Money matters are important to any homeowner, putting much pressure on those board members in charge of creating a budget—no easy task. Within a budget, condo boards and associations must try to predict expenses for the upcoming year, in…
Instances of out-and-out fraud are rare in the world of condos and homeowners associations, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't look out for them and know how to spot signs of trouble. Consider this—most board members are volunteers…
Although New Jersey housing cooperatives may be rare compared to the numbers of co-ops in New York City, suburban co-ops face the same types of issues as their big-city neighbors. One of the primary concerns of nearly all co-ops is the b…
Every community has certain amenities or assets that residents value highly. In some communities, those features are extra parking areas, bike paths or "tot lots." In others, golf courses and restaurants are the way communities identify …
The modest mission of the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA)—"To advance parks, recreation and environmental conservation efforts that enhance the quality of life for all people"—"belies the complexity of the organization itsel…
One irony of modern life is that being in close proximity to your neighbors doesn't necessarily make you closer to your neighbors. At best, people might know just a handful of neighbors in their community. Many of us lead hectic lives, a…
Back when most of us were little kids, playground equipment largely consisted of a swing-set here, some teeter-totters there, a merry-go-round, a metal slide (which was often scorching hot—and unusable—in the summer sun), some monkey bars, …
You don't have to be the parent of a young child to notice that playgrounds aren't what they used to be. Swings may still be a staple, but jungle gyms, teeter-totters and clay or gravel surfaces have gone the way of The Brady Bunch and meta…
A good amenity gives a condo community its flash, its panache. It's the all-important detail that sets one community apart from another, and turns a set of structures into a set of homes. Over time, though, even the best amenity, the one…
In many New Jersey homeowners associations and condos, amenities are an integral part of a community, offering improved quality of life, recreational enjoyment and convenience. Popular amenities such as clubhouses or pools can creat…