SWSchwab Property Management, LLC

02/13/2022

Have you heard? The City of Denver is reviving the topic of charging residents for Trash Pickup. How do you feel about that?

I agree that we all need to make a bigger effort to try to reduce the amount of trash we produce and put into the landfills. And, yes, charging people for this service is one way to accomplish that.
I also see a lot of drawbacks to this approach beginning with people just putting their Trash in their Purple Recycle bins. That defeats the recycling program because we know that when TRASH is found in RECYCLABLE materials, the entire lot of recyclables is then just tossed into the landfill.

Please comment with your thoughts.

02/13/2022

02/05/2022

Home Owner's Associations (HOAs) should plan their years worth of work to be done just as a small business or even a homeowner would. The beginning of the year is a good time to do this. Alternatively the association may choose to do this at the beginning of their fiscal year.

The Board of Directors should identify and plan the years work needing to be done. this process might be something like: 1) Make a list of all components of the association for which the HOA is responsible. This should be spelled out in the association’s governing documents. 2) The Board of Directors should make an annual inspection of the entire complex. During the inspection make a list of all items needing attention. Following the inspection identify which items MUST be repaired and which items would be nice to be repaired. 3) Have all items estimated for cost. Create a budget and prioritize the Must repair items and as much of the nice to repair items as funding will allow for the year. 4) Schedule the work according to the priorities set and available funds.

12/23/2021

Know before you buy: When buying a home in a covenant controlled community, request a copy of the governing documents; it's your right. This way you'll know what you're getting yourself into if you decide to buy.

If everything were the same everywhere, life would be pretty dull and boring. However, without covenants, life in a community could be hell. Rules are intended to keep the neighborhood enjoyable for all. Unfortunately not all rules are reasonable. The Board of Directors are responsible for implementing rules and in doing so should:
a. consider the enforceability of rules
b. ensure the rule doesn't conflict with local, city or state laws
c. ensure the rule doesn't discriminate against certain people
d. get member input prior to implementing or eliminating rules

As a member of a community it's important to get involved and there are at least a few ways to do so:
1. Run for a position on the Board of Directors
2. Get to know your board and neighbors to foster a good relationship
3. Attend HOA meetings

12/23/2021

I wanted to provide some humor this holiday season and knowing that there are many hilariously ridiculous HOA Violation letters sent to homeowners I searched the web and needless to say there was a multitude of examples to choose from. My top 3 picks for “ridiculous violation letters” HOA members have received are:
#3. In spirit of the Holiday season: “Reddit user skeptibat wrote that their neighborhood has mandated colors for Christmas lights. When a commenter inquired which colors were OK, they replied that it depends on the house number since “the HOA wants variety.”
#2. One Reddit user and his neighbor were sent a letter saying that they had to mow their lawn on the same day.
and #1. From a person in Houston: “Our HOA sent my neighbor a warning regarding too many birds on her roof. Birds. Wild freakin birds. Seems they were a nuisance and an eyesore. She was ordered to rid them or be fined.”

Share your ridiculous HOA notice stories in the comments below.

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12/19/2021

Christmas is the time for Gingerbread and who doesn't enjoy making a gingerbread house? It's actually very easy to make homemade and you can be as creative as you want.

Don’t have time or the stuff to make the complete house? Use the Gingerbread recipe and cut out cookies. This gingerbread is delicious and makes gingerbread men or just any ole cookie shape you might have. Decorate with icing and any creative topping you can think of.

How to make a completely homemade gingerbread house. Use my gingerbread house recipe, video tutorial, and template for gingerbread house success.

12/18/2021

We all want to live a healthy long life and one very important thing to do that is having a Healthy Diet. Things to be sure to include are: Nuts, Olive oil, Dark leafy greens, whole grains, Fruits, Legumes and Green tea.

