2011 November
Focus on... Building Maintenance

In Florida, humans share space with all manner of reptiles; most noteworthy are alligators and several species of exotic snakes. Humans and reptiles thrive in Florida’s semi-tropical climate, and learning how to co-exist safely, is a hu…

 The old axiom about things that are out-of-sight also being out-of-mind often  goes double when it comes to the inner workings of a building’s operating system. The maze of wires, pipes, and ducts is a mystery to the  untrained person or …

No matter whether you're traveling light or burdened with an armload of groceries, nobody likes to climb stairs. Recognizing this, mid- and high-rise condo developments frequently count elevators among their amenities of convenience—an…

 Are your community’s swimming pool and hot tub VGB-compliant? Do you know what that means?    VGB stands for Virginia Graeme Baker, a seven-year-old girl who drowned in June  of 2002 when she became stuck after being sucked into a …

 One of my young daughter’s favorite YouTube clips involves an elaborately decorated house, whose  thousands of colored Christmas lights were programmed to flicker, strobe, wave,  and blink to the tune of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s har…

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 …

 Property managers handle a wide array of tasks from the physical to the  administrative. While many of these jobs are outlined in black and white (send  out monthly bills, attend meetings, file paperwork), one important component is  not …

 Key West, the southernmost point of the continental United States, where many  residents refer to it as the “Conch Republic” (pronounced conk), embraces a fascinating mix of history, eccentricity and lush  island charm.    Early Hi…

Our board secretary has included in the minutes of the last meeting a statement that serves her purpose but could lead to serious consequences for the  association. She refuses the board president's request for the taped recording  of the m…