Adopted hamsters. Mysteriously empty pools. Secret bedroom habits of hi-rise neighbors. No, it's not next week's Desperate Housewives episode. It's more like Ripley's Believe It or Not, but all of these are true-life experiences of prope…
The fencing around the perimeter of your community not only helps keep the property secure, but is an aesthetic element that—if designed and maintained properly—can add significant value to residents' homes. Because of the surge in fence…
What's a "problem employee?" The guy who corners you at your desk and tells endless stories about his weekend in Maine? The grocery sacker who always puts the canned goods on top of the bread? Or is it the association staff member with a…
In January of this year, a devastating blaze ripped through an Edison apartment building in Edison leaving one woman dead, five people injured and up to 100 others homeless. In March, a space heater ignited a mattress causing a fire that gu…
Neighbors helping neighbors. It's a simple adage and one that holds immeasurable power when it comes to keeping communities safe. Over the years, neighborhood watch groups have grown in number, having a positive impact on the reduction o…
Whether you live in a gated or non-gated community in the New Jersey suburbs or the city, your home should be a safe-haven and sanctuary in which you can feel secure and protected from crime and other threats. So when it comes to the com…
A fireplace is a wonderful amenity in a home, but before you go off and light that first log, its important for association members to remember that a chimney and fireplace require special care and attention to make sure they remain clea…
The thought of it sends shivers up your spine—the shrill north winds, the snow-covered roads, the traffic jams on the New Jersey Turnpike. Yes, winter is coming. And as the seasons change once again, so too do the demands on housing comm…
They say cleanliness is next to godliness, and while the average homeowner's association doesn't have the vast expanses of marble and carpet many high-rise condo buildings have, clean, well-maintained common spaces and neatly-kept landsc…
Every year, condominiums and co-ops in New Jersey pay millions of dollars in utility expenses, including electric, water/sewer, gas, and steam. Are you certain your board or homeowners association (HOA) is paying the correct amount? What…