Category Archives: decor rules

5 Ways to Boost Your Community Curb Appeal

December 7, 2022association living, decor rules, property managementsperling

Living in a community is desirable for many reasons, the top of which could be the freedom from yardwork or year-round maintenance issues. Many people want to avoid the tedious chore of mowing the lawn during the spring and summer or shoveling heavy New England snow throughout the long winter. The draw of many communities, whether it is a Homeowners Association or an apartment community, is this idea of regular exterior maintenance completed by someone else.

With property maintenance crews taking care of issues throughout the year, you may wonder what projects could help boost curb appeal and make your community look just a little more attractive than other neighboring communities.

Here are five improvements to consider that will raise the curb appeal of your community.

#1 Cosmetic Upgrades

This may sound expensive and time-consuming but adding a few simple changes to your community can really make a difference especially if you are hoping for uniformity and a clean look.

Consider upgrading all door numbers to the same style and font. For instance, copper or brass house numbers that match the lighting fixtures can be beautiful.

Other cosmetic upgrades could include solar lights along walkways, detailed hardscapes, stone planters, or front walkway decor. These upgrades not only make the community look nicer but can show prospective renters or unit owners that the community is well cared for.

#2 Power Washing the Exterior

Although this upgrade may seem like a no-brainer, many communities do not take advantage of the major transformation a power washing can do for walkways, patios, pool areas, and the exterior surfaces of all buildings.

Power washing can remove dirt, debris, gunk, grime, and mold that has begun to form on surfaces. This chore may seem like a simple one but it can bring back the luster of stone patios, wood decks, and the siding of the buildings in your community.

#3 Fresh Paint

If power washing can clean a community, painting can put a brand new look on an entire community. A fresh coat of exterior paint can seriously transform the overall look of a building or many buildings from dull and boring to fresh and new.

#4 New Lighting

Many communities have streetlights that illuminate the driveways and parking areas associated with the buildings. By adding custom lighting for walkways, entrances, and parking lots, the community will not only appear nicer and more welcoming but can also help make the area more secure.

#5 New Roof

When a roof is peeling, curling, or looking like it may have leaks, the community can begin to look worn down and not well cared for. A new roof can be one of those master repairs that will make the building look new and will prevent any ice dams, leaking, or repair issues that may have been revealed over the last few years.

Looking to take your community up a level in its curb appeal? Try one or all of these improvements to boost your curb appeal this year.

Decor & Exterior Decorations In An HOA Community

November 2, 2022association living, decor rulessperling

As we head into the last months of the year, it’s a good time to review your property’s rules about decor and decorations in regard to the major holidays that are right on the horizon. While you may be tempted to pull out your decorations for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, and Kwanza, you may want to check out your community’s bylaws and rules about decorating for this time of year.

For many communities that rely on a uniform look yet want to allow some level of personalization, creating decor rules is truly a balancing act. What constitutes “too many lights?” Who decides what looks tacky and what is respectful and permissible? How long should decorations remain outside?

These are all great questions. Here are a few ideas on how to balance allowing decor for the holidays and maintaining the clean look many communities strive for.

Create a Timeline

Some homeowners love to get their Christmas decorations out immediately after Thanksgiving while others prefer to leave them up until well after the New Year. Create a timeline that guides your tenants on the allowable days or weeks that decorations can be placed.

Not all communities have the same guidelines, but a great guide to follow could be donning exterior decorations no more than 30 days before the holiday and taking down exterior decorations no later than two weeks after the holiday. This gives all homeowners a chance to enjoy the decor without having it outlive its welcome.

Safety Reminders

As property managers, safety should always be first and foremost. Remind renters and those who live in your community to only use lights that are electrically safe, place decor in a safe location where it will not be a tripping factor, and request help if the decor is placed in difficult areas.

