The amount of time and energy invested by board members in the many decisions and projects surrounding the successful functioning of a building community can demand the kind of commitment and dedication required by a demanding part-time job…
The co-op application process is one of rigor and induced anxiety, whereby aspiring shareholders are scrutinized not only for their finances, but their character and demeanor as well. The length of the review varies by association, but it o…
Lawsuits are expensive endeavors, period. But what about everyday legal costs - contract vetting, sending documents back and forth, assessing prospective purchasers' information, and so forth? How can boards keep a lid on those expendit…
As we’ve recently seen in the news--from the Democratic National Committee email leaks about Bernie Sanders from last year’s presidential election, to the latest in the Trump-Russia brouhaha --emails aren’t always the safest and sec…
The rules are almost always different for co-ops, and that is most certainly true for occupancy issues. One of the initial reasons for the co-op ownership structure, both on the part of the those already living there and those buying in, w…
As more and more co-ops and condominium communities seek to attract residents, boards and managers have turned to attractive new programming opportunities for individuals and families. Whether it’s a rooftop Fourth of July party, a gardenin…
In the world of housing, discrimination is a very sensitive subject. A failure to understand it and abide by the laws could result in a lot of trouble, including for boards and owners at condos and co-ops. Avoiding such missteps involving…
Peter and Sarah have three boys, all under the age of six. While that fact sinks in, consider this: all three boys shared a single bedroom in the family’s modest, two-bedroom condo. When the tots were small, this set-up worked well, and Pe…
Thank goodness spring is just around the corner. Even if winter isn’t the same brutal, icy season it used to be, it’s still a welcome relief when the clouds part, temperatures rise, and leaves and buds begin to appear outdoors. Nice as the …
Interviews of all stripes are notoriously nerve-wracking for those being placed under scrutiny. Even mundane details about one's hobbies and interests can seem like daunting reveals when confronted by a stranger in an uncomfortable setting.…