Join us for the Reserve Study Seminar!

Don't be sub-par... come to our seminar,

your association will think you are a star!!!

.... ok ok, I know that was awful and if you're still reading I thank you :) But really here's the scoop:

 the Reserve Study laws in Washington State will change come January 1st!

We are holding a seminar here at our office on November 1st at 3:00pm so you can learn all about how this affects you and your association.

And just in case you feel like you need a formal invitation to attend... here you go!

(no excuses now!)

Tip Tuesday - times 8! Communicating with your Community Association

You don't want to be frustrated in your home. Read these great tips we found from Four Points Blog!

8 Tips for Communicating with Your Community Association


How you view a condominium or homeowners association is going to depend on what you have heard and what you believe. Some people think that community associations are the best form of residential living because the association is responsible to provide services that you would normally have to do yourself. On the contrary, some people believe that homeowner's associations are not a good idea because the people who make up the board and management have a reputation for being power hungry and that they usually do not care about the general upkeep of the property.

In order to assist you in communicating and dealing with the common misconceptions of community association living we’ve prepared our 8 Tips for Communicating with Your Community Association.

Tip #1:
You need to communicate with the board and management. If you do not
communicate, you are never going to have a good relationship with them, nor
will your opinion ever be heard. Never hesitate to ask questions or to question
what the board is doing, but you do need to remember that in order for your
opinion to be heard you must maintain a courteous and positive communication
level.

Tip #2:
Get involved with the association and participate. In order to maintain a
positive relationship with your association you are going to need to get
involved with the board. This can be as simple as attending membership meetings
and voting when necessary. You can also attend the monthly board meetings, join
or form a committee, or even become a board member. There are many ways to get
involved with your association which can help you maintain a positive
relationship with the association and management.

Tip #3:
Never assume that the board or management does not care. It’s important to
remember that the board and management will always consider any circumstances
that affect property maintenance, violations, or anything else that can
negatively affect the community. However, unfortunately, there are always
matters out of their control that may be cause for delay. Additionally, the
board and management may not always have a realistic understanding of the
urgency of some items, therefore, it’s important that you maintain constant
communication with them about what is going on so that they can work with you
on the issue.

Tip #4:
In order to fully understand what the association is and what they do you need
to take the time to learn about them. There are numerous things that you can do
to learn about an associations including reading books, attending board
meetings, and attending educational seminars. By learning about the
associations, you will find out that although some can be power hungry, most
associations work hard to make their community a great place to live.

Tip #5:
Always expect the best out of your association. Remember that the board is made
up of your own neighbors, who want the best for their community. Since you are
paying for the services you should expect the best, if things aren't going as
expected make it a point to talk to your board or manager to see if things can
be changed, but be prepared to provide specific issues and examples that can be
addressed.

Tip #6:
If you have something that you want to take up with the board or management be
sure to plan ahead. The reason for this is that time is needed to research and
to respond to your requests and questions. By giving plenty of notice, they can
provide you with the best answers and assistance.

Tip #7:
Learn to appreciate your board. The board members are there to help you resolve
problems and to fix things for the best of the entire community. Board members
do not get paid for their positions, they simply volunteer what time they have
to serve the community.

Tip #8:
If you do not like how things are going then you need to do something to help
change it. By running for a position on the board you can start making the
changes that you feel are necessary. You can also begin to make your board or
management aware of what you think is needed to make positive changes. In order
to better serve the community, they are always welcoming feedback and input on
what is going on throughout the community.

As the wildfires continue to burn in Texas...

... learn what to do if you were in the face of possible danger!

As the fires in Texas continue to destroy homes, take lives, and disrupt business and personal routines, many of us are wondering what we would do if given only a few days, hours or minutes to prepare ourselves for this threat or other natural hazards.

(Firefighters from around the state battle a large wildfire on Highway 71 near Smithville, Texas, Monday, Sep. 5, 2011.  (Erech Schlegal/AP Photo) )

If you are warned that a wildfire is threatening your area, listen to your battery-operated radio for reports and evacuation information. Follow the instructions of local officials.

