January 15, 2022
Q: Why don’t we have enough parking? A: Developers want to build the most homes possible to make the most money, so they often allot the fewest parking spaces required by law. Unfortunately, that leaves the association to deal with the shortage. Q: Why can’t we park on the street? A: The association’s roads… Read more »
January 5, 2022
Dear Valued Customer, As 2022 approaches, businesses across all markets throughout the US continue to be burdened by extraordinary circumstances nationwide challenging clients, consumers, suppliers, and employees both professionally and personally. The recent fast-spreading Omicron variant of COVID-19 has derailed holiday plans, canceled events, and left businesses understaffed across the nation. We are proactively… Read more »
November 9, 2021
The pandemic has presented many challenges for condominium unit owners’ associations, including how meetings can be conducted and making sure all voting and quorum requirements are met. On October 25, 2021, D.C. City Council and Mayor Muriel Bowser enacted new emergency legislation that, in relevant part, amends subsection (f) of Sec. 2. Section 303 of… Read more »
November 5, 2021
Fall is the time to prepare for winter—cold and wet conditions not only make you miserable, but they can damage your home. Some winterizing can wait, some can’t. Make a list of what needs to be done, and tackle the time-sensitive tasks first. Here’s a simple checklist from the association to help you get a… Read more »
October 22, 2021
The United States Postal Services began changing first-class mail delivery time frames in October. This change may result in payments, parking passes, account statements and other mailed items from our offices taking longer to arrive to you. For fast easy access to your account or to make payments online please visit our website www.blackstoneAM.com on… Read more »
October 14, 2021
We are pleased to announce the successful closing of a joint venture with Matador Capital Management and Riverbend Investments for the fee simple interest of Caroline Drive Apartments a 58 unit apartment community in La Plata, MD. (Established in a tranquil, residential neighborhood close to downtown La Plata, MD. Convenient to Rt. 301, major shopping,… Read more »
September 15, 2021
Each year you receive a draft of the proposed budget for review and comment. A lot of work goes into preparing the budget. It’s a complex activity that has to start early so the budget can be finalized and approved prior to the beginning of the new fiscal year. Here’s how we do it: The… Read more »
June 3, 2021
Imagine your surprise. You buy a home in a community knowing full well that you’ll become a member of your local homeowners association only to learn that your homeowners association is really a subassociation and you’re bound to follow the rules of a bigger “master” association. If you’re thinking, “I’ve never heard such a thing,”… Read more »
May 19, 2021
Originally called Decoration Day, from the early tradition of decorating graves with flowers, wreaths and flags, Memorial Day is a day for remembrance of those who have died in service to our country. It was first widely observed on May 30, 1868 to commemorate the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers, by proclamation of Gen. John… Read more »
April 30, 2021
If you’re planning construction or home improvement projects on your property or in your unit, remember to follow a few simple steps to ensure you don’t run into problems with neighbors or the association down the road. Before construction begins, please obtain a certificate of liability and workers compensation insurance from your contractor that names… Read more »
April 23, 2021
Though time-consuming, finding tenants for your property owners is of paramount importance. You need to prioritize key selling points to garner quality leads and then deliver a positive living experience in order to maintain tenants and reduce turnover. According to Invesp’s Khalid Saleh in an article entitled, “Customer Acquisition Versus Retention Costs,” attracting a new… Read more »
April 8, 2021
Cleaning out and sprucing up your yard are good low-cost alternatives to major home improvement. Whether you hire a professional or have the skills and tools to do it yourself, here are some tips to improve your lawn and landscape: Weeding, edging, planting beds and mulching go a long way toward improving a yard’s… Read more »