As one of our valued homeowner association clients here in Maine, we want to let you know that the annual Maine Condo Expo and Forum is taking place on Saturday, September 21 from 8:00 – 2:30 pm. The New England Chapter of the Community Associations Institute is presenting the event, one of several state-based events….
Cracks in foundations are by far the most common structural complaint raised in either reserve fund studies or transition studies. They can occur in the youngest or newest condo building. As condo documents usually assign the maintenance responsibility of their repair to the association, board members and property managers take them very seriously. Maine condo….
Solar panels may be an option for your community. Legislative incentives are available in states around the country. There is a growing consensus that climate change is real and its consequences will have significant impact on our quality of life and regional economic future. While the cause of climate change may be debated, its potential….
⇒Go to checklist The words ‘safety or security’ mean different things to members of a condominium or HOA community. While the board or property manager may be focusing on the common element safety dangers such as the pool or the walkways/ paved surfaces, unit owners’ biggest concern is unit security and household accidents. In reality,….
The team at Criterium encourages commercial and residential property owners, property managers, and HOA board members to prepare for the hurricane season which begins each year on the first of June for the Atlantic. The Central Pacific season forecast was announced on May 18. This year’s Atlantic seasonal forecast was recently announced by NOAA’s Climate….
Typically when I am discussing water problems with the condo’s property manager or the board, the focus is on leaking roofs, foundations, windows, or other building envelope points of water infiltration. Instead, this article’s focus will be on water damage problems from inside sources and their prevention. It is hard to talk about inside water….
This time of year I like to share my observations of the Maine real estate market and forecast things to come (spoiler alert) the news is still good. Describing Maine’s real estate market is like describing its weather. First there is a discussion about the southern part of the state and later the northern part….
So what to do in a Maine winter? Certainly snow sports, a good book, or dreams of spring golf are excellent pursuits but for the chairperson of the condo maintenance committee, winter is a good time to be planning building envelope repairs. The building envelope comprises the roof, siding, and foundation with all of the….
Who would think venting a unit’s clothes dryer was so complicated? When was the last time the cleanliness of dryer vents was on your Board’s meeting agenda? Yet, clothes dryers may be one of the most dangerous appliances in the home. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports there are more than 15,000 home fires….
Sure, it’s cold out there. It’s Maine and we have long winters but if the condo board is to find a good landscaper for spring projects now’s the time to start looking. Landscaping contractors are overhauling their equipment; looking for experienced crews; and scheduling their current customers, so if you wait till the frost is….