2004 Jan
2004 Jan Vol. 24, No. 1
Focus on...Management/Board Relations
Deciphering Your HOA's Finances
It was comedian Jackie Mason who said, " I have enough money to last me the rest of my life—unless I buy something." Mason was making a joke, but if your homeowners association isn't adept at managing its books, it might also be an unpleasantly accurate description of your community's finances. Read More
Warranties for Capital Improvements
When we think of product warranties, most of us think of the standard green registration cards that are found inside the box with the product alongside the operating instructions. We can register our new purchase by filling out the card and mailing it back to the manufacturer, or with Internet access, we can register at the manufacturer's Web site. In turn, we have a contract with the manufacturer that outlines the agreement of the warranty. Read More
A Closer Look at Capital Reserve Studies
Running a condo or co-op association is a lot like owning your own home, but on a much larger scale. Like with any home, needs for various repairs come up from time to time. But unlike an individual homeowner, development managers can't just go down to Home Depot and buy what's needed to do the job themselves. Nor can they call a handy relative to come help them fix it. The responsibility of serving hundreds of residents means a job has to be done right, and in as timely a fashion as possible. That's where a capital reserve study comes in. Read More
Preventive Legal Maintenance
There is a common misconception that legal costs are fixed and that lawyers should be treated differently than other vendors who are subject to the rules and requirements of a competitive bid process. Not so, says James A. Judge, Esq., an attorney with the Irvine, Calif.-based law firm of Van Gemert and Judge. Judge recently discussed the topic of escalating legal fees and how associations can control their costs at a Community Associations Institute (CAI) seminar during its national conference. Read More
A Kitchen Fit for A King
Your kitchen—It's the hearth, the center of your home. You eat there, you drink there, you prepare meals, and even midnight snacks there. It is a gathering place for family and friends and where many of the rituals of daily life occur. Read More
The Resurgence of Jersey City
Jersey City knows something about bouncing back. With property values rising steadily, a steady influx of retail stores, trendy restaurants and the arrival of some of the corporate world's heaviest heavyweights, Jersey City has become a magnet for families, young professionals and others looking for a safe place to live that's exciting, yet stable. Such was not always, the case, however; Jersey City has survived harsh colonial conditions, stock market crashes, and the onus of not being Manhattan. But as time passes, the area continues to thrive. Read More