• Back your car into the garage or park it in an open space facing the direction of escape. Shut doors and roll up windows. Leave the key in the ignition. Close garage windows and doors, but leave them unlocked. Disconnect automatic garage door openers.
• Confine pets to one room. Make plans to care for your pets in case you must evacuate.
• Arrange temporary housing at a friend or relative's home outside the threatened area.

If advised to evacuate, do so immediately

• Wear protective clothing - sturdy shoes, cotton or woolen clothing, long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, gloves, and a handkerchief to protect your face.
• Take your Disaster Supplies Kit. (see below)
• Lock your home.
• Tell someone when you left and where you are going.
• Choose a route away from fire hazards. Watch for changes in the speed and direction of fire and smoke.

If you're sure you have time, take steps to protect your home

Inside:

• Close windows, vents, doors, blinds, or noncombustible window coverings and heavy drapes. Remove lightweight curtains.
• Shut off all utilities if possible, including bottled gas.
• Open fireplace damper. Close fireplace screens.
• Move flammable furniture into the center of the home away from windows and sliding glass doors.
• Turn on a light in each room to increase the visibility of your home in heavy smoke.

Outside:

• Seal attic and ground vents with precut noncombustible coverings.
• Turn off propane tanks.
• Place combustible patio furniture inside.
• Connect the garden hose to outside taps.
• Set up a portable gasoline-powered pump.
• Place lawn sprinklers on the roof and near aboveground fuel tanks. Wetting the roof may help if it is shake-shingled.
• Wet or remove shrubs within 15 feet of the home.
• Gather fire tools.

Emergency Supplies

When wildfire threatens, you won't have time to shop or search for supplies. Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit with items you may need if advised to evacuate. Store these supplies in sturdy, easy-to-carry containers such as backpacks, duffle bags, or trash containers.
Include:

• A three-day supply of water (one gallon per person per day) and food that won't spoil.
• One change of clothing and footwear per person and one blanket or sleeping bag per person.
• A first aid kit that includes your family's prescription medications.
• Emergency tools including a battery-powered radio, flashlight, and plenty of extra batteries.
• An extra set of car keys and a credit card, cash, or traveler's checks.
• Sanitation supplies.
• Special items for infant, elderly, or disabled family members.
• An extra pair of eye-glasses.
• Keep important family documents in a waterproof container. Assemble a smaller version of your kit to keep in the trunk of your car.

(All this information was found at the U.S Fire Administration and FEMA.

Visit their website HERE! )

Happy Tuesday!

Tip Tuesday: Carbon Monoxide Safety

Glad to see you all back here after the long weekend, we hope you all had a great time!

As we head into cooler months (although this week is still supposed to be HOT!!!), we need to make sure to remember our safety when it come to staying safe and warm indoors :)

Hundreds of people die accidently every year from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by appliances that are not used properly or that are malfunctioning. Learn how to protect yourself and your family.

If the power goes out:
ONLY use a generator outdoors and far from open windows and vents.
NEVER use a fenerator indoors, in garages or carports.
NEVER cook or heat inside on a charcoal or gas grill.

What is carbon monoxide?
Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas that cannot be seen or smelled and can kill a person in minutes. Carbon monoxide is produced whenever any fuel such as gas, oil, kerosene, wood, or charcoal is burned. Carbon monoxide can build up so quickly that victims are overcome before they can get help.

Once inhaled, carbon monoxide can cause permanent brain damage. It can cause chest pains or heart attacks in people with heart disease.

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning:
-Headache
-Weakness
-Dizziness
-Confusion
-Fatigue
-Nausea

Although this sounds scary, there are easy ways to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning:
- Never burn charcoal inside homes, tents, campers, vans, trucks, garages or mobile homes.

-Do not burn charcoal in the fireplace in your home.

-Never use gas-powered equipment indoors.

-Never use a gas over to heat your home, even for a short time.

-Never idle a car in a garage, even when the garage door is open.

-Never sleep in a room while using an unvented gas or kerosene heater.

-Make sure that chimneys and flues are in good condition and are not blocked.

- Carbon monoxide warning devices may provide additional protection, but should not replace the other prevention steps.

If you suspect someone has been poisoned by carbon monoxide:

-Move person to a place with fresh air immediately.

-Take the person to an emergency roon and tell them you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning.

Stay safe and Happy Tuesday!