Problem Solved! For Co-ops and Condos

Habitat Magazine

From building repairs and maintenance, energy upgrades, insurance, lobby redesigns, accounting and financing - the challenges facing co-op and condominium board directors are endless. In this series, Habitat Magazine editors interview New York City experts to learn how problems have been solved at their client co-op and condo buildings. We take a deep dive into the issues being confronted, the possibilities for solutions, the costs, the challenges, and the outcomes. Habitat Magazine, founded in 1982, is the trusted resource for New York City co-ops and condo board directors. Visit us at www.habitatmag.com

  1. 4일 전

    When the Gas Goes Out: A Bronx Co-op’s Laundry Saga

    Gas shutdowns are every building's nightmare, and depending on which service is affected residents could be without heat, cooking or laundry service for who knows how long. Getting service restored can open a can of worms though, particularly in a laundry room. Ashley Erichsen, an account executive at Automatic Industries, explains why and details the journey of a large Bronx co-op to get its laundry room back up and running after a gas shutdown. Habitat’s Emily Myers conducts the interview. Thanks for listening. Subscribe to this podcast for more stories on how New York co-ops and condos have solved a myriad of problems. Brought to you by Habitat Magazine, the "bible" that hundreds of board directors turn to every day!

    7분

  2. 8월 25일

    Why Your Sponsor May Still Owe Your Building Money

    Board members taking control of new condominiums need to engage an independent accountant to perform a proper financial true-up — before it's too late. Amy Jennings, a manager at WilkinGuttenplan, reveals how one Manhattan condo board discovered their sponsor owed them six figures only after the waiver period (when the sponsor markets the building by waiving common charges) ended. The building had secretly been running at a loss for at least a year. Worse, this isn't an isolated incident. Jennings explains the crucial differences in accounting that create these budgeting gaps. If your building recently transitioned from sponsor control, this episode could save your building substantial money. Habitat's Carol Ott conducts the interview. Thanks for listening. Subscribe to this podcast for more stories on how New York co-ops and condos have solved a myriad of problems. Brought to you by Habitat Magazine, the "bible" that hundreds of board directors turn to every day!

    15분

  3. 8월 18일

    How a Harlem Condo Uncovered Hidden Water Waste

    Water waste is often a silent drain on your building’s finances, and it takes a bit of sleuthing to find the source. Alan Rothschild, president of the Vantage Group, a water cost management consultancy, reveals how one Harlem condominium discovered their commercial tenant was secretly using water-cooled refrigeration equipment that bypassed their sub-meter, costing the building thousands annually. He shares practical strategies for  identifying waste, the real cost of sub-metering commercial spaces, and what professional water conservation tune-ups actually accomplish. Habitat’s Carol Ott conducts the interview. Thanks for listening. Subscribe to this podcast for more stories on how New York co-ops and condos have solved a myriad of problems. Brought to you by Habitat Magazine, the "bible" that hundreds of board directors turn to every day!

    11분

  4. 8월 11일

    The Hidden Alteration Risk That Could Bankrupt Your Building

    When an Upper East Side co-op’s gas pipes failed Local Law 152 inspection and service was immediately shut off, what happened next could have cost over half a million dollars. Instead, smart planning kept repairs under $200,000, and engineering expert Peter Varsalona, principal at Rand Engineering and Architecture, reveals the step-by-step strategy that saved this building from disaster. Learn why testing gas systems in sections was crucial and how individual apartment meters created unexpected complications. Discover why waiting for the mandatory four-year inspection is a costly mistake, learn specific alteration agreement language that protects your building from shareholder-caused gas shutdowns, and understand when converting to electric makes financial sense. This real-world case study could save your building hundreds of thousands of dollars and months of resident disruption. Habitat's Carol Ott conducts the interview.  Thanks for listening. Subscribe to this podcast for more stories on how New York co-ops and condos have solved a myriad of problems. Brought to you by Habitat Magazine, the "bible" that hundreds of board directors turn to every day!

