A cooperative, condominium or homeowner's association is more likely than not governed by a ragtag band of brave volunteers. Oftentimes, these folks have outside jobs that have little to do with maintaining a residential real estate propert…

"I wish someone had told me the nuances of trying to cultivate a community while also trying to manage a business,” said Pat Burke, the current president of the Fieldstondale co-op in the Riverdale section of the Bronx, when asked what he w…

Like beauty, what constitutes an 'amenity'—particularly a 'luxury' amenity—may well be in the eye of the beholder. Young families may want indoor and outdoor play equipment, while professionals may appreciate a well-appointed gym, and senio…

For over a century, states have had laws, rules and regulations in place to ensure that employees who are injured while performing their jobs are adequately taken care of. An uninsured employer that finds itself embroiled in a workers' comp…

When  it comes to insurance coverage, whether for your health, your possessions, or your home itself, the question is not should you have insurance, but rather, what policy best meets your specific needs? The same question applies to collec…

The insurance industry is like any other — it's constantly evolving, with new products and ideas coming to market all the time. To keep up with what's new — and what could be of use to you and your co-op or condo community — it's impo…

When looking to buy or sell a unit in a condominium or cooperative, the layman may be forgiven for feeling overwhelmed. In the cutthroat world of New York City real estate, stakes are high, and to expect anyone who is undergoing a move to b…

Title insurance is unique among all other forms of insurance. For example, other insurances guard and secure the holder against future loss, such as life insurance against death; health insurance against illness; and car insurance against …

In the old days of video surveillance, a closed-circuit TV system (CCTV) to monitor the doors and parking garage and lot used to be a grainy black-and-white mess. The footage would transmit to some subterranean bunker with a tiny TV so some…

Even the best boards can use a shot of 'new blood' now and again - for new ideas, fresh perspectives, and to give everyone in the community a chance to help govern it. But attracting new board members can be challenging. Listen to what a fe…