Hybrid meetings have been shown to increase resident participation in the governance of their building or association. That’s a good thing—but mixed in-person/virtual meetings require some preparation and intentional planning beforehand to …
A majority of American pet owners report that they regard their pets as family members, right alongside the humans. And just like living in close proximity with other people requires courtesy and consideration for neighbors, so does living …
One longstanding challenge for shared interest communities is that of recruiting members to serve on the board and the board’s subcommittees. Given that these are unpaid volunteer positions, many residents prefer to leave the job to others,…
When it comes to running effective annual community meetings, the battle is often won or lost before the meeting is even called to order. If the residents of a building or association are fundamentally satisfied with how their community is …
In the post-pandemic era, virtual and hybrid meetings are no longer considered a crisis situation workaround for boards and managers; they’re just how we conduct community business now. And across the board, that’s been a good thing. The ev…
While larger New England condo buildings and HOAs often hire professional community managers to handle their day-to-day administration and maintenance, smaller communities of just a few units often opt to manage those things on their own. S…
Believe it or not, the minutes of your association’s board meetings are every bit as important as the issues discussed and the decisions made. They provide transparency and accountability for the board and a reference for current and future…
Whether you preside over a tight-knit eight-unit condo on a quiet street in Cambridge, a sprawling association in Dorchester, or a legacy co-op building in the Back Bay, building credibility and trust with residents is crucial to your board…
Each and every multifamily community is different, with unique needs, expectations, and challenges. If you’re a regular reader of this publication, you’ve heard that refrain many times, across a broad range of contexts—including board gover…
On March 18, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac issued a significant update to their project standards and property insurance requirements. These changes reflect the realities of today’s housing market and focus on the long-term financial sustainab…