Communities often have specific rules about not attaching decor to structures, roofs, or overhangs that could create a safety hazard. Make sure that your decorations are not contributing to a fire hazard. For instance, do you have too many cords in one outlet or are the cords placed too close to a heating element?

Be Mindful of Neighbors

We want to leave you with one last thought about decor and holiday decorations. Remember that you have community neighbors. Think about them as you choose and place your decorations. Avoid items that are loud, have excessive lights, and politically or religiously offensive signage or decorations. Everyone would like to enjoy the holidays and if your decor is infringing on them, insulting, or too bright, you may want to rethink your display.

Do I Need Approval to Renovate My Condo Unit?

January 13, 2021decor rules, HOA Board, property managementsperling

Have you been bitten by the DIY bug or perhaps have been watching too much HGTV this winter? If so, you may have started dreaming about making some changes to your condo unit. Maybe you are thinking big and considering a structural change, or maybe you just want to change out the color in the bathroom. Either way, you probably are facing the question that comes up when you don’t own the building…Do I need to get approval from the HOA (homeowners association) before I renovate my unit?

The answer is complex and often includes the words “it depends.” Mostly, however, the answer is that you should get approval from your homeowners association before you start making major changes to your unit. Here is a quick breakdown depending (that magic word) on your HOA and their bylaws.

Where to Start

Most HOAs have tight control over establishing rules that unit owners must follow, especially when it comes to remodeling. The first thing you will want to do is determine for yourself what changes you would like to make on your unit.

From there consult with the governing documents for your community. You can find these guidelines laid out in the Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs).

Do these documents give any insight on what can and can not be done in a unit? Are there stipulations about what scope of work can take place and what contractors will or will not be allowed to work within the building? The bylaws and governing documents should be your first resource before you set your plans in motion.

Beyond the governing documents, talk to your neighbors and find out if they have had any work done on their unit, how it went and what kind of hoops they needed to jump through before work could get underway.

Don’t Get Ahead of Yourself

Many condo owners feel like the interior of their home is fair game for renovations and they start their projects without approval from the HOA board. Unfortunately, this means that if you don’t follow your HOA’s condo rules, the board may subject you to fees or court time- neither of which are fun to deal with. So to avoid these repercussions proactively stay informed and in accord with the CC&Rs. No one wants to deal with the cost of a renovation and then face fines from their HOA due to that project.

Consider why these rules exist. If you begin knocking down walls or changing the structure of the building you could potentially harm the integrity of the unit or the units above or below. Always seek approval before you make any structural changes.

Have you made changes to your condo unit in the past? How did it go? Drop us a line in the comments or check out our Facebook page.

Benefits of Landscaping & Property Maintenance

April 22, 2020decor rules, HOA Board, property managementsperling

Picture it. You turn the corner into your association and you are greeted by flowering shrubs, grass that is freshly mowed, and parking lots that are swept and newly lined. Each of these things can lend themselves to an aesthetically pleasing environment. There are, however, many benefits to having the landscaping completed by your association.

Lifestyle Benefits

Other than people who truly love gardening and tinkering in the yard, landscaping tends to be a tedious chore that homeowners look forward to “checking off” on their list of things to do every weekend. For many, it can take hours of manpower, and even cost a pretty penny to buy all the equipment to keep your lawn, shrubs, trees, and flowers looking beautiful every week during the spring, summer, and fall.

Living in a community that provides the landscaping, both in terms of lawn maintenance in the spring and summer and snow plowing during the winters months, can be both a time saver and a cost effective benefit of community living.

Aesthetic Benefit

Along with the time and cost savings, community landscaping can be a major advantage to the overall aesthetic to any association. Usually associations contract with third party vendors who have the proper equipment and landscaping professionals who can keep your community looking professionally landscaped all year.

Arborists, mowers, and gardeners can keep your association environment looking clean, manicured, and brightly blooming! The aesthetic benefit can be a mood booster and can make you truly love living in your condo association.

