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
Listening to Residents Helps Everyone
When it comes to questions of home and hearth, even the best of friends may argue. So it should come as no shock when co-op and condo associations, boards and residents fall into disagreements. It's what's done to settle or hopefully prevent these disagreements that can make all the difference in the world. Read More
Board Resource Guide: Better Meetings = Better HOAs
Many association board members and shareholders alike come to dread the monthly board meeting or annual shareholders meeting - stories abound of meetings dragging on for hours, with participants feeling that they're trapped in a vortex of wasted time. Read More
Board Resource Guide: Being on a Board is a Thankless Task
Being a board member in an HOA or community association is a task rooted in civic pride and responsibility not unlike serving on the local school board or town meeting. Some become board members because they want to protect the investment they've made in their home by helping to oversee management of their community. Read More
Board Resource Guide: Co-op and Condo Board Etiquette
Serving the board of your co-op or condo can offer many benefits, but also bring many challenges. As board members also live among residents they serve, community issues are always present. It can turn into a 24/7 job that interferes with personal time, and when neighbors don't respect boundaries, being on the board can become more of a hassle than it's worth. Read More
Board Resource Guide: How Are Board Members Trained?
Congratulations. You have been chosen to help lead your community on a small governing council that will determine the major policy decisions affecting everyone who lives in your community. From finances to rules enforcement to selection of personnel and services, your voice will be a major factor in the way things are done. Although an unpaid office, being on the board of a community association can be a position of esteem, responsibility and leadership. Are you ready for this? Read More