    9분

  5. 8월 4일

    Why Your Building Could Lose Insurance Coverage Tomorrow

    Your building's insurance renewal just became a high-stakes game, and many boards don't even know they're playing. In this episode, risk control specialist Brice Reynolds of Mackoul Risk Solutions reveals how insurance companies are now aggressively using "loss recs" to cancel policies within 30 days, leaving buildings scrambling for coverage. You'll discover what these are, why simple sidewalk cracks and damaged curbs have become threats to your building's insurability and why old strategies for getting insurance no longer work. Reynolds shares real case studies, including how one Manhattan co-op nearly lost coverage due to administrative delays, and explains the specific timeline pressures boards face. This isn't theoretical — it's happening to buildings across New York City right now, and your board needs to know what to do to protect your community's future. Habitat's Carol Ott conducts the interview.  Thanks for listening. Subscribe to this podcast for more stories on how New York co-ops and condos have solved a myriad of problems. Brought to you by Habitat Magazine, the "bible" that hundreds of board directors turn to every day!

    17분

  6. 7월 21일

    From Dysfunctional Entrance to Stunning Space for $800K

    Asking a doorman to watch packages and the front door simultaneously has become unsustainable in today’s package-happy world, but that’s the reality in many buildings. Marilyn Sygrove, president of Sygrove Associates, recounts how one Upper East Side co-op tackled a dysfunctional lobby that was set up so the doorman had to do both — a security nightmare that frustrated everyone. In this episode Sygrove shares her three-step approach to solving design challenges such as this one, breaks down the financial reality of a lobby renovation and provides strategies for financial planning including assessments and payment schedules. Habitat’s Carol Ott conducts the interview.  Thanks for listening. Subscribe to this podcast for more stories on how New York co-ops and condos have solved a myriad of problems. Brought to you by Habitat Magazine, the "bible" that hundreds of board directors turn to every day!

    13분

  7. 7월 14일

    Stop Throwing Money at Your Heating Bills

    Imagine cutting your building's energy costs by 25%, while keeping residents comfortable and complying with Local Law 97. One Queens co-op did just that, saving $24,000 using smart heating sensors. Izzy Friedman, director of technical services, and Daniel Berg, account manager at Entech, reveal how indoor temperature sensors can transform your building's heating system from a money-draining guessing game into a precision operation. Learn how these systems catch expensive problems before they become disasters, like the building that was hemorrhaging 1,100 gallons of water daily due to an underground leak that sensors detected within a week. Beyond the immediate savings, Friedman and Berg explain how predictive maintenance can extend your boiler's life and eliminate those dreaded emergency repairs. No matter what kind of system you're running, this smart building technology can pay for itself in under a year while giving you the data to make informed decisions about your property's future. Habitat's Emily Myers conducts the interview.  Thanks for listening. Subscribe to this podcast for more stories on how New York co-ops and condos have solved a myriad of problems. Brought to you by Habitat Magazine, the "bible" that hundreds of board directors turn to every day!

    12분

  8. 7월 7일

    Beat the Clock on Local Law 97 Without Breaking the Bank

    With the 2030 carbon emissions deadline approaching fast and major retrofits looming by 2035, New York City board members need to listen up. Mark Balsam, president of ReDocs, an energy and compliance consultancy, reveals why so many buildings are still scrambling despite years of advance notice — and more importantly, what smart boards are doing about it. Learn how analyzing your building's square footage differently could slash your carbon targets, why paying penalties might hurt your financing and insurance options, and which compliance strategies actually deliver ROI. Habitat's Carol Ott conducts the interview. Thanks for listening. Subscribe to this podcast for more stories on how New York co-ops and condos have solved a myriad of problems. Brought to you by Habitat Magazine, the "bible" that hundreds of board directors turn to every day!

    10분
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From building repairs and maintenance, energy upgrades, insurance, lobby redesigns, accounting and financing - the challenges facing co-op and condominium board directors are endless. In this series, Habitat Magazine editors interview New York City experts to learn how problems have been solved at their client co-op and condo buildings. We take a deep dive into the issues being confronted, the possibilities for solutions, the costs, the challenges, and the outcomes. Habitat Magazine, founded in 1982, is the trusted resource for New York City co-ops and condo board directors. Visit us at www.habitatmag.com

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  • 제작진
    Habitat Magazine
  • 방송 연도
    2022년 - 2025년
  • 에피소드
    63
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    © 2025 Problem Solved! For Co-ops and Condos
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    Problem Solved! For Co-ops and Condos

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