Condo Living
When a condo is first built and still controlled by the developer, HOA dues are kept low to not scare off buyers. Once the developer is gone, those payments have to be reassessed to ensure they meet the needs of the ongoing repair and maintenance of the building. (Hint, they’re not.) The Mayfair, neighboring Lee Oak…
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Maintenance doesn’t necessarily mean repairing something back to its original condition. If it did, we’d all still be using outhouses. And while we’re pretty good at changing interior spaces to suit our living needs, often exteriors are left out. Here’s an example. In my building, probably 80 percent of our balconies are (unfortunately) enclosed and…
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In my recent Dallas High-Rise Buyer’s Guide series, I noted that there are a lot of buildings too close to highways for comfort. If I added in all the recent highway-adjacent apartments, none of us would be separated by the requisite six degrees from someone who has a noise problem. What can you do? Technology…
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The area south of Lovers Lane and east of Greenville Avenue is on fire. Of course anyone looking for a reasonably-priced condo already knows that. The area was built-up in the 1960s with acres of apartments, many of which over time converted to condos. Those remaining apartments are being mowed down for new condo and…
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Two subjects are sure to get any HOA meeting roiling — money and security. If there’s a special assessment or dues increase, the next HOA meeting will be attended as if Elvis would be in the building. Similarly, security topics will set the assembled on high-murmur even long after the meeting is done. Cash and fear…
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