Simply the Best.
Wildwood’s maintenance technicians are at it again – perfecting every
beat in their repertoire.
Friday the 13th couldn’t scare off their Annual Maintenance
Team Training Meeting where the daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual
checklists (which cover property inspection and preventative maintenance) were
reviewed. Emergency Red Books were
audited and updated and pool logs were improved upon. MSDS sheets and safety requirements were discussed and will
be further explored in a meeting at the end of the month. All licenses were audited – Wildwood
requires that all maintenance technicians maintain their current electrical
licenses. A gas compliance course
is to follow. The MT’s have been
coming together like this year after year, some of them for over twenty-five
years! From their cooperative
camaraderie to their fine-tuned skill set - what an outstanding team. Keep it up guys!
Monday, January 23, 2012
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Check Out What's New at Wildwood!
The best
just got better with some recent technological advances. Innovative software, targeted
outsourcing, and groundbreaking advances in voting procedures are creating
quite the splash.
Soon after the first of the year, your
Association will convert to Jenark, America’s leader in Community Association
software.
This innovative technology addresses all of
the unique requirements of association administrative: processes, operations,
transactions, communications, accounting and board reporting. It was designed
and built by property management experts, for association management
executives. It makes operational, administration and management functions
faster, easier, and more productive.
Community data is protected with the most
advanced, high-level security protocols available. Yet, data is readily
available in real-time to authorized users for optimum productivity - including
convenient online access to homeowners’ accounts from any computer or
wirelessly with handheld PDA for remote access.
Like our new look? We have
partnered with Optimal Outsource, whose focus in the association management
industry has enabled them to create products and tools that address the mailing
and communicating needs of the Association Industry.
Electronic
Statements and newsletters are now only a click away. We anticipate additional cost savings to your Association by
and taking advantage of their bulk pricing and being able to utilize discounted
postage rates.
Online Voting for Texas in 2012 - HOA Voting Solution.
House
Bill 2761 updates chapter 209 to allow for electronic voting in January
2012. VoteHOANow, an electronic voting provider, makes it easy
for Associations to choose, set-up and manage online board elections and ballot
procedures. VoteHOANow makes
conducting HOA elections fast, easy and affordable — and improves your chance
of reaching quorum.
We want to thank you, our homeowners, for
your support in 2011. We are anticipating a fantastic 2012!
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
New License Requirement for Pools - NOT
You may have recently received a notice from a pool service company regarding an alleged new license requirement for pool repairs. The letter implies that only persons with an electrician or retail appliance installer license can make repairs to any electrical system on a pool, spa or fountain. Wendy Wilson, General Counsel for the Texas Apartment Association has verified that this is an incorrect statement of the law and TDLR rules.
The following is an excerpt from Ms. Wilson’s statement:
“In fact, Section 1305.003(8) of the Texas Occupations Code clearly states that a person is exempt from licensing requirements and the statute does not apply to electrical work if: (A) performed by a person who does not engage in electrical work for the public; (B) performed by a person regularly employed as a maintenance person or maintenance electrician for a business; and (C) the electrical work does not involve the installation of electrical equipment during new construction as defined by rules adopted under Chapter 151, Tax Code.
Many Condominium, HOA's, rental housing owners and apartment management companies employ maintenance personnel to perform maintenance activities on their properties, such as pool equipment repairs and maintenance, and, therefore, do not need to employ a licensed electrical or retail appliance installer. Based on state law, maintenance personnel may perform electrical work, including work on pools, spas, and fountains without a license as long as the requirements of the exemption are met.”
The following is an excerpt from Ms. Wilson’s statement:
“In fact, Section 1305.003(8) of the Texas Occupations Code clearly states that a person is exempt from licensing requirements and the statute does not apply to electrical work if: (A) performed by a person who does not engage in electrical work for the public; (B) performed by a person regularly employed as a maintenance person or maintenance electrician for a business; and (C) the electrical work does not involve the installation of electrical equipment during new construction as defined by rules adopted under Chapter 151, Tax Code.
Many Condominium, HOA's, rental housing owners and apartment management companies employ maintenance personnel to perform maintenance activities on their properties, such as pool equipment repairs and maintenance, and, therefore, do not need to employ a licensed electrical or retail appliance installer. Based on state law, maintenance personnel may perform electrical work, including work on pools, spas, and fountains without a license as long as the requirements of the exemption are met.”