If you love seeing the flowering plantings and trimmed bushes without any of the work, you know what it feels like to live in a well manicured community.

Lower Liability

Landscapers usually handle both the organic areas of a community as well as the hardscapes. This means that your walkways, parking areas, and pavers will be kept spotless and in good working condition. Walkways and parking lots are often areas where liability claims come into play with slips and falls or uneven pavers causing hazardous conditions. Using a third party vendor to clean, edge, and repair these areas can mean that their insurance and the Master insurance of the condo association will cover any personal liability in this area.

What do you love most about the landscaping in your community. Drop us a line in the comments or visit our Facebook page.

Importance of Aesthetic Rules in a Community

April 8, 2020decor rules, governing documents, property managementsperling

For many condominium unit owners, some of the best things about living in a community include the access to amenities, the lack of maintenance they need to do, and the overall clean and aesthetically pleasing area they are able to live in. Aesthetic rules, therefore, become imperative to maintain that pleasant appearance and professional looking environment.

Think about the components of your community. Elevators that are clean and well-maintained. Exterior paint and siding that is fresh and clean. Shrubbery and landscaping that is well-manicured. And don’t forget about the walkways and hallways that are cleaned on a regular basis. All of this is often taken for granted by unit owners, but it lends itself to promoting a positive and healthy community.

When communities and community members adhere to the standards set forth in the bylaws governing the HOA (Homeowners Association) the area can continue to look beautiful throughout the year.

There are several reasons why maintaining these standards are important for both the community as a whole and individual unit owners. Some of the most important reasons to continue to adhere to these standards include maintaining the property values, enhancing cleanliness, and promoting a positive, happy environment.

Maintaining Property Values

Realtors can quote statistics about the importance of curb appeal and how the look of a home or even the exterior of a condo unit can determine within seconds whether a buyer will even consider purchasing in an association. If each property owner has an exterior that is aesthetically different and causes the overall look of the community to be one that is not uniform or possibly even gaudy, then buyers will move on to the next community. Maintaining the standard look could mean the difference between increasing or potentially decreasing your property value.

Enhancing Cleanliness

When unit owners follow rules about cleaning up after themselves in common areas such as the fitness room, pool, playground, or tennis courts, it means that the environment can continue to look pleasant. Following rules about exterior decor, pet rules, and the type and amount of cars allowed in parking areas can also have a huge impact on the overall cleanliness of the community. Maintaining that spotless appearance is a positive outcome for all community members and unit owners.

Happy Environment

Doesn’t everyone want to come home to a well maintained community? Driving through your condo association, do you see lawn that has been mowed, siding that is painted, and front walkways that are uniform and clean? Believe it or not, these things can help make your environment one that you can be proud of. Consequently, pride can translate into positive feelings that you may have about living in your condo association.

How well maintained and aesthetically pleasing is your association? What makes it that way? Tell us in the comments below or comment on our Facebook page.

Handling a Hoarding Situation

November 20, 2019association living, decor rules, good neighbor, governing documents, safety issuessperling

According to the Mayo Clinic Hoarding Disorder Department, hoarding is a disorder characterized by persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions because of a perceived need to save them. Understanding the emotional, physical, social, and financial impacts of this disorder is one thing. For property managers and HOA boards, this disorder takes on legal implications as well. Let’s take a closer look at what hoarding is and how living communities deal with it.

What is Hoarding?

The hallmark of hoarding is the collection of items such as newspapers, magazines, sale items, mail, photographs, keepsakes, food, clothing and, in some cases, animals. As with any illness, hoarding can range from mild to severe. Most people with a hoarding disorder may not see it as a problem, which makes treatment a challenge.

Some of the symptoms that distinguish this disorder include:

Excessively acquiring items that are not needed or for which there’s no space.
Persistent difficulty throwing out or parting with your things, regardless of actual value.
Feeling a need to save these items, and being upset by the thought of discarding them.
Building up of clutter to the point where rooms become unusable.
Having a tendency toward indecisiveness, perfectionism, avoidance, procrastination, and problems with planning and organizing.

