SUN SENTINEL • SUNDAY, JANUArY 18 , 2015 CONTENTS PrEPArED BY CL ASSIFIED ADVErTISING

Location: 4320 NW 51st St., Coconut Creek

Bedrooms/baths/garages: 4/2/2

Features: An updated and meticulously cared-for home with volume ceilings throughout, and a custom pool and spa that backs up to a preserve. The large beautiful, upgraded kitchen has granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and abundant counter space and storage. The master suite includes dressing area, large closet, and spa-like shower for total relaxation. Porcelain tile floors in living areas and carpeted bed-rooms. Four sets of sliding glass doors across the back of the home open to a covered patio overlooking the raised pool/spa area and Banyan Trails Park Preserve. The two-car garage has been converted into a billiard room and boutique garage area, but may be easily returned to a full garage.

Price: $375,000

Neighborhood of the Week

REALTOR® OF THE WEEK Continued on page ?

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Realtor® of the Week

Home of the Week

name: Verna L. Miller 

Company name: EWM realty Inter-national

originally from: A native Floridian

Current home: Las Olas Isles in Fort Lauderdale

Realtor designations: GrI, ACP, EPrO

Verna L. Miller

Location: Winston Park, Coconut Creek 

Why popular: Nestled between Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties, Coconut Creek is nicknamed the Butterfly Capital of the World, with the first and largest butterfly house in the United States. It is a well-planned and environmentally conscious city with easy access to all forms of transportation, entertainment, shopping, and din-ing. Schools are rated A-plus.

Appeals to: All ages and lifestyles.

type of homes: The city of Coconut Creek of-fers a range of affordable housing in condominium communities, as well as townhouses, and single-family residences.

Price range: $135,375 to $2.395 million

Contact: Verna Miller of EWM realty International, (954) 647-7653, or email at verna@vernamiller.com

Additional information: Contact Verna Miller of EWM realty International, (954) 647-7653, for a private showing.

Board not involved in sale of foreclosed condos, which are sold at auction

Q. Our condominium associa-tion’s new budget for next year has increased by more

than 15 percent. I submitted a request to the board for them to consider an alternate budget. Must the board consider my request to consider an alternate budget?

A. An alternate budget will be considered if the board receives a written request

for a special unit owner meeting from at least 10 percent of the total units within 21 days after the board has adopted its budget.

Q. Our association is foreclos-ing on an owner for failure to pay their monthly dues. I

know someone who is interested in buying the property that is be-ing foreclosed on. Can the board decide to have the property sold to my friend who is interested

in buying the property since the board filed the foreclosure?

A. No. At the end of every foreclosure, the property that is being foreclosed on

is set up on an auction site. The way it is sold is similar to eBay. You create an account, set your maximum bid, and cross your fingers for the win. The auction is mandatory. The delinquent owner still owns the property until it is sold at the auction. The board may not choose to bypass the auction process and sell someone else’s property to a new buyer.

Q. I emailed a letter to my condo association with some questions I wanted

answered. They never responded. Are there any consequences for the board if they do not respond to my questions?

A. Under Florida law, the board must respond to “written inquiries” within 30

days, in most cases. However, the statute requires that owners send in the written inquiries by certified mail, return receipt requested. Furthermore, in condo disputes between an owner and the asso-ciation, the winning party in court or in an arbitration proceeding will most likely be entitled to have their attorney fees and costs paid by the losing party. If an owner submits their written inquiry in accordance with the statute and the board does not answer within the 30 days (60 days if a legal opinion is needed), then any litigation arising out of the inquiry basically eliminates the attorney fee and cost rule and prevents the association from recovering any attorney fees and costs if the as-sociation wins in any court case or arbitration action.

Q. What if the association does not respond to my request to access the official

records? What are the conse-quences then?

A. The association must respond and provide access to the official records within

10 business days after receiving the request. If the association fails to provide access, the as-sociation could face up to $500 in damages that will go to the owner, in addition to any attorney fees the owner paid to help them in making their case for the association’s failure to provide access to the official records.

Condo & H.O.A. Law

Michael Bogen devotes his legal practice to representing hun-dreds of condominium and home-owner associations. Bogen, who is admitted to practice law in Florida, Washington, D.C., and Nevada, also is admitted before the United States District Court in the South-ern and Middle Districts of Florida. Michael Bogen is assistant execu-tive director of the Condo Council, which provides education to over 1,000 association members. If you have a question, email it to column@CondoLaw.com.

REALTOR® OF THE WEEK Continued from page 1

how long in real estate? 13 years 

What made you get into real estate? I fell in love with the “heart and soul” of real estate when I purchased my first home. I found that a real estate transaction is much more than brick and mortar, regulations, and paperwork. It involves the indi-vidual, emotional, psychological, and uniquely personal aspects of buying and selling that represent a human part of the equation—all too often ignored by most real estate agents. It is still a magical moment when a client realizes “this is the one,” or says a heartfelt “Thank you, Verna.”

What separates you from other Realtors? Absolute honesty and total dedication. I never give up trying to make my client happy and satisfied and I always try to treat them the way I wish to be treated or would want

my loved ones treated.

Which neighborhoods/areas are your specialty? Waterfront/ocean access resi-dences in the tri-county area

Describe your working style: Integrity, knowledge, experience and service are the cornerstones of everything I do. I will do whatever ethically possible to satisfy my clients when buying or selling a residence.

What advice do you have for buyers? Be honest with your realtor from the start.

What advice do you have for sellers? Learn the facts of the market and be realistic.

how does what you’ve learned about real estate help your clients? There are so many facets of a real estate transaction that it can become a very anxious situation for many.

I’ve found the more I know and understand, the more I am able to empathize with my clients and assist them in the process and relieve their stress. That’s a good thing!

What’s the hottest listing you have right now? I have found that every listing has the potential to be “hot” if it is marketed effectively and present-ed to the right prospects in the best manner. That’s what I do

What professional ac-complishment makes you the most proud? Thir-teen years of satisfied buyers and

sellers.

Contact information: For immediate access, call or text me on my cell, (954) 647-7653 or email me at Verna@VernaMiller.com

SUN-SENTINEL rEAL ESTATE ADVErTISING STAFFPRoDuCt DeVeLoPMent MAnAgeR GArrETT A. FOSTEr 954-425-1642

ADVeRtising DesigneR DEBBY DOCHErTY 954-425-1029

sPeCiAL seCtions WRiteR TrACY KOLODY 954-425-1695

senioR sALes MAnAgeR MICHAEL D. rOSS 954-425-1234

ReAL estAte ACCount eXeCutiVes

Broward and Palm Beach Counties CHrIS CONNOLLY 954-425-1517

Dade County & out of Area MArIA SALES 954-425-1640