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Keeping the Rain Off
After the four walls of a given structure, the roof is sometimes referred to as
the “fifth plane”—and just like the walls that hold it up, the roof is an all-important structure
that can make or break a building’s performance. Florida’s tropical climate, particularly its long rainy season and frequent storms,
often exacerbates trouble spots. If not properly maintained, even a minor roof
problem can lead to costly repairs.
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Papers, Please
Whether it is redesigning light fixtures in a common space or replacing a roof,
repair jobs and capital improvement projects are like death and taxes: they're
inevitable. Though an HOA's property manager most often handles the hiring of
contractors and oversees the execution of the job, problems and issues often
arise that make it important for board members to understand licensing,
documentation and accepted protocols of working with contractors.
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Protecting Your Community
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 human
concern. It is entirely on mankind to work out the co-habitation details since
alligators are an integral component of Florida’s freshwater ecosystem and protected by law.
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Maintenance Matters
Don't be fooled by the scenery; property management in Florida is not a day at
the beach. While managers in Boston or Chicago may look longingly at their
colleagues' sunny southern properties, the overall job description doesn’t really change much with geography. The process of minimizing maintenance costs
and maximizing productivity on what may be multiple projects requires diligence
and the ability to think on the go, no matter what area code your portfolio
occupies.
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What Lies Beneath
Land in Florida, especially South Florida, is comprised of loose, sandy soil,
and low water tables. That, plus the area’s proximity to the Gulf and Atlantic Ocean have always made it a difficult place
to build on. That’s why almost all South Florida buildings (including condos and community
associations) are set on concrete slabs, rather than the type of below-ground
foundations used further inland or in different geologic regions.
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Covering You Bases
Warranties for products are simple to understand, most people might think. You
go to the store, buy a computer or a DVD player or a TV, or even a larger
appliance like a refrigerator, and you get a piece of paper describing a
one-year or two-year warranty, and what’s covered. Sometimes, for some extra money, you can get an extended warranty for
another year or so.
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All Hands on Deck
During the building boom of the 1980s, 90s, and early 2000s, condominium
developments all across the country were trying to give their units a little
edge. Some added upgraded cabinetry and flooring. Others included high-end
appliances, sunken living rooms, and vaulted ceilings. Those developers who
really wanted to add something special, however, went the extra mile and added
wooden decks to the exterior of their units.
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Breathe Easy
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 board member, but the truth is that what you don't see can
definitely hurt you. And what you don't see in the seemingly endless caverns of
a building’s HVAC system, for example, can be surprising—from dead rodents and insects to various forms of potentially dangerous mold.
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The Building Superintendent/Chief Engineers' Role
The role of the building superintendent or chief engineer for a condo or co-op
will often vary by property and location. Nowhere is that more evident than in
Florida, the Sunshine State, the land of “55-plus communities” and a retiree’s dreams come true. The dream is as varied as the folks that seek out Florida
living every year.
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Don't Neglect Essentials
It's a common enough story: the condominium was relatively new, but from the
start its board of directors was stingy with maintenance and repair dollars.
Then the recession struck, and a large percentage of unpaid maintenance fees
spiked.
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