Benefits of Living in Home Owners Association (HOA) Community

Benefits of Living in Home Owners Association (HOA) Community

Autonomous owned home or even living in an apartment complex independently have its own drawbacks. Living in a homeowner association community brings several benefits in so many aspects that have led to increase the HOA members from 10,000 to more than 330,000 in the past decade. No doubt, HOA community caused positive impact on their members’ lives. The members get responsive help from their governing boards as a return on their investment. Amongst the multiple benefits of opting to live in HOA community, here are the basic reasons that why you should consider living in a homeowner association community and remove loads of stress from your life.

Collective Management Benefits

HOA benefits the community at large by providing the best and address your needs with appropriate management. The community association sets limitations in the homeowner agreement so that every member can work with responsibility to maintain the overall beauty and cleanliness of the community. The HOA board elected by your community makes sure the rules are followed, which not only enhances the residents’ lifestyle, but also raises the value of their property.

Private Public Utilities

Before there were unmoved trash bins that stayed for days outside houses waiting to be picked up by the local government, however, now with the HOA community you do not have to worry about such hassles. The resident members get all utilities, including road maintenance, snow removal, storm water management, and many other similar services. These are managed by the HOA board with complete assurance of delivering services in a timely manner. The members pay fees for such duties, so they do not have to rely on local municipality. The self sustenance of HOA community relieves the town’s tax burden, which open ways for more neighborhoods to be built locally.

Community sustenance in minimal cost

Being a member of an HOA community means everyone pays their fair share on the concerns that are addressed by the association board. With such assurance, the property value is maintained by formal government supervision. All members are equally treated; they are in it together, which creates a sense of responsibility towards membership and management. On the whole, it develops a strong communal sense in the residents. The neighborhood activities are organized by community management, such as social clubs, holiday parties, and sports events bring people closer and form a strong bond within the community.

Better Amenities with options

Being a member of HOA brings multiple benefits and perks, many of which private home owners can’t rejoice. HOA communities can feature substantial amenities, such as, golf courses, swimming pools, and marinas, daycares provided with the membership. Also, there are some community associations that can heed and provide lawn care, gutter work and several other services for property maintenance. Those who want age restricted community can opt for associations that offer services to age-restricted resident home owners only. There are plenty of choices for diverse living options from which you can choose according to your need.

Paul Mengert is founder of Association Management Group. He can be contacted at:

Association Management Group
614 W Friendly Ave, Greensboro, North Carolina 27401
(888) 908-4264
pmengert@amgworld.com
www.AMGworld.com

Association Management Group Supports PTI 5K 10K on the Runway with Sponsorship, Food and Racers

Saturday, June 6, 2015 was a perfect day: sunny and about 75 degrees. The tarmac stretched away, a shimmering 9000 feet of perfectly straight airport runway. But for the 1473 runners, including Ashley Kearnes, Certified Manager of Community Associations with Greensboro’s Association Management Group, and AMG’s race team, the goal wasn’t just to reach the end in first place. It was much bigger than that: it was to feed the community’s hungry. In its sixth year, the PTI 5K 10K on the Runway at Piedmont Triad International Airport drew a big crowd of participants and sponsors like AMG but, more importantly, it drew a lot of attention to its cause: supporting Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC and its 400 food assistance program partners in their efforts to end hunger through education, outreach and advocacy. The race also benefitted Greensboro Urban Ministry and Open Door Ministry, organizations that provide emergency, housing and food assistance to people in need.
      This unique race on the runway provided a close-up view of the airport and surrounding area from the airfield. But it provided something more as well, an opportunity for connection and service. “It was a great day of camaraderie and fun,” said Kearnes, AMG’s race team coordinator. “At AMG, we believe it’s important to serve, to give back the community you live in. Hunger is always an important need, one that tends to be forgotten except at Christmas time. Team AMG will definitely be back next year.”
      AMG, a first-time sponsor of the race, contributed money, a team of runners and 10 bags of groceries. While the Second Harvest financial donation tally isn’t in yet, the race collected an impressive 2173 pounds of food. “We are delighted at the turnout for this year’s event,” said Airport Authority Chairman Steve Showfety, “And, we are grateful to the community for supporting this worthy cause. We hold this event to give people an opportunity to get to know their local airport from a different perspective, and we are always gratified at the generosity of our sponsors and our participants.”
      Generosity and support are a part of the corporate culture at AMG, which has assisted Greensboro Urban Ministry over the last several years. “AMG understands the need to support local charities like The Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC, Greensboro Urban Ministry and Open Door Ministries,” said Paul Mengert, President of AMG, commercial pilot and PTI Airport Director and Treasurer. “It is sad that there are families without ample food in the Triad. This is a way we can help.”
     To learn more about Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC, visit http://www.hungernwnc.org. For information about Greensboro Urban Ministry, go to http://greensborourbanministry.org/. To explore Open Door Ministry, see http://www.odm-hp.org/.