When the Problem Occurs in a Community

Scientific American estimates that between 5-14 million American adults currently struggle with compulsive hoarding disorder. For most of these people, the struggle plays out in the privacy of their own homes. In those situations, family and friends deal with the hoarding mess.

For those hoarders who find themselves living in an association such as a condo or apartment complex, the issue becomes apparent to neighbors who may take issue with the problem. One of the first things a homeowners association will do when facing a hoarding complaint will be to determine if the situation is indeed impacting the health and/or safety of unit owners around them.

Determining if a unit owner is merely cluttered or indeed a hoarder, can be difficult. Property managers and HOA boards often look at the following questions to determine the difference. For example, does the hoarding collection block emergency exits or doorways? Does the hoarding interfere with ventilation or sprinkler systems? Is the hoarding attracting pests through improper food storage? Is the situation creating a hazard for other residents? If the answer to any of these is yes, then the board and/or property managers will need to take action to ensure the health and safety of all who live in the community.

In most states, the landlord and/or HOA has a responsibility to provide a habitable and safe dwelling. This duty is often referred to as the “warranty of habitability” and is implied in nearly every standard HOA governing documents. In exchange, most states require tenants to keep their units “clean and sanitary.”

If there is a hoarding situation in your community, you will want to inform the HOA board of your concerns so they can take up the issue with the individual unit owner and determine if legal action needs to be taken.

Does someone in your HOA have a hoarding situation? How does the board handle it? Contact Thayer Associates on our contact page or call us at (617) 354-6480.

Common HOA Rule Violations

August 7, 2019decor rules, parking issues, pets, safety issuessperling

Do you live in a community with a Homeowners Association? They really can be lovely with the extra amenities like a gym, pool, or rec room. And it’s an added bonus not to have to worry about taking care of the outside of your home. Think of all the time and effort you save not having to mow the lawn in the summer or shovel in the winter.

There are, however, rules that must be followed if you live in a community or association. These rules are put there to maintain peace and allow for homeowners to be respectful and considerate to all who live in the community.

Property managers often deal with some of the violations to these rules. While every HOA community is different and the rules differ by location, there are some common violations such as:

Trash and Recycle Issues

HOAs try to keep the community looking clean and tidy. To do this they set rules about when and where trash can be put out for collection. Usually the rule includes the time at night before trash day (maybe 6pm) till the next day when they are to be taken in. Be sure to check with your HOA about what time and where the barrels should be placed.

Pet Issues

Most HOAs allow pets, but there are usually rules about the size and breeds that are deemed allowable. Be sure to also check where dogs can roam on leash in the complex. Be respectful about cleaning up dog waste and be aware that not all people are “pet people.”

Landscaping and Decorations

The outside of your condo or the walkway leading up to your residence is usually the domain of the association and whatever landscaping team they employ. Ask before decorating or adding flowers to this area. While it may seem like a no brainer that flowers will be allowed, it is best to ask first as some communities have gardeners or are trying for a uniform look.

Most communities have some sort of guidelines about when holiday decorations can be up, when they can be taken down, and what sort of decorations are permitted. Just about everything about the outside appearance of your condo is probably a part of the HOA rules, even down to the color allowed for mailboxes.

Parking Violations

In most communities there are rules about which parking spots are for residents and which ones are meant for visitors. Be sure to park in the correct locations and ask family and friends to park in the designated areas. In addition, be sure that work trucks such as cable and repairmen park in places that are not intruding on others.

If you’re new to your HOA board or looking to move into an HOA community, be sure to get a list of all the rules to be sure you do not face a fine or written violation.

Selling Your Condo? Learn How Paint Can Help!

