A recent analysis by Realtor.com shows that in an increasingly competitive housing market, condos, co-ops, and attached townhouses offer an affordable alternative to comparable single-family homes, especially in high-density, high-cost …

Brokers have a standard modus operandi when selling apartments: Depersonalize the property, stage it, and disappear. Take down family photos, stow the artwork, clear out excess furniture and the clutter of everyday life. And most importantl…

Q. I live in a condo where there are quiet hours after 9 p.m., and all disturbing noise no matter the time can result in a fine. Two months after I moved in, the downstairs neighbor moved in. It’s been a nightmare ever since. Banging, scr…

Q. Five years ago, an owner who was on the board for a year and was newly in charge of maintenance had his own new patio removed and hired our usual contractor to pour a new, larger patio—which of course meant using common element propert…

Running a community association requires boards and managers to work with people from all walks of life, including those who have unique experiences, wants, needs, and challenges. That requirement also includes residents living with behavio…

There’s a riddle in a popular children’s book that asks, ‘What’s the largest room in the world?’ After much consideration and many incorrect guesses, one of the characters in the book has the answer: “Why, the largest room in the world is r…

It’s that time of year again. Birds are chirping; trees are blooming; property managers and co-op and condo boards are addressing their task lists for the change of seasons. Whether it’s a Wrigleyville walk-up or a Streeterville supertall, …

First-time buyers in condo associations, co-ops, and other multifamily residential communities are often surprised—and a bit confused—by the way in which their new building or HOA operates. Whether they are coming from a rental background o…

Following the tragic partial collapse of Champlain Tower South in Surfside, Florida in June 2021, the Community Associations Institute (CAI) convened a trio of task forces to explore laws and best practices for the community association…

As both a writer about and resident of high-rise residential buildings, I followed the June 2021 collapse of the Champlain Towers South condominium with a hawk’s eye. I read about the people who perished and the loved ones left to carry on;…