how long your overnight guests are staying, you may need to let the association know. The CC&Rs will give you a breakdown on the rules for both short-term and long-term guests, so take a look at them before you break out the extra cot.

Following the association's rules and regulations helps ensure that all of our residents can enjoy this special time of year, so please help us by doing your part. Stay safe and have a wonderful holiday season.

When Foreclosure is the Final Option

Countless Americans face foreclosure when their lending institutions are unable to collect mortgage payments. In an ideal world, no one would ever face foreclosure-for any reason. But that world does not exist. Banks and other lenders foreclose on homes when owners default on their loans. Although relatively rare, association-initiated foreclosures are occasionally required to recover delinquent assessments.

It's important to remember that homeowners choose where to live, and by choosing to live in a community like ours, they accept a legal responsibility to abide by established policies and meet their financial obligations to the association and their neighbors.

Associations rely largely-many exclusively-on homeowner assessments to pay their bills, which can include landscaping, garbage pickup, pools, street lighting and insurance. For condominiums and cooperatives, these costs include building maintenance, utilities and amenities enjoyed by all residents.

You trust your board to develop realistic annual budgets. We base our assumptions on careful cost projections and anticipated income primarily from assessments. Our budgetary obligations do not change when some owners don't pay their fair share. Common grounds still must be maintained. Garbage must be collected. Utilities and insurance premiums must be paid.

When homeowners are delinquent, their neighbors must make up the difference or services and amenities must be curtailed. The former is an issue of fairness; the latter can lessen the appeal of the community and erode property values.

When an owner fails to respond to repeated attempts to collect the debt, the association can be left with little choice but to place a lien on the property. The magnitude of this decision requires an approach that is fair, reasonable and consistent and that complies with applicable laws, practices and procedures set forth in the governing documents that guide our decision-making.

We believe homeowners facing foreclosure deserve a reasonable opportunity to appeal to the leaders of the association. Knowing that people occasionally face financial hardship-a lost job, for instance-we will try to work with homeowners to bring their accounts up to date.

Nobody wants to foreclose on a home-not a mortgage banker and certainly not our association. However, the threat of foreclosure is often the only tangible leverage an association has to ensure fairness and shared responsibility. Without this option, many residents would simply choose to default on their obligation to their association and neighbors. How many Americans would pay their taxes if government had no means of enforcement?

With each additional delinquency, an association's financial position can become increasingly precarious, a situation that is exacerbated in a depressed housing and economic climate.

Placing a lien on property, with the ability to foreclose, is typically enough to get delinquent residents to meet their financial obligations to the community-without removing the owner from his or her home. When that fails, associations turn to the final-and unfortunate-option of foreclosure.

We want you to know that we understand the magnitude of this decision and why it may occasionally be necessary.

Above all else, association leaders are responsible for sustaining the financial viability and stability of the association. As noted earlier, your budgetary obligations do not change when assessments aren't paid. Services residents expect must be provided; the community must be maintained; bills must be paid; and your investments and property values must be protected.

A Helping Hand

Community associations are not immune in this recession. Sadly, some homes have been abandoned. The homes were foreclosed and the owners moved away. When banks take over these properties, they usually don't realize they need to pay the regular assessment. With the depth of the foreclosure crisis and their own financial problems, banks are struggling to keep up.

It's hard not to complain about a nearby property looking downtrodden. We all want to come home to a community we can be proud of. If the house next door is abandoned or not maintained, offer to help. Be sure to check with the association first if you want to clean up an abandoned property. The property may belong to the bank, the association or the financially-strapped owner. If no one is given notice that volunteers are coming to maintain a property, trespassing charges can be filed-not exactly a nice return on generosity.

If given approval to access a property, there are simple things volunteers can do to improve the look. When the trash is cleaned up, the yard is watered and mowed and the newspapers, door hangers and phone books are picked up off the porch, the home is less inviting to thieves and looks better.

Having unity in the community has never been more important than in times like these. Thankfully, as neighbors, we have one another. Don't get angry, get helpful.

Have a Safe Halloween!

Halloween is a kid's delight. It's a blast to dress up in costumes, go trick-or-treating, attend parties and, most of all, eat candy.

At the same time, Halloween can be scary for parents. Costumes can be dangerous, too much candy can be sickening and walking around at night can be risky.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offer these tips (in anagram form) to make sure your little ghouls and goblins have a safe Halloween:

S - Swords, knives and similar costume accessories should be short, soft and flexible.
A - Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Children should walk in groups or with a trusted adult.
F - Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help drivers see trick-or-treaters.
E - Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before they're eaten.

H - Hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating to help see and help others see you.
A - Always test make-up in a small area first. Remove it when done to avoid skin irritation.
L - Look both ways before crossing the street. Use established crosswalks wherever possible.
L - Lower the risk for serious eye injury by avoiding decorative contact lenses.
O - Only walk on sidewalks or on the far edge of the road facing traffic to stay safe.
W - Wear well-fitting masks, costumes and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips and falls.
E - Eat only factory-wrapped candy. Avoid eating homemade treats unless you know the cook.
E - Enter homes only if you're with a trusted adult.
N - Never walk near lit candles or other open flames. Be sure to wear flame-resistant costumes.

What Your Association Board Does For You

As a recognized homeowners association, your community has a board to help your HOA run smoothly. The board consists of volunteers who execute a wide variety of tasks you may not be aware of; however, their work affects every single resident.

One of the most important things the board does is create and enforce the association rules. While some residents may not like being told what they can and can't do, ultimately the board is looking out for the greater good. By enforcing the rules, the board is doing its best to keep property value up and conflicts down. Of course, the board wants to make sure the rules are beneficial for the majority-and hopefully all-residents. You are welcome to raise concerns about the rules at open board meetings.

Another major responsibility of the board is to collect assessments from homeowners. Collecting this money is important for the stability of the association, because the assessments pay for the common elements enjoyed by all residents. Assessments also help to replenish the reserve funds, which pay for any major repairs the association may need. The board is responsible for the association's finances, and collecting assessments is how it ensures that the association remains solvent.

Finally, the board acts on behalf of the association by hiring managers, attorneys, contractors and other professionals who help better the association. Board members also help conceive and lead many of the projects that will improve the HOA.

While it's a big job, board members are happy to serve the residents and make the community a great place to call home. So why not learn more about what these volunteers do by talking to your board members, attending an open board meeting or even running for a seat on the board during our next election? The more people we have looking out for our associations, the stronger it will be.

Mold Management

It's a problem man has battled since the dawn of time-controlling mold. It lurks in the corners and can cause major damage and nasty health issues. As long as moisture and oxygen are present, mold can grow indoors or out on virtually any organic substance, including wood, paper, carpet, insulation and food. When excessive moisture accumulates in buildings or on building materials, mold growth will often occur, especially if the moisture problem remains undiscovered or unaddressed.

It is impossible to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment. However, mold growth can be controlled by keeping moisture in check. Moisture control is key-mold cannot grow without it.

Left untreated, mold gradually destroys the material on which it is growing. Because molds produce allergens, irritants and toxins, they have the potential to cause a variety of health problems and can exacerbate existing conditions, such as asthma.

If mold is a problem in your home, clean up the mold and get rid of the excess water or moisture. If an area becomes water damaged, it is important to dry that space and any damaged items within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth. Fix leaky plumbing or other sources of water to prevent recurrence. Wash mold off hard surfaces with detergent and water and dry completely. Absorbent materials (such as ceiling tiles and carpet) that become moldy may have to be replaced.

For more information on how to clean up residential mold problems and how to prevent mold growth, download the Environmental Protection Agency's free publication, A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home at www.epa.gov/mold/pdfs/moldguide.pdf.

Over Your Head

When it’s time to maintain, repair or replace the roof on your home, it’s a good idea to get to know the wide variety of roofing materials that are available and what each has to offer.

Asphalt shingles, wood shakes, clay and concrete tile, metal and slate are roofing materials that are best suited for sloped or pitched roofs. Each has a distinctive appearance and come in a variety of colors. Because of its added weight, tile and slate may require you to strengthen the frame of your home to support the roof. Metal roofs can be noisy and also absorb heat, which means you may need to add extra insulation beneath them. Rubber sheeting (ethylene propylene diene monomer, or EPDM), tar, PVC membrane and built-up roofs—including tar, bitumen and rolled materials—are most appropriate for flat roofs.

Green roofs, which are made from a layer of vegetation over a water-proof membrane, are also best suited for flat roofs. They provide insulation, contribute to lower air temperatures and counteract the heat island effect (or the ambient temperature, depending on where you live). The eco-friendly benefits of green roofs are particularly noticeable in urban areas.

Foam roofs are light weight, cost effective and adaptable to all kinds of roofing shapes. They can last up to 50 years when properly maintained.

When selecting a roofing material, consider the pitch or slope of the roof, the strength of your home’s frame, typical weather conditions and the budget in addition to appearance. The durability and life span of a roof can also depend on the quality or grade of the material used, as well as the workmanship of the installation and regular maintenance.

The Value of Your Association Attorney

Like your manager, your community’s legal counsel is one of the most important people, other than volunteers and residents, involved in your association. Not a volunteer, but a paid—and integral—member of your association’s professional team, your attorney is intimately familiar with what is happening in your community. And because community association law is complex and ever changing, your association’s attorney is knowledgeable in a wide variety of practice areas that can affect your association, including:

• Premise liability

• Construction warranty

• Directors’ liability

• Real estate

• Contracts

• Architectural and design review

• Insurance

• Employment

• Taxation

• Environmental law

• Water regulation

• Collections and foreclosure

Your attorney doesn’t represent the board, individual board members, individual homeowners, any group of homeowners or the manager; he or she represents only your association. One person on the board has been designated as the contact with your legal counsel.

In addition to acting on your association’s behalf in legal matters, your attorney also advises the board on its responsibilities and obligations. And as board terms expire, your attorney acts as the de facto association historian as well, so that your board can provide continuity in policy-making and operations.

Ten Reasons to Volunteer for the Association

1. Protect your self-interests. Protect your property values and maintain the quality of life in your community.

2. Correct a problem. Has your car been towed, or do you think maybe maintenance has been neglected?

5. Advance your career. Build your personal resume by including your community volunteer service.

6. Have some fun. Association work isn’t drudgery. It’s fun accomplishing good things with your neighbors.

9. Earn recognition. If you would like a little attention or validation, your contributions will be recognized and celebrated.

Beyond Lawn Care

Wooded areas, meadows, streams, and ponds are features that add value to our community. We’re fortunate to have some of these features because they enhance property values, increase aesthetic appeal, improve our environmental quality, eliminate noise and wind, and reduce our energy bills.

The responsibility to maintain our natural areas goes beyond the capabilities of our lawn care provider, so it’s up to us to properly maintain all our common ground—-landscaped and natural.

That’s why the association pays attention to water resources and quality, wildlife habitats, and species diversity. We believe that proper maintenance and management will benefit the local ecosystems and save the association money.

Home Renovations Can Generate Lead

Most Americans have long been aware of the dangers of lead, particularly in paints. Recognizing these dangers, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently finalized a new regulation to protect people from the lead generated by renovation activities like sanding, cutting and demolition. This work can create hazardous lead dust and chips by disturbing lead-based paint, which can be harmful to adults and children.

The new rule affects contractors performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities and schools built before 1978. Homeowners need to ensure that contactors engaged in this kind of work have undergone training and earned their certification. For contractors, this rule means they must be certified and follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination. Once certified, the firm can advertise that it is certified by EPA under the RRP program, and will also be given rights to use EPA’s “Lead-Safe Certified Firm” logo.

Homeowners considering renovations can search for certified companies on the EPA website.

Mobile Marketing: Instant Information Anywhere

You may have noticed small, black and white, pixilated squares recently appearing in magazines and marketing materials or on signs and product packaging. Designed to work with cell phones, mobile tags instantly link to additional information when you scan them. They’re decoded by a tag reader application installed on a web-enabled camera phone. When you scan a tag with your phone’s camera, it opens a web page, displays a message or takes some other action on the phone to connect you to new content.

Mobile tagging is rapidly increasing as businesses and individuals discover creative uses for the technology. Businesses are capitalizing on the marketing and sales potential of the tags by driving consumers to websites for special offers, launching surveys, linking to additional product and service information and delivering exclusive content. Individuals are using tags on business cards and resumes to automatically download their contact information to a recipient’s phone or to provide virtual work samples.

There are a number of different types of mobile tags, including Microsoft Tag, QR codes, Data Matrix, Cool-Data-Matrix, Aztec, Upcode, Trillcode, Quickmark, shotcode, mCode and Beetagg. Different types of tags require different types of readers; most are available as free downloads. Many of the tag types also offer free tag generators for personal and commercial use.

No Secrets/Access to Records

Association members are welcome to read official association documents. There’s nothing secret about the business of the association. In fact, you should already have copies of key documents like the bylaws or rules. Other common documents that are open for members to review include:

Please do not request documents that infringe on the privacy of an individual like medical or personnel records. These are not public records, and the association will not make them available. Salary information is available in the aggregate, but not for individuals. Some requests might also be denied if they involve ongoing legal or contractual obligations that might expose the association board or manager to liability.

