Like any major project in a co-op or condominium, installing a gym is made up of two separate yet equally important parts: The brass tacks of planning and executing the project, and the politics of running it through the board and resi…
It’s a different world for amenities, these days. Just a decade ago, if you were fortunate enough to live in a building with a gated entrance or a nicely-landscaped swimming pool, you thought you hit the jackpot. It was easy f…
You’ve all seen the ads, whether you’re over 55 or not. They’re called “active adult” communities, “retirement” communities, “over-55” communities, “active-lifestyle” communities or any number of other names. Popular locations f…
All for one and one for all. We always knew that buying a unit in a condominium project meant that the value of our property depended in good part on the likeminded conscientiousness of our neighbors. Where owners live, vote and fund th…
In addition to depressing home prices, the current housing crisis has put a tremendous strain on the sixty million Americans who live in shared ownership communities (SOC) such as condominiums, co-ops and HOAs. While these shared owner…
Two decades ago, a couple of East Coast landscape designers thought it would be a great idea to share ideas and to network with others in the profession. Today, the organization they launched—the Association of Professional Landscape Des…
For community associations facing a world of economic uncertainty, the old notion of “strength in numbers” has perhaps never felt more relevant. Because when it comes to tough problems, the associations that are able to work together an…
Being on a committee is not always an easy task. In fact, sometimes it can be downright frustrating. A three-month commitment can stretch into six months; meetings can go on forever; committee members may drift off topic; and precious,…
Tennis courts, event spaces and private swimming pools are practically standard issue when it comes to suburban homeowners associations and condominium communities. While the residents who enjoy these amenities as part of their ownersh…
Lobbies, corridors and common areas are the public face an HOA or condo community shows to the world. Shabby, threadbare, or painfully dated common areas can hurt overall property values and send the wrong message about how a community…