CAI is pleased to welcome Michael A. Smerconish as our 2012 “Coming Attractions” Annual Conference & Expo Keynote Speaker.

Michael A. Smerconish is a nationally syndicated radio host, newspaper columnist, author and MSNBC contributor.

Michael Smerconish

Smerconish has often been recognized for his radio work. Talkers Magazine has consistently named him one of America’s most important talk show hosts.  In 2009, prior to his syndication, Radio and Records named him the nation’s Local Personality of the Year. Philadelphia Magazine has named him the City’s best talk show host, as well as one of the City’s most powerful citizens.

In 2009, Smerconish became the first radio host to interview President Barack Obama live from the White House. The interview was televised live on MSNBC, CNN and Fox News.  Smerconish has interviewed President Obama on six different occasions.  He has also interviewed Presidents Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, as well as Vice Presidents Al Gore, Dick Cheney and Joe Biden.

Smerconish is the author of five books, two of them New York Times’ best sellers. He donated all author proceeds from three of those manuscripts to charity. Additionally, through a promotional partnership with jeweler Steven Singer, Smerconish has raised in excess of $300,000.00 for the Flight 93 National Memorial.

Smerconish also authors a twice-weekly column in the Philadelphia Inquirer. His columns have been re-printed in various newspapers across the country.

Smerconish is also an on-air contributor with MSNBC, and has often guest-hosted Hardball for Chris Matthews  He has been a guest on virtually every television program where politics is discussed, including: NBC’s Today Show, Colbert Report, O’Reilly Factor, Larry King Live, The View, and Real Time With Bill Maher.

Smerconish became a radio and television commentator after experiences in Republican politics. While still in college he was an advanceman for (then) Vice President George H.W. Bush. At age 29, he was appointed by President George H.W. Bush to a sub-cabinet level position (Regional Administrator for the Department of Housing and Urban Development, where he reported to HUD Secretary Jack Kemp).

Prior to turning to broadcasting as a full-time endeavor, Smerconish practiced law for ten years with James E. Beasley, a legendary Philadelphia-based trial lawyer, who is the namesake of the Beasley School of Law at Temple University. Today Smerconish is of counsel to the Philadelphia law firm of Kline & Specter.  He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Law School, and remains a member of the Bar of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Smerconish was a trial lawyer specializing in complex tort litigation. His clients ranged from the Philadelphia Fraternal Order of Police to the City of Rome, Italy. He is a past member of the Board of Directors of the Philadelphia Trial Lawyer’s Association.

Smerconish is a 1984 Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Lehigh University where he majored in government and journalism.  He lives in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, with his wife and their four children.

Mr. Smerconish’s appearance is sponsored by State Farm Insurance – Steve DiOrio, a 2012 CAI Gold Premier Partner.

CAI’s Pennsylvania Legislative Action Committee (LAC) is the “watchdog” for the millions of homeowners living in community associations throughout the Commonwealth.  Volunteer delegates sitting on the LAC work very hard educating lawmakers, responding to legislation and supporting those who live in, volunteer with and manage community associations.

In an effort to help constituents, all too often legislation and regulations are proposed in Harrisburg with good intentions, but possibly costly and ineffective outcomes for homeowners.  Even worse, the proposed legislation could be unintentionally detrimental to homeowners living in community associations.

This is where the LAC gets involved. The LAC carefully considers legislative language, drafts position papers for legislators, and often drafts amendments to proposed legislation that will help homeowners.  Without the help of our lobbyist, the LAC would not be as effective in tracking and responding to all the legislation that is being proposed.  Lobbyists, of course, cost money and homeowners who benefit from the work of the PA LAC can help.

By supporting the LAC’s “Buck A Door” campaign, a community can aid greatly in the fulfillment of the LAC’s mission.  The money collected from the “Buck A Door” campaign goes directly to the LAC to help fulfill CAI’s advocacy role.

How will homeowners hear about this worthy cause that exists to help them?  Through CAI and through their community manager.  We owe it to our homeowners to inform them of the LAC’s work and efforts on their behalf.  Homeowners informed of LAC activities can also help educate our lawmakers through letters, phone calls and personal visits.

CAI’s PA LAC makes a strong difference in whether poorly considered and written legislation has unintended consequences.  Please consider supporting the LAC with a contribution from your community. A dollar per door (Buck A Door). Please share the “Buck a Door” information with your communities.

For up to date information on the LAC’s positions on current legislation, visit the legislative advocacy page on the chapter website.

Posted by Marianne C. Fein, CMCA
Community Manager, PA LAC Delegate

On January 18th, the Philadelphia Regional Council kicked off 2012 with its first program. This program was co-sponsored with the Greater Philadelphia Condo Managers Association (GPCMA) and covered pertinent topics relating to the use of social media and examining steps to manage legal exposure and liability for communities and their service vendors and professionals.  The Philadelphia Regional Council is looking forward to a year of cooperative synergy with other organizations that service the City’s condominium and co-op communities.

