HOMEOWNER PLANNING SABATOGE OF BOARD

Could really use some help here!

We have a wonderful management company...the best we've ever had. The previous President (who was very negative and left because it was too stressful) and the one before that, who was ousted due to bullying nasty behavior (before I moved here) are now, independently, trying to over through the current Board.

One issue they have is that I am on the Board (Small Board, only 3 for 37 Unit) and also a Real Estate Agent. The past president asked me to join the Board knowing full well I was an agent. I've served on the Board for 2 years and now it is felt that it is a conflict of interest.

The president before that, the bully, is now going door to door to solicit votes to over throw the Board...which as one Board member says, is the best it has been in years! We've finally done a reserve study and a plan is in place. In his day, he had a lacky management company he man handled, spent money without Board approval, and generally broke every rule in the book but no one stood up to him. He is not in good standing, with years of late fees unpaid and recently a fine.

Thankfully, one "anonymous" neighbor sent a letter to all homeowners outing him for past bad behavior and told owners that he went to the management company to see what was going on....this all started with the Announcement of our Annual Meeting on November 15th...there's been solicitation from both parties spreading "assumptions and rumors" that we've done nothing.

The truth of the matter is that we've just decided and worked out a plan that took months to work out, to have all building refurbished, which they have needed for years...but only patchwork had been done.

Needless to say we have worked so so hard and now there are negative forces trying to undermine everything we've done.

Any suggestions of how to handle these "negative Nancy's" would be greatly appreciated. Both of them are just angry people by nature, and angry at life itself.

MANY THANKS!

I agree.

Sara

You said you just worked out a plan for refurbishing all buildings. Send out a letter outlining it and tooting the BOD's horn for doing it.

If the past presidents are as bad as you say and people know it, I would not be concerned with them.

Thanks everyone for their advice and great ideas!

I totally agree with everything you've said...the Board is having a quick mtg this afternoon and will work on a letter to all homeowners, which we were going to do before the Annual Mtg on Nov 15th anyway, but expand the information and let them know all good things are happening.

We do need a sense of community, I've only lived here not even 3 years, and it's not good....I was thinking, and now will offer, to host an Holiday Open House for all resident (thank goodness there are only 37 Units!) and keep pushing the positive.

I'm on optimistic person by nature, and don't want us to loose the great momentum we've got going, although it would be easier to say enough is enough and quite...but I think it's too important to do so.

I'll keep you posted...

ALSO...no one had a comment on the Conflict of Interest issue regarding me being a Realtor....do you know of any such thing? Other Agents I know say most complexes find it a plus...so not sure what this is all about!

Thanks tons....Will keep you posted.

Sara

Some people have a skewed view on realtors or lawyers being on their HOA board. Is it justified? It depends on their actions. It should be known that yes you are a realtor but when your in the HOA you are just a member like everyone else. You just may have some more "insight" on home value issues. Your background like everyone else can help contribute to making the HOA work. Don't make it an issue. If someone has an issue with it, ask them specifics. They usually back down when you answer them directly.

My best event was an organized Halloween party/trick or treating event. I had all the kids old enough to trick or treat to meet at a certain time. That way the people knew those were the kids from the HOA and NOT from outside. Plus it let the people make better plans for that night. It lets the owners know they took care of "their kids" and can go on with any other social plans. A good time to also talk to the neighbors in a friendly environment wearing a mask...(LOL)

Tim you mean like this?

Part of American political lore is the Smathers "redneck speech," which Smathers reportedly delivered to a poorly educated audience. The "speech" was never given; it was a hoax dreamed up by one reporter. Time Magazine, during the campaign, falsely claimed that Smathers said this:

Are you aware that Claude Pepper is known all over Washington as a shameless extrovert? Not only that, but this man is reliably reported to practice nepotism with his sister-in-law, he has a brother who is a known homo sapiens, and he has a sister who was once a thespian in wicked New York. Worst of all, it is an established fact that Mr. Pepper, before his marriage, habitually practiced celibacy.

Do you still beat your wife?

I agree with everyone else. Harf work and honesty should speak for itself.

As for you being a real estate agent, I don't see any real conflict unless there were situations that would place you and your business at an unfair advantage.

For instance, there is an agent here that likes to involve themselves with all the HOAs. As president of one HOA he would use his copmmunity newsletter to drive business for himself using it as free advertising and would steer projects towards his investment properties (such as getting funds to improve land around his homes.

That said, There are many things a real estate agent can bring to the table.