It’s the same dilemma that households across the United States are facing: How much money can we afford to pay for the services we want? And should we stretch ourselves thin taking more out of our bank accounts to pay for private school…
When your community, co-op or condominium building is externally managed, the bills get paid, assessments get collected, light bulbs get changed, and lawns get mowed. And believe it or not, it’s not little elves that take care of these …
Grandparent to grandchildren and everyone in-between are using the Internet to better facilitate and streamline their lives. Whether it’s shopping for ground select coffee beans from Maui, Waterford crystal from Ireland or a favorite bo…
When visiting different doctors, have you noticed that they all have different personalities? One doctor is friendly and talkative, but another is the polar opposite—he forgoes the chit-chat, completes a thorough examination, and says g…
The recession and accompanying housing crisis have impacted different parts of the nation in varying ways, with places like New York City looking downright hearty compared to foundering markets like Florida and California. The Chicago …
The economy cratered—to use a term in popular parlance at that time—in September 2008, with the collapse of too-big-to-fail Lehman Brothers. While the measures undertaken by the federal government and the Federal Reserve averted complet…
Sometimes in the heat of the moment, when disagreements are at their worst, the possibility of solving a problem without going to court seems remote at best. Arguments may have been brewing for days or weeks with each side becoming more…
Q I have lived in a unit for the past three years. I am planning on having my boyfriend move in with me in a few months. Are there any community or state rules or regulations that will prevent this from happening? —Taking on Tena…
Q I am the vice president of our condo board. Just recently we found out through a real estate ad that the president of the board is selling his unit. Does this pose a conflict of interest? In effect, should the president remain the pr…
Q Is a condominium association in Illinois required to produce an annual financial report? If they don’t, what is the recourse? What parts of a financial report do the owners have access to? If the management doesn’t allow me to see the…