Why Associations Need Reserves

Equipment and major components (like the roofs) must be replaced from time to time, regardless of whether your assciation plans for the expense. We prefer to plan and set the funds aside now. Reserve funds aren’t an extra expense—they just spread out expenses more evenly. There are other important reasons we put association monies into reserves every month:

1. Reserve funds meet legal, fiduciary, and professional requirements. A replacement fund may be required by:

2. Reserve funds provide for major repairs and replacements that we know will be necessary at some point in time. Although a roof may be replaced when it is 25 years old, every owner who lives under or around it should share its replacement costs.

3. Reserve funds minimize the need for special assessments or borrowing. For most association members, this is the most important reason.

4. Reserve funds enhance resale values. Lenders and real estate agents are aware of the ramifications for new buyers if the reserves are inadequate. Many states require associations to disclose the amounts in their reserve funds to prospective purchasers.

5. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) requires the community association to disclose its reserve funds in its financial statements.

Flying Through a Fowl Situation

Birds are beautiful, graceful and melodic. They give a sense of being close to nature and add to the feel of your community. But too much of any one thing is never good. Whether it’s a trail of droppings, territorial aggression or destructive nesting and feeding patterns, birds can make life more expensive and a little more difficult or unpleasant for your community, maintenance crews and managers.

With plenty of open space, feeding areas and comfortable nesting sites free from natural predators, a community creates a haven for an avian population. Geese and ducks—attracted to the lakes and ponds and relative safety of the surroundings—tend to be the worst culprit.

There’s an environmentally safe and effective way of living with the winged visitors and decreasing a nuisance in our community. One of the most important steps is a no-feeding policy.

According to GeesePeace (www.geesepeace.org), a nationally-recognized non-profit dedicated to growing geese education and outreach programs, geese come to an area for two reasons: the safety provided by a lake/pond and the abundance of planted grass kept short for them by frequent mowing.

Geese are encouraged to stay in our community or visit—often congregating in the common areas—when they are fed popcorn or bread. In addition, feeding geese human food is unhealthy and causes them to be aggressive.

During the winters, geese have plenty of resources to find food. They don’t need large amounts of corn or other feed when the ground is covered with snow. They’ll fly to warmer areas to find more suitable feeding grounds. We don’t want to remove all of the birds in your community; we simply want to make the numbers more manageable. A no-feeding policy is an important first step.

Tips to Discourage Burglars

Your association makes every effort to maintain a secure environment in your community, but there is only so much they are authorized to do. Unfortunately, illegal entries into homes happens from time to time. Residents can do more to protect themselves and their property than the association can do. Here are a few common-sense suggestions for reducing your chances of being the target of burglary.

It doesn’t take much to discourage a burglar. He succeeds on opportunity, and if your home doesn’t offer a good opportunity, they’ll move on to one that does.

Why Shop at a Farmers Market?

If your community is fortunate to have a local farmers market. If you haven’t shopped there before, consider the many advantages of patronizing your local merchants.

Farmers markets have gained popularity in the last few years as more and more consumers have come to enjoy the very fresh, locally grown produce, baked goods, eggs, dairy products, poultry and meats they offer. Farmers markets provide other benefits as well—to shoppers and local economies, as well as to the environment. Locally grown produce requires less fossil fuel to transport, which reduces pollution and noise, and less packaging—thus, less trash—than what is found in most supermarkets. And more often than not, farmers markets offer organically grown or pesticide-free produce, which is better for the environment as well as better for consumers’ health.

Farmers markets also stimulate local economies by providing a secure place for small-scale local producers to sell their products, and a regular cash flow to local farmers. And when local farmers and producers prosper, they are better able to support other types of local businesses. Some retailers adjacent to farmers markets have seen an increase in their own sales by as much as 30 percent on market days.

Another advantage to having a farmers market in our community is the social interaction between urban and rural residents, as well as between neighbors. A source of “information and inspiration on how to prepare fresh ingredients,” farmers markets can help consumers better understand nutrition and the value of fresh food.

The number of farmers markets in the United States has grown to more than 6,000 and has increased by 16 percent since 2009, according the National Farmers Market Directory. More than 20,000 farmers participate in farmers markets throughout the country. Most U.S. farmers markets are located in California, New York, Illinois, Michigan and Iowa, but the numbers are on the rise in other states, such as Missouri, Minnesota, Idaho, Michigan and Indiana.

To find farmers markets other than our own and specific products that are available by season and by state, visit the National Resources Defense Council’s (NRDC) website at http://www.simplesteps.org/eat-local

Are Your Rules Reasonable?

Your association has a number of rules and regulations that we ask you to observe so we can all maintain our property values and quality of life. We always try to be reasonable with our rules by following the guidelines below. If you believe a rule fails the “reasonable” test, let the board know at the next meeting. We’ll consider how we can improve it.

Goodbye Clip, Hello Click

Before you head out to the grocery store or the mall, do a little web browsing for online coupons that can save you a bundle. According to the Promotion Marketing Association Coupon Council, the average savings per coupon is $1.15.

Most online coupon sites are searchable by brand name or product category, which allows you to find coupons quickly for the specific items on your list—a big plus for list shoppers. If you’re headed to a particular store, be sure to check that store’s website for special offers. Well-known product manufacturers have printable coupons listed on their websites.

Of course, you’ll need to print the coupons to take with you, but the online versions are easier to find and there’s no clipping involved. Some sites will require you to download software to print the coupons. This is necessary for the barcode to print correctly and scan easily at the checkout counter.

Most sites will want you to register using your e-mail address. If you’re a serious coupon user, this can be good, since the sites will provide customized information and incentives based on your favorite brands.

Entering “free coupons” or “grocery coupons,” in your web browser will bring up thousands of sites, all offering similar basics; and each one usually has a few extras or special features. For example, one may e-mail coupons to you for grocery stores in your neighborhood based on your zip code. Another will invite you to sign up to receive free samples of your favorite products in the mail. Websites and features seem almost endless, so it’s easy to find a few you like. For example, typical sites include:

• www.ShopAtHome.com. This site lists stores alphabetically, so you can look for deals and coupons before leaving home. It offers financial incentives for joining.

• www.eBates.com. Joining this site earns you rebates when you shop at certain online stores.

• www.yadahome.com. This site allows you to create your grocery list online and then searches for matching coupons.

Beware of websites “selling” coupons. Some are legitimate, but many are fraudulent. Considering how many websites have free coupons, you may never face this problem.

Tips on Keeping Water Clean

Keeping water clean begins with each of us—where we live, work and play, and with the simple daily actions we take. Here are a few ways you can make a difference to reduce pollution:

• Plant trees, shrubs and groundcovers, especially around surface water. Vegetation acts as a natural filter for runoff entering ponds, lakes or streams. Plants can also prevent shoreline erosion and keep soil from washing away.

• Maintain a healthy lawn. A dense, healthy lawn can be an excellent filter for pollutants. Before you apply fertilizers, test your soil so you apply only what you need. Use the right fertilizer, at the right time and in the proper amount.

• Compost grass clippings, leaves and garden waste. When these materials are washed into streams and lakes, they decay, which in turn consumes oxygen fish and other aquatic animals need to survive.

• Practice integrated pest management (IPM) around your home and garden. IPM reduces pest problems through a variety of cultural, mechanical, biological and chemical methods. Try to eliminate chemical use or keep pesticide use to a minimum by using them only when other methods are not successful.

• Maintain your vehicles in good condition to prevent leaks such as oil or antifreeze. Spilled motor oil, gasoline and lubricants can contaminate wells and streams.

Curb Appeal Counts

Cleaning out and sprucing up your yard are good low-cost alternatives to major home improvement. Whether you hire a professional or have the skills and tools to do it yourself, here are some tips to improve your lawn and landscape:

Homeowners who want help with their yard should seek an evaluation by a professional lawn or landscape firm. A professional can assess the health of the lawn, plants, trees and shrubs and offer recommendations for improvements.

What is a Board Resolution?

A board resolution is a motion that follows a set format and is formally adopted by the board. Resolutions may enact rules and regulations or formalize other types of board decisions. There are four types of resolutions for a community association:

1. Policy Resolutions affect owners’ rights and obligations such as rules for the use of common areas and recreational facilities, architectural guidelines and enforcement procedures.

2. Administrative Resolutions address the internal operations of the community association. Examples include operating procedures, collection procedures and where board meetings will be held.

3. Special Resolutions document board decisions that apply a policy or rule to an individual situation, such as a decision about an alleged rule violation.

4. General Resolutions involve routine events, such as adopting the annual budget and approving a contract.

The manager maintains all adopted resolutions. They are available to association members for review in the manager’s office.

Flooding: How to Protect Your Family & Finances

In many areas, flooding is the most common and costly natural disaster—and it can happen here. Just one inch of water in your home or office can cost thousands of dollars in cleanup and replacement costs, including drywall, baseboards, floor coverings and furniture. You may think you’re covered, but many homeowners’ insurance policies do not cover flooding.

Here are several reasons to talk to an insurance agent now about flood insurance.

· Renters can buy flood insurance .for personal belongings or business inventory.

· Basement coverage includes cleanup expense and repair or replacement of items such as furnaces, water heaters, washers, dryers, air conditioners, freezers and pumps.

· You do not have to repay flood insurance benefits as you do with disaster-related assistance loans.

· You can receive payments for flood-related losses even if no disaster was declared.

There are things you can do to prepare your home and family now for flash floods:

· Make a family emergency plan. Emergency preparedness is everyone’s responsibility. Write down your plan. Decide ahead of time where you will go if you have to leave and where family members will meet up. Identify an out-of-town emergency contact.

· Get supplies for an emergency kit. Start with three days’ water and three days’ packaged and canned food. Add a battery-powered radio and extra batteries. Store in waterproof containers with wheels or that you can lift so you can take them with you. For details about preparing an emergency kit, visit www.ready.gov/america/beinformed/floods.html

· Stay informed about what could happen. During storm season, listen to local media for up-to-date reports on weather watches and warnings. Keep a battery-powered portable radio—with a NOAA weather band—handy in case the power goes out. Choose one.

Running for the Board - Do I Have What it Takes?

If you’re considering running for the board, we ask that you take a few moments to ask yourself the following three questions:

Do I have the time?: As a board member, you will need to devote at least several hours of your time each month to association business. In addition to regular monthly board meetings, you will need to be active in email discussions and occasional special meetings. During special projects, you may need to spend a little extra time on association business. Some board members may also spend a little more time than others if they work with a committee

Can I make tough decisions when it’s required?: The primary role of the board is to conduct the business of the association. This doesn’t just mean approving the budget, but also developing and enforcing policies. Board members are required to step outside their immediate circle of family and neighbors and make decisions based on the greater good of the community.

Can I do all this and have fun, too?: It isn’t all about policies and tough decisions. Your community is only as good as we make it, and establishing and maintaining a sense of community is a part of a board member’s responsibility. Planning and attending functions such as picnics and being a presence in the community are as important as any policy decisions you may make.

Being a board member can be frustrating at times, but it may also be one of the most rewarding ways you’ll find to volunteer your time. If you’re interested in running for the board or would like more details about board’s responsibilities, please contact your property manager or a current board member.

What Your Accountant Does For Your Community Association

The accountant is a vital part of your association’s professional team. A staff member or volunteer may take care of the bookkeeping for the association, but the CPA is needed to conduct an audit at the end of the year. In addition, your accountant:

The association accountant is a valuable partner who works closely with the manager and the board to ensure your assessments are managed and invested wisely and legally.

Your Community's Insurance

The basic policy purchased by your condominium association is a Package Policy covering the buildings owed by the association and the Associations’ liabilities. The Package Policy has two sections:

Property insurance. Most other types of coverage are built around property insurance. It covers all buildings, structures, and personal property owned by the association. It also includes woods, open spaces, recreational facilities, and sometimes includes portions of residential areas.

General liability. In addition to protecting physical property, your association has commercial liability insurance. Unlike property damage, which often can be measured in dollar amounts, liability claims have no limits other than those imposed by courts.

Auto (owned, non-owned, and hired). Associations with employees who drive cars, trucks, or maintenance vehicles on association property or elsewhere while carrying out association business need auto insurance.

Directors' and officers' liability. Boards are volunteers trying to serve their communities, but as the old adage says, “No good deed goes unpunished.” So, even when boards behave appropriately and use sound judgment someone may still file a lawsuit claiming wrongful termination, sexual harassment, discrimination, or mismanagement of funds, to name a few common suits.

Umbrella liability. This type of coverage closes some of the gaps in other types of insurance policies. No standard umbrella policy exists, so the association works closely with your insurance professional to design a policy tailored to your specific needs. High limits of liability are available.

Workers’ compensation. This insurance—required in most states—provides benefits for employees who sustain injuries while working for the association.

