Detention Ponds vs. Retention Ponds: What's the difference in Washington State. In Washington State developers are being required to put in storm water management systems. The intent is to minimize the impact on the storm water drainage system while trying to return the rainfall to the qualifiers. The terms "detention pond" and "retention pond" are [...]
We have all seen cute dogs in places we never use to see them. Owners have discovered that they can skirt rules saying "no pets" by buying a vest and getting an online certification claiming the animal is an Emotional Support Animal (ESAs). This puts association boards in the difficult position of policing owners who [...]
Regular Deck Inspections in Condominiums Condominium living offers a unique blend of comfort and convenience, with shared amenities like decks or balconies creating a sense of community. However, these outdoor spaces also come with inherent risks, particularly when it comes to structural integrity and safety. That's why regular deck / balcony inspections by qualified professionals [...]
Aging Infrastructure in Condominium Complexes The Surfside Condominium collapse continues to resonate through the industry sounding the alarm about the health of building's infrastructure. Many boards are still operating in the dark underfunding reserves in the hopes that we won't have a failure. Other boards feel comfortable in having $100,000 plus in reserves that they [...]
What is the Fannie Mae 'unavailable condo and co-op list'? Did you know condo associations can land on the list if it has violations related to structural or mechanical repairs that need to be completed? Imagine a Pacific Northwest condo association that certain lenders won’t touch: It could be a nightmare situation for a buyer, [...]
Key takeaway: A structural integrity reserve study (SIRS) is a non-invasive, visual inspection of critical infrastructure that relates to the safety of a building. Washington's Condominium Act does not require structural or engineering inspections currently but its very possible that with Florida changing its requirements after the Surfside Condominium collapse that could change. However Fannie May [...]
