There are potential dangers all around a condo or co-op that no resident wants to consider a realistic concern: a chunk of hanging concrete above a balcony can be life-threatening; a section of delaminated masonry, wood shingles or siding,…
Windows can dramatically change any space, from transforming a tiny kitchen into a front row seat to a glorious skyline to morphing a standard upstairs bedroom into a perfect perch for an ocean view. Windows bring vast life and light to an…
The pavement you walk and drive upon daily is easy to take for granted—but it's a major part of your condo or HOA's infrastructure. Understanding the materials and methods involved in installing and maintaining a multifamily community's pa…
After one cursory glance through the streets of Chicago, the reason becomes clear as to why The Windy City is well-recognized, architecturally, as a city of innovation. After the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 ravaged many downtown properties,…
The sound of drip, drip, drip from a leaking faucet can drive most co-op or condo homeowners nuts. Especially if you hear dripping in the middle of the night and you just know it’s probably trickling through windows, ceilings, doors and fl…
Winter may not be over in Chicagoland, but for condos and HOAs, it's time to start looking ahead to the warmer months. Freezing rain and wind beat relentlessly at the façade. Snow accumulates on the roof, turns to ice, and when it thaws…
The Near North Side, or Community Area 8, is one mile north of The Loop and practically defines what is known today as Chicago, Illinois. It is home to the city’s largest skyscraper, the Willis Tower, (nee the Sears Tower), and the largest…
Q I am a unit owner in a condominium. The board of managers should consist of 5 members, but for the last five or more years, there have only been 2 people serving on the board. These two make all the decisions for the entire condo. Since…
My condominium does not allow any animals, as spelled out in the condominium rules and regulations. This was one of the reasons I purchased in this particular building. With no regard to the rules, several owners have recently snuck in cats…