Terrorism. Insurance companies are now required by law to offer coverage for certified acts of terrorism. An “act of terrorism” is usually defined as any violent act that is dangerous to life or property with the intention of affecting the population's conduct, with damage totaling at least $5 million.

Mold. Damage from mold is excluded from most standard property insurance policies, which tend to provide coverage for damages that are sudden and accidental but don’t generally cover the cost of cleaning and maintaining a home.

To learn more or ask a question, CLICK HERE to reach an insurance professional.

Keep Your Back Yard Bug-Free...Naturally

Summer is the time for barbecue parties and sleeping under the stars, but bothersome bugs can ruin outdoor fun. Many people spray themselves and their lawns with chemical repellants to get rid of these pests, but there are natural alternatives that are environmentally friendly to your home and our association. Here are a few tips to help you enjoy a bug-free summer.

Get growing. Planting a simple garden can do wonders in keeping the bug count down. Plants like garlic, radishes, marigolds, nasturtium, oregano, sage, rosemary, cilantro and mint are easy to cultivate and can make the area in and around your garden uninviting to the creepy crawlers, as they act as natural bug repellants. Pest-control never looked or tasted so good!

Wet and wild. Eliminate stagnate or standing water in your yard; it provides breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Emptying used kiddy pools and fountains and refilling them with fresh water, cleaning gutters of leaves and other rain-blocking debris and filling in puddles with dirt are just some of the ways to reduce the buzzing bugs in your yard.

Going to the birds. Setting up a few bird houses in your yard is not only a great way to enjoy the beauty of our feathered friends, but it also mitigates bug problems, since many birds love to dine on dragonflies, dung beetles and the ilk.

Candle in the wind. When outdoors, ignite an all-natural bug repellant candle nearby to keep the bugs at bay, and enjoy the sweet smell of citronella, lavender, mint and other aromas that pests find repugnant. Brands such as BioSensory, Solay, Melo and Yankee Candle have jumped onto the debugging bandwagon and offer eco-conscious candles.

Light up the night. Many high-flying insects are drawn to light like a moth to the…you get the idea. So, why not install an elevated yellow bug light on your back porch or deck to attract those critters up and away from the ground (and you!) when you spend an evening outdoors. Of course, be sure to review our CC&Rs or talk with to an association representative to make sure your bug lights are in compliance with our rules.

Saving Energy to Stay Cool

Energy bills—like the temperature—always rise in the summer. But don’t fret: While there are big fixes* you can incorporate to make your home more energy-efficient, there are also many inexpensive energy solutions, as well as some simple and free steps that you can take to cut down on costs and save money.

Turn it up. Set your thermostat as high as possible. Start with 78 degrees when at home and 85 degrees when away. For each degree above 72 you set the thermostat, you save between 1-3 percent. Be sure to take into consideration your health and comfort, and drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.

Circulate air. Use fans to create cool breezes and keep the air moving in your home. Ceiling fans, in particular, can create enough air movement to make it cooler by at least four degrees. This could translate into a significantly lower monthly electric bill, as ceiling fans only use about as much energy as a 100-watt light bulb.

Shut the shades. Windows allow a lot of heat into your home. Keep drapes and shades closed during the day to keep the temperature down.

Open nights. At night, if it’s cooler outside than in, open your windows! Not only will this bring some fresh air into your home, it will give you a chance to turn off that AC. Also, be sure to close your windows in the morning to keep the cooler air in longer.

Wash and dry wisely. Run only full loads when using your dishwasher or washing machine. Whenever possible, run those appliances during off-peak hours or when your air conditioner is turned off or barely running, which typically is during the evening, to save energy. Use the clothes dryers’ moisture-sensing automatic drying setting if it has one, and clean your clothes dryers’ lint trap after each use.

Unplug. Electronics—such as TVs, DVDs, chargers, computers, printers and other devices—use electricity even when they are turned off. By unplugging these devices when you’re not using them, you only save a few watts, but they quickly add up to bigger savings over time. Use a power strip for multiple devices, and switch it off before you go to bed. Also, turn off lights in unoccupied rooms.

Plan pool time. If you have a pool, shorten the operating time if possible. Switch the pool filter and sweeper operations to off-peak hours and during nighttime if the pool has automatic cleaning settings.

*As always, be sure to consult with the association to get approval for any major renovations on your home.

Tax Relief From Mortgage Forgiveness

Usually, when a homeowner receives “mortgage forgiveness,” either through mortgage restructuring or foreclosure, the proceeds from the forgiven debt are considered taxable income by the Internal Revenue Service. However, according to the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007, homeowners who have had their mortgages reduced, restructured or eliminated altogether during the period from 2007 through 2012 may be able to exclude the proceeds from the forgiven debt—up to $1 million per person or $2 million per married couple—from their taxable income.

There are some restrictions, however. The proceeds must be used for the purchase, construction or substantial improvement of the homeowners’ principle residence and must be secured by that residence. Proceeds from debt forgiveness on second homes, rental property or businesses do not qualify for this tax exemption. Also, proceeds used to pay off credit cards or other similar types of loans do not qualify.

Keep Your Home Safe While on Vacation

As the summer heats up, many of you will escape the daily grind and head out on a well-deserved vacation. But before you hit the road, take a few precautions so your home isn’t enticing to thieves or susceptible to fire and other disasters. Not only is having your home vandalized or burnt to the ground a highly unpleasant way to return from a trip, but it also puts the rest of the association at risk, as these problems have the potential to spread quickly throughout the neighborhood. So, before you take off, consider implementing these safety tips to keep your home and our community secure.

Call on friends for help. If you’re going to be away a week or more, ask a trusted friend to check on your house every day or two—or better yet, housesit—while you’re gone. Not only will they make sure nothing happens to your home, but you might also ask them to bring in your mail and newspapers, water plants or even feed Fluffy. Of course, it’s a good idea to let your neighbors know a friend is monitoring your property so they don’t call the police to thwart a perceived “break-in.”

Set your lights on a timer. Leaving your house unlit for days on end is a sure sign to burglars that it’s empty, but so is keeping the lights on 24-7. A good way to handle the lights on/off conundrum is to set them on a timer that’s scheduled to simulate your regular routine. Of course, if the lights seem a bit too simulated, that can be another telltale sign, so it’s a good idea to set the timers in individual rooms on staggered schedules to make the light coming from your home seem more natural.

Stop your mail and newspaper. Nothing screams “nobody’s home!” like a pile of newspapers strewn about your doorstep or an overflowing mailbox. So, if you can’t get a friend or neighbor to collect them for you, it’s best to have your mail and paper stopped if you’re going to be out of town for awhile.

Don’t leave the spare house key lying around. That fake rock where you keep the extra house key isn’t as discrete as you think. Whether you keep a spare under your welcome mat, above the door frame or in a hide-a-key contraption, chances are it will take the nefarious types five minutes flat to find it and gain easy entry to your house. So take it with you, let a friend hold onto it or put it in a safe place inside your house, even if you’re worried about losing your other keys. Because when it comes down to it, calling a locksmith is less traumatic than calling the police.

Make a last-minute checklist. Are all the windows and doors locked? Stove and oven turned off? How about all the faucets? Are the electronics unplugged and valuables secured? Take five minutes before you leave to ensure your house is vacation-ready. Another run-through of the house may seem unnecessary if you did it earlier in the day, but knowing you’ve left your house as safe as possible will help you kick back and have a great vacation.

Grill Safety Tips

When firing up your grills this summer, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reminds you to barbecue safely whether you use gas or charcoal.

Liquid petroleum (LP) gas or propane, used in gas grills, is highly flammable. Each year about 30 people are injured as a result of gas grill fires and explosions. Many of these occur when consumers first use a grill that has been left idle for a period of time or just after refilling and reattaching the grill's gas container.

To reduce the risk of fire or explosion, consumers should routinely perform the following safety checks:

To avoid accidents while transporting LP gas containers, transport the container in a secure, upright position. Never keep a filled container in a hot car or car trunk. Heat will cause the gas pressure to increase, which may open the relief valve and allow gas to escape.

Charcoal produces carbon monoxide when burned. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can accumulate to toxic levels in closed environments. Each year about 30 people die and 100 are injured as a result of carbon monoxide fumes from charcoal grills and hibachis used indoors.

To reduce carbon monoxide poisonings, never burn charcoal indoors, in vehicles, tents or campers, even if ventilated. Since charcoal produces carbon monoxide fumes until the charcoal is completely extinguished, do not store the grill indoors with freshly used coals.

About Your Association Secretary

Your community board has several officers including president, treasurer and secretary. The association secretary is responsible for preserving the association’s history, maintaining its records and protecting it from liability. In some instances, the secretary delegates some or all of the secretarial tasks to the manager. They include:

The association secretary is a key officer on the board and is essential to the association’s success.

Homeowner Help - All In One Place

The Internet is full of information for homeowners—if you can find what you’re looking for. Google searches can pull up thousands of sites, most of them irrelevant, and it’s your task to weed through them. Now there’s a way around information overload. Community Associations Institute (CAI), a national membership group that works on behalf of communities like ours, has created a site specifically for homeowners and potential homebuyers.

The site includes links to several free CAI documents, including An Introduction to Community Association Living and Community Matters—What You Should Know Before You Buy. It also features links to a number of government and nonprofit websites on topics such as:

What's So Great About Community Associations?

Community associations offer one of the best opportunities for Americans to own their own homes. They are for the 21^st century what land grants were in the 19^th century, and what the New Deal and GI Bill were in the 20^th. Why?

Americans have accepted, for the most part, the collective management structure of community association living. Covenants and rules are no longer a new concept to most of us: renters are used to lease agreements with restrictions; single-family, detached-home owners are used to zoning ordinances and building codes. The difference is that in traditional, single-family housing, restrictions are administered by public bodies rather than by private boards.

Most Americans have accepted private governance because they understand that collective management and architectural controls protect and enhance the value of their homes.

Wherever a new community is built, local infrastructures are stretched. School populations, snow removal, storm water management, road maintenance, utilities, traffic, everything increases leaving the local jurisdiction unable to support new community development. Yet housing is sorely needed. Therefore, local jurisdictions often require community associations to assume many responsibilities that traditionally belonged to local and state government.

This privatization of public services has allowed local jurisdictions to continue developing needed housing without increasing local taxes. Instead, the developer must build the infrastructure and create an association to maintain it after it’s developed.

Almost from their inception in the 1960s, condominiums have provided housing for low-to-moderate income Americans. In fact, in some areas, builders are required to include a certain percentage of affordable homes in new developments.

Also, converting rental apartments and commercial buildings into condominiums not only revitalizes many decaying neighborhoods, it’s also made ownership more affordable for those wanting to live in urban centers.

Community associations have made home ownership possible for millions of Americans partly because 21^st century families tend to be smaller, the number of single-parent homes has increased, and more retirees are staying in their homes after retirement.

Community associations also minimize social costs. Because they have mandatory covenants that require certain obligations from homeowners and the association, associations ensure that all who benefit pay their share and everyone is equally responsible. Community associations have sufficient enforcement authority that local government is seldom, if ever, needed to resolve assessment disputes. Many associations use alternative dispute resolution because it’s a faster and cheaper way to solve problems than legal action.

Many community associations—especially condominiums—have greatly reduced urban sprawl. Because of their collective management and protective covenants, they are precisely what the Housing Act of 1949 intended when it called for “decent home(s) and suitable living environments.” Community associations, as alternatives to traditional single-family homes, are shining examples of free-market efficiency.

The factors that make community associations great places to live are easily ignored or misunderstood. Critics prefer to look at a few sensational issues instead of the whole picture. But for many community associations are affordable, enjoyable, efficient places to live.

Home Improvement Reminders

If you’re planning construction or home improvement projects on your property or in your unit, remember to follow a few simple steps to ensure you don’t run into problems with neighbors or the association down the road.

Tips For Reducing Waste

Being careful about what you buy, consume, and throw away may not seem all that exciting even for the most committed environmental steward. But efficient daily practices and a little old fashioned common sense are good for the environment and your bottom line.

Use this checklist to see how many waste management and recycling practices you’ve implemented. Then make a plan of action to expand your efforts.

Working to Protect Your Money

One of the most important responsibilities of the board is to manage the association’s funds—your money. We take this responsibility seriously; these are the procedures we insist on to protect your money:

What Do Resident's Think?

Are you among the more than 60 million Americans who live in homeowners associations and condominium communities? We think most residents are happy living in our communities—and we certainly hope you are among them—but how do these 60 million residents feel about their own associations? Are they happy with their elected boards? How do they feel about the rules?

The Foundation for Community Association Research, an affiliate of Community Associations Institute (CAI), sponsored a national public opinion survey to answer these and other questions.

The research, conducted by Zogby International, shows that more than seven in 10 community association residents say they are satisfied with their community association experience. Only 9 percent express dissatisfaction, and 19 percent are neutral on the question.

According to Zogby, 86 percent of respondents said they knew they were moving into an association when they decided to purchase or rent a home in their community. For 61 percent, the existence of an association had no impact on their decision, but 30 percent said the association made them more likely to buy or rent. Only 9 percent said they were hesitant to join an association community. This finding should tell sellers and realtors that the existence of a well-run association can and should be part of the sales pitch.