Along these lines, on Wednesday, March 14^th the Council will be joining with the Philadelphia Green Condo and CO-OP Initiative to present a program at the Academy of Natural Sciences. Click here for details of this exciting program. The Council is very excited for the opportunity to work closely with these two great groups and broaden the experiences and resources for the members of each organization in our goal to bring the best counsel and services to community associations in the greater Philadelphia area.

We hope that you will join us at the upcoming events.

Richard B. Linderman, Esq.
Council President

In 2010, Congress created the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to serve as the nation’s “cop on the beat” to protect consumers from harmful financial products. Officially opened for business on July 22, 2011, the CFPB is now responsible for enforcing most federal financial consumer protection laws.

CAI’s members have a keen interest in the development of CFPB’s rules and regulations that could affect community associations. As a new federal agency, the CFPB is still working to define its approach to protecting consumers from abusive financial products and helping to ensure consumers have the right information to choose the financial products and services that will best meet their needs. While the CFPB’s authority extends from checking accounts to credit cards to payday loans, it also has significant authority over federal housing policy, mortgage lending standards and the home buying process.

CAI is following CFPB’s actions on: the definition of qualified mortgage, the regulation of transfer fees, association assessments, the definition of real estate settlement fees, foreclosure prevention and mortgage servicing standards. As such, the CFPB has the potential to impact community associations and the companies that serve them.

As noted, the CFPB has special authority over mortgage lending standards and real estate closings. The Dodd Frank Act gave the CFPB the responsibility of enforcing the federal Truth in Lending Act (TILA), a powerful consumer protection law. As the federal enforcer of TILA, the CFPB will establish and enforce mortgage lending standards that all lenders and housing market participants must follow.

Congress also transferred rulemaking and enforcement authority under the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to the CFPB. The bureau is in the process of updating real estate closing disclosures and real estate closing forms.

This combination of authorities means the CFPB sets the standards that govern almost every aspect of the mortgage lending and closing process.

CFPB is unique in that Congress granted the bureau the authority to expand firms under its supervision by regulation. Given the role of community associations in our nation’s housing markets and the authority of associations to foreclose as a remedy to perfect a lien, it is reasonable to expect the CFPB to examine community associations at some point in its review of the housing market.

The CFPB has three ongoing initiatives that can affect how community associations function.

Ability-to-Repay

The first initiative is the CFPB’s work on how association assessments factor into a borrower’s mortgage payment. Under the Dodd Frank Act, all lenders must verify a borrower can afford all payments associated with a mortgage loan, including association assessments. It is the CFPB’s job to write the rules to govern this process, which could include requiring associations to forecast assessment increases and the likelihood of future special assessments.

Transfer Fees

The second initiative CAI is monitoring is the CFPB’s review of transfer fees in community associations. While the bureau has not signaled that it intends to restrict mortgages in associations with a transfer fee, it is studying the use of transfer fees.

Mortgage Complaint Portal

An important new consumer protection developed by the CFPB is an easy-to-use website for homeowners to report mortgage fraud, abusive lending practices and housing discrimination. This will significantly improve consumer protection for homeowners and allow the CFPB to keep track of new mortgage products or any new market abuses. The website will also be a means for disgruntled residents to air complaints against associations. As the CFPB has announced its future rulemakings will be influenced by the nature of complaints it receives through this system, associations should be prepared to respond to CFPB inquiries and work cooperatively with the bureau in resolving legitimate consumer and homeowner complaints.

Because of its potential impact on community associations, CAI has added the CFPB to our Mortgage Matters program. CAI is working to protect homeowners in community associations and to ensure access to fair and affordable mortgage products for all current and potential community association residents. You can follow our work and share your thoughts at www.caimortgagematters.org.

This morning, dozens of CAI chapter volunteers came together at the Annual Chapter Kickoff to start planning out another exciting year of

Chapter President Gary Krimstock welcomes volunteers to the chapter's Annual Kickoff.

programs at CAI!

Volunteers were welcomed by 2012 Chapter President Gary Krimstock who asked eachvolunteer to go out and recruit one new member to help continue the growth of our chapter. After a budget presentation and review of new programs coming in the year ahead, each volunteer committee and regional council had their first meeting of the year.

The chapter has much on tap for the coming year, including a new Conservation & Sustainability Forum scheduled for June at Aldie Mansion, in Doylestown and the first annual Philadelphia Condo Congress coming this Fall. In addition, CAI’s Pennsylvania Legislative Action Committee, in conjunction with the Social Committee, is planning a Beer & Wine Tasting event in October. This special event will help raises necessary funds for the LAC to continue its advocacy work in Harrisburg.