Friday, March 25, 2011
Bustling Into Spring
We are bustling around our office and would like to share with you what is going on in our Wild World of HOA Management:
SOFTWARE CONVERSION – We are officially in the throws of our upgrade to Jenark Software. Jenark bought out AVGAR (our current provider) about three years ago and sets the standard for Homeowner Association software. By upgrading to Jenark we will be able to meet Homeowner and Board demands by providing live detail of each homeowner account for their payments and covenant compliance. Homeowners will be able to opt in to receive electronic communication for billing and other notifications. This will result in big savings to our Associations by reducing the costs of copies, stationary and postage. Compliance enforcement will be facilitated by smart phone technology and will include a picture of any violation that was noted. Our Board members will have a portal as well to access financial activity. Eventually they will be able to view vendor activity and see the status of payment processing. As you can imagine the process is tedious; we want to ensure the conversion is seamless to our clients. Our target for full implementation is the end of summer.
AMLF TECHNOLOGY SEMINAR – Members of our Team attended the Association Management Leadership Forum in Houston last week. Thanks to our technological team, Chris Bachman and Top Box Solutions, we are in step with current technological advances. From the networking and knowledge gleaned, we are currently looking at other website providers who may be able to reduce costs to our HOAs. If you do not have an Association Website, please consider this minimal investment. It will improve communication to your members and will reduce costs to your Association. We are broadening our communication to our Homeowners via Facebook, our Blog and Twitter. With the Jenark software we will be able to utilize this form of communication as well. Not to worry, we will know who prefers paper communication and they will not be left out.
SAFETY COMPLIANCE AND TRAINING - All common areas and swimming pools have been inspected. Property Managers are working with our maintenance team and pool management services to ensure they are in full compliance by the time pools open for summer. Marc Ross, a leading expert in pool compliance and safety will be conducting a seminar for our team in April.
Gas Pipeline Safety for our Condominium Associations - Jay Eichorn will be conducting a safety and compliance seminar for all team members working with properties that provide gas to their homeowners for cooking and heat. Each member in attendance will be certified after completion of this course. A few other updates include:
• Next month welcomes back our Wildscapes Campaign, recognizing our homeowner with the most beautiful yard in each of our subdivisions each month. This was wildly successful and well received by our homeowners last year and it sure did give us a thrill too!
• Our Association Monthly Reports will soon be coming as an E-Board Report. Thinking green, green, and green.
• We have been able to reduce color copies costs to our clients due to a renegotiation with our copier provider. They are now the same cost as black and white.
• We are continuing to look at the dynamics of our industry and want to develop innovative approaches to building community. Please let us know if you are interested in participating in a focus group exploring our board members and homeowners. We see this taking place in the early fall . . . after the successful completion of the software conversion.
We are particularly graced with a wonderful group of clients and customers this year. Lovin' 2011!
www.wildwood-sa.com
SOFTWARE CONVERSION – We are officially in the throws of our upgrade to Jenark Software. Jenark bought out AVGAR (our current provider) about three years ago and sets the standard for Homeowner Association software. By upgrading to Jenark we will be able to meet Homeowner and Board demands by providing live detail of each homeowner account for their payments and covenant compliance. Homeowners will be able to opt in to receive electronic communication for billing and other notifications. This will result in big savings to our Associations by reducing the costs of copies, stationary and postage. Compliance enforcement will be facilitated by smart phone technology and will include a picture of any violation that was noted. Our Board members will have a portal as well to access financial activity. Eventually they will be able to view vendor activity and see the status of payment processing. As you can imagine the process is tedious; we want to ensure the conversion is seamless to our clients. Our target for full implementation is the end of summer.
AMLF TECHNOLOGY SEMINAR – Members of our Team attended the Association Management Leadership Forum in Houston last week. Thanks to our technological team, Chris Bachman and Top Box Solutions, we are in step with current technological advances. From the networking and knowledge gleaned, we are currently looking at other website providers who may be able to reduce costs to our HOAs. If you do not have an Association Website, please consider this minimal investment. It will improve communication to your members and will reduce costs to your Association. We are broadening our communication to our Homeowners via Facebook, our Blog and Twitter. With the Jenark software we will be able to utilize this form of communication as well. Not to worry, we will know who prefers paper communication and they will not be left out.
SAFETY COMPLIANCE AND TRAINING - All common areas and swimming pools have been inspected. Property Managers are working with our maintenance team and pool management services to ensure they are in full compliance by the time pools open for summer. Marc Ross, a leading expert in pool compliance and safety will be conducting a seminar for our team in April.
Gas Pipeline Safety for our Condominium Associations - Jay Eichorn will be conducting a safety and compliance seminar for all team members working with properties that provide gas to their homeowners for cooking and heat. Each member in attendance will be certified after completion of this course. A few other updates include:
• Next month welcomes back our Wildscapes Campaign, recognizing our homeowner with the most beautiful yard in each of our subdivisions each month. This was wildly successful and well received by our homeowners last year and it sure did give us a thrill too!