While these findings are positive, we’d like to think that we would do even better than the national averages. If you don’t think that’s the case, we encourage you to bring your concerns to your manager or the board.

Clutter No More

Do you have piles of clothes, papers and “stuff” collecting in your home? You’re not alone. It’s time to clean up that clutter and make your abode a more enjoyable and relaxing place to live.

· Create a schedule. Depending on how high those piles are, you may not be able to accomplish the task in a single weekend. So, try tackling one room at a time. It may seem like a daunting project, but it will be less scary if you break it down into segments.

· Practice a one item in, one item out rule. When you buy an item of clothing, for example, throw out one item of clothing. Not only will it keep down the clutter, but it will also make you rethink whether you really want to buy that new item.

· Create a stress-free environment in the bedroom. That means no piles of toys and no mounds of clothes. It should be a place where you can rest without worry.

· Make cleaning up fun for kids by turning it into a game. Kids are often the clutter culprits; involve them in the process to make things neater and more organized.

· Know your vision for the room. What do you want from a room? Is it a place where you work, a space where you unwind, a playroom for the little ones or something else? If you can answer that question, you’ll be able to decide what items stay and what items go.

· Try to make decluttering a part of your everyday life. If you do it at the same time every day—like before you go to bed—the piles won’t accumulate and you won’t have to set aside a block of time to do a major cleaning.

Doing Your Part to Stop Invasive Species

Invasive species are plants, animals and microbes that are introduced into a non-native ecosystem and cause, or are likely to cause, harm to the economy, environment or human health. An invasive species that colonizes a new area may gain an ecological edge since the insects, diseases, and foraging animals that naturally keep its growth in check in its native range are not present in its new habitat, according to Audubon International.

Audubon International offers these suggestions to help prevent the spread of invasive species:

• Find out what the most troublesome invasive species are in your local area.

• If you don't know it, don't grow it! Avoid buying or growing plants that are known to be invasive such as purple loosestrife, English ivy, and Oriental bittersweet. Be especially careful when buying plants and seeds on the internet or by mail order—you may unknowingly contribute to the spread of an invasive species from one part of the country to another.

• Replace invasive plants in your garden with non-invasive alternatives. Use exotic ornamentals only if you cannot find a native alternative, and you are sure the ornamental is non-invasive. Ask your local nursery staff for help in identifying invasive plants.

• When boating, clean your boat thoroughly before transporting it to a different body of water.

• Clean your boots before you hike in a new area and when you leave. The seeds of invasive plants can easily get transported in mud and dirt.

• Be careful what you take with you when traveling. Fruits and vegetables, plants, insects and animals can carry pests or become invasive themselves. Don’t move firewood (it can harbor forest pests), and throw out food before you travel from place to place.

• Don't release aquarium fish and plants, live bait or other exotic animals into the wild. If you plan to own an exotic pet, do your research and plan ahead to make sure you can commit to caring for it.

• Volunteer at your local park, refuge or other wildlife area to help remove invasive species. Become more educated and help spread the word about invasive species. Learn more about your local natural areas and the species in your yard. This will help you identify things that are not native and that might be invasive.

• Clean construction machines before moving to a new job site. The mud and soil stuck to the machines can harbor seeds from invasive plants.

• Try to avoid disturbing natural areas whenever possible. Disturbing natural areas can increase their susceptibility to invasion by exotic species.

Outdoor Water Conservation Tips

Even though we use water every day, it’s easy to take it for granted. Just imagine how you would function without clean water. It’s everyone’s responsibility to conserve and protect water resources. The decisions and actions you make today truly affect our water resources for the future. The following suggestions will help you get in the habit of saving water in the great outdoors:

Bike and Scooter Tips

Your association wants your kids to be safe while riding their bikes and scooters in your community, and we recognize that you can’t be there to watch them all the time. Here are four steps that could increase their safety when you’re not around.

• Teach kids how to fall. Learning how to ride correctly is only part of what keeps a kid safe. Falls are inevitable, and teaching your children to fall correctly will prevent many serious injuries. Teach them to roll on impact, relax their body, and try to land on their padded and fleshiest parts.

• Check equipment. Check bikes and scooters for cracks or dents, sharp metal parts, jutting edges and slippery surfaces. Replace defective equipment, consult a professional for repairs and apply self-adhesive, non-slip material to slippery surfaces.

• Make a rule for your kids—one person to each piece of equipment. They might be less likely to hop on a friend’s scooter if they know it’s unsafe and that they’ll have to pay for replacing it when it breaks.

• Require protective equipment. Scooters, roller blades, bikes and similar equipment cause thousands of injuries—and even some deaths—every year. Make sure your children are wearing helmets, knee pads and elbow pads, especially if they are just learning. Buy a helmet your kid thinks is cool and you know is safe—it’s worth the extra money if your child is more likely to wear it.

Increasing Your Homes Value

A house is one of the biggest purchases a person will ever make, and most want to keep their homes looking beautiful not only for themselves, but also to entice future buyers. From time to time, it’s a good idea to invest in some home remodeling to add to its appeal. Of course, before making any major changes to your home, you’ll want to be sure you go through the proper channels—such as the association architectural committee for approval and the city for the necessary permits—to make sure that you don’t run into any legal issues.

So when it comes time to give your house a facelift, consider these touch-ups and renovations that will not only make your home look better than ever but also help increase its value:

Re-paint Your Rooms: One of the easiest (and cheapest!) ways to dramatically change the entire look of a room is to add a fresh coat of paint. Not only will it immediately make your walls look crisp and clean, but also, because wall color can greatly dictate the feel of a room, it’s a simple way to change the ambiance of your home. Since darker colors seem intense on walls and can make a room look smaller, it’s usually best to stick with lighter, warmer hues for your overall color to make your home feel open and welcoming. If you want to paint with darker colors, consider limiting them to an accent wall so that the color isn’t overwhelming and pops against the lighter colors.

If you’re doing the painting yourself, here are a few tips so your paint job looks professional:

· Apply a coat of primer first so that walls won’t soak up as much paint. Use two coats of paint to ensure a rich, even coverage.

· Use painters’ tape along the outside edge of the area you’re painting to get sharp, even lines.

Update Your Kitchen and Bathrooms: If your kitchen or bathrooms look like they belong in an era long since passed, it might be time to update them. That can be as simple as retiling the floor and replacing faucets and cabinet hardware or as complex as completely remodeling the rooms. When you remodel, consider avoiding too-trendy decor and instead stick with classic looks that will stand the test of time–this will keep you from redecorating again in five years and also make your home all the more appealing to potential buyers.

Add a Home Office: People’s work and home lives are drastically merging as more and more workers telecommute from home. Because of this, turning an empty basement, attic or bedroom into a dedicated home office can give you a peaceful place to work and also be a real selling point for potential buyers.

A good home office will have enough space to comfortably work in and have easy access to the Internet, electrical outlets and cable and phone jacks. Touches like built-in bookcases and desks can add that extra something that makes your home office a productive place to work.

Let There be Light: When a room doesn’t have enough light, it can feel very drab and enclosed. Bring in some much-needed brightness by adding new light fixtures to a dreary room. Don’t be afraid to use different types of fixtures to get the best results—for example, in a kitchen you could use a hanging pendant to spotlight a specific area (like the kitchen’s island), recessed light fixtures to spread the light over the entire room and track lighting under the cabinet to make the kitchen feel open and bright. If you’re not sure which types of lighting fixtures will work best for you, consult a residential lighting designer to find out how to light your room just right.

Finish Your Basement or Attic: Utilize every inch of your home by turning your unfinished basement or attic into extra living space. These areas are untapped gems that can be used as game rooms or extra bedrooms, or, with enough space and the right design, a home all on its own complete with a living room, kitchen, bathroom and bedrooms. Basements and attics have special characteristics that need to be addressed. For example, basements are prone to water infiltration and attics often have slanted ceilings. It’s a good idea to bring in the professionals to guide you through these obstacles and make sure all major components like pluming, electric, walls and floors are done correctly.

Sounds Like A Good Idea

Noise is a concern for every resident and because you live in a community, it’s important to understand that some degree of noise is to be expected. At the same time, residents need to consider the consequences of their noisy behavior. To keep everyone happy and maintain civility among neighbors, the association asks that you take a few steps to reduce or eliminate annoying noise.

Be kind and respectful. A little common courtesy makes a big difference. Keep your music and television at reasonable levels, do your vacuuming before bedtime, and before remodeling, check with the manager about acceptable hours and days of the week that work can be done. If you put in hardwood or tile flooring, use a sound-reducing underlayment. Move your noisy appliance away from walls and put sound-absorbing material underneath before your neighbors complain.

Keep a log. If you’re disturbed by a noise problem, note the times and the nature of the noise. Ask the manager to listen and verify the noise as well. There may be a pattern in the noise that can be adjusted.

Visit your neighbor. If your neighbor is the source of the noise, try a friendly chat. Sometimes people just don’t realize how noise is affecting others. People are usually considerate once they realize they’re disturbing others. And, if your neighbor knocks on your door, listen politely and be willing to made changes to reduce your own noise.

Contact the manager. If a polite request doesn’t change your neighbor’s noisiness, it may be time to ask the manager for help. Have your noise log ready, including attempts to solve the problem yourself.

Reducing noise sounds like a good idea. A quiet, peaceful community, relatively speaking, is a happy community.

Calling All Homeowners

All meetings of the association board are open meetings. Residents are encouraged to observe meetings and read approved minutes. Residents who wish to address the board are welcome to do so during the homeowner forum conducted at the beginning of each business meeting.

1. Put it in writing. You will get the best response if you put your question or opinions in writing prior to the meeting. This isn't mandatory, but it helps you and the board. Some issues may require a little research by the manager. Also, the board can serve you better if members have time to consider your concern.

2. Call ahead. As a courtesy, the association asks that you phone and let the manager know that you wish to address the board. This also allows us to notify you if a meeting is cancelled for any reason.

3. Plan your remarks to last no longer than five minutes. Board members enjoy visiting with residents; however, the meeting agenda is always very full, and the five-minute limit ensures that all business gets conducted. This doesn't mean big issues can't be presented. If your concern requires more time, please summarize it in five minutes, and the board will add it to the agenda for the next meeting.

4. Don't expect an immediate response. Board members don't act independently. All issues require discussion and sometimes a vote. Sometimes an immediate answer is possible, but it's just as likely that you won't get a response until after the meeting.

5. If you need information, call the manager. The purpose of the Homeowner Forum is for residents to share opinions and concerns with the board. Residents seeking general information (like a status report on a project or the board's position on an issue) can get a more immediate answer from the manager.

New Manager Annoucement -- Ms. Mydraine Janvier --

Heil, Heil, Smart & Golee is pleased to introduce Ms. Mydraine Janvier as the newest addition to our management team. Mydraine is a seasoned professional in the real-estate industry with over 8 years of experience in property management managing retail spaces and residential properties throughout the Chicagoland area.

Most recently she has been involved in the supervision and administration of a large portfolio in excess of 1000 residences in the Chicagoland area. In addition, Mydraine has overseen several large capital projects and directed budgets in excess of 4 million dollars. In addition, she has over 4 years of experience in commercial and residential mortgage banking.

We believe she will prove to be a great asset to your Association due to her dedication in managing properties economically, resourcefully and efficiently. Her diversified exposure in conjunction with the help of your Board of Directors will help maintain a high quality of life to which your association is accustomed too.

Tips for Saving Water

Water conservation is an important issue for a community association-and not just because we want to be environmentally responsible. An equally important reason is that we want to keep assessments as low as possible. Here's how you can help:

Large appliances-washing machines and dishwashers-consume the most water, so they are important places to start any water-conservation efforts.

After these major appliances, the bathroom offers the next biggest opportunity to save water.

Before pouring that half-filled glass of water down the sink, ask yourself where it could be put to good use? How about pouring it in the dog's bowl? And the condensate from the dehumidifier is suitable for watering plants. Other sources of "used" water are suitable for reuse-it just takes a little imagination and a change in routine.

Water conservation begins with each of us. If each resident makes a few simple adjustments in household routine, the association can conserve thousands of gallons of water and save thousands of dollars each year.

Community Associations By The Numbers

Association Documents Open to Owners

Have you lost your copy of the bylaws? Would you like to read minutes from past board meetings? Would you like to read a resolution for background information on an association policy?

Some of these documents can be found on our association website. However, these and other association documents are available to all members for review; owners have the right to inspect them, and the association is happy to make them available. However, we ask that you follow a few standard procedures so we can serve you efficiently.

First, submit a written request to the president or manager stating which documents you wish to read. Submit your request several days before you need the documents. We may need extra time to locate older documents if they're in storage.

Before submitting a request, get a clear understanding of what you are looking for and why. Be specific. A request for "documents relating to the capital improvement project" is too broad. Instead, request "vendor contract and blueprints for the capital improvement project undertaken last year."

