According to some sources, the word “tips” is actually an acronym—it's short for “To Insure Prompt Service,” and the list of people who are commonly tipped—at least in the United States—includes everyone from hair and nail salon workers t…
One of the biggest issues in the real estate industry over the past year has been the speculation that government-sponsored mortgage programs Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will be ending. For the past 70 years, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac …
Typically the sources of terror in horror movies come from ghouls and zombies. Victims in these films find themselves trapped in an abandoned warehouse or haunted mansion with no chance of escape or survival. Moviegoers feel appropriat…
We all want to get what we pay for—and nobody wants to pay for goods or services they don't actually receive. This is especially true of homeowners associations when it comes to big-ticket municipal services like snow and garbage remova…
According to U.S. Small Business Administration statistics, over half of all small businesses begun in the last decade have been home-based—that's more than 24 million in real numbers—with a new home-based business being launched every 1…
Even cavemen knew that fire was dangerous—and they lived in flame-proof caves. But here in the 21st century, people blithely build roaring fires right in the middle of their furnished, wood-filled, carpeted, upholstered and bookcase-jam…
Saving money is always a top concern of any association board, but with tough economic times and high fuel prices, saving on energy costs can be a challenge that requires some tough choices. Since 1999, New Jersey businesses a…
As annual and quarterly budgets come up for review, HOAs across the state are looking to cut costs anywhere and everywhere they can. But how much more “fat” can be trimmed from budgets that already look stripped to the bone? Happily, th…
Tighter lending requirements for Federal Housing Administration (FHA)-backed condo mortgages have put financial and administrative pressure on HOAs all over the country at a time when many are ill prepared for any new challenges. …
Known for its quaint Victorian cottages and pristine beaches, Cape May, New Jersey has been a seaside destination for generations. In fact, it is widely recognized as the oldest seaside resort in the country. Wealthy Northeasterners an…