May 22, 2019decor rules, good neighbor, property management, selling tipssperling

Looking to sell your condo and want to get the best price possible without breaking the bank on improvements? Paint may be just the trick that can help you sell fast and for the price you want.

According to online real estate listings like Zillow, there are 920 condos for sale in and around Boston (as of this writing). With the median price of single home properties has increased by 44% in the past five years, many young people are hoping to step into the real estate market through a condominium purchase.

This is good news for Bostonians hoping to sell. However, there are still some things that you can do to help make your condo stand out from the rest when potential buyers come for an open house. If renovating your kitchen or bath is not in the cards due to budget or time, then paint may be a great option to make your condo look and feel fresh and new.

Painting is one of the less expensive and most impactful improvements you can make as you prepare your condo to sell. Here is why:

Fresh Paint Gives Positive First Impressions

A fresh coat of paint can be a positive first impression to house hunters. The largest square space of any home are the walls and ceilings. If there are chips, stains, scuff marks, or peeling paint, the potential buyer could be turned off. A new coat of paint can give a room a new look that appeals to many buyers. Making a good first impression is important since most buyers make up their minds within the first few minutes if they are even going to consider your condo a potential option.

Fresh Paint Means A Well Maintained Home

Paint has a way of conveying a message to potential buyers that the home is well maintained if it shows no signs of wear-and-tear. Buyers like to know that the interior of a condo has been properly cared for and well-painted walls, ceilings, and trim communicate that message clearly.

Proper Colors Let in Natural Light

House hunters today are looking for light and airy spaces to call their own. Even if your condo is not especially light-filled or airy, paint can help make it feel that way. Choosing light or neutral colors can lighten up a space, and make it feel more open. Cover up dark paints that can close in a room or make it feel dated or small.

Paint Appeals to a Wide Range of Tastes

In order to make your house appeal to a large number of potential homebuyers, painting interior walls with neutral paint colors is advisable. Neutral colors like white, beige, tan, and cream provide a blank canvas for homebuyers. Try not to pick a color that is trendy, or may be off-putting to certain groups. Outdated paint colors negatively affect the overall appeal of your real estate property, so a new coat of paint modernizes and updates your home.

While it is hard to estimate the return on your investment when it comes to painting, realtors do agree that it is worth the time, effort, and cost to have a fresh coat of paint on the interior of your condo before placing that for sale ad. Check with your association and your realtor before beginning any improvements so you can make the most of your budget and efforts.

Selling? Check Out These Condo Staging Tips

May 8, 2019decor rules, property management, selling tipssperling

Spring is prime time for selling in the Boston area, so this month we are focused on helping our association members take steps to sell their condos. The guidelines for staging your home or a condo are fairly similar with a few notable exceptions. Here are a few of our tips on how you could stage your condo to sell as quickly as possible and get the price you want.

Boost Your Curb Appeal

As a condo owner, you don’t have a whole lot of control over the appearance of the outside of your building, but you can do a few things that can make your condo stand out. For example, make sure your entranceway is well maintained, clean, and well lit. This may mean a few potted plants or even a welcome sign that could perk up the entrance to your condo. If lighting or cleanliness is a problem, inform your association that lighting or cleaning is being requested.

Declutter

Practically all realtors and home staging experts will tell you to declutter your condo. This will make the space look larger, more open, and allow house hunters to easily envision their furnishings in the space. If you need to, place boxes of your items in a short term storage container to keep the area looking clean and uncluttered. Remove personal photos and keepsakes that may distract the potential buyers from seeing the space.

Arrange Furnishings

Arrange your chairs, tables, and couches so that the rooms flow easily and the condo shows as open as possible. This may mean removing some furnishings so your space looks more open or rearranging where the items currently reside.

Open the Closets

Storage sells! Take a long hard look at all of the items in your closet. Are there items you could donate or pack up before you have an open house? If so then clean out that closet as much as possible. Potential buyers like to see open space when it comes to storage.

