Todd Essig Joins Sharper Management
Essig is an analytical financial management professional who possesses expertise in areas including finance operations, corporate accounting management, and large-scale financial accountability. Essig’s experience lies in accounting management in the real estate industry and as a controller for local companies and non-profits such as the Ordway Center for Performing Arts. His proven success in analyzing […]
Contract Basics
Perhaps one of the most challenging, intimidating, and without a doubt most significant actions of the Board of Directors is engaging in contracts. Of course, assistance in navigating the abyss of contract language is one of the roles your community manager/management company can play. (And if it is a large or complicated contract, it is […]
Overcoming Decision Making Paralysis
There is nothing more frustrating for members, managers, and even homeowners than a Board that is collectively stuck in the mud, endlessly spinning their wheels deeper in the rut of indecision. Rest assured, it is a common condition. If it is not a recognized medical disorder, it should be! Perhaps it is a large construction […]
Contract Basics
Perhaps one of the most challenging, intimidating, and without a doubt most significant actions of the Board of Directors is engaging in contracts. Of course, assistance in navigating the abyss of contract language is one of the roles your community manager/management company can play. (And if it is a large or complicated contract, it is […]
Sharper Management Continues to Grow in the Twin Cities Metro Area
Eden Prairie, MN (October 20, 2016) Sharper Management, a locally-owned, mid-sized property management company located in Eden Prairie, MN has recently been brought on board to manage the home owner’s association for Devonwood, a 331 unit condominium complex, located in Bloomington, MN. Built in 1983, Devonwood selected Sharper Management for their efficient systems and ability […]
Concrete Maintenance for Your Association
As the snow melts and the weather warms, you’re getting a first good look at what winter may have done to the concrete walkways and patios in your association. The freeze/thaw cycle in Minnesota is hard on many things, but in particular paved surfaces. The process can literally attack from above and below. The importance […]
Loss Assessment Coverage
There’s no doubt that understanding insurance coverage in an Association can be confusing. One important distinction in your personal homeowner policy (commonly called an HO6 policy) is Loss Assessment coverage. Depending on the carrier, this coverage may be different from your real property coverage. Real property coverage should cover your personal contents, coverage of building […]
The Basics of the Board
When you buy into an Association, the first thing to understand is you are now living in what is commonly referred to as a planned community. A big part of understanding this concept is realizing there needs to be governance of said community, as well as business orchestration of the community as a registered non-profit […]
Association Funds – Operating vs Reserve
Since most associations are on a calendar fiscal year, your Board of Directors and Management have been working hard on setting the 2016 Operating Budget. This budget sets your “dues” – so we thought it would be a timely opportunity to explain the difference between the “operating budget” and funds vs the “replacement reserve” schedule […]
Board Meetings are Not Brainstorming Sessions
Put simply – a regular meeting of the Board of Directors is a business meeting to make decisions and document approvals. That’s it. Period. So many Boards and Associations fall into the habit of treating a Board meeting as the opportunity to brainstorm topics, collectively review bids, debate homeowner concerns, etc. It’s natural. After all, […]