It is no surprise Maine has one of the oldest population demographics in the country. It is also no surprise that Maine ranks 8th among condo buyers aged 55 and older. This generation of boomers has been downsizing after retirement from the big single-family house and moving to condominium communities to be closer to….
Residential News
2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season
The team at Criterium encourages commercial and residential property owners, property managers, and HOA board members to prepare for the Atlantic hurricane season which takes place June 1 through November 30 each year. This year’s Atlantic seasonal forecast was announced by NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, a division of the National Weather Service. They predict another….
Wet Basements
Causes of Basement Flooding We don’t need a weatherman to tell us this past spring saw an abundance of raining days. Roads washed out, culverts failed, and basements got flooded. Condos with basements and crawlspaces experienced water infiltration for the first time creating not only an annoyance but also a health hazard. So, what is….
Condo Energy Efficiency
Save Energy, and Money This article may not be for you but if it is, its message could save you thousands while improving the quality of your life. Maine has a wide range of condo and HOA communities with a variety of configurations and bylaw restrictions. This article targets owners with units where they control….
Condos and Tariffs
There is an old Chinese saying, ‘May you live in Interesting Times’. This statement is interpreted to be more of a curse than a friendly greeting, as the interesting times refer to upcoming periods of chaos or uncertainty. Ask any investor or economic forecaster what they fear most, it is uncertainty. Unfortunately, this is….
Leaks Happen
Finding the Leak Like the bumper sticker says, Leaks Happen. Eventually all roofs will leak. The various available condo roof surfaces typically have different reserve fund plan expected useful lives. High slope roofs such as fiberglass composite shingles are budgeted to be replaced in 25 to 30 years while low slope roofs surfaces such as….
Cost Segregation Studies and Bonus Depreciation
For real estate investors and property owners, actively managing tax liability is essential in maximizing ROI. Strategically pairing a Cost Segregation Study provided by Criterium Engineers with current Bonus Depreciation options allows property owners to accelerate tax deductions, improving cash flow and boosting profitability. What is a Cost Segregation Study? Cost Segregation is a tax….
How Drowning Detection Systems Can Save Lives
Conventional pool safety measures, including covers, perimeter fences, and subsurface alarms, can prevent unauthorized access when a pool is closed. However, these measures do not protect against drowning when a pool is in use. Lifeguards, swimming lessons, and parental supervision have traditionally served as the primary safety measures during swim time, but tragically, even these….
Security in Maine – Secure Communities
Maintenance Plans and Reserve Funding Many think of Maine as a safe haven. During the height of the Covid pandemic, Maine saw a rapid growth in population due to folks fleeing the densely settled urban areas to the south. This in turn resulted in Maine’s average home sales prices climbing due to a lack of….
Micayla Brooks Joins the Criterium Team
As Criterium’s Vice President, Client Success, Micayla Brooks leads the Client Success team in developing and executing strategies to improve the client experience, build lasting client relationships, and expand our client base. This includes evaluating and enhancing business systems and processes to ensure positive client experiences and outcomes—client cultivation, proposal development, assembly of project teams,….
