Coastal Community Association Management, LLC is an association management company providing sound, reliable, consistent, cost-effective management solutions to communities in the Low Country of South Carolina and the Coastal Empire of Georgia. We are committed to delivering excellent association management solutions with enthusiasm and professionalism. With the highest standards of customer service with a fresh new outlook, Coastal Community Association Management is ready for the task - to create a quality community for the residents that we serve.

 

What is a Homeowners Association or HOA?

It is a non-profit corporation and is managed by a Board of Directors. The purpose of this type of organization is to maintain all common areas and make   the community a pleasant place to live while maintaining property values and looking after the interests of the membership. As an owner in the community you become a "Member" of the "Association".

  

Who are the Board of Directors?

The Board of Directors is a group of homeowners who are elected by the membership (owners of individual units/homes). The membership meets annually for the purpose of electing new members to the "Board". The Board may consist of 3 to 5 owners, sometimes more. In addition, there may be committees established to assist the Board in their duties to the association (i.e. Landscape Committee, Architectural Control Committee, Newsletter Committee, etc.). It is these people who govern and manage the Association - oversee the maintenance of the common areas and buildings, establish various policy, and the day-to-day operations. Board members are not compensated for their service. They are elected by the owners of the community and are volunteers.

  

Who or what is the Management Company?

The Management Company is independent from the Association. Often the Board of Directors will hire such a company to assist and guide them in their duties to the association. Typical responsibilities might include; the collection of your monthly assessment, supervision of all contractors and vendors, accounting, processing homeowner inquiries and complaints, problem solving, meeting attendance and notice, and a lot of consulting. The Management Company is an independent contractor, not an employee of your Association and is paid in accordance with contractual arrangements as directed by the Board.

  

What are HOA Dues?

The HOA dues are the monthly maintenance fee each member pays to cover the cost of maintaining the common areas, which might include the landscape, pools, roofs, painting, various administrative costs, utility costs and reserve funding. When you purchase a home in an Association, thereby agreeing to become a Member, you also agree to pay this assessment for as long as you are a Member. You should have received a copy of the budget for your Association while your unit was in escrow. If not, contact your management company to find out how you can obtain a copy. This will outline in detail where your monthly dues is spent or allocated. Occasionally your dues amount may change, depending on the decisions of your board of directors and Management Company.

  

What are the Governing Documents?

The governing documents consist of the Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&Rs), the Bylaws, the Articles of Incorporation and any Rules and Regulations established by the Board to supplement the above documents.

CC&Rs: Initially drawn up by the developer during or before construction, usually by their attorneys. This document is recorded in the county where the property is situated and "runs with the land" - that is, when you purchase your home in this Association you are legally bound to the provisions of the document. The CC&Rs outline the manner in which your Association shall operate, such as how assessments are to be levied, remedies for non-payment of assessments, Board members' powers and duties, Board members' limitations, homeowners' responsibilities and obligations for maintenance, use restrictions, how certain policy is to be established and carried out, Insurance requirements of the Association and of the individual homeowner, and much more. You should have received a copy of this document while your home was in escrow. If you did not, you should immediately contact your Escrow Company or real estate agent. You can also obtain a copy from the Management Company, however, there may be a processing and reproduction fee.

Bylaws: Where the CC&Rs outline the operational plan and requirements the Bylaws outline the manner in  which the CORPORATION shall operate and will focus mainly on how the Board of Directors are elected, terms of office, vacancies, notice and quorum requirements for Association and Board of Directors meetings, and sometimes powers and duties of the Association and/or Board.

Articles of Incorporation: This is a simple document that is filed with the State. It establishes your Association as a corporation, for profit or non-profit (usually the latter), tax exemption status, and gives specific purpose of the Association.

Rules and Regulations: These are established by the Board of Directors, either annually or on an as-needed basis. These shall serve to supplement the CC&Rs "Use Restrictions" section by adding specifics. Such Rules will expound on the use restrictions, architectural provisions, parking enforcement, and the manner in which disciplinary action is taken in the event an owner or resident fails to observe any of the governing documents. The Rules and Regulations may be amended from time to time as deemed necessary by the Board of Directors. As your individual Associations needs change, the demographics and trends change, so might the Rules and Regulations.

The governing documents of your Association (with the exception of the Rules and Regulations) can be amended only by specific written vote of the membership, and in some cases, by the first trust deed holders. Any amendments must be recorded in the applicable county recorder's office and distributed to all members pursuant to the individual requirements of your Association (this will be described in your Association's governing documents).

  

What About Changes or Additions to the Outside of my Home?

Your Association will be very strict on exterior changes of nearly every type, whether you are painting, installing a new door or porch light, sometimes even the planting of flowers and trees may require approval from the Association. Some Associations have an Architectural Control Committee to receive, approve or decline and process a homeowner's request for architectural change. Some do not, in which case you would submit your architectural change request to the Board of Directors (via the Management Company). Your request might be approved, it might not be approved, depending on the change proposed. Sometimes the Board will request additional information from you if they are to make a fair, sound determination. You should refer to your CC&Rs to obtain the details for architectural review provisions at your Association.

  

Who do I contact if I have questions or a problem?

Coastal Community Association Management, LLC is focused on providing our communities with excellent customer service. We provide outstanding management services for Horizontal Property Regimes (Villas and Condominiums), Homeowner's Associations and Commercial Associations. We add excellent value to our communities as well as promoting community unity.