Stage Your Extra Room

If you use an extra room as an office, a den, or something else, it may be worth it to stage it as a bedroom so that buyers can see that your space can be used for such a purpose. Don’t let home buyers get confused about the purpose or potential purpose of each room.

Clean, Clean, Clean

Before any open house or walk through, clean every room. This includes the showers, sinks, and toilets so that they sparkle. A clean house sends a message that the home has been well maintained.

Set the Table

Whether you have an eat-in kitchen or a formal dining room, set the table like you have company coming. Show off your best dishes and stemware so that the rooms look inviting and welcoming.

Let There Be Light

Open the window curtains and turn on the lights before each open house so the rooms look light and open. Don’t forget, if you are opening shades and curtains, wash the windows so that streaks and smudges don’t distract the homebuyers.

Need more help staging your condo for sale? HGTV and other online sources give so many amazing and simple ideas that can help your condo sell fast and at the price you want.

Questions to Ask your Homeowners Association

April 10, 2019decor rules, parking issues, pets, property management, smoking issuessperling

If you are getting ready to buy a condominium, townhouse, or a unit within an apartment complex, you will benefit from having fewer responsibilities of property upkeep than many single-family homes require.

No whittling away your weekends mowing the lawn, or watering the grass when you live in a planned community. There are many positive aspects of living within a Homeowners Association (HOA).

There are, however, rules that you may be bound to follow legally under your particular association’s bylaws. Before you buy a home that makes you part of an HOA, here’s a list of questions you may want to ask before you sign on the dotted line:

Rules will vary according to the location, amenities, and management requirements of your specific HOA, but, in general, you will want to know about these main categories.

Moving In With Pets/Service Animals

Are there pet restrictions? For example, are certain pets allowed while others are not? If pets such as dogs and cats are allowed, there may be a weight limit, breed requirement, and/or specific restrictions of where the pet can be within the association. Registered service animals are protected by disability laws, so be sure to have the appropriate paperwork if you have a service animal.

Homeowner Association Parking Rules

How many parking spaces are given? Ask questions about what spots are considered yours and which are meant for guests only. Do you have an assigned space for your car or is it a first-come, first-served policy? In addition, you will want to ask about the snow plowing and regular maintenance that will be done in the parking lots or garages. If you have a boat or RV, you will want to ask if there are special parking facilities that you may access.

Financial and Legal Questions for HOA

As you consider buying into a community, you will want to know if there any current litigations pending involving the HOA. If so, what are those litigations? You will also want to know how often the homeowner’s dues have been raised and what the current homeowner’s dues are.

Inquire About Smoking Rules

If you smoke or vape, you will want to find out what rules apply to your association and to your individual unit. Questions you would ask include finding out where smoking is permitted and restricted. Are there smoking regulations in common areas such as the gym, pool, or lounge? Concerning individual units, are there any restrictions for smoking including on unit patios.

Decor Rules

Many condo associations have certain rules that limit the number and type of outdoor decorations. If you’re someone who loves to decorate inside and out when the holidays come around, you’ll want to ask what rules apply before you move into a HOA.

Guest Requirements

Many people who live in an association love the amenities such as the pool or gym. Be sure to find out what the guest rules are that would allow you to have a friend or family member use the facilities.

Ensure Your Privacy

When living in an association, many people worry about their privacy and how they will get along with neighbors. Ask about the soundproofing between units, and what to do if there is a noise complaint or neighbor dispute.

Master Insurance

No one wants to think about the worst case scenario, but you will want to ask about the master insurance in the case of a fire or a liability. Emergency preparedness is important. Before making a condo purchase offer, you are entitled to a copy of the latest financial statement for the complex to check the reserves, annual income, and expenses.

For over 30 years Thayer Associates has been providing property management, maintenance management, financial services, and governance services for associations in the greater Boston region. If you have questions about our company or your potential purchase, contact us today at 617-354-6480 or visit our website.