2012 July
Focus on... Budget & Finance

Finance Cash-Strapped?
2012 July Cash-Strapped?

True story: a condominium community’s board of directors spent almost $50,000 in legal fees and court costs to evict a corpulent canine that exceeded the weight limit for residents’ dogs...by three whole pounds. In another comm…

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Finance Pay Up!
2012 July Pay Up!

 In the tough economic environment that has hit our nation over the past few  years, many condo owners have faced job loss, pay cuts or just financial  uncertainty. Unfortunately, the signs of the times sometimes leads to an owner  not pay…

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Law & Legislation What's Up on the Docket
2012 July What's Up on the Docket

With millions of Floridians affected by laws pertaining to condominiums, co-ops and HOAs, the upcoming state legislative session will include discussion of bills that touch a large percentage of the state’s population and may well bring…

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Finance Understanding Finances
2012 July Understanding Finances

For a crystal-clear picture of how an association is doing, there are few better lenses than the community's budgets and financial reports. From an investment perspective, they show the association board, property managers, the unit ow…

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Maintenance Caulk it Up
2012 July Caulk it Up

 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…

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Real Estate Trends Don't Get Caught Short
2012 July Don't Get Caught Short

Despite being surrounded by both salt and fresh water, many cities and towns in South Florida face ongoing water management issues. According to the South Florida Water Management District, more than 7.7 million people—plus the environm…

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Law & Legislation Writing the Rules
2012 July Writing the Rules

 Nothing stays the same forever. As community standards, attitudes and  populations shift and evolve, rules and regulations that once made sense or  that reflected the views and standards of their day can become antiquated,  irrelevant, or…

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Maintenance Going Green
2012 July Going Green

 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…

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Q&A: Tackling a Mold Issue
2012 July Q&A: Tackling a Mold Issue

Q I am a shareholder of a co-op apartment building. I have a mold problem which  stems from water damage coming through the outside bricks. I had a mold  assessment company take air and material samples. It was determined that there  is e…

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Q&A: Rules for Live-In Boyfriend
2012 July Q&A: Rules for Live-In Boyfriend

Q I have lived in a unit for the past three years. I am planning on having my  boyfriend move in with me in a few months. Are there any community or state  rules or regulations that will prevent this from happening? I own the unit but  wo…

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Q&A:Setting Up Reserves
2012 July Q&A:Setting Up Reserves

Q I am the president of our condo association and I am in favor of creating  reserves. Over the last 40 years, our residents have voted down the establishment of a  reserve fund. I would like to recommend to the owners a general pool of  …

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