Common Interest Podcast

Replay of our Live Q&A on June 11th, 2020 streamed live on Youtube.   Community Association Pools, Party Spaces, and Gyms With warmer weather and a slow easing up of the orders restricting public gathering, there are a lot of questions concerning when, if, and how associations should be reopening common elements like pools. Join our panel of experts streaming live on Youtube as they answer some frequently asked questions about reopening amenities, and also take questions from the chat.   Panelists include: Nancy Ayers - Alliant Mesirow Insurance Services Serina Brancato - Associa Chicagoland Matthew Goldberg - Richberg, Goldberg & Gorham LLC

Replay of our 5/8/20 Q&A Event streamed live on Youtube. This replay of our Condo/HOA Q&A is intended to help board members, owners, and residents understand what to do with reserve balances and reserve studies in their condominium, townhome, and homeowners’ associations in Illinois. Additionally, learn how do reserve funding levels and special assessments impact real estate values. This event featured a live panel answering some frequently asked questions related to current funding concerns and future planning. Panelists include:• Regina Gay, FirstService Residential• John Gocke, Westchester Club HOA• Steve Silberman, PBG Financial Services Ltd   The best community associations have the best boards – they're educated, knowledgeable, and prepared to lead their communities successfully. Leading your association can have its own unique challenges, and Condo/HOA Q&A is here to help you find answers to your most burning questions about condominiums, townhomes, and homeowners' associations!

Replay of our LIVE Legal Update on May 4th, 2020 streamed live on Youtube. The "Stay-at-Home" order in Illinois was extended to May 31st, and there are constantly new developments in the issues surrounding COVID-19. This Live Legal Update is intended to help board members, owners, residents, managers, and businesses understand the issues surrounding COVID-19 mitigation and relief efforts as they impact condominium, townhome, and homeowners' associations in Illinois, with a primary focus on difficulties for associations to hold elections and collect assessments under the newest executive orders in Illinois. This event featured a live panel of three attorneys specializing in Community Association law, answering some frequently asked questions and taking questions from the live chat.   The attorneys on the live panel include: Gabriella R. Comstock - Keough & Moody https://kmlegal.com/attorneys/gabriella-r-comstock/ Patrick T. Costello - Keay & Costello http://www.keaycostello.com/attorneys/patrick-t-co

Jim O'Callaghan of ACR discusses the risks and concerns associated with cleaning during the current pandemic. Avoid the potential pitfalls by considering the risks before jumping to action and putting your residents, staff, and association at risk!   Catch ACR's upcoming Q&A panel on this topic on April 28th, 2020 at 10AM. More information at: https://acrrestores.com/

Replay of our 4/6/20 LIVE Legal Update, streamed on Youtube. The "Stay-at-Home" order in Illinois has been extended to April 30th, and there are constantly new developments in the issues surrounding COVID-19. This Live Legal Update is intended to help board members, owners, residents, managers, and businesses understand the issues surrounding COVID-19 mitigation and relief efforts as they impact condominium, townhome, and homeowners' associations in Illinois. This event will feature a live panel of three attorneys specializing in Community Association law. The panel will be answering some frequently asked questions and will also be taking questions from the live chat. The attorneys on the live panel will include: Nicholas P. Bartzen, Esq. - Altus Legal https://altuslegal.com/nicholas-p-bartzen-esq/ Michael G. Kreibich - KSN https://www.ksnlaw.com/michael-g.-kreibich Laura L. Marinelli - Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr https://www.saul.com/attorneys/laura-l-marinelli   For more information from Community Ass

Laura Marinelli from Saul, Ewing, Arnstein & Lehr discusses the frequently asked questions association attorneys are hearing from Boards and Managers. With the new norms of social distancing and the Governor's "stay at home" order, we discuss how associations can best abide by these orders and keep their community as healthy as possible.

