2011 October
2011 October Vol. 9 No. 10
Focus on...Association Operations
Making the Grade
Management companies are hired by boards to oversee operations because there are
simply too many moving parts for volunteers to handle. To this end, it’s the board’s responsibility to do its due diligence and select the best fit and enter into
contract; however, this is just the first step to ensuring successful
operations. Without continued oversight and assessment, problems arise.
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Board Transparency
Any recent web search of condominium news will reveal countless blog posts from
disgruntled unit owners, many of whom feel their individual associations have
been less than transparent in controversial board decisions. But these calls
for increased transparency have left many board members puzzled.
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Choosing Wisely
Whether a community is self-managed or employs a management company, a
condominium board of trustees will at some point have to make decisions about
how and from whom the building gets its supplies and services. Because of this
inescapable fact, creating and maintaining relationships with vendors is an
important component of a board’s physical and financial maintenance of a community.
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Meetings 101
Serving on a community association board is a big responsibility, but
surprisingly, many board members and unit owners don’t fully understand the rules and requirements of the board meetings themselves.
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Snowbirds in Flight
Birds in flight may be beautiful, but their departure sometimes leaves the nest
unprotected. And when that nest is in a condominium community, property
managers and boards must do their best to compensate.
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Picturesque Hamilton, Massachusetts
In some ways, Hamilton, Massachusetts, located in the area known as the “North Shore” (north of Boston), is the quintessential New England town. There are fields and
woods and historic homes and easy access to the ocean. On the other hand, some
of its very postcard qualities are what make it most distinct.
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Found Money
Is there a condominium community anywhere that doesn’t need to build up its capital reserve? Looking for extra income, some
communities show success with traditional fund-raising methods. But even
better, new technologies are cropping up that can offer extra income to
associations with land or facilities capable of hosting specialized equipment.
At the same time, many “green energy” companies are looking for sites to lease for their solar or wind-power
structures.
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Serving the Management Profession
Whether you are dipping your toe in the real-estate buying pool for the first
time, or you’re soaking in it after purchasing numerous properties, the Institute of Real
Estate Management (IREM) is an organization to take note of.
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Keep Them Safe
Trick or treat! It’s that time of year when pumpkins are picked and decorated, costumes are chosen
and all the children in the association are anxiously waiting for Halloween.
But for the association, this is also a time of concern as children walk, most
often after dark, throughout the property. Without the right safety measures in
place children can be injured.
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Q&A: Behind in Condo Fees?
I have a bit of a tricky issue. I am the trustee of a self-managed triple-decker condo in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts. The owner of the second floor has become ill and as a result, has not been at home, and consequently has not paid her fees. They are now four months late. I have been in touch with the owner’s daughter, and she’s told me that she’s ‘working’ on getting me a check for the delayed fees, but to date no check has been received. Her daughter does not live on the premises, and I have left her messages regarding the late fees, but have not heard back from her. Read More
