2008 March
2008 March Vol. 6, No. 3
Focus on...Exterior Maintenance
Announcing the Premier Annual New Jersey Expo
For most people, after a long winter, warm weather
cannot come soon enough. But, if you are a trustee in a community
association or a property manager, spring means more than barbecues and
patio furniture—it means tough decisions and expensive building
repairs. Fortunately for New Jersey trustees, there's an event that
can make those tough decisions a little easier on you and your wallet. On
Wednesday, May 14, The New Jersey Cooperatoris holding its premier Annual Condo, HOA & Co-op
Expo, an event that offers valuable information and services to the
condominium, townhouse and HOA communities. Read More
The Value of Looking Good
Let's take an imaginary walk with a prospective
buyer up to the doorway of their future home in your condominium
development. Take a look at the wilted, dried-up flowerbeds that
haven't seen care or maintenance in months. Attractive, aren't
they? Or what about the common area that's dotted with rusted, broken
patio furniture that the association board has been talking about replacing
for years? Or the neighbor's array of blinking neon holiday signs?
Maybe they'll put them away before next Christmas, even though you
have sent them too many notices to count. And let's not even get
started on the front doors that are crying out for a new paint job. If you
were thinking of purchasing a home, would you sign on the dotted line in a
community in such disarray? Read More
What Your Contractor Really Does
The workers are there in plain sight, going about their jobs with intensity, laboring on the buildings around us—maybe even in your own HOA. But what are they doing, exactly? What does it mean when a contractor is hired to do a façade restoration job, or to work on an association's windows? Unless you have some training in engineering or construction methods, it's probably tough to say. Read More
When to Hire, what to Expect
Exterior repairs and regular maintenance are a
necessary part of the upkeep of any co-op or HOA. But exterior renovation
or construction can be a major undertaking for any community, especially
when the board is not comprised of people knowledgeable about construction,
architecture or engineering. In order to make sure schedules are met, costs
are controlled, and quality work is being done, many communities hire
project or construction managers to oversee their exterior maintenance
projects. Read More
Patching the Cracks
Given the thousands of miles of sidewalks running
through New Jersey's suburban communities, sidewalk maintenance in
this region is serious business. Foot traffic, erratic weather, tree
roots, and other factors all contribute to the gradual deterioration of
urban and suburban sidewalks, and the threat of slip-and-fall lawsuits
looms large for buildings and HOAs that fall behind on sidewalk
maintenance. Read More
Cooperative Ordered to Purchase Apartment
A Bergen County, New Jersey jury in November rendered
a $1.3 million dollar verdict against a cooperative corporation and its
management company for failing to remediate a longstanding water problem
that led to mold growth and exposure for a Fort Lee couple. Read More
Water, Water, Everywhere
Water is vital to sustaining life, but keeping it in
its place is vital to the sanity—and bank accounts—of both
boards and residents of HOAs. Read More
