Benny L. Kass – Page 4

Condo owners have the right to know the reasoning behind assessment increases. Ask to review the association's reserve study, the property manager's spreadsheet showing projected expenses and the annual accountant's report.

Wondering why your condo assessments keep going up? Here’s how to find out.

May 20, 2019 at 8:41 a.m.

Q: As many people have seen over the years, my condo association has been increasing assessments each year for the last few years. Previously we had low or no increases....

Votes on association issues typically take one of two approaches, depending on state statute and governing documents: voting at a meeting or providing some type of written approval outside a meeting.

How long can voting on condo association issue be left open?

May 20, 2019 at 8:41 a.m.

Q: There has been an offer made to purchase my entire condo building, which includes more than 260 units, and deconvert from condos to rentals. Per the condo bylaws, a...

If you're selling a home and wonder if you need to disclose a potential haunting, check to see whether your state has a law on this topic.

You think your for-sale house is haunted. Do you have to tell potential buyers?

May 30, 2019 at 1:15 p.m.

Q: I believe my house is haunted. Periodically, a door will slam or windows will mysteriously open when no one else is home. I plan to sell; do I have...

To subtract stress from the selection of a new property management company, create a three-member management committee to solicit bids. Prepare a letter spelling out who you are, how many units your association includes and what you are looking for, and ask for a bid response.

Finding new property management company doesn’t have to be a headache

May 20, 2019 at 8:41 a.m.

Q: I am the treasurer on the board of my condo association, which has more than 100 units. Our management company has been managing the complex since the units were...

When stuck with land that can't be built upon or sold, owners have a few options to seek relief.

Buyers’ money is locked up in unbuildable land. What’s their next move?

May 30, 2019 at 1:15 p.m.

Q: I am hoping you might have a viable solution for a seemingly intractable property problem. In a nutshell, in 1974, my wife and I bought a lot in a...

Your local recorder of deeds likely has online records. A quick search should produce the deed.

Bought a home but never received deed? Here’s what to do

May 20, 2019 at 8:40 a.m.

Q: We purchased a property and paid cash. We were told it could take as long as two to three months to receive a deed and it's been more than...

Must owners without gardens chip in for association landscaping costs?

May 20, 2019 at 8:40 a.m.

Q: Our senior living neighborhood association is proposing a $12.50 per month assessment increase to buy and install mulch for each household. These are single-family homes with different-sized mulch beds....

If state condo law allows associations to have renters, a condo board can't ban them.

Can condo board ban owners from renting to relatives?

May 20, 2019 at 8:40 a.m.

Q: I live in a 20-unit condo building. In 2002, the board decided to protect our owner-only occupancy rule by having our attorney prepare a form that all owners were...

Developers, and even some property owners, are offering condo owners prices that may be slightly higher than market value, with the idea that the elderly unit owner will leap at the chance to sell the unit.

As number of rentals in condo building spikes, older unit owner feels pressure to sell

May 20, 2019 at 8:40 a.m.

Q: Our 12-unit building is self-managed and switching back quickly to “rentals” due to foreclosures, death and moving. I have requested financial info for the year and have asked if...

If you believe a neighbor's plants have crept over into your property, a survey should clear up the matter.

Hedges fuel property line dispute

May 20, 2019 at 8:40 a.m.

Q: I am a senior and have lived in my house for 40 years. Up until now, I’ve never had any problems with my neighbors. Now I need to determine...

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