You can contact Paul at:

Paul Mengert
Association Management Group
614 W Friendly Ave, Greensboro, North Carolina 27401
(888) 908-4264
pmengert@amgworld.com
www.AMGworld.com

Association Management Group’s Paul Mengert Soars for Hospital Patients Needing Transport

Dan Hennigan isn’t used to facing The Impossible. The retired army officer, retired corporate executive and, now, full-time professional volunteer has spent his entire life Making Things Happen. But, Dan and his 35-year-old software engineer son Brian, who suffers from the rare blood disease anterior vascular malformations, needed transport from their local Columbia, SC hospital to Durham, NC’s Duke University Hospital for much-needed treatment and consultation...fast. Lucky for Dan and Brian, Paul Mengert likes to Make Things Happen too. Mengert, President of AMG, Association Management Group in Greensboro, one of the Carolinas’ largest professional homeowners association managers, flew the Hennigans to Duke and back as a volunteer pilot with Angel Flight Soars, a non-profit organization based in Atlanta that recruits pilots to fly medical missions throughout the south. “Paul and Angel Flight Soars made something happen in hours that usually takes weeks and we’re so grateful,” Hennigan said. “Paul’s personality was refreshing and he was very sensitive to the situation. It’s easy to understand why he’s a successful entrepreneur: he’s a caring and giving person.”


      Since 1983, Angel Flight Soars has connected more than 32,000 families to life-saving medical care: from burn victims needing skin grafts to cancer patients traveling to special treatment centers to hopeful recipients awaiting transplant organs. AFS flies more than 2500 missions a year with 1000 pilot volunteers. “Paul joined us in 2009 and is an amazing volunteer. We’re so happy he spends his off time helping other people,” said Bernadette Darnell, AFS Director of Mission Operations. “Paul is a backbone of our organization. Thanks to his tireless dedication and passion for our patients, we are able to be a silver lining to families who need assistance with medical care.”

      Mengert enjoys pairing aviation with service. Along with delivering patients to the care they need via AFS, his high-flying adventures include multiple trips to deliver beds, toys and clothes to an orphanage in Haiti. “Angel Flight Soars is one of the ways AMG gives back to the community,” Mengert noted. “Over the last five years, I have flown various patients to and from medical treatments. We make travel doable by turning five to ten hours of driving into just an hour’s flight. I always fly conservatively but, particularly with Angel Flights, I try to avoid bumpy weather whenever possible, even if it means flying a little out of the way. I also like to make sure the landings are really smooth; I know these passengers are often hurting and don’t need any more aggravation. It feels good to help patients get expert medical treatment at locations they otherwise would not be able to travel to.” Mengert is quick to point out that a wide variety of aeronautical service companies support Angel Flight Soars and deserve a shout-out for the Hennigan flight. Landmark Aviation waived fees and discounted fuel at both their Greensboro and Raleigh/Durham, NC locations and Eagle Aviation of Columbia, SC was an instrumental partner in the transport.

      “Saying ‘thank you’ is not enough,” Hennigan concluded. “I know the difference between ‘I’ll look into it’ and ‘I’ll make it happen.’ Paul and the AFS crew really connected with our need. When need and intention come together, it works. In my world of charity and 9-11 work, it’s a great feeling to help somebody. It’s not so much how much you give but when you give that makes the difference. This was a case of perfect timing.” For more about Angel Flight Soars, to volunteer as a pilot, request a flight or make a donation, visit www.angelflightsoars.org or call 1.877.4anAngel.

