Changing management companies is a big deal - but it doesn't necessarily have to represent a major upheaval. Knowing what documents and records to furnish to the incoming firm will help keep the process orderly and drama-free, and enable yo…
Even in the most harmonious of communities, conflicts are bound to arise -- and having a responsive, resourceful manager with good communication and conflict resolution skills is crucial, no only to avoid costly litigation, but to get impor…
According to the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals (APSP), there are 10.4 million residential and 309,000 public swimming pools in the United States. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), an agency that is independent of th…
In recent years, “home-sharing” or “short-term” rental sites have been experiencing increasing popularity as well as political and media attention in many so-called destination cities. At the time of this article, the most popular of these …
In any large city, parking is a big deal—it’s often hard to find, and when you do find a spot, it can be very expensive. Parking spaces not only provide urban drivers with freedom and mobility in the crowded cityscape, but they can be a ser…
For many people, one of the most attractive aspects of co-op or condo living is the fact that everything, from the windows to the elevators to the numbers on the apartment doors, looks great; clean, bright, elegant and well-maintained. For …
No matter what time of year, the addition of natural light into a living space can do more to boost the spirits of its occupants than just about anything else. For a dark kitchen, a gloomy study or a bedroom that lacks that special somethin…
Thanks to several popular cable TV shows, an economy-driven emphasis on downsizing and minimalism, and a politically-driven discussion of the effects of untreated mental health conditions on the greater community, the issue of pathological …
It happens infrequently, but when it does, it can be an enormous challenge: a co-op corporation or condo development has a long-running squabble with the building sponsor/developer, falls victim to long-term mishandling of funds – or outrig…
In major US cities these days, the decision to live in one co-op or condo building versus another often hinges upon the style of living afforded in a particular property. Whether it is defined partly by a full-scale gym and spa, a children’…