Considering Sunshine?
Here’s What Boards Ask Most...

About Sunshine Association Partners

So, you’re not really our management company?

Correct — Sunshine isn’t a traditional management company. We’re your remote admin and accounting team.

We handle:

Financials
Emails
Owner communications
Routine logistics that keep your community running

Meanwhile, your Board stays in charge on-site. This model works especially well for smaller, engaged associations that don’t need someone on-site making decisions for them.

Why can’t we call you our “management company”?

In Florida, management company has a specific legal definition tied to regulated responsibilities and licensing requirements. We intentionally avoid that title to:

Keep your Board in charge as the leadership body
Stay compliant with Florida statutes that govern association management

That said, our support often feels like what you’d expect from a management company — without the price tag, control issues, or legal entanglements that come with full-service firms.

So, we’d be self-managed? We’ve never done that — it sounds scary.

Not at all. Self-managed simply means your Board stays in charge of on-site decisions — like walking the property, talking to vendors, or keeping an eye on the landscaping. Sunshine takes care of the back-office work:

Financial reporting and accounting
Owner communications
Compliance letters (once the Board identifies an issue)
Record-keeping and documentation
Vendor payments and contract tracking

You’re not left alone. Think of it as “Board-led, professionally supported.” Your Board leads on site, while Sunshine makes sure the administration and finances run smoothly in the background.

Why should we trust a new company?

While Sunshine is a new company, we’re not new to the industry. Our founders previously owned and operated Merit, Inc., a respected full-service firm in Tampa Bay.

They built a reputation for integrity, professionalism, and reliable results. Sunshine was created to bring that same expertise to a smarter, more cost-effective support model tailored for self-managed communities.

How Our Support Works

What’s the difference between administrative support and consulting time?

We provide two types of support:

Administrative Support — Everyday Help (Unlimited)
Your go-to team for routine tasks and logistics. Email the Admin Team anytime for help with:

Updating owner contact info
Account balances or payment questions
Sending out letters and notices
Requesting reports or financials
General association logistics

Specialist Support — Expert Guidance (Limited)
Higher-level input from your Community Association Specialist (Krista), available for up to 60 minutes per month (depending on your package). Use this time for:

Governance or compliance questions
Board processes or tricky situations
Policy or document review
Operational guidance

Together, these services let your Board stay in control while having professional backup when needed.

Why don’t you attend Board meetings?

Because we’re not managing your community.
Instead, we make sure your reports are ready, your questions are answered, and your Board is fully prepared going into each meeting. Your Board leads the meeting; Sunshine makes sure you’re equipped.

What if we need help with a homeowner problem or violation?

We don’t perform property inspections or enforce rules — that remains your Board’s role.

But we do handle the admin side:

Sending Board-approved notices
Tracking correspondence
Staying organized
Serving as a homeowners first point of contact

If something tricky comes up, you can use your monthly consulting time for guidance.

Do you talk to vendors or supervise projects?

We don’t manage vendors or coordinate projects. Your Board retains that control. That said, we will:

Pay vendors
Track contracts
Keep records organized

Need help reviewing bids or contracts? Bring them to us during your consulting time. (Additional consulting time is available if needed.)

Can homeowners contact you directly?

Yes. Owners can reach out for routine needs like:

Account balances
Contact updates
General information

Board-level direction should still come through your designated liaison, to keep communication clear and efficient.

Technology & Services

Will there be a private web portal for the Association?

Absolutely. Each community receives a secure online portal where owners can:

View account balances
Make payments
Access governing documents
Update contact info
Submit requests

All at no extra cost.

How do homeowners pay assessments?

We offer flexible options:

Online portal (e-check or credit card)
Recurring auto-pay
Paper check or personal bank bill pay

Tip: Most owners prefer bank bill pay to avoid processing fees.

Is there an extra charge for e-check or credit card payments?

Yes, but only from the third-party processor:

E-check: $2.49
Credit Card: 3.5%

Sunshine does not add or control these fees.

Does Sunshine handle estoppel (resale) requests?

Yes. All estoppel requests are processed through HomeWiseDocs™, a trusted industry platform.

There is no cost to the Association — closing agents pay the fee directly at closing.

Financial Operations & Safeguards

How safe are our funds with Sunshine?

Your funds are fully safeguarded. Sunshine carries:

Errors & Omissions (E&O) insurance
Crime/Fidelity coverage

We follow strict procedures to ensure transparency and protection of your Association’s funds.

What bank do you use for Association funds?

We use American Momentum Bank, a 5-star rated institution (BauerFinancial). They specialize in association banking and make it easy to update signers without requiring Social Security numbers from Board members

View their rating here →

What steps do you take to prevent embezzlement or mismanagement?

We go above and beyond with safeguards like:

Dual Board authorization (if desired)
Lockbox deposit of all assessment payments
24/7 view-only bank access for Board members
Separate reserve accounts
Monthly financials with original bank statements
Financials prepared by third-party CPAs

Does Sunshine use cash or accrual accounting?

We use the accrual method, in accordance with Florida statutes and GAAP standards for community associations.

Contracts, Onboarding & Support

What is the term of the Sunshine agreement?

Our standard agreement is one year, with automatic renewal.

You may terminate at any time with 90 days’ written notice — no cause required.

How do we terminate our current management contract

Check your current agreement under “Termination” or “Term.” Many allow cancellation with 30–90 days’ notice.

Tip: Consult your association attorney to review the contract and issue formal notice. Remember, the attorney represents your Board, not the management company.

How quickly can Sunshine get us onboarded?

We typically have your core services up and running within 7 business days of notice.

If you’re in a crunch, we can accelerate the timeline, with a few non-critical items finalized after go-live. For the smoothest experience, 30 days’ notice is ideal.