You can contact Paul at:

Paul Mengert
Association Management Group
614 W Friendly Ave, Greensboro, North Carolina 27401
(888) 908-4264
pmengert@amgworld.com
www.AMGworld.com

The Biggest Home Rip-offs and How to Steer Clear Of Them

There are some people in the world that will generally, not think twice before taking advantage of homeowners with regard tohome repairing jobs. However, with a little thought and effort, you can make sure that you never become a successful target for these scammers.  

Scam #1: Leaky Roof Wrangling

Majority of the times, the reason that roof leaks occur is because either the sealing around the vent pipes has failed, or the metal flashing on the chimney has deteriorated or the connections between the roof sections have eroded. Often enough, a mere replacement of the flashing or sealing will get the job done, which won’t cost you a lot as well. 

Hence, tearing off a bad roof isn’t a good idea, unless the demand is being made by your building code. In many towns, they allow homeowners to install a second or even third asphalt roof, if the house’s framing can support it.

Scam #2: Basement Boondoggle

You may not know this, but in actuality, the causes of many basement leaks are; an overflow from clogged gutters, un-sloped land around the home, misrouted downspouts and even lawn sprinklers that are improperly aimed. 

Before calling in for professional help, you can try and reduce the moisture that is found along the foundation of the home by cleaning and de-clogging all the gutters, re-positioning the sprinklers, etc. 

Another cause of damp basements is high humidity. Attach a piece of aluminum foil to a wall, to test for humidity. If in a day or two some moisture shows up, this is a sign of condensation, for which you’ll need a de-humidifier. If there is water still seeping from the walls, the best thing to do is repair wall cracks using hydraulic cement which is widely available at home stores. Finish it off with good quality water proof paint.

Scam #3: Chimney Sweep Swindle

You should get your chimney checked annually according to experts, for creosote buildup and to check the structure of the chimney. This will cost you no more than $100 to $250, plus an additional $100 to $150 if cleaning is required. Be sure to hire only chimney sweepers who are certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America. 

Paying close attention to what the technician is doing is also a recommended idea, during inspection and the actual work. Due to technological advancements, sweeps are using video cameras from which you can view everything that is happening inside the chimney.

Scam #4: Dealing With Mold Mayhem

A simple fact is that healthy people have very little to worry about, as far as their health is concerned. For people already plagued with asthma and allergies, however, molds put them atgreater risks. Nevertheless, most types of mold are very easy to remove. You can easily clean non-porous areas and surfaces with the help of just soap and water, paired with a solution of one cup of bleach and one gallon of water. It’s very easy to control future mold growth as well, by simply eliminating excess moisture by keeping humidity levels low and fixing leaky pipes immediately.     

 

You Have Been Cleaning the Bathroom Wrong, All Your Life

There is just something about cleaning a bathroom that makes many people feel squeamish, just by thinking about this necessary but disgusting chore. Maybe it’s the thought of the work required to clean it, the fact that we defecate in there, or whatever other reason; regardless, cleaning bathrooms is officially the least liked chore of all. This is why; we like to opt for the easy route when it comes to this chore which means that the cleaning is not done as thoroughly as is required.

Following are some tips and tricks to not only clean your bathroom as quickly as possible, but in a thorough and effective way as well.  

Don’t Clean Surfaces at Room Temperature

You might not know this but the effectiveness of alkaline cleansers can be doubled by heating the tub, sink and tiles at just 10 degrees above the normal air temperature. You can do this by filling the tub or sink with the hottest water from the tap, let the water sit for a few minutes, and then scrubbing the areas clean.

Don’t Scrub On Plastic Shower Curtains

Doing so will be just a waste of your energy. Instead, a much smarter option is to throw the curtain in the washing machine, along with a couple of towels, a full cup of vinegar and run the machine for at least five minutes. Let the curtain and towels soak in the vinegar induced water for about an hour, then turn it back on. After the cycle is complete, take out and hang to dry.