Janet Nelson CMCA, AMS from FirstService Residential shares a story from before her career as a community association manager, in her own association when she took on the role of President. This self-managed association finds itself in a crisis amidst crises, with a major project that needs to be done and national catastrophes making things even more difficult. Janet is in a rare position to have experienced leadership from both the volunteer leader and professional manager sides of association management. Learn how this experience has shaped her perspective on community association management.

We look back on the first year of the Common Interest Podcast's first year of guests and their stories working with condo, townhome, and homeowners' associations. Thank you for supporting our first successful year of the show!   Links to full episodes from the selected clips: Not Your Average Noise Complaint  Trash Talk Hoarder Eviction Board President Likes His Perks Is it an Emotional Support Animal? 22.1 Disclosures in Condo Associations Balcony Project Requires Special Assessment Getting Involved in Your Association The Dangers of Not Being Fair, Reasonable, and Consistent

Paul Morgan, President of Hidden Lake Estates Condo Association and recipient of the 2019 CAI Illinois Outstanding Homeowner Leader Award, shares his story of getting involved in his association as a volunteer. From a question about landscaping, a natural progression occurred over the next several years which included additional responsibilities and educational resources like Community Associations Institute. Paul's story covers topics like annual planning, recruiting new board members, and quality communications. If you're interested in becoming a Dedicated Community Association Leader (DCAL) like Paul Morgan, visit us at: https://www.cai-illinois.org/board-member-education-dcal/

Brittany Kojzarek from Property Specialists Inc discusses common issues associations face regarding trash management. Covering everything from clogged chutes to receptacles being brought back in the garage on time, don't miss these stories on how you can "curb" these problems in your own association.

Corinne Billingsley from Reserve Advisors discusses what is included in a reserve study, how an association can use it as a planning tool, and what common mistakes associations make when reviewing their reserve study.

Adam Kahn from Levenfeld Pearlstein shares stories about condominium associations that have been converted to apartments in the recent deconversion trend. Learn more about what condo associations can do to either prevent a deconversion or ensure their owners get the best possible deal.

Cheryl Murphy, Executive Director of CAI Illinois, discusses the common questions we receive about the CAM license in Illinois. From the M-100 to the CMCA Exam and finally the CAM License, Cheryl guides us step-by-step through this sometimes confusing process.

Nick Porter from Keay & Costello shares a story about a condominium association with a covenant disallowing unit rental and requiring owner occupancy. When they find the unit in question is owned by a corporation and occupied by an employee, things get more complicated.

Kerry Bartell from Kovitz Shifrin Nesbit shares an overview of section 22.1 of the Illinois Condominium Property Act requiring disclosures from Associations to prospective buyers, including some stories on how to avoid potential pitfalls.

Mark Waldman from Waldman Engineering Consultants shares a story about an association that had a complete roof tear off and replacement only six months ago, but is once again having problems with leaks. Listen to find out how root causes can sometimes fly under the radar and come back to undermine your projects.

Tom Purrazzo from Hillcrest Property Management joins us for a lightning round on communication in associations. Topics include conflict de-escalation, neighbor disputes, trash management, changes to assessments, and vendor selection. Listen in for Tom's perspective on how communication is key to association leadership.

Nicholas Bartzen from Altus Legal returns to the show for a discussion of the Illinois Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act set to take effect on January 1, 2020. The Cannabis Act contains an addition to the ILCPA allowing condo associations to prohibit combustion of cannabis in units. Tune in to this episode to learn more about what the legalization of recreational marijuana means for your association.

Laura Marinelli from Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr LLP shares a story about a puppy that was identified as a "Pet" to the Condo Association, which suddenly became an "Emotional Support Animal" when he exceeded the Association's weight restriction for pets. The request for accommodation seemed to have some red flags. Hear how the board handled this difficult situation.

Brian Butler from FirstService Residential shares a story about a high-rise condo building in Chicago with a large, urgent project the board had not anticipated. Hear how they made and communicated their decision for a special assessment.