If there were metaphorical rock stars in the financial management of a homeowner's association, those rock stars would be known as the treasurer, accountant and building manager. These three are the power trio of the co-op and condo fina…
Three years ago, a member of the New York Giants football team was looking to move into Manhattan and applied to buy a co-op at one of the more luxurious buildings in town. Although the player made millions each year, he was denied entra…
When it comes to buying your community association's fuel and heating oil, if your goal is to pay rock-bottom prices well below what everyone else is shelling out, forget it. Everyone knows today's prices are high—and while we can all ho…
When a new unit owner moves into a condo development, he or she usually receives a welcome packet that contains all the governing documents, such as the declaration of covenants, conditions and restrictions, the bylaws and the house rule…
This summer, as HOA residents make plans to hit the shore or go visit relatives in faraway states, it's important to remember one thing as bags are packed and camping supplies loaded into the family car: Thieves never go on vacation. Sum…
When most people envision bears, they picture them roaming the vast forests of the west, pulling salmon from rushing rivers or running through the grassy meadows of Alaska. For more and more New Jersey condo owners, however, that vision …
Be Prepared" is not just a timeworn motto—it's a piece of advice that can save lives, property, and countless dollars. While the average person doesn't really think that they'll be a victim of a fire, flood, earthquake, or even a terrori…
Professional service providers or contractors are vital to the day-to-day operation and maintenance of any condo or co-op community. Since it's rare for a residential community to retain an on-site staff of landscapers and unheard-of to …
For a car to run, all the parts (most of them, anyway) need to be in working order. The engine has to be well oiled, the tires must be inflated properly, and sometimes the brakes need adjusting. The major components of the machine must be f…
Every co-op and condo association has a board— and by extension, a board president. Presidents and CEOs of major corporations are usually compensated handsomely for the time and effort they're expected to devote to their job, but a build…