Using Paper Towels Is a Big No

Instead, a better idea is to invest in a good quality and durable microfiber cloth. Made from ultra fine synthetic fibers woven closely together to create a kind of static charge, the microfiber cloth is able to pick up dust and dirt without the help of sprays. In addition, these cloths are washable and re-usable for a long time.  

Vacuuming is Important for the Bathroom Too

One misconception of homeowners is that vacuuming can only be done on carpets. Well, not only can you vacuum on your bathroom tiles and other places as well, but doing so, is probably a good idea. What you should do before cleaning the tiles is tosweep or vacuum the floor which will remove loose debris and dirt, then wash with a cleaning solution. 

Don’t Forget To Clean Behind the Toilet

Admit it, you don’t clean behind the toilet but here’s why you should. It’s very easy for urine and fecal matter to deposit back there, which is very hard to clean due to the gross residue left behind. To help clean this area of the bathroom, use a few paper towels as it’s better than a re-usable one for the dirty job. Dip the towels in an antibacterial cleaner, and start off by ‘flossing’ the back of the toilet. Leave for a few minutes, and then repeat the process but this time with a dry towel.  

4 Helpful Tips for Faster Spring Cleaning

Are you ready to give to your home a scrub; from top to bottom? One very important tip, when it comes to spring cleaning is that you should focus all your efforts on the big parts of your home first, such as the furnishings, appliances, carpeting, and so on. You will then have a spring cleaned home in no time at all, if all these major tasks are covered.

Saving Time on Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning

You might say it’s not possible, as the chore is a very demanding and time consuming one. But in fact, you can make it less time consuming and demanding by moving the furniture just slightly,instead of completely out of the room or even against the wall. 

Remember to place the legs of all the pieces of furniture on top of wax paper, which will protect the carpet after shampooing and ensure that the furniture legs do not get wet or damaged as the carpet is left to dry. To speed up the drying process, open all the windows of that room and the fan as well if available.

Finishing Your Floors, the Effective Way 

A good way to protect floors in the kitchen from wear and tear is by applying a sealer or wax according to the directions provided by the product’s label. The simplest method by far is to use a combination of wash and wax floor solution, which will save you, loads of time as well.

Although no-wax floors can last long without a polishing treatment, they still need some kind of treatment to make themlook fresher. They also need a protective buffer to make them more durable against wear and tear. Use a 2 in 1 floor cleaning solution that both; cleans and shines. 

For wooden floors, move furniture and rugs out of the way and apply a wood cleaner. Finish it off with either a paste or liquid polish.  

A Little Intelligence with Vacuuming Will Go a Long Way

The labor intensive and out-dated rule of vacuuming where youdrag every piece of furniture out of the room and off the carpet;doesn’t do any favors to your back. Adopting a new rule will not only save time, but also enable you to clean every nook and corner thoroughly and quite effectively, without any trouble!

Simply move the big pieces of furniture to the left or right, but only a little. Move the piece at its original place after vacuuming the newly vacated area. 

Washing Walls, Cabinets and Woodwork Isn’t So Hard

With the help of a sponge and any dishwashing solution, wash the surface after dividing it into sections for efficiency. A sponge mop will help you reach the higher spots easily. Place water in 2 buckets, one with a cleaning solution and the other to wring the sponge in, for the easiest and quickest cleaning possible. Dry the walls and woodwork with a clean and dry cloth.

NAR: Renters feeling the squeeze; Charlotte job, income growth make city ‘an anomaly’ 

By: Sharon Roberts, editor March 16, 2015

The National Association of Realtors reported Monday that a gap is widening between household rental costs and household income in much of the nation, leading to “unsustainable levels” and made worse by a paucity of new-home construction. However, the Charlotte region appears to be bucking the averages. Although rents in the Charlotte area have risen faster in ...

Read more: http://mecktimes.com/news/2015/03/16/nar-renters-feeling-the-squeeze-charlotte-job-income-growth-make-city-an-anomaly/#ixzz3UqxBgScx