2007 July
2007 July Vol. 5, No. 7
Focus on...Budget & Finance
Mortgage Products
Although New Jersey housing cooperatives may be rare compared to the numbers of co-ops in New York City, suburban co-ops face the same types of issues as their big-city neighbors. One of the primary concerns of nearly all co-ops is the building's underlying mortgage, which is paid for by shareholders as part of their monthly maintenance fee. Sometimes, special circumstances arise that require the board to take another look at the co-op's mortgage. Read More
Catching Financial Irregularities
Instances of out-and-out fraud are rare in the world of condos and homeowners associations, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't look out for them and know how to spot signs of trouble. Read More
It's Budget Time
Money matters are important to any homeowner, putting much pressure on those board members in charge of creating a budget—no easy task. Within a budget, condo boards and associations must try to predict expenses for the upcoming year, including maintenance, construction or any unforeseen variables. Associations must also worry about specific reserve budgets in order to avoid special assessments. Read More
Surviving Tough Financial Times
Almost everyone, whether they're financially successful or not, knows what it's like to feel the pinch of financial insecurity at one time or another—those moments when an unexpected expense looms on the horizon like a storm, or the realization that all those saved-up pennies just aren't going to be enough to get by. It's a realization that elicits panic, regret and a sudden desire to hide under the sofa. All we can do is work hard to set ourselves free and start planning ahead for a better and hopefully more prosperous future. Read More
Look Out for Predatory Lending
Cons and hustles are as old as civilization itself. For as long as there have been goods and currency to collect and divide, there have been unscrupulous individuals who are ready to relieve the unwary consumer of their holdings. Banking today is no different, but it doesn't mean consumers should operate with paranoia. A healthy dose of skepticism and a pocketful of questions can mean the difference between the perfect loan and the perfect scam. Read More
Budgeting for New Jersey's Citizens
For the first time since Fiscal Year (FY) 2001, New Jersey's state budget does not rely on tax or fee increases. Gov. Jon S. Corzine signed a $33.47 billion state budget for FY 2008 that is committed to no new taxes, substantial tax relief and serious protection for the most vulnerable members of society. Read More
Collecting 'Arrears' its Ugly Head
Monthly charges, including common charges, emergency repairs, special assessments, maintenance fees, dues and so forth, are a big part of owning a condominium in New Jersey. When an owner is late, or misses monthly payments entirely, it affects the association as a whole and can adversely impact the entire community. Read More
Bergen County's Parkland
While some people may only know the town of Mahwah because of a glancing mention in the Bruce Springsteen song "Johnny 99," the city has had a long and distinguished history. Some know it for its parklands, some for the historic Ford plant, and sports fans remember it for 25 years of great tennis matches at the A&P Classic, which served as a warm-up for the U.S. Read More
Managing Laundry Contracts
Having a well-lit, well-maintained laundry room in one's building is a definite plus. Residents don't have to traipse out to the overcrowded Laundromat in the dead of winter or in the pouring rain to spend hours waiting for machines when the facilities are right in their own building. Residents depend on their building's facility to be clean, modern and in good working order. The building's board and management company will expect that the laundry vendor will provide new machines, good service, updated technology—bye-bye coins, hello smart card!—and regular maintenance. Read More
