2005 Oct
2005 Oct Vol. 25, No. 10
Focus on...Board Operations
A 13 Point Plan for Successful Transition
As construction and home ownership continue to be a growth industry in New Jersey, one issue that will be faced by more and more HOA members is the transfer of power from community developers and sponsors to the new homeowners who will actually be living in the community. Though not everyone reading this article will agree with everything in it—or even anything in it—few would disagree that the power transfer is not always an easy or entirely transparent process. It can, however, be made much easier if both the outgoing developers and incoming new board members observe the following helpful points: Read More
Chatham, New Jersey
A quiet, carefully developed community nestled in north central New Jersey in eastern Morris County, Chatham boasts fine schools, parks, recreational and cultural facilities and is home to two major universities. It also boasts another title as well. Money Magazine recently named Chatham as one of the "top ten" places to live in the United States, and it is well-deserving of that accolade. Read More
A Look at IREM's Educational Programs
Where do property managers learn their stuff? They're not born knowing how to broker peace between feuding neighbors or who to call when the storm gutters are flooded, so they must learn their trade from other experts. There are a number of organizations across the country that specialize in training management professionals, either through institutional curriculum at universities and community colleges, or through independently-run programs that allow current and future property managers to work toward professional accreditation. Read More
Wentworth Property Management
In an age when over-analysis seems to be the rule rather than the exception, The Wentworth Management Group has made it a point to keep things simple. Their goal? To do whatever it takes to keep their clients satisfied. Read More
Negotiating with Vendors
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 keep a team of roofers on hand for minor repairs, contracts are arranged with any number of vendors to provide certain services, either on a by-project or ongoing basis. Read More
Board Management Jurisdiction
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 fully functional in order to get anywhere. Read More
Being an Effective Board President
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 building's board president is essentially a person who volunteered to be considered for the position and was subsequently elected or appointed to it. With such a position come many extra responsibilities and duties, which require that an effective president be a team player and an effective communicator. Read More
Avoiding Common Board Mistakes
Mary and Tom own a condominium in upstate New York, where they live with their three young children. The couple's otherwise idyllic suburban enclave has been shaken with recent allegations that their association's current board of directors has been working to hide evidence that their previous president may have embezzled thousands of dollars from the association. The president under suspicion has since resigned and moved, and a full investigation was ostensibly conducted. Once the residents got wind of the possible cover-up and the total lack of communication between board and association members, however, many—including Tom and Mary—lost faith and trust in their remaining appointed board members, and are demanding answers. Read More
Secrets of Successful HOA Boards
Since the board of a building or community association is usually comprised of a collective group of unique individuals with their own perspective and opinions, no two boards are ever the same. However, there are certain overall, universal qualities that can either make or break a board, and these are traits that everyone involved should follow so things run smoothly. Read More
