News

Section 1031 Exchanges & Cost Segregation

Great Tax Saving Tools with Similar Goals Real estate investors have known for years that 1031 property exchanges can save taxes. A cost segregation study is something else investors should consider at the same time—as both may save taxes and improve cash flow. Here’s how a cost segregation study may benefit your next transaction. Whereas….

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Criterium-Pfaff Engineers is Franchise Office of the Month

Criterium-Pfaff Engineers, based in Spokane, Washington, is our Franchise Office of the Month. Ken Pfaff’s office has the second smallest territory population in the Criterium organization, at just over 500,000 people. Yet, Ken is experiencing 74% growth in 2021, has the third highest market share in the organization, and is our #7 office! The majority….

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Cannabis Commercial Building Inspections

Cannabis – One of the Fastest-Growing Industries This month we highlight our clients in the cannabis industry, one of the fastest growing industries across the country. At these high-tech facilities, our engineers perform due diligence commercial building inspections for prospective real estate buyers. This may include evaluation of the very specialized requirements for HVAC, plumbing….

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Client Spotlight: Bath RiverWalk

Bath RiverWalk HOA president Phil Day shared, “We learned so much working with Criterium Engineers as we transitioned ownership to our board. When our board was ready to do a reserve study, we went back to the experts at Criterium to help us make informed decisions about our community and planning for future investments.” Located….

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About the Roof

Inspection Techniques for Surface Survival The roof surface of your condo building is probably the most important common element under association control. Water intrusion into the interior will cause more damage or unit owner outrage than almost any other problem brought to the board’s or property manager’s attention. It bears careful consideration. There are many….

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Seeing Clearly with Window Replacement

Challenges Associated with Window Replacement Window replacement can be one of a condominium board’s greatest challenges. This is due to elements of mystery, timing, and high cost. For a variety of reasons a unit owner may want to replace one or more of her unit’s windows. After following the condo’s guidelines for obtaining approval from….

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Commercial Building Inspections: Three Options

Criterium Engineers’ commercial building pre-purchase inspections guide our clients through the due diligence process. The inspections and the resulting reports, performed by licensed, Professional Engineers, inform the prospective buyer regarding important aspects of the property and may also assist in negotiating a purchase price, depending on what is found. All of Criterium’s reports conform to….

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Thermal Imaging Your Condo

Winter in Maine and with it comes many four-letter words such as “snow,” “high fuel bill,” and “dams.” By “dams,” I mean ice dams. Some winters are worse than others, causing boards and property managers to look for ways to reduce this serious problem in the coming months. Infrared scanning (thermography) can be one of….

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Are You a Condo Leader?

With the dust of the election campaigns starting to settle, how often did we ask ourselves why would anyone put themselves through all that? Why risk personal reputation and consumption of precious time for such unguaranteed rewards? Or to the point of this article, why should you join the condo board? The answer(s) will be….

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