Yeah, I know....I am the unpopular one.
I am the smart-a** who sits in the back row of the condo board meetings heckling board members while a martini is spillin' out of my right hand. I am the one who always votes for higher condo fees and special assessments. And I don't care if you don't like me.
I want the common areas attended to frequently. I want light bulbs in the stairtower changed, the carpet in the hallway swept, and the windows cleaned with resonable frequency. I want my doorman to be tidy and responsive...not some slug who can't at least smile, or feign politeness when my guests arrive. I am not interested in a mouse on the 5th floor of my condo building (say, in the trash room), nor am I much of a fan of filthy awnings over our front entrance, or fire extinquishers that haven't been routinely serviced.
In the case of communal living in a high rise condo building, or a loft here in downtown Philadelphia, I believe what is good for the gander, is good for the goose. Hurray for special assessments that keep our building in A+ condition, not only visually, but also mechanically. Because nothing spells low resale value, potential building structural and mechanical weakness like a lack of maintenance....not to mention that if we don't keep good repair of the common roof, and it leaks, ultimately our master insurance policy rates are going to sky-rocket.
Try not cleaning or maintaining the inside of your condo, and see where that gets you. True also of the larger building- an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. And like your teeth, your relationship, and the car you drive, everything in this world requires ongoing care and upkeep.
So bring on those special assessments if and when necessary. This condo is an investment for me, and I plan on protecting that investment and watching it grow!
Mark Wade
CenterCityCondos.com
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