iving It is most helpful to acknowledge the genuine benefits — and real challenges (and dilemmas) of an active rental community. The bright side is that rentals keep occupancy high, which means fewer empty units gathering dust during the off-season. If you rent a unit, it would be a good idea to maintain the property in an acceptable condition. A good rental can even enliven an area! In addition, rental income provides some owners a form of flexibility to keep properties that

Local Impact SIRS findings are a big deal for coastal properties in the Daytona Beach and Brevard area. Corrosion on balconies, columns, and façades is accelerated by salt air. A lot of buildings from the 1970s and 1980s are fairly late into full reinvestment cycles for roof, plumbing and envelope systems. Assessments are uncovering maintenance that sellers have put off — and the resulting funding plans mean higher assessments. The risk of non-compliance has real impacts, inc

Florida’s 2026 regular session wrapped up March 13, without a budget (a special session will decide that). However, plenty of legislation moved through that directly affects community associations and property management across the Daytona Beach, Ormond Beach, and Brevard County area. We’ve broken down the key points. HOA Dissolution Bill Is Down — But Not Out House Bill 657 was a big focus for association boards, which would have allowed owners of an HOA to vote on dissolut

Here’s the rub with this latest round of statutory updates for condos and homeowners’ associations in Florida; they’re not optional, and some deadlines have already passed. Community trends and changes in the rules are calendar events for board members governing communities spread across Daytona Beach, Ormond Beach, and Brevard County. Staying abreast of these isn’t just good governance, it’s compliance with the law. The Big One: Online Records and Transparency Perhaps the bi

No presence at industry events. Management companies are usually involved in regional CAI chapters, attend county-specific HOA educational events, and maintain relationships with Brevard County professionals. If a potential management company isn’t substantially involved in local professional circles, that is cause for concern. Vague financial reporting practices. Inexperienced or subpar management companies often cut corners when it comes to providing monthly financial sta

House Bill 657 is the most significant piece of community association legislation moving through Tallahassee this session. Board members need to understand what it proposes, where it stands, and what it means for how associations operate. As of early March 2026, the bill has cleared multiple House committees and was referred to the Senate Rules Committee on March 5th. It has not become law. The proposed effective date is July 1, 2026. HOA Termination: How It Would Work For th

Ormond Beach, FL — Southern States Management Group (SSMG), a leading community association management firm serving Florida’s East Coast, has been selected as the Chairman’s Choice award recipient by the Ormond Beach Chamber of Commerce—an honor reserved for a business that exemplifies leadership, service, and meaningful impact within the local business community. The Chairman’s Choice designation is awarded at the discretion of the Chamber Chair and recognizes an organizatio

Southern States Management Group (SSMG) is honored to sponsor the Youth Leadership Ormond Beach program, a dynamic initiative developed by the Ormond Beach Chamber of Commerce. This program empowers young individuals by connecting them with local businesses and peers who share a passion for community engagement and leadership. Participants gain valuable insights into the workings of their community, fostering skills that will serve them well into the future. We’re especially

Community management has changed dramatically over our 35 years in business. We've gone from filing cabinets stuffed with paper records to cloud-based systems accessible from anywhere. From mailed newsletters to instant digital communication. From manual bookkeeping to automated financial systems. And honestly? We're just getting started. Technology is transforming how we manage Florida communities, and the changes we're seeing now will fundamentally reshape community associa

As board members, you've probably experienced this scenario—or at least worried about it. Your landscape committee has been run by the same three people for a decade. They make decisions without bringing them to the board first, resist new ideas, and have become so entrenched that suggesting changes feels politically risky. You can't govern effectively, butyou're worried about the fallout if you try to make changes. We've navigated this situation with many of the communities

What Is an HOA Delinquency Rate? Simply put, your delinquency rate measures what percentage of homeowners are behind on their association assessments. It responds to the significant inquiry of who owes money, the amount owed, and how long they have been owing it. When banks and lenders see delinquency rates, they extend loans or call in debts. Your organization will have unique but equal importance upon making decisions. The rate of delinquency indicates whether your communit

Here's the thing about holiday decorating in community associations — it's where personal expression meets collective responsibility, and that intersection? It gets messy every single November. Someone wants to recreate the North Pole in their front yard. Inflatable reindeer, enough lights to be visible from space, maybe a fog machine. Another homeowner prefers tasteful restraint — a wreath, nothing more. And somewhere in the middle, boards are trying not to become the neighb

Here's what most Florida homeowners don't realize about fall planting — it's actually the absolute best season for establishing new plants in Florida yards. And honestly? Most people are doing it wrong. They wait until spring when everyone's thinking about flowers and fresh starts, then watch their new plantings struggle through summer's brutal heat. Or they plant during summer itself, which tends to be a recipe for disappointment and wasted money. But fall in Florida — rough

Edgewater, FL – September 17, 2025 Southern States Management Group (SSMG), a leading community association management firm serving...

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