New England summers bring a brutal combination of high heat and heavy humidity. Strict HOA guidelines and shared structural walls can make it tough for individual condo residents to manage cooling costs, but you don’t need a total HVAC over…
Every board has been there; a repair is needed, or a building system is due for an upgrade. The request for proposals (RFP) goes out. As the bids come back for consideration, the board must keep their community’s financial realities foremos…
Shared interest communities like condominiums, co-ops and HOAs are non-profit entities. That means they’re dependent on residents paying their monthly fees in order to meet the community’s projected expenses. Unless a community leases space…
If your board, community manager, or social committee wants to make the most of “patio season” with some fun, out-of-the-ordinary programming for your residents, it’s high time to start planning. BBQs and pool parties are perennial favorite…
According to the Pew Research Center, approximately 71% of American households own at least one pet. Nearly half of U.S. households own a dog, around 35% own a cat, and roughly 20% own both. Most pet owners consider their animals to be full…
While states like Florida and California are known for rigid statutory mandates when it comes to long-term financial planning for condo and HOA boards, New England’s legislative environment has been comparatively flexible up to now. Howev…
New England’s rocky soil and variable climate can be tough on the plants and flowers adorning your property. Planting the wrong species—or planting the right species in the wrong place—practically guarantees disappointment. Selecting plants…
When it comes to the planters and flowerbeds around your building or association, choosing the right annual and perennial plants to go in them isn’t quite as simple as you might think. There are many considerations to take into account, fro…
Cities are known for being home to diverse populations that thrive in fast-paced, crowded environments—and not all of those populations are human. The same dense landscape that attracts people also attracts bold, resourceful, and highly ada…
It’s an all-too-common pattern: nationwide, condo, HOA and co-op communities are experiencing steep increases in their insurance premiums while coverage is being reduced. Some are seeing their policies dropped altogether. It’s an alarming s…