Your request will be filled as soon as possible, usually within five business days. You will be contacted to set up a time during normal business hours when the documents may be viewed. You can view original documents at no charge. If you want copies of pages from the original documents, make a list or mark the pages you want with a paper clip or sticky note. You will be charged per page for copying. You may also have copies of documents mailed to you and be billed per page for copying and mailing.

Some association records are confidential. Requests for sensitive information, such as personnel files, owners' ledgers or legal files, will be denied. This protects the association and you from liability. The exception is requesting documents about yourself.

While viewing original documents, do not remove anything and keep pages in the same order as presented.

If you have any questions or need further information, please call the manager or send an e-mail to the association. We're here to help.

Assessments as Important as Mortgages and Taxes

When you sit down to pay your bills each month, do you consider your association assessment a low priority? If so, think again.

According to the National Consumer Law Center's (NCLC) Guide to Surviving Debt, "Condo fees�should be considered a high priority." In fact, NCLC considers community association assessments in the same category as mortgage payments and real estate taxes-a category ranked second only to feeding your family-according to the Guide's "Sixteen Rules about Which Debts to Pay First."

Assessments pay for services like building maintenance, show removal, and cleaning that you would pay no matter where you lived-either as direct out-of-pocket expenses or indirectly in a higher rent payment. But the association has collective buying power, so when all services and utilities for everyone in the community are passed along to you as a monthly assessment, you're actually getting a bargain.

So, next time you get out your checkbook, remember to put your assessment near the top of that stack of bills. You'll be glad you did.

Protecting Your Windows From Bird Collisions

Flight is a magnificent means of transportation, but not without its dangers-especially for birds. For many birds, a journey across the skies ends with a deadly collision with windows, vehicles, cell towers or high-tension wires.

If you've been startled by the dull thud of a bird smacking your window, you're not alone. Bird collisions with windows occur day and night, in all seasons, and in cities, suburbs and rural areas. Birds don't see the glass, generally because it mirrors trees, shrubs, or sky, so the transparent panes appear to offer a passageway through a building.

It's surprising how common this problem is. The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimate that billions of birds die from aerial collisions each year in the U.S. And a lot of them, it seems, are colliding with our windows. Replacing glass or just cleaning it after a bird crash is a maintenance issue for the association.

Fortunately, some simple solutions can help protect our windows and the birds.

� Place birdfeeders either close to (within 3 feet) or far away from buildings (a minimum of 33 feet). Birds cannot build up enough momentum to injure themselves when flying to and from feeders that are very close to buildings. Conversely, when birds take flight quickly from feeders that are further from buildings, they are less likely to collide with windows.

� Use an attractive window film, such as one that gives the appearance of glass etching or sandblasting to reduce reflections.

� Hang multiple bird silhouettes on the outside of the window to break up the reflection.

� Replace standard windows with non-reflective glass, such as stained or frosted glass.

Five Guidelines For Dealing With Contractors

Thinking of remodeling your kitchen, building an addition, or embarking on some other construction project that will require the services of a contractor? If it's something that needs association approval, don't forget to follow the steps of our design review process.

Once that's completed and you're ready to break ground, keep your project nailed down with five simple guidelines:

1. Reconcile your contractors' objectives with your own. You want your project to be completed on time and on budget. Contractors want to maximize their compensation. Design a compensation plan that, at each stage of the project, maximizes your contractors' profits when they achieve your objectives.

2. Nothing drives down prices like competition. Any price you obtain without competition will be higher than a price you obtain with it.

3. Write down everything you expect. Effective competition requires a complete, accurate, and final definition of the goods and services involved in the project.

4. Use standard forms for your contracts. The American Institute of Architects offers a variety of sample documents at www.aia.org/docs_default. Just realize there's no such thing as a standard project and customize your contracts accordingly.

5. There is no substitute for professionalism. An architect, contractor, or other participant in your project who has a track record of character and professionalism will likely demonstrate those qualities on your project. A participant with the opposite track record will probably remain true to form.

Heading Off Burnout

Burnout is more than just stress-it's how your mind and your body tell you a change is needed. Do you find yourself withdrawing from work and caring less about results? Are you working harder, often mechanically or to the point of exhaustion? Just going through the motions?

Exercise at least three times a week. Running, weight lifting, bike riding-anything that gets your heart and lungs working burns off stress Exercise releases endorphins that boost your mood and it dissipates built-up stress that otherwise leads to burnout.

Make time for a hobby. An art class, cooking, reading, sewing-anything that's not part of the regular grind and that helps you relax will balance the things that wear you down.

Practice breathing exercises. "Just breathe!" Yes, it's an old cliche, but there is a grain of truth behind every cliché. Deep breathing gives your body a boost of oxygen and it releases tension in your abdomen around your heart.

Get away. Take a walk at lunch, and don't take work home. Leave the office at the office. At home, find a time and place where you can relax and unwind. Even 15 minutes of relaxation can relieve stress.

Laugh. Sometimes it helps to look at a situation and just laugh. If that fails, read the jokes that your uncle's cousin's best friend is e-mailing you three times a week. Pick a comedy next time you go to the movies or surf channels.

Take up yoga or tai chi. These disciplines have a restorative effect and are sure burnout busters.

Burnout can creep up on you slowly. Watch for the warning signs and stay ahead of it. Your heart, family and employer will thank you.

Sidestepping Solicitors

Annoyed by the persistence of solicitors' unwelcome knocks on the door? It seems like no matter what they do, they always manage to show up on your front porch. They come with fliers, door hangers, a rehearsed speech and the distinct ability to ignore the polite decline of the products they're peddling-cleaning supplies, appliances, cosmetics, magazine subscriptions, home-improvement products, coupons for local businesses and other unwanted items-sometimes even making you feel trapped in your own home.

Homeowners associations are particularly easy, frequent targets of commercial, religious and political solicitors; part of the appeal is that population density makes our association an easy environment for them to canvas. Because of this, finding a way to keep solicitors away can be invaluable.

The simplest way to deter solicitors is by posting a "No Solicitors" sign in your yard, on your door or in your front window. If you get knocks on the door anyway, you also can ask solicitors for their license, permit or company identification; many don't have it and will leave. If the solicitor doesn't leave or keeps coming back, tell them the community has nuisance restrictions and there are legal ramifications for violating them. And if that's not enough to make them high-tail it off of your lawn, you can also call the association office, and ask for security personnel to escort the solicitor out of the community.

While a visit from a solicitor is often annoying, they can sometimes be more than just a nuisance; some might have ulterior motives, such as fraud, canvassing a home to commit a crime or other unseemly behavior. If you believe a solicitor is acting suspiciously or you feel threatened, call the police immediately and notify our security personnel to help you avoid a potentially dangerous situation.

So stay safe, keep your sanity and do your part in discouraging solicitors from trolling our community. You'll soon hear just how sweet an un-rung doorbell sounds.

Call an Electrician

The guests are on their way, the food is cooked and suddenly the light over the dinner table goes out. A new bulb doesn't fix the problem, and neither does flipping the switch that controls the light circuit in the fuse box off and on. You know the same light has given you trouble before, and you might think you even know the difference between that green ground wire and the black hot wire. You remove the light switch from the wall and see some of the wires have apparently become disconnected. Time to just shut off the fuse and reconnect them, right?

Wrong. Each year 67,800 fires result from home electrical problems just like this one, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. Twice as many of those are due to improper wiring as appliance failures.

It's not that you don't know what you're doing or that you can't read a how-to guide-the last residents may have done it improperly themselves. They may have reversed wires, replaced the wire with wrong gauge or put too much strain on the fuse (called over lamping). The only way to know you are correctly wiring is to use a special tool called a voltage meter to check for hot wires.

The only safe bet is to consult a licensed electrician. Electricians not only have the tools you don't, like lineman's pliers and voltage meters, they have extensive internships (typically 3-7 years) under their belts. They intern for a reason-without proper training, you can seriously hurt yourself by mixing up cables or not taking the proper precautions. For your own safety, and for the safety of the community, get in touch with us about your electrical problems, however small. We can recommend some certified electricians we've worked with before. Besides, your guests would rather eat by candlelight than not eat at all!

Excuses, Excuses

Association members who pay their assessments late or not at all come up with some very interesting excuses. Here's half a dozen of the most common, and why it's smart not to use them.

"My building hasn't been painted in five years! I'm not paying another cent until some basic maintenance gets done."

"The power was out for three days during the storm. I'm withholding a pro-rated amount from my assessment check."

You have a right to require the association to perform its duties, and various legal channels exist to accomplish this. Withholding assessments is not one of them. Your obligation to pay assessments has nothing to do with the association's obligations to provide maintenance and service. If you withhold your check or pay a reduced amount, you'll become delinquent, and that leads to late fees, and actually makes your situation worse.

Many association governing documents neither require the association to send invoices nor provide advance notice of payments due or past due. However, associations are required to send the approved budget to each owner annually and we do just that. When the association approves and sends the budget each year to our members, it contains notice of the amount you must pay annually. If you're ever unsure about the amount or the due dates, just call the manager.

"If they think I'm paying those outrageous late fees and interest, they're crazy."

Actually, the association not only has the authority, it has a duty to all owners to collect assessments. This authority is established in the governing documents and the state's common interest ownership statutes. When you moved into a community association, you agreed to abide by those documents-and that includes paying assessments.

"I don't play golf, and it's an expensive game. I shouldn't have to pay to maintain the course."

"I've never been in the fitness center, and I don't plan to ever use it. Why can't you pro-rate my assessments accordingly?"

Admittedly, recreational facilities are expensive to operate and-for some associations-represent a good chunk of the budget. Nevertheless, most declarations specify that even if you don't use the association's amenities you're still obligated to pay for their upkeep.

Many residents moved into this type of community specifically for the recreational amenities; they're willing to pay for them because they take full advantage of the opportunities they provide. Even if you're not using some of the amenities, they make the community more desirable and the homes in the community more valuable. If you're not using the facilities, perhaps you should consider whether this community is the best fit for you and your needs.

Sometimes the association receives a check that says "paid in full" in the memo section-but it isn't. Or the check will arrive with a letter or note, stating the check is "payment in full," or it covers all charges through a certain date. Nice try. If you still have an outstanding balance, the association is not going to cash your check. They're going to return it to you. This will put you further behind in your payments and just cause more late fees.

Assessments reflect the actual cost of maintaining all common elements in the community. If you owned your home outside the association, you would have to pay individually for all the same expenses your assessments cover-trash removal, water, landscaping, and so on. In fact, you're actually spending less on assessments because the association has bulk buying power, and you're getting more because the common areas provide amenities that you likely could not afford on your own.

When association members lose their jobs or become injured or ill, association boards understand that arrangements need to be worked out for paying assessments. If you have a legitimate reason for falling behind and you need to work out a payment plan, please call the manager. Boards consider each situation individually, and will to try to accommodate your special circumstances.

Working to Protect Your Money

One of the most important responsibilities of the board is to manage the association's funds-your money. We take this responsibility seriously; these are the procedures we insist on to protect your money:

How the Budget is Prepared

Each year you receive a draft of the proposed budget for review and comment. A lot of work goes into preparing the budget. It's a complex activity that has to start early so the budget can be finalized and approved prior to the beginning of the new fiscal year. Here's how we do it:

Avoiding Conflict With Your Neighbors

We all can just get along. The key? Communication. It's often the best way to prevent and resolve conflict before it reaches the legal system. You don't have to be friends or spend time together to achieve a peaceful coexistence, but you should try to be a good neighbor and follow these tips:

Say hello. At the mailbox, while walking the dog or when you see a moving van arrive, introduce yourself. Learn your neighbors' names and regularly offer a friendly greeting.

Provide a heads up. If you're planning a construction project, altering your landscaping or hosting a big party, contact your neighbors beforehand.

Do unto others. Treat neighbors as you would like to be treated. Be considerate about noise from vehicles, stereos, pets, etc.

Know your differences. Make an effort to understand each other. Differences in age, ethnic background and years in the neighborhood can lead to different expectations or misunderstandings.

Consider the view. Keep areas of your property that others can see presentable.

Appreciate them. If the neighbors do something you like, let them know. They'll be pleased you noticed, and it'll be easier to talk later if they do something you don't like.

Stay positive. Most people don't try to create problems. If a neighbor does something that irritates you, don't assume it was deliberate.

Talk honestly. Tolerance is important, but don't let a real irritation go because it seems unimportant or hard to discuss. Let your neighbors know if something they do annoys.

Be respectful. Talk directly to your neighbors if there's a problem. Gossiping with others can damage relationships and create trouble.

Remain calm. If a neighbor mentions a problem they have with you, thank them for the input. You don't have to agree or justify any behavior. Wait for any anger to subside before responding.

Listen carefully. When discussing a problem, try to understand your neighbor's position and why he or she feels that way.

Take your time. Take a break to think about what you and your neighbor have discussed. Arrange to finish the conversation at another time.

