You’ve all seen the ads—whether you’re over 55 or not. They’re called “active adult” communities, “retirement” communities, “over-55” communities, “active-lifestyle” communities or any number of other names. Popular locations fo…
It’s a different world for amenities, these days. Just a decade ago, if you were fortunate enough to live in a building with a gated entrance or a nicely-landscaped swimming pool, you thought you hit the jackpot. It was easy for the bu…
As the mass media reminds us almost daily, staying fit (or even just getting fit in the first place) is on many people's minds. The risks of a poor diet and sedentary lifestyle are being taken more seriously, and that seriousness is be…
Years ago, when apartment residents wanted to do laundry, they gathered their basket and detergent, loaded up their pockets with quarters and perhaps a good book or their Walkman and trudged downstairs to the dark, dingy laundry room. A…
Chicago has a long tradition of being culturally diverse, and that tradition continues to evolve today. The Metro Chicago Immigration Fact Book reports that the Chicagoland area added 1.4 million immigrants in the past decade,…
There's no denying it: the housing bubble has definitely burst. And while there is still some speculation on how, when and why, most financial experts agree that the correction and balancing process has begun—though it will likely be lo…
Choosing the right property management company is a tedious but important task for any Board of Directors. The use of a Request For Proposal (RFP) process by a cooperative board will greatly enhance the selection of the most a…
Hyde Park, located on the South Side in Cook County is approximately seven miles south of the Chicago Loop and one of Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods and community areas. As a neighborhood, Hyde Park's definition has shrunk to a cor…
Q Does the secretary and treasurer position have to be a board member or can it be delegated/hired? —Curious in Chicago A “Most condominium association bylaws,” says attorney and managing partner Ebony Lucas of Chicag…
Q With respect to the exterior of a condominium, who has basic ownership rights and responsibilities for maintenance and repairs—the unit owner or the association? Can a unit owner have an air conditioner installed through a licensed…
Q I am three months behind in my association payments. Can the condominium foreclose on my unit? My mortgage payments are up to date, and I called my lender who said no, they cannot foreclose. I wrote a letter to the board asking f…