Among the many perils experienced by Floridians during the blackouts and hurricanes that swept the state in the middle of the last decade, non-functioning emergency systems in condominium buildings were a major problem. As a …
If your association is thinking about taking a more natural approach to its landscape, giving up toxic chemicals in favor of organic solutions, consider yourself special. According to Ian Orlikoff, owner of Eco Logic Land Care…
With the possible exception of fire, nothing is more damaging to residential buildings and the property of their occupants as leaks. Whether it’s a torrential deluge from the upstairs neighbor’s overflowing bathtub or a slow, seeping lea…
Thanks to its tropical climate, erratic weather changes are nothing new to Southern Florida residents. There are cold fronts from November through March, and if that’s not enough, the hurricane season is kind enough to coincide with the…
Florida does not have the harsh winters of the north, where thawing and freezing take their toll on concrete. But corrosion of concrete is an issue in South Florida, and homeowner associations need to ensure that the concrete making up …
As recently as the 1930’s, only 68 percent of American homes had electricity. By the middle of the last century however, most Americans enjoyed well-lighted homes, and the light had started to spread outdoors as well. Initially, yards a…
During the building boom of the 1980s, 90s, and early 2000s, condominium developments all across the country were trying to give their units a little edge. Some added upgraded cabinetry and flooring. Others included high-end appliances…
Whether it is redesigning light fixtures in a common space or replacing a roof, repair jobs and capital improvement projects are like death and taxes: they're inevitable. Though an HOA's property manager most often handles the hiring of…
It's no secret that HOA board members are often forced to balance the interests of individual residents against those of the community as a whole—and that can make prioritizing projects and community budgets a tricky task indeed. The re…
There’s nothing quite like making a first impression. For those living in condominiums or homeowner associations in South Florida, a great deal of creating this important impression is often out of a resident’s hands, so it’s necessary …