• Our Association Monthly Reports will soon be coming as an E-Board Report. Thinking green, green, and green.
• We have been able to reduce color copies costs to our clients due to a renegotiation with our copier provider. They are now the same cost as black and white.
• We are continuing to look at the dynamics of our industry and want to develop innovative approaches to building community. Please let us know if you are interested in participating in a focus group exploring our board members and homeowners. We see this taking place in the early fall . . . after the successful completion of the software conversion.
We are particularly graced with a wonderful group of clients and customers this year. Lovin' 2011!
www.wildwood-sa.com
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
TEN REASONS TO VOLUNTEER FOR YOUR HOA
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?
3. Be sociable. Meet your neighbors, make friends, and exchange opinions.
4. Give back. Repay a little of what’s been done for you.
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.
7. Get educated. Learn how it’s done—we’ll train you.
8. Express yourself. Help with creative projects like community beautification.
9. Earn recognition. If you would like a little attention or validation, your contributions will be recognized and celebrated.
10. Try some altruism. Improve society by helping others.
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?
3. Be sociable. Meet your neighbors, make friends, and exchange opinions.
4. Give back. Repay a little of what’s been done for you.
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.
7. Get educated. Learn how it’s done—we’ll train you.
8. Express yourself. Help with creative projects like community beautification.
9. Earn recognition. If you would like a little attention or validation, your contributions will be recognized and celebrated.
10. Try some altruism. Improve society by helping others.
Monday, December 20, 2010
2011, Here We Come…
With a new year upon us, Wildwood Management Group has been hard at work developing our 2011 plan of action. In teaming with our HOA Board members and delving into our homeowners’ wish lists, we have identified new services to keep our Associations moving forward.
By popular demand, Home Care Services for our absentee condominium owners, and In Home Maintenance Services for all our homeowners are now available. Home Care Services can include: house visits, watering plants, housekeeping services and even home repairs and maintenance. Our home maintenance services will provide our homeowners with a trusted and economical option for home improvements and repair.
Our new Wild Scapes program (for our single-family home communities), in which we name “The Most Beautiful Yard of the Month,” has been particularly well received and so, we will institute this as a permanent fixture. We have been thrilled to see how flattered our winners have been by the accolades and braggin’ rights.
You spoke; we listened! For our condominium projects, in which the Association sub-meters utilities, we will now offer ACH withdrawal of the electricity payment, in addition to assessment fees. We are currently creating this new system, which will begin operating in January of 2011. Should a homeowner choose to participate in the electricity ACH program, we will simply need a revised ACH form submitted to our office.
Improvements in electronic communication are also in gear for the new year. We will offer the option to receive billing and general correspondence electronically. The new software, which will allow for this alternative, should be fully implemented in Spring 2011. This is not only a cost-saving measure, but also allows our homeowners to choose their preferred mode of communication.
We ask that you share additional ideas on how we can better serve you in 2011; we are always open to suggestions to better fulfill and exceed your expectations. We remain committed to building community one homeowner at a time and we sincerely appreciate the opportunity to serve your HOA in San Antonio. Thanks to our homeowners for working WITH us to build a stronger HOA management organization.
Wishing you Happy Holidays from the Wildside!!!
By popular demand, Home Care Services for our absentee condominium owners, and In Home Maintenance Services for all our homeowners are now available. Home Care Services can include: house visits, watering plants, housekeeping services and even home repairs and maintenance. Our home maintenance services will provide our homeowners with a trusted and economical option for home improvements and repair.
Our new Wild Scapes program (for our single-family home communities), in which we name “The Most Beautiful Yard of the Month,” has been particularly well received and so, we will institute this as a permanent fixture. We have been thrilled to see how flattered our winners have been by the accolades and braggin’ rights.
You spoke; we listened! For our condominium projects, in which the Association sub-meters utilities, we will now offer ACH withdrawal of the electricity payment, in addition to assessment fees. We are currently creating this new system, which will begin operating in January of 2011. Should a homeowner choose to participate in the electricity ACH program, we will simply need a revised ACH form submitted to our office.
Improvements in electronic communication are also in gear for the new year. We will offer the option to receive billing and general correspondence electronically. The new software, which will allow for this alternative, should be fully implemented in Spring 2011. This is not only a cost-saving measure, but also allows our homeowners to choose their preferred mode of communication.
We ask that you share additional ideas on how we can better serve you in 2011; we are always open to suggestions to better fulfill and exceed your expectations. We remain committed to building community one homeowner at a time and we sincerely appreciate the opportunity to serve your HOA in San Antonio. Thanks to our homeowners for working WITH us to build a stronger HOA management organization.
Wishing you Happy Holidays from the Wildside!!!
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