Go down any major shopping street and chances are you’ll see five or six bank branches within two or three blocks—big banks like Chase and Citibank, smaller community banks, foreign-owned banks, you name it. Add to that investment banks, on…
When it comes to work in, on, or around a residential building, there’s really no such thing as a small job. Whether a minor fix or a major capital improvement, there are a number of factors that determine the success of a project, particu…
Even before the economic meltdown and the media storm swirling around the thievery of money men like Bernie Madoff, financial mismanagement and fraud have been destructive problems for many associations and unit owners. An HOA or con…
While there's ample warning before something calamitous happens in a community -- such as a major weather event, for instance -- that's not always the case. A bad situation can be made immeasurably worse when a building or association isn't…
Parking is a big deal in pretty much any urban area. Not only is it limited, but it’s often incredibly expensive to boot. Given the hot commodity that parking spaces represent in denser, high-demand neighborhoods and municipalities, it’s no…
Olivia Pope, the main character on ABC’s Scandal, is a professional fixer. If you have a problem—any problem—she can fix it. Over the past two seasons plus, she’s rigged elections, covered up murders, employed professional hit men, exposed…
As jugglers of multiple and oftentimes complex tasks, association managers must be adept at mediating between board members and unit owners, as well as resolving all manner of maintenance and legal issues. To this end, association managers…
Whether change is good or bad often depends on who you talk to; even a welcome change produces a certain level of stress and adjustment. Personal changes are challenging enough, but for community association residents, a board decision to …
There are many different factors that prospective unit owners contemplate when looking to buy a unit. Aesthetics, price, and location are important, for sure. But perhaps the most critical factors of all are the safety of the building and …
A lot of people don't think twice about their homes' windows—as long as you can see through them and get some air and natural light, what's left to think about? But windows are structural openings after all, and without proper installation…