Over the last few weeks, I blogged about every condominium in every county now needing a “milestone inspection.” To recap, these “milestone inspections” will start after the 30 year mark and every ten years thereafter (25 years and every 10 years thereafter if your property is within three miles of the coast). We wrote about…
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MANDATORY BUILDING INSPECTIONS – PART TWO
So last week we discussed the fact that the change in the law will now require every condominium building in the state that is 3 stories or higher and at least 30 years old (25 years old if within 3 miles of the coast) to undergo a Phase One inspection, every 10 years, by a…
THE NEW CONDO LAWS ---- MANDATORY INSPECTIONS – PART ONE
Let’s start discussing the new condominium laws that go into effect on July 1st. We won’t cover them all in one week, so look forward to next week’s blog as well. IF YOU HAVE A MANAGEMENT COMPANY the statute says: If a community association manager or a community association management firm has a contract…
A DIFFERENT KIND OF MEMORIAL DAY – AT LEAST FOR ME
I know that the intent of Memorial Day is to honor those who have previously fought and died for this country. I certainly proudly honor all of these brave men and women. This Memorial Day however, I feel that the 98 victims at Surfside need to be remembered as well. You can’t tell me that…
PROXIES: WHAT ARE THEY AND WHEN CAN WE USE THEM?
The term “proxy” is often thrown around incorrectly. In simple English, if you can’t make it to a meeting to actually cast your vote or appear in person, you sign a document called a “proxy” which allows someone else to appear on your behalf. They act in your place. The proxy form may give the…
THE HOUSING NUMBERS JUST DON’T ADD UP
I really hate to be a Debbie Downer, but I have never been more afraid of an economic collapse in Florida, especially South Florida, as I do now. I couldn’t care less about the statistics that get reported about whether foreclosures are going up or not. I’m telling you that they are. I know because…
OUT OF SIGHT DOES NOT MEAN OUT OF MIND
I like to re-publish this article every few years because it is so important. As we get closer to summer we are simultaneously getting closer to lots and lots of empty condominium units because many owners are returning up north for a few months. Just because you leave your Florida condominium for a few months…
WERE WE SUCKERED IN BY FALSE ADVERTISING?
I remember as a kid growing up in Brooklyn, Red Buttons would do a commercial that aired in New York, promoting Century Village. You were promised beautiful spacious apartments, amazing views, golf courses, endless entertainment and simply the perfect dream place to retire to. So forty years later, we learn what Red’s commercial left out:…
ANOTHER FIRESTORM IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER
As we know, The Florida Legislature is having trouble fixing the problems of allowing condominium buildings to waive reserves, who the reserve studies should be performed by and how often the buildings should require safety certification by local building officials. The issue of course is how hard are we going to hit condo owners financially? …
THE TAX MAN COMETH TODAY
We got three extra days this year to pay up. Three extra days to turn in our income tax forms and pay Uncle Sam. Instead of April 15th being the day, it is April 18th. We see it come out of our paycheck each week, we complain. We fill out the necessary forms during tax…