Community Association Fundamentals

Even though you may live in an association, you might be surprised how many of your neighbors-owners and renters alike-don't really understand the fundamental nature of common-interest communities. And we know that many others, including the media and government officials, lack a true understanding of the community association (or condominium) concept.

Community Associations Institute (CAI), a national membership organization that represents the best interests of common-interest communities like your association, developed 10 basic principles that answer three essential questions: What is the basic function of a community association? What are the essential obligations and expectations of homeowners? What are the core principles that should guide association leaders?

1. Associations ensure that the collective rights and interests of homeowners are respected and preserved.

2. Associations are the most local form of representative democracy, with leaders elected by their neighbors to govern in the best interest of all residents.

3. Associations provide services and amenities to residents, protect property values and meet the established expectations of homeowners.

4. Associations succeed when they cultivate a true sense of community, active homeowner involvement and a culture of building consensus.

5. Association homeowners have the right to elect their community leaders and to use the democratic process to determine the policies that will protect their investments.

6. Association homeowners choose where to live and accept a contractual responsibility to abide by established policies and meet their financial obligations to the association.

7. Association leaders protect the community's financial health by using established management practices and sound business principles.

8. Association leaders have a legal and ethical obligation to adhere to the association's governing documents and abide by all applicable laws.

9. Association leaders seek an effective balance between the preferences of individual residents and the collective rights of homeowners.

10. Association leaders and residents should be reasonable, flexible and open to the possibility-and benefits-of compromise.

Navigating Financial Challenges in Community Associations

The current economic environment has created even more challenges than initially anticipated as the bubble burst in the real estate mark. Associations are finding themselves in extremely precarious situations combatting the issues of deferred maintenance projects, foreclosures and undervalued real estate. These circumstances have long reaching effects; they create a vicious cycle that Association Boards, managers and members all have to face in short order. Unfortunately, there isn't a magic bullet that can help in the resolution of these circumstances and methods of meeting these challenges that in the very recent past were "standards" utilized in meeting these challenges are no longer applicable or useful.

The bottom line issue is fundamental inasmuch as associations need to raise capital and are required to maintain adequate funding in order to run and administer their respective communities. In the current climate, individuals who are charged with the building operations find themselves dealing with circumstances that mirror a distressed business; unfortunately declaring bankruptcy for an HOA isn't a viable option. In the recent past Associations could levy special assessments in order to generate revenues for capital (required) maintenance projects when reserve amounts were inadequate to cover the expense. Unfortunately, many communities find themselves trying to address significant delinquency and foreclosure issues while maintaining the minimal standards of operation. In situations such as this (which are becoming more commonplace) a special assessment to raise funds for building operations or critical repairs will further erode the financial picture of the community by substantially increasing the delinquency factor. Accordingly many Associations have reached out to lending institutions in hopes of procuring loans to assist either in these maintenance projects or building issues. Often times because of the less than sterling financial profile of the community, banks cannot underwrite the note as the association doesn't meet the specified criteria or may be viewed as a high risk.

In the midst of all of this turmoil and chaos how does an Association meet these challenges? Unfortunately, the circumstances and situation warrant measures that maybe interpreted as extreme. However, in a crisis scenario Associations have to perform an economic triage in order to insure that the patient survives long term:

Collaboration Boards and managers need to stand together unified and relay a common message and sentiment in the financial future and course of action for the community; the time has come to set aside agendas and differences and address difficult long-term financial challenges head-on rather than look for expedient solutions or stop gap measures.

Collections Associations must adopt a zero tolerance albeit draconian position when it involves the collection of assessments; while many individuals can empathize with the plight of owners facing financial hardship, this does not mitigate the fact that the HOA needs to amass adequate funds in order to continue to operate for the benefit of all of its members. In addition, Boards not embracing a similar posture may find themselves being litigated against by other members of the community for failure to fulfill their fiduciary obligations to the Association.

Keeping the Coyotes at Bay

No matter how heavily populated with people our area may be, it doesn't always deter some wild animals from sharing the space with us. Coyotes seem particularly willing to venture into our community, and if left to roam freely, can cause damage such as tearing through garbage, become aggressive towards people and even attack and kill pets. While we don't want to harm the coyotes, we do need to make our surroundings as inhospitable to them as possible. The Colorado Division of Wildlife has some tips on how to do just that:

� Block off pet food, birdseed, fruits and vegetables from gardens, garbage and composts so coyotes can't access them.

� Block or remove all openings to areas that might make a good den for coyotes, such as bushes and shrubs and under decks or woodpiles.

� Keep a close eye on your pets. To ensure your cat will be safe, be sure to keep it indoors at all times. Always supervise your dog when he's outside, particularly at dawn or dusk, when coyotes are most active.

� If you are out with your dog and see a coyote, pick up your dog if possible and leave immediately.

� Do not let your dog play with coyotes-they are territorial animals and may turn on your dog if they feel threatened.

� If you have to leave your dog unattended outside, make sure he is kept in an enclosed kennel.

� Make sure your children (and you!) do not feed or try to play with coyotes. While they might look like a rugged version of Rover, coyotes are wild animals that can become aggressive and even bite. Though they are normally timid toward people, coyotes' natural fear is lessened and they are encouraged to stay in the area if you feed and try to play with them.

� If you run into a coyote while you're outside, be aggressively: Act big, yell, flail, and even throw small objects at him to let him know he is unwelcome in this area. Do not turn your back on the coyote or run from him, as this will only encourage him to be aggressive towards you.

� If you are bitten by a coyote, make sure you get rabies shots and also call animal control. A coyote that has attacked a human needs to be put down, and animal control can make sure that's done without putting you further in jeopardy.

While it might feel a bit unnerving to be living so close to coyotes, if we take these precautions, it will be easier to co-exist peacefully with coyotes. To learn more on how to live safely near coyotes, be sure to visit the Colorado Division of Wildlife's section on coyotes at http://wildlife.state.co.us/WildlifeSpecies/LivingWithWildlife/Mammals/CoyoteCountry.htm.

Do It Yourself Pest Control

Pests inside your home can be annoying, harmful and downright scary. Fortunately, there are many steps you can take to combat pest problems. Of course, your first stop can be your last by calling an exterminator-and don't hesitate to call the manager if you need a recommendation. But you can often save time and money by doing it yourself. Here are some methods for treating bugs locally.

Boric acid powder, like Borid, works as localized pest-control for spot-specific problems. Just sprinkle it behind the refrigerator or around the stove, washing machine or wherever you suspect pests are. It kills roaches, water bugs, ants, fleas and silverfish. Many pest control powders continue working for more than three months. Be sure to read the precautions-these powders can be harmful to infants and pets.

Many insecticide sprays that professionals use, like the water-soluble Demon-WP, and the proper sprayers to apply them are readily available in stores or online. Generic brands are usually available at lower cost. Be sure to follow all instructions carefully. Be wary of taking on large projects, like treating for termites, which can involve drilling, digging and more.

Staple products, like Combat, can also be effective, if you know what pests they should be used against. Combat is used specifically to target ants and roaches. The pests take the bait back to their nests, where presumably it destroys the entire infestation. This can be a good, cheap method-but again be aware of safety precautions.

Remember, all these methods are effective, but you can also eliminate bug problems by identifying why they're coming into your home. For example, ants are almost always a sign of excess moisture in your house or yard. Other pests are attracted to trash and food remnants. Eliminate whatever is attracting the pests, and you will eliminate the need for insecticides.

Urban Gardening Basics

As the bleak cold of winter finally breaks and signs of spring begin to pop up all around, thoughts of vibrant flowers and lush vegetables are on gardeners' minds. For those green thumbs living in tiny quarters, an impressive garden may seem unattainable. However, many are turning toward urban gardening, bringing plant life into unique spaces and growing gardens in every nook and cranny. These miniature Edens bring great natural beauty and help reduce our carbon footprints. As more people move to urban areas, urban gardens are becoming more popular, and encouraging those who have never planted to go dig in the dirt to see what comes up. While urban gardening does have its challenges, we have a few tips on how to overcome them to bring your small garden into full bloom.

Before you go on a planting spree, take the time to plan out the logistics of your garden. Will it be in your back yard, on your porch, on the roof, on a window sill? Is your intended spot part of the association's common ground? Check with the association before you start.

How much direct or partial sunlight does that area get, and is that the right amount of sunlight for your plants? Is your space large enough to house the plants when they're full grown? And, if not, do you have a bigger space where you can relocate them? Will you be doing container gardening, or will you be planting in the ground? What steps do you need to take to get your soil ready for planting? Answering these questions is important before you begin gardening, as the different environments will affect your plant life. Having a plan can help you avoid unnecessary chaos.

All plants aren't created equal, and knowing which will best suit your urban garden is a must for robust growth. Often, urban gardeners will be restricted by space or the need to plant only in containers. They will also need compact plants that can thrive in those conditions, such as herbs, tomatoes, peppers, marigolds, zinnias and the like. And be sure to know what your plants need, such as when and how deep to plant them, as well as how much light and water they need. Also, will they need to be started as seedlings under a grow light until they're hearty enough to go outdoors, and what mixture of soil do they need to flourish? Being ready to address your plants' needs is an important step in making sure they grow to their full potential.

Container gardeners will need to be vigilant about making sure they transplant their plants into the right containers as they grow. If your plant is in a container that's too small, the roots will become restricted, causing the soil to dry out quicker, so you'll need to move your plant to a roomier home. Be careful, though, not to use too large a container, as the roots won't be large enough to suck up all the moisture in the soil, which can lead to root rot. A good rule of thumb in choosing the right size container is to make sure your plant is neither overflowing or dwarfed by the container, and that there's a few inches of dirt that can be seen around the plant. So the next time your plants hit a growth spurt, make sure they have the right amount of space to live comfortably.

The best part about an urban garden is that you can set it up anywhere and make it anything you want. Your garden can be in places like your patio, your front door steps or anywhere else good sunlight hits-and the association permits.

While these tips just covered the basics, to learn more about urban garden, go to http://www.gardenguides.com/. No matter what your living area is like, if you've got a bit of imagination you can make an urban garden that's uniquely your own.

Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Carbon monoxide, or CO₂, is a poisonous gas that can be particularly dangerous because it is colorless and odorless. Headache, nausea, dizziness and even permanent brain damage or death can occur. Hundreds of people die each year from accidental CO₂poisoning, many of them while using portable generators during severe weather.

A byproduct of burning fuels such as gasoline, propane, kerosene, natural gas, oil, wood or coal, carbon monoxide is emitted from internal combustion made by engines, like those that power lawn mowers, portable generators, cars, power washers and many household appliances such as furnaces, ranges, fireplaces, water heaters and room heaters. To prevent CO₂poisoning in your home, be sure to take the following precautions:

For additional details about how to prevent CO₂poisoning,visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission's website at www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/466.html or the website for the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health of the Centers for Disease Control at www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/co/.

Be Prepared for Disasters

If you think hurricanes, wildfires, tornadoes and floods won't happen to you or that you don't need to insure against these disasters, you're among the nearly half of U.S. homeowners and renters who lack the insurance coverage to deal with potential losses, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).

In a recent NAIC national survey, about 48 percent of homeowners and renters said they did not have an inventory of their possessions. Of those who reported having a checklist, 32 percent had not taken any pictures and 58 percent had no receipts validating the cost of their possessions. In addition, 44 percent of respondents acknowledged that they had not stored their inventory in a separate location.

Why a Maintenance Schedule is Important

From time to time, residents submit maintenance requests and become frustrated when something isn't attended to immediately. Part of the reason for the delay is that the association develops and follows an annual maintenance schedule, and the manager knows that next month's routine maintenance will take care of the issue. We also use the schedule to address small unseen problems before they become noticeable.

The property manager works with a qualified engineer and other experts to develop the maintenance schedule. The schedule specifies when common elements will be routinely inspected, adjusted and repaired. Regularly monitoring the property eliminates surprises. We're able to catch minor problems and correct them before an expensive repair is needed. This, of course, helps control costs by extending the life of the common elements, which in turn reduces the money that must be reserved for an eventual replacement.

The maintenance schedule is a useful tool that keeps costs down and property function and appearance up. Bear with us; eventually everything will get done in the most efficient, economical way.

Governing by Representation

Community associations are a representative form of government founded on the principle of elected individuals representing the people. Much of our country is based on the principles of representative democracy. It starts with organizations like community associations and progresses through our schools boards, city governments, county governments, state governments-all the way to the federal government. We vote for a person, or persons, who will act on our behalf.

Some might advocate that a board should not take action without a vote of the members to find out what the people want. That would be counter-productive. If association members were to vote on every issue before a decision was made, there would be no need for a board, but simply someone to send out ballots and tally results. However, boards find out what their constituents want in other ways. Many make time to hear from residents at each board meeting. But, it's up to you to attend meetings, voice your opinions and participate in the exchange of ideas with the board. We also encourage your involvement and participation. Perhaps you would consider joining a committee. We want your input, ideas, thoughts and opinions.

When the season for community association annual meetings and annual board elections approaches, consider carefully which candidates you select-including yourself. Consider running for the board to help shape the future of your community.