With our Annual Conference & Expo in April, our Summer Networking Party, Golf Outings and all of our educational programs throughout the chapter area, we have a busy year in store!

Special thanks to all our chapter volunteers who work hard to make this chapter a terrific success. For up to date information on upcoming events, be sure to visit our chapter website, which is in the process of a complete re-design and will be re-launched soon. Stay tuned!

Chapter volunteers get down to work on a new year of programs and events.

The Pennsylvania Joint State Government Commission released its report on Common Interest Ownership Communities in late December and while the commission’s report falls short in certain goals outlined in the legislature’s resolution, the report is full of useful information and recommendations for community associations and policymakers in Pennsylvania.

The commission was not able to produce a list of all community associations in the Commonwealth and compile information on the types of infrastructure in these communities. Nor was it able to quantify the amount of taxes paid by those who live in community associations throughout Pennsylvania. While these results are disappointing, they are not un-expected, and the reasons why are discussed in the contents of the report. The report also contains eleven policy and statutory recommendations to the legislature.

CAI’s Pennsylvania Legislative Action Committee (LAC) provided data to the commission for its study and testified at a hearing in September, 2010 in Bushkill, PA. The LAC will review the report’s findings and recommendations in detail and make additional information available to members about the report and the LAC’s interpretation and positions on the policy recommendations. The full text of the report has been posted to our website where it can be printed, read or downloaded.

At the Annual Meeting & Holiday Party, held on December 8th at Chef Salvatore Restaurant in Blue Bell, a record number of community associations were recognized with CAI’s Gold Star Award. Ten new communities received the Gold Star honor – given to communities that work hard to develop and maintain high standards, encourage community engagement and participation, maintain fiscal stability and positively impact the quality of life for its residents. The following communities were honored with the Gold Star Award:

Representatives from Gwyn Ayre Residents Association accept the Gold Star Award from Gold Star Committee Chair Lynn Voorhees (right) and Executive Director Tony Campisi

Gwyn Ayre Residents Association

Legacy at Meadowcroft

Malvern Hunt Homeowners Association

Morgandale Condominium Association

Spring Mill Community Association

Traditions at Inniscrone

Traditions at Longwood

Village Grande at Millers Run

Village Greenes Community Association

Watergate Condominium Association

Wethersfield Homeowners Association

Congratulations to all!

Board members from Watergate Condominium accept the Gold Star Award

CAI was pleased to announce award winners at both our Pocono Mountains Regional Council Holiday Party and Chapter Annual Meeting & Holiday Party, held on consecutive nights in December. All award winners were nominated by CAI members.

The following awards were presented at the Pocono Holiday Party:

Dave Ingegneri (right), Manager of Big Bass Lake, accepts the Poconos Community Association of the Year Award from chapter Executive Director Tony Campisi

Chris Travis, from Village at Camelback, accepts the Poconos Staff Person of the Year Award.

COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION STAFF MEMBER OF THE YEAR
Chris Travis, Village at Camelback

COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
Bruce Weidenbaum, Tanglwood North

POCONOS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION OF THE YEAR
Big Bass Lake Community Association

POCONOS BUSINESS PARTNER OF THE YEAR
Appletree Management Group, Inc. AAMC

COUNCIL VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
Amy Janiszewski, AMS, CMCA, PCAM
Appletree Management Group, Inc. AAMC

These awards were presented at the Annual Meeting & Holiday Party:

CHAPTER VOLUNTEER ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

Ken Ladely, board member at Wethersfield Community Association, accepts the Association Volunteer of the Year award.

Chapter Executive Director Tony Campisi and Board President Nancy Hastings present the Rising Star award to Rosy Brophy (center).

Carrie Smith, Smith Insurance Associates

CHAPTER VOLUNTEER RISING STAR
Rosy Brophy, Associa / Mid-Atlantic Management, Inc. AAMC

COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
Ken Ladely, Wethersfield Community Association

BUSINESS PARTNER OF THE YEAR
Smith Insurance Associates

ROBERT H. WISE PRESIDENT’S AWARD
Stefan Richter, Esq., Clemons, Richter, and Reiss, P.C.

Congratulations to all of our award winners and thank you to all of our volunteers!

The crew from Smith Insurance Associates, CAI's 2012 Business Partner of the Year.

Outgoing President Nancy Hastings presents the 2012 Robert H. Wise President's Award to Stefan Richter, Esq.

