A quote often attributed to the Prussian statesman Otto von Bismarck in the mid-1800s says something to the effect that laws are like sausages—it's better not to see either of them being made. It's a clever quip, and it's not entirely i…

Q “I am the vice president of a small condo community and we are trying to find out if non-homeowners can serve on the board. Several of the homeowners would like renters to have a proxy vote. However, being a proxy and voting for an abse…

Of all the responsibilities that come with being a board member or manager of a residential building, few are as important as ensuring the safety of your residents. Making and clearly communicating emergency plans, marking entrance/egress …

Many new condos and HOAs offer in-unit washers and dryers as an enticing amenity, but for those living in older building or high-rise apartments, more than likely residents will have to share a common laundry room. In most cases, lau…

As most folks know, the Miami metropolitan area has a large collection of landmark Art Deco architecture. Most of these iconic buildings are beachfront hotels, but some of them are residential. A confluence of events lead to this concentra…

The dust has mostly settled from the recession, and the market sector that caters to clientele with deep pockets is becoming one of the strongest parts of the American economy. Bigger is better, and glamor definitely sells when it comes to…

Sixty years ago, work and play were very different. A majority of women remained in the home, in both urban and suburban settings. The mostly male heads of households went off to work, and children went off to school and play. Since then, …

The sudden emergence of Kermit the Frog as a box office draw is not an accident—it seems that everywhere, everybody is 'going green.' The term is shorthand for a movement of environmental awareness, and it involves everything from the way …

Q Our management posts the last board meeting's minutes on a website that unit owners can access, but they're posted several months after the meeting took place, and sometimes after the following meeting has already happened. I've made re…

The Building: The Blue Heron of Naples is located in Naples, Florida, in Collier County, and is approximately eight miles from Gulf of Mexico beaches and 5th Ave. in Naples. Blue Heron is a low-rise gated community of 324 units. Amenities …