A Pain in the Drain?

Spring is on its way, but before you can enjoy those May flowers, you need to make sure you're prepared for the April showers. Start by protecting your homes and buildings against drainage failure.

Roofing. At least twice a year, have a qualified service provider remove all leaves and debris from your roofs and gutters. Make sure the water drains properly not only at flat roof drains and scupper drains, but also on sloped roofs, around flashings, and all areas where water is channeled during heavy rains.

Windows and doors. Remember to vacuum your window and sliding-door tracks periodically. Leaking often occurs at the bottom corner joints of windows and sliding doors when debris gets lodged in the track of a sliding frame or when the built-in weep holes are too small.

Stucco/siding. Seal the openings at any wall openings-hose bibs, light fixtures, windows, and doors, while being careful to leave the release flashing undisturbed.

Decking. Keep your deck free of leaves and other debris. Patio-deck drains are typically small, meaning it's easy for a single large leaf to block the drain.

Call the manager if you need recommendations of reliable vendors or more information on how to maintain your drains.

Statistics on Bed Bugs

According to a survey released by the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), one in five Americans has either dealt with a bed bug infestation or knows someone who has. The survey, entitled Bed Bugs in America, shows just how this recent surge of bed bugs is affecting our lives. Here are a few highlights of the survey:

Americans who have encountered bed bugs tend to be younger, live in urban areas and rent their homes: The incidence of bed bugs is three times higher in urban areas than in rural areas due to factors such as larger population size, apartment living and increased mobility, which are conducive to the rapid spread and breeding of bed bugs.

Bed bugs are found in all 50 states: Specifically, the pests were encountered by 17 percent of respondents in the Northeast; 20 percent in the Midwest; 20 percent in the South; and 19 percent in the West.

Most Americans are concerned about bed bugs and believe that infestations in the United States are increasing: Nearly 80 percent are most concerned about encountering bed bugs at hotels; 52 percent on public transportation; 49 percent in movie theaters; 44 percent in retail stores; 40 percent in medical facilities; 36 percent in their own homes; and 32 percent equally pointed to places of employment and friends' homes. The fear of getting bitten topped the list of concerns.

As the public's awareness of the bed bug resurgence grows, many Americans are modifying their behaviors to minimize their risk of an infestation: Of the precautions being taken, 27 percent have inspected or washed clothing upon returning from a trip, 25 percent have checked a hotel room for bed bugs, 17 percent have inspected or vacuumed a suitcase upon returning from a trip and 12 percent have altered or canceled travel plans because of concern about bed bugs.

The survey goes on to show that 16 percent inspected second-hand furniture they have brought into their homes, 15 percent have checked dressing rooms when trying on clothing and 29 percent have washed new clothing immediately upon bringing it home from a store.

Of the 13 percent of respondents who said they knew someone who had a bed bug infestation in their home, 40 percent said they avoided entering the infested home and 33 percent discouraged those who had the infestation from entering their own home.

Despite the availability of information, most Americans still have misconceptions about bed bugs: Nearly half of respondents incorrectly believe that bed bugs transmit disease. However, research conducted to date has shown that bed bugs do not transmit disease to their human victims, although some people may experience itchy, red welts. Still, 29 percent inaccurately believe bed bugs are more common among lower income households and 37 percent believe bed bugs are attracted to dirty homes. However, bed bugs do not discriminate in regard to household income and are found in both sanitary and unsanitary conditions.

Beware of Foreclosure Scams

Rising foreclosure rates have led to an increase in scam artists offering to aid homeowners in financial straits. They typically promise to help save the homes of people facing foreclosure, but will strip away the value of the home with no benefit for the homeowner.

The National Foundation for Credit Counseling advises homeowners to proceed with caution if an individual or company:

Important Information for Landlords

If you are an owner who leases your unit, we'd like to make the leasing experience successful and positive for everyone by informing you of your responsibilities. This will help preserve your property value specifically and maintain the association's property value in general.

Your tenants may not be familiar with common-interest community living. Please take a few minutes to explain to them that living in a community association is very different from living in a rental apartment community. Specifically, your tenants, like all residents, are subject to the rules and regulations of the association, and it's up to you to educate them and see that they comply. The association and property manager will assist you in this area, but the responsibility lies with you. We recommend you provide your tenants with written copies of all policies and rules and advise them on the proper use of the association's facilities. You can obtain copies of these and other useful documents from the manager.

We strongly recommend that you have a written lease agreement with your tenant. As a lessor (landlord) of a home in a community association, the lease you use must require tenants to comply with the association's governing documents. In the event your tenant fails to comply with these documents, including the bylaws, or its rules and regulations, a representative of the association will first contact your tenants in an attempt to remedy the problem. The association will send you a copy of any notice sent to your tenant.

If the tenant does not correct the violation, the association will contact you and expect you to remedy the violation using the recourse available to you through your lease agreement. If you are unable to correct the violation, the association may pursue appropriate legal action against the tenant, and possibly against you.

The association asks that you provide the manager with the names and contact information of your tenants. The association will add your tenants to its mailing list, and they will receive the newsletter, invitations to participate on committees, notices of social activities and general association-related information. This information will also be used in case of emergency.

Follow these simple steps and you, the tenants and the association will all have a positive community association living experience:

Renters: If you don't have a copy of the association rules or you'd like more information about the association, please contact a board member or manager.

Why Do Condo Associations Need Reserves?

Equipment and major components (like the roofs) must be replaced from time to time, regardless of whether you plan for the expense. We prefer to plan and set the funds aside now. Reserve funds aren't an extra expense-they just spread out expenses more evenly. There are other important reasons we put association monies into reserves every month:

1. Reserve funds meet legal, fiduciary, and professional requirements. A replacement fund may be required by:

3. Reserve funds minimize the need for special assessments or borrowing. For most association members, this is the most important reason.

5. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) requires the community association to disclose its reserve funds in its financial statements.

Who Lives in Your Community?

Understanding and appreciating the generational values of your neighbors contributes to a strong community. Consider a few broad groups:

Matures: The Matures were born between 1920 and 1945. They're the last of the veterans of the World and Korean Wars, and are also called the "Silent Generation." They're about sacrifice. They survived the Great Depression, and they still reuse aluminum foil and paper bags. Their heroes were military figures. They believe that a rule is a rule. They feel that change is good, as long as it's the type of change they've envisioned. The Matures defined the world in which we live for many years, but they now have to give way to the Baby Boomers.

Baby Boomers: Baby Boomers were born between 1945 and 1964. Approximately 77 million in number, they're workaholics who believe in teamwork, democracy, and loyalty. They don't necessarily see the need to follow rules. Baby Boomers value the concept of "built to last." They invented the idea of "meaningful work," and the workplace continues to be a part of their self-identity. Baby Boomers will occupy the White House until approximately 2030.

Generation X: Generation X'ers were born between 1965 and 1977. Numbering about 44 million, this group was raised in an environment in which both parents worked. They question their parents' values, and they believe that jobs and housing are disposable. They place greater value on family and personal life than the Baby Boomers do, and they feel that a balanced life is more important than professional accomplishments.

Generation Y: Generation Y's were born between 1977 and 2000. They comprise approximately 33 percent of the U.S. population, and projections suggest that by the year 2010, those age 33 and younger will number 137 million, or 46 percent of the U.S. population. People in this group have always known the Internet, laptops, and cell phones. It would never occur to them to physically touch a television to change the channel. People born in the U.S. after 1983 have always had a President from the Southern states. South Africa's official policy of apartheid has not existed in their lifetime, cars have always had CD players and air bags, weather reports have always been available 24 hours a day, and genetic testing and DNA screening have always been available. This generation focuses on its individual choices, goals, and the future.

The Importance of Fire Extinguishers

Homeowners are strongly encouraged to keep at least one, and preferably several, fire extinguishers in your home. Fire extinguishers reduce the potential for damage which keeps your insurance premiums-and your assessments-down. Several types are available, and each has a specific use.

Common household fire extinguishers are only intended to snuff out small fires before they become serious. Keep as many as necessary to grab quickly before a fire gets out of control. For starters, you should probably have one in the kitchen, at least one on each floor, one in the garage, and one near valuable electronic equipment.

The kind of fire extinguisher you should use depends on what's burning. Different types of extinguishers are available for different types of fires, and each is prominently labeled with an alpha designation:

Along with the alpha designations listed above, fire extinguishers also have a number. This indicates how much fire the extinguisher can handle---higher numbers put out bigger fires. However, bigger isn't always better. Large extinguishers are more difficult to handle and can only be used by one person at a time. If you feel you need added coverage, stock several smaller extinguishers rather than just one large one.

Fire extinguishers labeled ABC will handle all classes of fire, and they would seem to eliminate the question, "What type do I need?" But the all-purpose extinguisher has some disadvantages. They're usually large and hard to handle, they contain chemicals that can corrode aluminum and damage electrical systems, and they leave a messy yellow residue.

Big Tips for Small Fixes

Do-it-yourself projects can be immensely rewarding, but even a small repair can turn into a more frustrating and time-consuming job when you encounter unexpected problems. Here are some easy tips for tackling common home hardware problems that will leave you with a sense of accomplishment rather than a sense of frustration:

Loose Screws: If a screw is so loose that it's barely gripping, remove it, wrap its threads with a few strands of steel wool, and screw it back into its old hole.

If a screw has been ripped out of its hole entirely and the hole is too big for the threads to gain hold, slide a wooden match into the hole and then replace the screw.

Tight Screws: Twisting screws into a bar of soap first makes them easier to insert. A few drops of white vinegar will help remove stubborn screws from a metal surface.

Better Grips: Improve your grip by wrapping a thick rubber band around the plastic handle of a screwdriver. This makes tightening and loosening screws less strenuous.

Hammer Help: When hammering a small nail, brad or tack, slip the fastener between the teeth of a pocket comb to protect your fingers from the hammer's blow. Don't have a comb handy? You can also use a bobby pin, a paper clip or tweezers to hold the nail.

When hammering a nail in a tight spot or hard-to-reach corner, a bit of modeling clay or chewing gum will hold the nail in place for the first couple of blows.

Rusted Nuts and Bolts: Removing a rusted nut or bolt can be an especially frustrating task. Pour hydrogen peroxide, lemon juice or cola over the rusted fastener and wait half an hour. The mild acid will dissolve the rust enough for the nut or bolt to turn freely.

Rusted Tools: Working with rusted tools makes any job more difficult. Clean off the rust by rubbing a paste of six parts salt and two parts lemon juice on the rusted areas with a dry cloth, then rinse and dry thoroughly.

Tips for Successful Renting

Approximately four in 10 homes in suburban America are occupied by renters. If your unit is one of those homes-or about to become one-here are a few tips that will help you, your renters, and the association.

The association manager can give you important information about what the association requires of owners and renters and tips about the rental process that will be very helpful, especially if you're leasing for the first time. The manager has sample leases you can use and copies of the association rules to give to your tenants.

Make sure you comply with the association's governing documents-the bylaws and CC&Rs. They may contain special requirements for nonresident owners who lease their units.

Be sure to inform prospective renters about the special considerations of living in a community association before they sign a lease. The association will be happy to give you a copy of the rules to pass along.

No doubt you'll have your renters sign a lease. Please attach an addendum to your lease that covers the specifics of the community association and require renters to adhere to association rules. This is very important because it gives you and the association a means of enforcement. A good lease or lease addendum should support the community by:

Once the lease is signed, give a copy to the association manager or a board member. The more information you provide about your renters, the more successful they will be in our community. Please provide the following information to the association:

Be an advocate for your tenants with the association. Make sure they have access to the recreational and parking areas and that they have the keys and passes they need. Please give them the name and phone number of our association manager.

Even though tenants have no vote on association matters, they are an important part of your community. Make them feel welcome, provide information that will familiarize them with the association, and encourage them to participate in community activities whenever possible. Today's renters may be tomorrow's owners-or even board members. The more we all do to promote a sense of belonging for renters, the more positive and successful the leasing experience will be for everyone.

Thieves in the Waste Basket

Most-but not all-identity theft now occurs electronically. But your identity can still be easily scored by thieves who make use of what you toss in your waste basket, too.

Trash facilities and recycling centers can be gold mines of personal information for enterprising dumpster divers. That is, unless you shred documents that contain identifying information-charge receipts, credit applications, insurance forms, physician statements, canceled checks and bank statements and even expired charge cards.

Beware also of those bothersome credit offers you get in the mail and toss unopened into the trash-particularly the pre-approved variety. Clever scammers complete these blank applications, obtain a credit card in your name, charge it to the limit and close the account before you receive the first billing statement. To protect yourself, all you have to do is tear the unopened envelop in half once or twice before tossing it in the waste basket.

Better yet, you can eliminate these prescreened credit offers from your mailbox by calling 1-888-5-OPT-OUT (1-888-567-8688) to opt out. You'll be asked to provide your Social Security number so the consumer reporting companies can match you with your file.