2011 Chapter President Nancy Hastings recieves a recognition award from 2012 Chapter President Gary Krimstock.

CAI members know that 2011 saw the beginning of the federal government’s effort to rebuild our mortgage finance system in the wake of the worst housing and economic crisis since the Great Depression. As Congress and a host of federal agencies worked through this process, hundreds of pages of proposed regulations were drafted and issued for public comment and analysis. From new Federal Housing Administration (FHA) condominium lending guidelines, to pending regulations on Qualified Residential Mortgages (QRM), to Qualified Mortgages (QM) and to the Federal Housing Finance Administration’s transfer fee rule, tomorrow’s mortgage market began to take shape. As we move into 2012, this process will enter a critical final phase and may trigger another round of uncertainty and confusion in the housing markets.

First, in early 2012, CAI expects the federal government to release the final draft regulations on QRM and QM. QRM regulations deal with the structure of mortgages and QM deals with qualification criteria for future borrowers. As drafted, both present a set of challenges to the housing markets in general and to community associations in particular.

As reported by CAI, the pending QRM proposal would have a significant impact on potential buyers. New requirements would mandate minimum down payments of 20 percent prevent financing of closing costs and realtor fees and would disqualify buyers with just one late payment on any installment account. It is estimated that 70 percent of currently qualified borrowers would not meet this standard. While it is expected that the QRM draft will be significantly revised, the ongoing uncertainty hangs like a dark cloud on the horizon.

Revised draft QM regulations will also be released in 2012. These regulations focus on a borrower’s ability to repay a mortgage and contain provisions that include community association related expenses. On the positive side, QM will require that a lender qualify a borrower not just on the mortgage amount, but also on other mandatory fees like association assessments. This should help reduce assessment delinquencies. On the downside, QM requirements may also take action on association transfer fees and require the inclusion of special assessments in the qualification calculation on the basis that the assessment will be in place for the life of the loan.

Finally, in response to CAI members’ ongoing pressure, FHA will be making additional changes to its condominium insurance guidelines. FHA has indicated that they will be issuing additional guidance to address issues with project certifications, transfer fees and management company fidelity bonding. This is good news for CAI members as FHA accounts for up to one-third of all condominium loans. On the downside, due to a pull back in bank lending and the insolvency of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, FHA has been forced to fill the vacuum in the mortgage market. This has stressed the agency and pushed its financial reserves to dangerously low levels. If the economy stumbles and FHA’s reserves tip into the red, the agency could need a congressional bailout. With the heated political climate super-charged by election year politics, any solvency issues with FHA would likely set of a firestorm that could sideline the critical lending role FHA is now playing.

There is one point we can be sure of among all this uncertainty and that is that CAI will be working to make sure that CAI members voices are heard in this debate.

As part of our ongoing Mortgage Matters Program, CAI is working to protect homeowners in community associations and to ensure access to fair and affordable mortgage products for all current and potential community association residents. You can follow our work and share your thoughts at www.caimortgagematters.org.

CAI’s Pennsylvania Legislative Action Committee is asking you not to be silent – but to yell out and tell us that you will help and donate an item to the LAC’s Silent Auctions!

The PA-LAC needs desperately to raise funds to support CAI’s legislative advocacy efforts. The primary goal of the PA-LAC is to monitor legislation and educate state lawmakers on behalf of community associations.  The PA-LAC is proactive in introducing and advocating for legislation that is beneficial to community associations and are equally active in opposing legislation that may be adverse to the interest of community associations.

In 2011 alone, delegates to the PA LAC considered positions on more than 15 pieces of legislation that impact the governing and management of community associations in Pennsylvania. In addition, the LAC met with Federal representatives on the ongoing FHA/mortgage issue, hosted dinners for the House and Senate Urban Affairs Committees, and hosted a Town Hall in Chester County that was attended by State Senator Dinniman and State Representative Truitt to discuss issues concerning community associations. The LAC is also pressing for adoption of Bills that would provide tax credits for municipal services for community associations in the Commonwealth as well as in the City of Philadelphia. For more information on the issues currently pending before the legislative action committee, visit the legislative page of our website.

The cost of lobbying and government relations is significant, therefore, we need your help.  The LAC is hosting two Silent Auctions – one will take place during the Poconos Holiday Party on December 7 and the second will take at the chapter’s Annual Meeting & Holiday Party on December 8.  Donations such as a gift card to a restaurant, tickets to a sporting event, gift baskets,  jewelry, house and home products, electronics, and best of all a coupon for your professional services are wonderful items to be auctioned off during our holiday parties.  Please consider the important work of the PA LAC…… and click here for the auction donation form.

Special thanks to those members who have already donated to the Silent Auctions:

Appletree Management
B.C. Property Management
Clarke’s Landscaping
EHD Insurance
F. David Sylvester & Associates
Hershey’s Mill Golf Club
Ken Walton General Contractor
Kipcon Inc.
L&L Services
MAMCO Property Management
Pocono Farms Country Club Association
Rivercrest Golf Club
Steven L. Sugarman & Associates
The Arrimour Group
Vector Security
Young & Haros