Homeowners associations rise or fall depending on how they are managed. Homeowners or a Board of Directors may choose to retain a professional management consultant or self manage for many reasons. Management changes occur due to varying factors. Some of those factors may be...The builder steps out of the picture and homeowners are required to manage the community... Active Board members sell their home and move out of the community taking their knowledge and community history with them... Lake of participation by homeowners who do not want to volunteer their time for their community... The development ages... Problems and challenges occur which cause community conflict... Board members lose focus on what's best for the community... The neighborhood is legally challenged... And the list can go on and on.
Ammerstone Association Management (AAM) provides two levels of management services in alignment with Washington State's "Homeowners Associations" Chapter 64.38 of the RCW's. We also offer ala a carte services for communities who needs just a little extra help. AAM will assist the Board of Directors in managing the day-to-day activities of the community based upon our experience with dozens of associations and through industry education and training. AAM can help your community meet challenges and custom tailor our services to meet your specific needs. Those services are outlined below.
(services include - this is not a complete list)
Administrative & Financial Services - maintenance of records in a manner which is accessible to the residents, board, public agencies and required by Washington State Law during normal business hours. Maintain all previous association records in a secure storage facility. Maintain accounts payable/accounts receivable/reconcile checking, savings, money market, and certificates of deposit in the name of the association. Provide information to outside agencies. Welcome new owners to the community. Provide enforcement and copies of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&R's)/general rules/adopted policies/association forms. Prepare year end tax documents for coordinating yearly audit/compilation with CPA. Manage delinquent accounts. Adopt and mail a copy of the budget to property owners within thirty days and set a date for ratification. Legally manage delinquent accounts. Perform community site inspections.
Board of Directors Services - attend meetings and act as an administrative assistant. Maintain maintenance contracts with subcontractors. Provide accounting statements in easy to understand format. Maintain Architectural standards and applications. Prepare and issue violation notices and assist in securing compliance. Assist in annual budget planning. Assist in preparing for annual meeting and election process.
Resident Services - maintain up-to-date owners information and comply with privacy laws. Act as liaison between owner-to-owner and owner-to-board. Complaints are confidential and followed up on for resolution. Support and advise owners of the CC&R's and adopted policies. Provide general assistance regarding landscape concerns. Provide 24 hour answering system to enable residents to contact our company during emergencies, evenings, weekends and holidays.
Association Bookkeeping Services: (includes)
Maintain accounts payable/accounts receivable/reconcile checking, savings, money market, and certificates of deposit in the name of the association. Prepare year end tax documents for coordinating yearly audit/compilation with CPA. Notify Board of delinquent accounts. Provide information to outside agencies regarding association finances. (No direct client contact.)
A la carte Services: (billed at an hourly fee)
- Create/revise governing documents
- Perform site inspection
- Training classes
- Create and prepare newsletter
- Prepare minutes
- Welcome new owners
- Create and mail correspondence
- Use of conference room
- Delinquent notice
- Create forms/policies
- Provide legal direction
- Violation notice
(According to RCW's all associations must...) Membership must elect officers in accordance with governing documents or Washington State Law. Associations must remove and amend any language from their governing documents that prohibit or restrict occupancy based on race, creed, color, sex, or national origin. Associations must have at least one meeting a year. Property owners must receive this meeting notice between 14 and 60 days in advance of the meeting date. The meeting notice must state the time, place, and meeting agenda. All Board meetings must be open for observation by property owners. The Board must keep minutes of all action taken by the board and copies available to all owners. The association shall keep detailed financial records to show owners true statements of financial status which must be prepared at least annually. Adopt and mail a copy of the budget to property owners within thirty days and set a date for ratification. If homeowners do not disapprove the budget, it is automatically approved. Funds of the association must be kept in the name of the association and shall not be commingled with any other funds.