Imagine your dream home. Maybe it’s a beautiful apartment in the sky, or a dramatic townhouse overlooking a lake or golf course. Maybe it includes a state-of-the-art gym or pool—or both—only steps or floors away. In the mood for a movie? Wh…
In a typical co-op, condo, or homeowners association, residents have a lot to say about how their building or community is or should be functioning … but few actually step up to run for and serve on the board that does the actual governing.…
Cooperative corporations and condominium associations are collectives of shareholders and owners, respectively. Both are governed by a board, the members of which are typically elected by those same shareholders and owners. Immediately fo…
With severe weather events becoming ever more common—and more intense—waterproofing your building’s envelope against rain, wind, snow, and ice is a growing concern. To counter the effects of climate change on buildings both old and new, our…
Q. Does binding alternative dispute resolution (ADR) override condo governing docs? If the ADR changes the shared common ground expenses, do the members of the association have to vote on the changes? Do the condo docs have to be changed …
Talk to anyone familiar with common-interest community governance anywhere in the country, and they will tell you the same thing: apathy is rampant among residents of co-ops, condos, and HOAs. Not only is it difficult to get owners and shar…
In multifamily residential communities, where neighbors share common space, amenities, and maintenance—if not actual walls—establishing and maintaining boundaries can be a bit tricky. Physical boundaries are often breached by things like …
Did you know that March 23 is World Elevator Day? Now you do. (You’re welcome.) On that date way back in 1857, the first passenger elevator was installed in the E.V. Haughwout Building—an upscale, five-story department store in Manhattan’s …
Congratulations—you’ve just been elected to your HOA’s board of directors, and given your first monthly financial packet. Maybe your first thought is, “This is all so confusing—thank goodness I’m not the treasurer, and don’t have to underst…
While experts predict an improvement in mortgage markets and builder outlook for the U.S. housing market in 2024, the number of new communities and existing home sales will be subject to a series of domestic and international issues. The ge…