For most, living in a co-op or condo association implies at least some level of interest in being part of a larger community. That interest is usually limited to the condo or co-op community itself – but what about the greater community aro…
From getting the news, to finding that ultimate BBQ recipe, or just keeping up with friends and relatives both near and far, social media has become entwined in the fabric of our lives. In fact, Facebook, Instagram, and the rest are so ubiq…
Housing affordability – or un affordability, depending on your relative net worth – has always been a hot topic in New York City. Today’s housing market is no different – though in recent years, thanks to a combination of factors both e…
Money saving and energy conservation go together like hand and glove -- but how they fit isn't always the easiest to understand. In this quick clip, a conservation pro discusses how boards can assess their energy-related equipment for signs…
The benchmark for calculating capital gains on your unit is determining your cost basis in the unit. The cost basis for co-op and condominium units is calculated on the original purchase price of the shares or unit, plus capital improvement…
Hiring a new management company - to replace your current company, or for the first time ever - is a big deal for a board. Knowing what to look for in the person or people who will be handling crucial business and administration for your co…
As much as a prudent, conscientious board may try to keep a lid on expenditures, sometimes shelling out is unavoidable. When it comes to legal costs though, 'shelling out' can often result in a bad case of sticker shock. In this clip, legal…
Community associations are microcosms of democracy, run by an elected board of volunteers trusted to make good decisions on behalf of the community as a whole. Boards make the call on every large and small issue for their constituency. So i…
Removing a disruptive, abusive, non-paying, or otherwise problematic tenant from a rental building is relatively easy. Doing the same thing in a co-op is also possible, though substantially harder. But removing a condo owner from the premis…
Community living comes with lots of rules and regulations—many of which are codified in largely static, hard-to-amend governing documents like proprietary leases and condominium declarations. Others are laid out in the more flexible context…