Sara E Benson

Escaping Condo Jail Sara E Benson

Brief Description: Place and date of manufacture taken from end of work and may differ between printings. Brief Description: "If you are one of the 63 million Americans living in an 'association-governed community' [a condominium, co-operative apartment or housing regulated by a homeowner association (HOA)], 'Escaping Condo Jail' provides valuable in-depth financial discussions, governance instructions and a 35-point checklist to bulletproof your association's finances. Shockingly, most homeowner associations are run by unpaid and untrained volunteers who are overwhelmed in managing their share of an annual $90-billion industry. If you are planning to purchase a residence in an association-governed community, 'Escaping Condo Jail' will help protect you from undisclosed liabilities and expenses."--Amazon.com. Brief Description: Bonus: How to bulletproof your association, a 35-point checklist. Publisher Marketing: Can you imagine putting your neighbors-who are strangers-in charge of governing your life AND your money? Today, four out of five real estate sales are in condominium or homeowners association communities. There are lots of great communities out there, but you need to know that there are some very real horror stories, too. A big shocker: Most homeowner associations are run by unpaid, untrained volunteers who are managing their share of an annual $90-billion industry. That's your real-estate investment and your money! Co-authors, Sara E. Benson and Don DeBat, have made real estate the focus of their professional lives. Both are veteran condo owners and residents, and it is their own experiences with the underbelly of condo living that led them to write Escaping Condo Jail. This book provides valuable in-depth financial discussions, governance instructions, and a 35-point checklist to bulletproof your association's most valuable asset: The money! Whether you're a condominium property owner now, or considering a purchase, you need Escaping Condo Jail to help you protect yourself and your real estate investment as you learn about the myths and the truths of how condominium and homeowner associations work. And sometimes don't. BOOK HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: The Dozen Duties of the Board-Chapter 16 The 10 Hallmarks of a Healthy Association-Chapter 19 18 Budget and Energy-Saving Tips for Association Boards-Chapter 19 15 Secret Exit Strategies-Chapter 20 Top 10 Money Making Improvements to Maximize Value-Chapter 20 Three Important Suggested Solutions-Chapter 21 Essential 10-Point Pre-Purchase Buyer Checklist-Chapter 22 35-Point Checklist on How to Bulletproof Your Association's Biggest Asset: THE MONEY-Appendix A BOOK REVIEW: "For anybody thinking about buying a condo, or even anybody serving on a condo board, or anybody who has any connection to a condo, this is must reading--all 600 and something pages. Thanks a lot for a great book!" -Steve Sanders, "Your Money Matters" WGN TV, December 22, 2014