Condo’s are a compact urban community that exist on multiple dimensions; up down, left and right you have neighbors and they can be both boon or bane depending on your relationship with them. First, make it a point to get to know the people within the community for they are the ones you’ll be living with for some years. Learn to give and take, a noisy party during a birthday may be excused so as you get the favor returned when you take the stand.
Participate as much as you can so you get the who’s, what’s and if’s of the community and so you get to know issues before they affect you. Fostering a sense of community even in box like a condominium is a worthwhile effort that would make you an integral part of a harmonious community.
The Compact Community In A Box
December 15, 2008
House Plants
November 26, 2008
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A plant may be healthy when you bring it home from the nursery but it dies after a few weeks in your care. If it was given the correct amount of water, the culprit could be the lack of enough sunlight. With very little sunlight, the leaves often turn pale, wilt or the plant will not grow – which means no food energy is produced. On the other hand, if the plant has too much sunlight, its leaves will get burned. If too much sunlight comes through your window, move the plant back from the window or put a see through curtain on the window because plants lean toward the direction where light is coming from (photo kinesis). To have healthy houseplants, give their pots a quarter turn every time you water them.
The Most Common Condominium Conflicts
October 8, 2008
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Where any group of people live side by side, there’s bound to be some friction. A condominium set up is no exception. The most common points of conflict in this particular community are: parking, parties, people,pets and politics.
Parking spaces are being used by members and their guests irresponsibly. People often have noisy parties late into the night disturbing other members. Here are some steps to resolve condominium conflicts:
- Let the parties concerned have an open dialogue. More often than not, airing complaints diffuses the tension especially when coupled with contrite promises to mend erring ways.
- If the first step course of action was not successful, then the next step is for the complainants to get in touch with the condominium board of directors and formalize their complaint(put it in writing).
- Get an intermediary or “referee”. This option could be in the condominium’s bylaws. A condominium lawyer or a professional mediator could be present to hash out the problem and come up with an agreement mutually agreeable to all the parties concerned.
- If mediation has not been successful in resolving the issue, then arbitration procedures may me started. The parties concerned select a single arbitrator, if they don’t agree, they each select their own and then select a third one to act as chairman. The arbitrator is a professional one. He/she now, can accept evidence under oath. The arbitrator’s decision is then entered into court.
- If everything else fails, then the complainants can now pursue the matter in court and wait for its decision.
In conflict resolution, it’s up to the concerned parties to seek legal opinion on how to resolve issues, via arbitration? or the litigation route. However litigation could be uncertain, lengthy and expensive.
Choosing Your Condo
September 29, 2008
Nowadays, because of the increasing population and the decreasing available land, homes are getting smaller and the trend is to go up. Condos are becoming more popular and the home of choice for young professionals. If you’re planning to invest in one, there are some factors you might want to consider:
location – as with any real estate investment, location is key. A good location will mean a high resell value and a good return on your investment. Also, consider what you’re needs are. If you want to be close to work, with shops that are readily accessible, then a city condo is for you. But if you want a location with less noise, traffic, pollution and are planning to raise a family, then a condo nearer a suburb and schools may be what you’re looking for.
Monthly dues – monthly dues can vary according to the amenities and services a condominium has. Calculate how much you can afford – remember, these dues will be in addition to your mortgage and can’t be taken off, even if you’re not using the condo’s amenities.
Co-op or Condo?
August 13, 2008
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Condominiums: Owner has a deed for unit, has a separate mortgage, pays property tax on the unit plus a percentage of the common areas and pays a monthly maintenance fee. A board of directors governs the complex with the owner having one vote. The condominium owner has a fee simple absolute unrestricted ownership and is individually responsible for property taxes and maintenance fees. Use the sales price of condominiums with similar size, appeal, age, neighborhood, incurring similar maintenance fees, etc. to determine market value.
Cooperatives: Most co-ops are incorporated and a board of directors governs the complex with the owner of each individual unit having one vote. The owner has no deed, only stock and a proprietary lease which has a term from 10-50 years renewable automatically or at the discretion of the shareholders. He/she cannot refinance his unit as a condo owner can. Mortgage, property tax and maintenance fees are paid pro rata by the owner according to the percentage of the overall size of the unit. Property tax appeals involve the corporation and the stockholders.
The pros and cons of condominum associations
August 11, 2008
Condominum buildings are usually managed by associations. Each unit owner is also a member of the association, and the members regularly elect board membres. The association lives to enforce the bylaws of the building organization, and handles maintenance, repair and other such homeowner isssues. The organization also deals with disputes among owners, and with developers.
This can be a great idea–to band together for a more organized living. After all, condo unit owners live on the same space and structure.
However, because condo associations are not usually made up of property-management professionals, the organization has the tendency to be weak and inefficient when it comes to management matters. And in many cases, condo unit owners have to seek approval of the condominum’s association before doing any renovations on one’s own unit. Or if, in case, you want to lease out or rent out your unit, you might have to seek the approval of the association or board, too.
So unlike owning a house and lot of your own, you would have to please the neighbors, too!
The Down side of condominiums
July 4, 2008
Although staying in a condominium would be a good way to start on the road to independent living, it might not be such a great idea for everyone. Things to consider about staying in a condominium is that there are higher safety risks, considering that you may be living on the top most floor and that at any time natural disasters could strike. Moreover, staying in a condo costs a lot—from the fees to the unit itself. Consider your needs before picking out that condo, it might not be for you after all.
Union Park
June 2, 2008
Designed to breathe new life in the old downtown of Las Vegas, Union Park’s 61-acres of mixed-use development is a highly ambitious project that could just be the cultural center the city needs. With hotels, restaurants, a medical center and offices, Union Park will be a complete city in itself. Now is your chance to snap up one of the 3,200 housing units that will be available through developer Newland Communities. You’ll be a stone’s throw away from the planned Smith Center for the Performing Arts, which will be home to dance, music, and theater performances, the World Jewelry Center, the Charlie Palmer Boutique Hotel, and theGehry-designed Lou Ruvo Brain Institute. Las Vegas just got more exciting.
The Disadvantages of Condo Living
May 27, 2008
We have cited a number of advantages of staying in a condominium. It is also a good start for those who want to practice independent living. Although a lot of people can really cope-up and survive in the set-up, there are still some individuals who are not yet open with the idea of living in condominiums.
Even if the security is tight in a condo, there are also some safety risks especially to those who are living on the 20th or even the 60th floor. They will be the first one to get affected ones natural disasters such as cyclone and earthquakes would strike. The cost of condo units and association fees is no joke. If you are not financially ready, then this is not for you.
Setting Up a Garage Sale
May 24, 2008
Do you have some unwanted stuff stuck in your cabinet but you don’t want to throw it? Do you have some shoes that don’t fit you anymore but is still as good as new? Do you have an old radio that can still play good music?
Admit it: You have a lot of “useful trash” found at your home, but you find it hard to throw them away due to practical or even sentimental reasons for some. There’s nothing wrong with that, really.
Why don’t you set-up your own garage sale? Yes, you can freely do that in the condominium community. In this way, your things will be useful again to its new owners. Just make sure to sell only the items that are in good condition.