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Stay-at-Home Seniors:
The golden years are a time to enjoy life, relax, and have a worry-free retirement. During our working years we plan for this time, save money and make investments for the future. But, naturally over time, the cost of living increases, unexpected financialcircumstances arise and many find themselves without sufficient funds to maintain a pre-retirement standard of living. Read More
Not Your Father's Foam
The building envelope, as many already know, is a term used to describe the six sides of a building which "envelop" the building (if the building were a perfect cube). The underlying goal
of excellent construction is to makethe
building waterproof, soundproof, air-proof, pressure-proof, and
temperature-proof. Read More
Boards' and Managers' Role in Maintenance
According to legendary NFL coach Vince Lombardi, "The achievements of an organization are the results of the combined effort of each individual." The coach's wisdom can actually be applied to almost any life situation—sports, volunteers, and even businesses—particularly the business of property management. Read More
Q&A—Joe Saurino
A few years back, the prior board passed a motion to charge all future unit owners with dogs a $50 fee per month because of an existing dog that would occasionally defecate in the building. There was no analysis conducted to determine whether or not $600/yr per dog was adequate or excessive. It has since been determined this fee is excessive and we are no longer having an issue with resident dogs. Read More
Environmental Issues
Saving money by going green sounds great, but who has that initial capital in these tough economic times? The average person can’t afford the luxury of buying solar panels or driving a hybrid car, however, there are many energy-saving changes you can make that are relatively inexpensive and have a fast return on investment. Below are ten strategies for cutting utility bills and carbon footprints that have a pay back period of less than two years. Read More
Hanging Out
Ever since Romeo and Juliet made them famous, balconies have been popular additions to our homes and living spaces. For condominium communities, balconies can add an extra perk, a few more feet of living space that allow us to enjoy the outdoors and some time in the sun. Read More
Environmental Issues
Of all the finishes inside our homes, flooring has the greatest long term impact on indoor air quality, and perhaps on the environment as a whole. Flooring finishes often contain harmful chemicals—whether in the flooring itself or in the products usedto install it. It harbors the majority of the dirt, moisture, and other contaminants that are commonly found in the home. There are many options and, just as with all green products, there is no “one size fits all” for flooring choices. Here are some basic considerations that can help to get you started in evaluating flooring for your home. Read More
Concord Massachusetts
When the Puritans bought Muske-taquid from the Algonkians in 1635, they changed the name to "Concord" to signify the harmony of the agreement. The Massachusetts town has lived up to its name ever since, albeit rather unconventionally. Its inhabitants have historically created waves in order to bring about change or what they saw as a better way of life. Today, the town of about 17,000 bustles peacefully on the banks of the Assabet River, and has become a most desirable place to live. Read More
Maintaining and Repairing Boston's Facades
In a city with a history as rich and storied as Boston's, it's no surprise that history is told in large part through its architecture. The face of that architecture, quite literally, can be found in the facades that give each building its character, charm and personality. Within each neighborhood, Boston's buildings are as different as the people living within them. Read More
Q&A—Ronald Perl
A resident needs to have a chair rail installed so she can access her second floor apartment in our condo building, built in the 1950s. Who pays for the chair rail and the installation, the resident or the condo association? Read More
