Most things are more fun with friends… and dogs! That’s why ETC has put together a team to participate in Canine Companions DogFest Walk ‘n Roll (9.12.15 | 10:00am | Arlington, VA). Together we’ve set a fundraising goal to help fund the work of Canine Companions for Independence. If you are up for the challenge, join our team. Or you can simply donate online and support our team (or any individual). It all goes towards the goal of giving more people with disabilities the experience of love and independence that comes with a highly trained Canine Companions assistance dog. DogFest… it’s a tail-waggin’ good time –
One thing we have learned over the years of inspecting properties, it’s never mess with a protective mother!
While on a recent site visit, we encountered a mother goose sitting on her nest. A loud hiss and an “I’m not moving” attitude, redirected our staff to the back entrance. What can we say….gotta respect a mother protecting her young.
Please give a warm welcome to Shabbir Kazmi, ETC’s new lead architect!
Shabbir grew up in Northern Virginia and attended Catholic University in Washington DC where he received his architecture degree. Shabbir has practiced architecture in the Greater Washington Metropolitan area for over 14 years. His design work ranges from small custom renovation projects to many larger and more detail oriented designs. Whether it’s new construction or rehabilitation, Shabbir looks forward to creating a plan that exceeds your expectations.
When Shabbir is not designing for ETC, he enjoys fixing/collecting antique furniture, yoga, spending time with this lovely wife Mariam and traveling the United States. Apparently from the photo, he’s also pretty good at taking selfies.
The Washington Metropolitan Chapter Community Associations Institute’s monthly magazine is packed with articles and columns designed to help readers preserve, protect, and enhance their communities.
ETC is pleased to have two articles featured in the October Issue of Quorum. Check them out!
Buying a home in a condominium differs in a number of significant ways from buying one in an independent “neighborhood.” Condominiums (in fact all community associations) have by-laws, covenants, and budgets, to which you will be bound as an owner.
Governing Documents
An examination of the associations’ documents (especially the budget) is essential. Operations are obviously funded by unit owners and your share could be considerable. Monthly assessments can approach, or even exceed mortgage payments.
Reserve Studies
A reserve study should have been performed within the last three to five years and they should have been provided as part of the sale packet given by the seller. If not, be wary. In some jurisdictions (such as The Commonwealth of Virginia) they are mandated for specific intervals. The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) requires reserve studies every two years for certification and they won’t underwrite loans for first-time buyers in uncertified associations.
Reserve studies can be difficult to interpret for the uninitiated. Nonetheless, there are things to look for.
Reserve studies should be performed by qualified organizations, based on engineering or architectural criteria. Reports with discussion of the involved elements are preferred over simple tables.
Most community associations fund by the “cash-flow” method, which should cover a minimum of twenty years.
There’s no simple formula for funding reserves, but lenders have tightened requirements and may deny a loan if annual funding is less than ten percent of the total operating budget. There should be some discussion from the author regarding the adequacy of reserves funding.
Engineering Studies
There may also have been engineering studies performed to evaluate specific systems and/or investigate problems. Disclosure laws usually require that they be provided to potential buyers.
There are differences, beyond the obvious, between older and new condominiums. In Part 3 to follow, we’ll go over some that should be considered.
The largest concrete pour in Boston history was recently completed. Check out this time-lapse video to see what can be done in 22-1/2 hours, 572 concrete trucks, and a lot of skilled labor
It was a pleasure supporting the Montgomery Housing Partnership (MHP) Golf Outing at Hampshire Greens Golf Course on May 12th. The MHP delivers affordable housing to those in need in Montgomery County. They also do a lot to help the community by providing assistances to young families.
This charitable golf event was won by the Gables Residential team of Joe Shuffleton (ETC), Shane Polk (Gables Residential), Mike Larkin (Tamko Roofing Products) and John McKenna, Esquire (Asmar, Schor & McKenna). Great job gentleman!
Remember to never store other chemicals (cleaning products, solvents, fertilizers, deicing agents, etc.) in pool filter or pump rooms. The most widely used pool chemical is chlorine and it does not play well with others (particularly ammonia compounds). Very bad things can happen if they should mix, including creation of chlorine gas and other highly toxic substances. Ammonia is present in most fertilizers and a number of chemical deicers. Stay safe this summer and separate your chemicals!
It’s also worth noting that chlorine is a powerful oxidizer. That property makes chlorine an effective sanitizing agent in swimming pools but it also accelerates corrosion (rusting). If you have electrical panels, light fixtures, or other steel items that share space with chemical treatment tanks, you’ve probably see the effects.
ETC is pleased to welcome Ruben Osorioto our technical staff.
Ruben has been in the construction and engineering industry for six years and is also very experienced as an AutoCAD designer. He is currently working towards his degree in architecture/civil engineering at Northern Virginia Community College.
During Ruben’s free time (what little there is of it), he enjoys reading, listening to music and spending time with his wife, Laura and six-year-old son, Santiago.
ETC and the Property Management Association (PMA) invites you to attend the largest apartment industry event in the Washington metropolitan area on April 17,2014, at the Washington Convention Center. ETC is in booth #516, so please stop by and say hello! Our technical staff will be on site to answer all your building questions.