Once the first home in a new community development is sold, its homeowner association is activated. And from that moment on, the association has to fulfill its obligations to the community and its residents. At the start of the proc…
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…
In many ways, the homes in a detached condo development resemble any other single-family dwellings: they have their own driveways, their own water and electric meters, distinct roofs, and heating and cooling systems. Other types of condo…
If your board of managers or homeowners association is looking for a way to clear driveways, walkways, stairs and other critical access areas quickly and efficiently after a snowfall, perhaps you might consider installing a snow melting sys…
There are plenty of reasons why a co-op or condo association board may want to replace some or all of the windows in their community. Noise reduction, saving on energy costs, aesthetics and safety are usually chief among them. Even with …
Sturdy and healthy trees, lush grass and beautiful plantings enhance the appearance and value of any building. Part of the yearly lawn maintenance cycle in any homeowners association or condominium development is keeping the overall land…
Summer's here, and most of us couldn't get along without air conditioning, especially when the temperatures reach into the steamy 80s and 90s. Many people know the minimum about their air conditioning systems—if anything goes wrong, they…