With freshly-fallen snow blanketing your condominium landscape, it’s easy to be lulled into thinking the property really is “pretty as a picture.” But keep in mind that in a few short weeks, that blanket may be melted away, revealing an ar…

While keeping the records of the association is not the most fascinating part of serving on a board of trustees, it is in some ways the most important. In fact, the flow of paperwork is the lifeblood of the community. The association…

It only takes a few minutes of a web search to uncover the traits that make a successful person or business owner. For example, Entrepreneur magazine’s Steven Key wrote the article, “5 Qualities of Successful Persons,” which included such …

Whether you’ve just taken a seat on your condominium board of trustees, or are an old hand at association leadership, the position can be a daunting one. There are vendors to hire, budgets to balance and complaints to field. How do y…

The goal of any property developer is to sell units, but until that objective is reached they have to assume all the day-to-day responsibilities to ensure smooth operations and continued sales. This requires wearing many hats—manager, bo…

The ethos of a homeowners association—to be open and welcoming—furthers the collective strength of a community. Therefore, it’s incumbent on trustees, board members and managers to foster a stronger, more cohesive sense of community. This …

Something Old, Something New… Q I recently walked into the lobby of my condo building greeted by a new décor theme. I was completely caught off guard as there had been no correspondence to the homeowners that this change would be ta…

The past several years have been a challenge for community associations trying to keep properties looking sharp and running smoothly while battling the forces of a shaky economy. Foreclosures, hurricanes and the relentless effects of time …

Olivia Pope, the main character on ABC’s Scandal, is a professional fixer. If you have a problem—any problem—she can fix it. Over the past two seasons plus, she’s rigged elections, covered up murders, employed professional hit men, exposed…

The concepts attached to extraordinary management skills are simple to remember, if one pays attention to the basics. Focus on communication—particularly the listening end of it—and be prepared to act. Some managers stand out for the…