This is nothing new, but how do we implement these healthy items into our daily diet? Here are some ideas. These are pulled from this publication: https://www.aarp.org/health/healthy-living/info-2021/superfoods-to-live-longer.html?cmp=EMC-DSO-NLC-WBLTR---BAU-121721-F1-6010216&ET_CID=6010216&ET_RID=116810774&encparam=Krhacy5mZhC3XwD3MQwn2q6BK5V57KJ1YrcHecKmhKw=

- Mixed nuts will give you a variety. Have available in your home as a snack. Just a handful a day will help
- Olive oil. Use it instead of vegetable oil or canola oil. It is healthier and tastier.
- Dark leafy greens. Include fresh baby spinach in your salads. Try making homemade soups with kale, they’re easy and delicious. Have an instant pot? Couldn’t be easier. This recipe uses olive oil, Bonus! https://www.lettyskitchen.com/instant-pot-irish-potato-kale-soup/ Want some tasty meat in your soup, there are plenty of delicious easy to make soups that include meat. Try https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/261790/caldo-verde-portuguese-sausage-kale-soup/ Don’t have the type of sausage or meat the recipe calls for, no worries, use whatever type you want or like.
- Whole grains. Do you cook stir fry meals with rice? Use brown rice instead of white rice. Have an Instant Pot? Making rice in the instant pot is super easy. Have popcorn for a snack.
- Fruits. Don’t like eating fresh fruit or find it a hassle? Buy frozen fruits and make smoothies. Fresh of course is always the best choice and throwing them in the blender for a smoothie is so easy.
- Legumes. What? peas, beans and lentils. include peas in your fried rice. Try lentils in your kale soups. Who doesn’t love chili with a variety of beans?
- Green tea. Are you a coffee drinker? Don’t give it up, but maybe instead of a whole pot of coffee, change to a cup of espresso in the morning and then green tea (hot or cold) as your beverage for lunch and dinner.

Research shows that those who follow a diet that favors fresh foods over processed are more likely to live longer and avoid cancer and heart disease.

12/17/2021

In this current era of COVID19, Community Associations are faced with a new challenge. How dow they respect members decision not to get vaccinated while addressing members concerns of health safety in the community? Community Boards have limited authority.

Private sector employers have the right to require employees to get vaccinated, providing certain exceptions. Apartment owners also have the right to control their rental properties as long as they don't violate fair housing laws. This is because vaccination status is not a constitutionally protected class, so it isn't unlawful to require such proof before signing a lease.

Association boards may implement vaccine mandates and require masks in pool areas and clubhouses, but as with any rule, they must consider the practicality of enforcing such rules. As with any community governance issue, boards may find that some middle ground is the best approach, such as taking reasonable precautions and remind members that the HOA cannot guarantee the health status of others and each person should make their own decisions about their tolerable level of risk. Encourage a safe environment. Adopt a mask policy for common areas, provide hand sanitizer, clean frequently and encourage social distancing.

12/12/2021

Please share my business card with your HOA Board of Directors or anyone looking for an HOA Management Comopany.

11/18/2021

With fall comes the change of color in the leaves quickly followed by the falling of the leaves. Immediately most of us think we need to get out and rake them up, but wait! Don't! Here are at least 3 reason why you should leave them on the ground.
1. Leaving at least some of the leaves in your yard can help fertilize your grass and other plants. If you don't like the sight, mow over them to mulch them to break down faster.
2. The layer of leaves in your yard around trees and other plants is really important wildlife habitat. Earthworms and little pillbugs and all sorts of little critters that live in that leaf layer, which then are food for animals higher up the food chain.
3. Bagging them into plastic bags and sending them to the landfill is bad for the environment. According to data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in 2018, landfills received approximately 10.5 million tons of yard trimmings, which includes leaves.

Find more information on why you shouldn't rake your leaves at these links:
https://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/fresh-greens/2008/11/14/2-reasons-not-to-rake-your-leaves-this-weekend #:~:text=Unless%20you%20have%20a%20very,ll%20decompose%20by%20the%20spring.

https://news.yahoo.com/good-news-dont-rake-leaves-100343709.html

10/22/2021

Conflict is something all or most of us will encounter at some point in time to some degree. When a member of an HOA experiences a dispute with either the Board of Directors or a fellow member, the first course of action, after being unable to resolve the issue between themselves, should be a form of Alternative Dispute Resolution (aka ADR). There are 3 forms: Mediation, Arbitration and a Hybrid Med/Arb.

Questions? Do you have a dispute or conflict with a HOA member or a Board of Director? Call or email me and I can work with you to find a solution that works for you.

email: [email protected]

source: https://cai-rmc.org/Blog/10034608

10/07/2021

As you get close to age 50, you might want to know what you have to look forward to, such as Medicaid and what it covers. I was very surprised to find that some things I think Medicaid should cover are not covered by it. It is far past time for Medicaid Reform.

How much do you know about the Medicare program? See if you can answer questions about Medicare coverage, plus earn AARP Rewards points.