ASSOCIATIONHELPNOW
By Michelle Tomko
Living by the water has many rewards. But like most things in this world, those beautiful sunrises and long walks on the beach come at a premium – a flood insurance premium to be exact. Additionally, residents can find getting the right type of coverage from the right carrier isn’t always cut and dry. [Read more…] about Flood Insurance Update – What to Do With the New Wave of Information
Everyone who lives in a condominium or homeowner association knows that board meetings are no picnic. They can be confusing, loud and even get a little heated. However, some people may not know that the board also meets privately in executive session. Although this may seem secretive, it is necessary to keep the board, and board meetings running smoothly and it is necessary for certain legal reasons. [Read more…] about Behind Closed Doors – Executive Session Explained
Going green is definitely a topic that community associations are discussing these days. But as with most improvements, there is a cost involved. Weighing the benefits against the learning curve of new technology and the financial burden of taking the leap can be a daunting task. So to explain some of the options that associations have when it comes to going green, Mitch Frumkin, president and founder of Kipcon Engineering headquartered in North Brunswick, New Jersey, with offices in Pennsylvania and New York, answered some questions about what it takes to make the switch. [Read more…] about It’s Getting Easier Being Green
Summer is way behind us. So goes the way water plays a role in our lives. Instead of longing to get to the beach, lake or pool, us folks in the Northeast have to bundle up and prepare for the icy battle to protect our homes against snow drifts, slippery sidewalks and ice damming.
[Read more…] about Tips for Getting Your Properties Through the Winter
It’s your home. You want it to reflect you and your personality. You have the freedom to do that on the inside walls of your dwelling. But what about when your religion, holiday practices or general aesthetics compel you to decorate the outside of your home seasonally?
[Read more…] about This Little Light of Mine — Should the Board Let It Shine
For some, one of the downsides of living in a condominium or homeowner association has always been close proximity to your neighbors. This can especially become a problem when your neighbors are loud and inconsiderate. But what if the rowdy family “next door” is a feral cat colony? What are your options when feline squatters settle in your community?
[Read more…] about Cats Are Moving In: Tips for Managing Feral Cat Colonies
As the seasons change, there is more to think about than how early is too early to hang holiday lights on your roof. In fact, while you’re up there untangling them or digging through the attic for extra bulbs, you should also be checking your roof for ice dams. The forming of icicles on your gutters or roof may look pretty, but it could be an indication of a bigger problem.
Once the board has finished picking out the colors for the elevator renovation, signed the contract for the new landscaper, or taken their best guess as to how much snow will fall in the coming year, there is still an important question they need to ask themselves: How are we going to pay for all of this?
What gets us up and moving when the dreaded alarm clock rings on Monday morning? A salary? Benefits? Or maybe, if you are lucky, it’s that sweet, sweet company car in your driveway. If you aren’t that fortunate, maybe you are at least hoping for free bagels in the break room when you arrive at your chosen profession. That being said, how can condos find competent, available and motivated team players to volunteer for boards and committees when HOAs can’t promise any of that? Well, maybe there are free bagels now and then. To give us some tips on securing a good roster of helpful residents, we spoke with Denise Becker, Senior Vice President of Community Management from Homestead Management Services, Inc.
[Read more…] about Manager’s Perspective: Volunteers, We Want YOU!
We probably all became painfully aware of the effect of drafts on our homes in the same way; we innocently left a door open and heard our mother scream, “stop heating the outside!”
It all makes sense now because we are the ones paying the bills. Some days, opening the mail can make you want to seal your house up tighter than a drum. But there is also a belief that houses have to breathe. So how much is too much when it comes to air flow? How can we protect our homes and our wallets from Old Man Winter? AssociationHelpNow decided to “shoot the breeze” with Alan Jalon from The Falcon Group, to get an expert’s opinion on the subject.
[Read more…] about Get a Handle on Your Building Envelope Performance