Also, deposit your outgoing mail containing personally identifying information in post office collection boxes or at your local post office, rather than in an unsecured mailbox. Promptly remove mail from your mailbox. If you're planning to be away from home and can't pick up your mail, contact the U.S. Postal Service at 1-800-275-8777 or online at www.usps.gov to request a vacation hold. The Postal Service will hold your mail at your local post office until you can pick it up or are home to receive it.

The Federal Trade Commission has more information on identity theft and prevention tips at FTC.gov.

Clarifying the Manager's Role

Your association employs a highly-qualified professional community manager, and we think residents should know what the manager has-and has not-been hired to do. The manager has two primary responsibilities: to carry out policies set by the board and to manage the association's daily operations.

Some residents expect the manager to perform certain tasks that just aren't part of the job. When the manager doesn't meet those expectations, residents naturally are unhappy. Since we want you to be happy, we're offering a few clarifications to help you understand what the manager does.

� The manager is trained to deal with conflict, but he or she will not get involved in quarrels you might be having with your neighbor. However, if association rules are being violated, the manager is the right person to call.

� While the manager works closely with the board, he or she is an advisor-not a member of the board. Also, the manager is not your advocate with or conduit to the board. If you have a concern, send a letter or e-mail directly to the board.

� Although the manager works for the board, he or she is available to residents. That doesn't mean the manager will drop everything to take your call. If you need to see the manager, call and arrange a meeting. If a matter is so urgent that you need an immediate response, call the association emergency number or 911.

� The manager is always happy to answer questions, but he or she is not the information officer. For routine inquiries, like the date of the next meeting, please read the newsletter or check the association website.

� The manager is responsible for monitoring contractors' performance, but not supervising them. Contractors are responsible for supervising their own personnel. If you have a problem with a contractor, notify the manager, who will forward your concerns to the board. The board will decide how to proceed under the terms of the contract.

� The manager inspects the community regularly, but even an experienced manager won't catch everything. Your help is essential. If you know about a potential maintenance issue, report it to the manager.

� The manager does not set policy. If you disagree with a policy or rule, you'll get better results sending a letter or e-mail to the board than arguing with the manager.

� The manager has a broad range of expertise, but he or she is not a consultant to the residents. Neither is he or she an engineer, architect, attorney or accountant. The manager may offer opinions, but don't expect technical advice in areas where he or she is not qualified.

� Although the manager is a great resource to the association, he or she is not available 24 hours a day-except for emergencies. Getting locked out of your home may be an emergency to you, but it isn't an association emergency. An association emergency is defined as a threat to life or property.

Why a Fee Increase?

It isn't news most homeowners want to hear, that assessments might be increased. But sometimes a fee increase is the best way to keep the association in good financial health -- and, sometimes, increases are unavoidable. Here are some of the reactions homeowners typically have when they hear that their fees are about to increase, followed by the related rationales for an increase.

Who's Responsible for What?

Who's responsible for what? It's an important question often asked by residents, and the answer is sometimes more complicated than you'd think.

Generally, the association is responsible for repairing or replacing common, or shared, elements and owners are responsible for maintaining their own homes. But there are two problems. First, some areas are neither common nor part of your home. These are called exclusive or limited-use common areas and they're available only to one or a few residents. Who is responsible for these? Second, ownership and responsibility for repair and replacement are not necessarily the same thing. So, it gets confusing.

To make answering the question easier, the Convenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&Rs) include a responsibility chart that indicates who is responsible for each component. The chart lists the components and has columns labeled "association" and "owner." A simple check mark in one of the columns designates responsibility.

While the chart is fairly comprehensive, you may still have questions. If a component isn't listed, check with the manager or a board member for clarification. It could have been overlooked at the time the documents were prepared, or perhaps it was recently added. The board will pass a clarifying resolution assigning responsibility for any items not included.

It might save a telephone call if you check the responsibility chart first, but if there are any questions, don't hesitate to ask.

Shedding Light on New Bulbs

Standard incandescent light bulbs may soon become a thing of the past. Under the Clean Energy Act of 2007, the sale of energy-inefficient incandescent bulbs will be phased out over a two-year period, beginning with 100-watt bulbs in January 2012. Compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) have become the most popular replacement choice. The typical CFL uses 66 percent less energy and lasts up ten times longer than an incandescent bulb.

Making the switch to CFLs doesn't require that you throw out all your incandescent bulbs right away. Even a gradual change can result in significant savings. Just replacing your home's five most frequently used light fixtures can save you more than $65 each year, as CFLs provide the most savings when a lighting source is used for at least two hours a day. You can continue to use incandescent bulbs for fixtures that are only on for a few minutes at a time, such as closet lights, changing to CFLs as your supply of incandescent bulbs runs out.

One important point to know about CFLs is that they contain an average of 4 milligrams of mercury (about the amount that would cover the tip of a ballpoint pen). The mercury is sealed within the bulb's glass tubing, and no mercury is released when the bulb is intact or in use. Special caution must be taken when disposing of used bulbs or cleaning up broken bulbs, however. Some states require used CFL bulbs (broken and unbroken) to be taken to local recycling centers for disposal. And if a bulb breaks in your home, you should follow the Environmental Protection Agencys guidelines to clean up the debris:

Future Cleaning of Carpeting or Rug: Air Out the Room During and After Vacuuming

Mortgage Relief for Distressed Homeowners

To help the millions of homeowners whose Federal Housing Administration (FHA) mortgages are threatened by foreclosure, the FHA established the Home Affordable Modification Option, or FHA-HAMP. Homeowners approved for this program could have their monthly mortgage payments reduced significiantly.

Homeowners may only apply for the FHA-HAMP once. And although they are not required to have equity in their homes, to be eligible for the FHA-HAMP mortgage payment reduction, homeowners must:

Other requirements and consideration- such as the amount of monthly mortgage payment in relation to the applicant's debt ratio- may need to be satisfied before a mortgage reduction can be approved. For instance, a homeowner applying for FHA-HAMP must have a cumulative debt, including second mortgages, credit cards, car loans and leases, and any other installment or revolving accounts, that is no more than 55 percent of his or her houshold's monthly gross income.

To determine eligibility or to apply for the FHA-HAMP, homeowners should contact their existing lenders or the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's National Servicing Center at (888) 297-8685. Applicants will be asked to provide proof of income, a hardship letter explaining the circumstances of their financial difficulties and a list of monthly expenses with supporting documentation. To avoid scams, homeowners are reminded that HUD's couseling services are free and are cautioned not to pay anyone to prepare their intake packages or applications.

Misconceptions About Property Values

Like almost every community in the country, your association is feeling the pinch in the housing market. We'd like to dispel a few common misconceptions about what contributes to the rise and fall of property values.

False. Actually, assessments have nothing to do with property values, and high assessments will not turn off potential buyers-if they're educated buyers. Your assessment may be higher-or lower-than a neighboring community depending on many factors. Are you providing more services? Is your property older? What utilities are included in the assessment or do you have more homes?

The more important question is what value are residents getting for their money? To answer that question, the association mails a detailed budget with line-item documentation to all owners and makes it available to potential buyers. A low assessment should be as much a red flag as one that appears too high.

False. Lenders are required to charge higher rates for loans or deny a loan for homes in associations with renter-owner ratios that exceed a certain percentage. But that doesn't mean renters affect property values. Most association boards see renters as owners-in-training who aren't ready to purchase their homes yet. In fact, renters have all the same rights to enjoy your community as owners-except voting or holding office. We welcome renters, encourage them to participate in association activities and hope they will eventually buy a home in your community.

True and false. Association living is maintenance free-leaving maintenance decisions to a board-but not entirely carefree. Residents need to care about their community and recognize that common-interest living involves service and commitment. Good maintenance increases curb appeal which helps sales and may help property values. However, without committed residents to serve on the board and in other positions, maintenance and curb appeal are quick to suffer.

Architectural and aesthetic uniformity are necessary to protect property values

False. The board's objective is to maintain standards rather than ensure uniformity. Yes, some uniformity is good, but most boards believe there is room for individual expression-as long as aesthetic standards are met.

Property values are based largely on comparative values of homes throughout your community. However, you can ensure that your values are at peak levels by assessing adequate fees to maintain your community now and for years to come, by ensuring all residents are involved and engaged in the community, care about the association and by maintaining high aesthetic appeal.

The Purpose of Community Associations

What is this entity that collects your assesments, mows the lawn and occasionally throws a party? One way to think of your community association is as a service organization that provides three types of service to owners and residents.

The board and property manager make every effort to deliver these services fairly and effectively to protect and enhance the value of your homes and condos. They also strive, through collective participation and mutual decision making, to preserve that intrinsic value called "quality of life" that is at the heart of the community association concept.

Are You Adequately Insured?

Condominium owners sometimes assume that the association's master insurance policy is all the coverage they need. The master policy actually only covers the buildings, not your personal belongings, or any upgrades you've made to your unit. For example, upgraded flooring, new cabinets, appliances or renovations are generally not covered by the master policy. It does not cover parts of the building that are used only by you, like the balcony or the pipes that feed into your unit from the main lines.

All residents need their own insurance for the interior of their units, their belongings and any damage that might be caused by something within your unit (such as a leaking toilet). In a few rare cases where coverage is provided under the master policy, you will still be responsible for the deductible. To have your personal belongings and any deductibles covered, you need to invest in a condominum owner's insurance policy, available from most carriers. These policies generally cost only a few dollars each month and are well worth it! Be sure to ask about water or sewer backup coverage. Sewer backups are not unheard of, and a standard policy won't cover the damage to your unit without a sewer backup rider.

It you have any questions regarding what type of coverage you need, please contact your insurance agent. The association's agent is also very familar with the type of coverage condominium owners need and can help you avoid double coverage or gaps in coverage between your personal insurance and the association's master policy.

Keep Warm, But Safe

December, January and February are the deadliest months for home fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). And, heating equipment is the second leading cause of home fires and home fire deaths. That's why it's important for you and your loved ones to take extra precautions during the winter.

Thinking of buying a space heater? The NFPA recommends (and our managers insist) that you make sure it carries the mark of an independent testing laboratory. Install it according to the manufacturer's instructions or have it professionally installed. If you have an electric- powered space heater, plug it into an outlet with sufficient capacity. Never use an extension cord. Many associations do not allow liquid-fueled space heaters.

Turn off space heaters whenever the room is unoccupied of when manufacturer's instructions say they should be turned off. Portable space heaters are easy to knock over in the dark. Turn them off when you go to bed, or at least make sure they're placed in lighted areas or out of high-traffic areas.

If you use a fireplace or wood stove, use only dry, seasoned wood to avoid the build-up of creosote, an oily deposit that easily catches fire and accounts for most chimney fires and the largest share of home-heating fires. Use only paper or kindling wood, not a flammable liquid, to start the fire. Do not use artificial logs in wood stoves.

Make sure your fireplace has a sturdy screen to prevent sparks from flying into the room. After the ashes are cool, dispose of them in a metal container, which is kept a safe distance from your home.

Make sure fuel-burning equipment is vented to the outside, that the venting is kept clear and unobstructed, and that the exit point is properly sealed around the vent. This is to make sure deadly carbon monoxide does not build up in the home.

Tracking Down Air Leaks

Air leaks are one of the biggest saboteurs of your energy bill. They cause your heating and air conditioning units to work overtime. But, you can increase the efficient use of energy by tracking down and eliminating sources of air leaks in your home.

Close your unit as tighly as possible--shutting doors, windows, flues, anything that vents to the outside. (Leave inside doors open.) Turn on the exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathrooms. This pulls air out of the house or unit and draws outside air in through the leaks. A common way to identify air movements is to hold a lighted incense stick near a suspect area. The smallest movement of air will cause the smoke to move. Another method is to simply hold your damp hand near potential leak sites. Air movement will feel cool.

Any place one surface joins another (even if it appears closed) is a potential place for air to move in or out of your home--for example, where floor and walls come together, such as around baseboards or carpet edges.

Small spaces don't allow much air leakage individually, but collectively they can eat up a significant amount of energy. Check all spaces where any type of opening exists such as electrical outlets and switch plates, fireplace dampers, around pipes, attic hatches, mounted air conditioners and mail slots.

Also, be sure to check caulked edges. Don't assume they're still air tight. Caulk dries over time and shrinks. Another application might be needed.

Doors and windows are in a category of their own. If they rattle of if you can see daylight around them, they leak. Fortunately, they're easy to fix with caulking or weather stripping.

Weather stripping is the simplest and least expensive means to eliminate air leaks around doors. Foam insulation is a variation on caulking that is available as an aerosol spray. It's well suited for filling large gaps like the holes where pipes or wires enter your home. (Use with caution, however, it expands significantly and can be unsightly if overdone.) For just about everything else, standard caulking is all you need. Once the job is deon, test again to make sure you stopped the leak completely.

Cold Weather Advice

Snow can make children squeal with delight, but it can also make adults snort with dread and frustration. The association tries to remove snow and ice quickly and safely from roads and walkways, while still allowing the kids to have some fun. In the meantime, please keep these cold-weather tips in mind: