Community Focus of NC, Inc.

04/17/2019

While everyone is excited to have warmer weather, we all know that warmer weather means........bug season.

Whether you’re attacked while working in the garden, enjoying a picnic in the park or lounging by the pool, bug bites and stings are an inevitable summer annoyance. At best, bites and stings can be uncomfortable for a few days; at worst, they can be a serious, life-threatening hazard.
Here are some tips on how to relieve the itch or sting and when to know if you should seek medical attention:

If the bite or sting is mildly painful or itchy, apply over-the-counter medication that contains Benadryl or cortisone for topical relief. Other home remedies, like a applying a paste made from baking soda and water, dabbing on ammonia with a cotton ball, soaking in oatmeal baths or even applying toothpaste to the site may also provide relief.

Whatever you do, don’t scratch. This can cause an infection and leave a scar. And it won’t relieve the itch or sting.

If you feel faint, nauseous, dizzy or disoriented, or if you experience rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing or your lips, tongue or throat swell, call 911 immediately. These symptoms indicate a severe allergy to the insect’s venom. Administer an Epi-pen (injectable epinephrine) if one is available and administer CPR if symptoms worsen before emergency personnel arrive. After the episode, follow up with a physician who can determine an allergy prevention treatment.

Stay alert for delayed symptoms around the bite or sting, like redness or swelling, which could indicate an infection or other condition. And see a doctor right away if you have a headache, fever or joint pain within a few days of being bitten. Some insects, like ticks and mosquitoes, can infect their victims with serious, flulike illnesses, such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Lyme disease and West Nile virus, which only a physician can diagnose and treat.

Most important, use insect repellant when outdoors and wear light-weight, light-colored clothing over arms, legs and feet to keep insects off your skin. And avoid wearing perfume and fragrances, which can attract bugs.

03/25/2019

Day One of the CINC Up Conference. We are excited to learn new ways to better serve our communities!!

03/20/2019

Five Ways to Keep HOA Fees Down

Residents can help themselves and the neighborhood save money on fees and dues by following some simple suggestions.

Recycling Ordinances – Some communities have restrictions on the disposal of recyclable materials. Always making sure that newspaper is put in the designated location wrapped in bundles or in paper sacks can help to avoid any possible fees for non-compliance. Eliminating fees lowers operating costs.

Follow the Rules – Insurance rates and property values are assessed by what is observed in a neighborhood. Following the rules helps to maintain better values and lower costs for all residents.

Protect the Property – Be mindful of the community’s property and be sure to safely extinguish ci******es, avoid soiling carpets and use charcoal or gas grills safely.

Landscaping Costs Money – If residents are being active in protecting the landscaping, your association will not have to purchase new landscaping or the professionals necessary to install it.

Keep the Property Clean – Extra costs may be assessed if residents cannot keep common areas clean of debris. Excessive littering can lead to excessive fees for clean-up.

02/22/2019

Who is TIRED of this Rainy Weather? WE ARE!

02/18/2019

https://communityassociations.net/reserves-funded-unless/

Check out this AWESOME Q&A

Q: Our condominium association just had a reserve study done for the first time in our twenty-year plus history. We …

02/13/2019

Is your HOA looking for something awesome to do this Summer? Check this out: https://www.slatterhoamanagement.com/community-events/

02/05/2019

Lots of Growth Coming to the Triangle!

Keep up-to-date on new developments in Durham, NC, from new hotels to entertainment centers, restaurants, local businesses and renovation projects.

01/25/2019

Check out These 5 HOA manager myths according to Realty Times:

Manager is available 24/7

Managers usually manage several homeowner associations in their hand and need to allot time to systematically and fairly address each. Although the management company usually has 24/7 emergency response, the manager follows an orchestrated schedule to meet every commitment efficiently which is at the same time cost effective for the clients.

Manager is responsible for contract performance

The manager is not in any way responsible for any delay or inconvenience caused by contractors. It is up to the contractors to deliver in a timely manner; the manager's job is to enforce provisions in the contract if there's need to (like filing for a legal action or withholding payment) to ensure the interests of the board and the owners.

Managers work for the owners

The managers is in contract with the board of directors which gives him the authority to run the HOA business while following documents, budget, and further instructions from the board or head of the board. Therefore, the manager is not expected to receive orders and transact directly with owners.

Manager takes direction from every director of the board

Managers are expected to receive orders from the entire board or the head of the board and not from every single member. Dealings should only take place between the manager or a representative of the board to speak in behalf of the group (like during board meetings).

Manager is a referee

Managers are not to be dragged in neighbor disputes unless the conflict involves violation of HOA rules or policies. Therefore, homeowners are not to expect managers to come between disputes and arbitrate during neighbor to neighbor conflicts.

01/23/2019

HOAs are governing bodies found within common-interest communities, such as planned or gated neighborhoods and apartment or condominium buildings. They’re run and funded by residents and have boards of directors. The boards organize regular meetings, establish and maintain budgets, and enforce rules and regulations. Those rules are binding and legally enforceable.

When they work well, HOAs can increase property values!

01/17/2019

Looking into Purchasing a Home with an HOA? There are a few Basic Governing Documents that you should be familiar with!

Overview of basic documents that guide how an HOA is run and what owners must abide by.