Category: Real Estate

April 29, 2020

Recently the Community Association Institute developed certain guidelines on steps your community may take or has taken to address the COVID-19 outbreak. It has sections on cleaning, common areas and amenities, meetings and events, social distancing, and staffing. Below I have outlined the steps which have or are being addressed by your Community Site Manager… Read more »

March 12, 2020

Transition of Condominium Association Governance from Developer to Unit Owner Control By Nicholas D. Cowie at Cowie Law Group, P.C. This article was reproduced with the permission of Cowie Law Group, P.C. from its website MarylandCondominiumAttorneys.com at the following Link:   https://marylandcondominiumattorneys.com/index.php/developer-transition-condominium-associations/ Legal Requirements and Transition Checklist “Developer transition” is the process by which the governance… Read more »

February 14, 2020

The success of a homeowners association (HOA) community is heavily dependent upon the board members’ ability to handle their duties and responsibilities in a fair and adept manner. With 2.5 million individuals holding positions on community association boards, almost all of whom are volunteers appointed by a majority of the community, it is important for each homeowner… Read more »

January 16, 2020

We have had a lot of owners in the St. Charles Community-Waldorf, MD calling asking about how the communities are formed and who or want gives the builders the right to build the types of homes and the numbers to be built. This is all approved by “Docket 90” the Charles County Board resolution first… Read more »

January 10, 2020

#Askingforafriend It has taken me a while to work up the nerve to ask this. m so embarrass?. ‘Please don’t use name or location on anything that could possibly trace this back to me. Not that it matters, I’ve opened a new email account on a public computer in order to submit this, so you… Read more »

January 15, 2019

The pros and cons of owning a house or condo that’s part of a homeowners association cover pretty much everything and the kitchen sink. Your relationship with the HOA can be reassuring, annoying, and sometimes even risky. On the plus side, the HOA often foots the bill for major expenses, such as when a roof… Read more »

September 3, 2018

I recently received the following request from a multifamily investor: “Can you please send me a marketing plan post purchase for an apartment building I am buying (my bank wants this)?” This is a fantastic question! When you approach a bank to finance your apartment deal they most assuredly will want to see your apartment… Read more »

February 9, 2018

As more people rely on the internet to shop, bank, file taxes and more, thieves are finding more ways to steal personal information. While many people take the necessary precautions to keep their details safe, thieves may still be able to attain personal information by hacking into the systems of larger businesses. How can you… Read more »

May 3, 2017

** “GOOD STANDING” PERCENTAGE REQUIRED TO AMEND DOCUMENTS: (HB789 – Effective 10/01/17): * The law defines “good standing” as not being more than 90 days in arrears in the payment of any assessment or charge due to the Condominium or the Homeowners Association. * The law alters the minimum percentage of affirmative votes of owners… Read more »

May 3, 2017

U.S. mortgage rates dropped for a fifth week, sending home-loan costs down to their lowest point since the week after the presidential election. The average rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage was 3.97 percent, down from 4.08 percent last week and the lowest since November, Freddie Mac said in a statement Thursday. The average 15-year… Read more »

March 10, 2017

Edge the driveway Installing a border along the driveway gives it a crisp, elegant look. Edging materials such as bricks, pavers and stone, or a combination of them, bring a boring asphalt slab to life with color, texture and decorative designs. The edging can be level with the driveway or elevated to prevent people from… Read more »

June 18, 2015

Accredited investors have more access to a variety of real estate investments than ever before. Now with the click of a mouse you can be an investor in a commercial property or be part of a lending group financing a residential fix-and-flip project. From land to multifamily property investments, there are many different types of… Read more »