News

There are some things a super can do, and times to hire outside professionals. Who does what and when?

Residents away for extended periods pose challenges. No one can notice problems which may effect other units.

Does the basement of your New York City building experience flooding without a burst pipe or dramatic weather event?

Biophilia connects humans to nature, as green walls and water features are used in landscape design.

Post-pandemic, the home has become workplace, gym, and entertainment space like a hotel.

How to deal with a renovation that violates your co-op or condo board's alteration agreement.

Windows top the list of most important systems to maintain, but are among the most expensive to replace.

Hiring building staff and professionals often happens through word-of-mouth referrals.

Managers have a sense of self-satisfaction when finishing a job. Mistake? They will hear all about it.

Green cleaning is better for the environment; healthier for residents, staff, and pets; and often more economical.

Whether a super can make a repair depends on your proprietary lease, plus what and where is the repair.

How we dispose of our trash is a pressing concern in view of climate change and protecting the environment.

Saving the planet from the effects of climate change is an urgent—and gargantuan—task.

Should there be a formal process? Or should new members first volunteer? Two views.

Fixing everything at once may sound expensive, but over time proves the most economical.

Whether from a rental or a single-family home, living in a condo or co-op differs dramatically.

Efforts to reduce energy use in large buildings as per Local Law 97 is a growing burden. Here is an overview.

Communications to residents runs from traditional paper to digital distribution. Is it time for social media, too?

Open lines of communication between boards, managers, and owners are the nerve system of the community.

Who decides what is the resident's responsibility and what is not? It all depends on whether you own or rent.

For communities like co-ops and condos, hiring and retaining good people is the key to success.

Managers of co-ops and condominiums stay up-to-date on advancements in building systems technology, or BMS.

One truism of home ownership is that there is always something that needs to be fixed or replaced.

To create a working budget, there’s no such thing as too much planning. Reviewing expenditures monthly is standard.

With infinite documents generated by sales, minutes, and more, year after year, how much needs to be kept and for how long?

“It looks like a photo from a magazine!” is the exclamation many a manager, broker, potential buyer and board president...

Co-ops and condos often find that expenses exceed projections. The question is, are there leaks?

In a world where the cost of services and goods are generally rising, even in the absence of any substantive inflation,

Shareholders were not assessed for renovation of the three-level garage in their 32-story co-op.

A greenhouse is an expensive perk, and needs approval in New York co-ops and condos.

During the pandemic, property management changed and continues to evolve.

Co-ops are now eligible for loans from the Payroll Protection Program but signing the application has risks, says Dan Wollman, CEO, Gumley Haft.

Little could have prepared property managers for Covid19.

How to make sure new board members hit the ground running? Every building has a process.

Even before COVID-19, where real estate values were going was not great.

New York City has begun the slow process of reopening, but reopening does not mean a return to normal.

When it comes to reopening gyms and pools in New York buildings, managers move with extreme caution.

Anyone in the middle of an apt. renovation in NYC found themselves in a serious jam.

When choosing a doorman or a security guard, cost is not the main factor.

Property management has changed, but personal contact remains a priority.

Daniel Wollman, CEO, has solved 1000s of problems for New York residents from uptown to downtown.

Inevitably, conflicts happen between neighbors next door in a co-op or condo.

Social media is absent from communication in the majority of NY co-ops and condos.

There are no guarantees when it comes to building systems, parts and components.

Managing the math keeps buildings out of the red. Here, an example.

At many NYC co-ops and condos, the board is led by a group of dedicated doers.

Now, boards must consider whether to fully modernize elevators, or just comply.

Keeping amenities well maintained retains value and protects those who use them. 

Buildings need adequate capital reserve funds, whether for repairs, replacements or emergencies.

When building-a-building happens next door, management gets involved to protect the people, and residence, in their charge.

E-commerce has changed people’s shopping habits, including the way residents receive their deliveries.

If a co-op neglects to send a bill for 8 years, does the shareholder still have to pay?

Tell your superintendent if birds flock at your windows. Removal is not a DIY job.

Newspaper missing? If a neighbor is swiping it, this could violate house rules.

Leaks caused extensive water damage. How to fix the masonry without removing the windows? Aha!