Thanks for tuning in to The Condo Pod Hosted by Michael Lewicki, Joshua VanHooydonk, and Nancy Houle, The Condo Pod is brought to you by the Canadian Condominium Institute – Eastern Ontario Chapter. This is your go-to podcast for all things condo in Eastern Ontario—from governance and legal updates to maintenance, management, and community living. Whether you’re a condo owner, director, or industry professional, you’ll find insights, stories, and expert advice to help you navigate the world ...
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Condo Board Of Directors Podcasts
Co-op and condo board directors face a myriad of challenges they are not equipped to solve, and taking action can be a fraught experience. In this series, Habitat Magazine editors interview New York's leading co-op/condo attorneys for guidance on these challenges. Habitat, a New York City publication founded in 1982, is edited for co-op and condo board directors, property managers, and other professionals.
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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 ...
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Whether you've served on your co-op/condo board for a long time, or just started, there are a myriad of professionals you will interact with and learn from. In this series, Habitat Magazine editors interview the leading New York property management executives to find out what works, what doesn't and where board challenges lie. You'll learn valuable insider tips and resources for solving the myriad of problems that you might face while governing your building.
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Realtor interviews business Allow me to introduce myself as Jacqueline Watson, a Realtor in the Toronto/GTA area. However, my expertise extends beyond real estate. I am also a Mediator specializing in Labour Relations. My passion lies in more than just selling homes; I strive to transform lives and empower individuals to achieve financial freedom through home ownership. In addition to my real estate endeavors, I am building a thriving community through my podcast, Elementary. This platform a ...
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Realtors + Condos: A Chat with Nicole Christy
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50:11How do Realtors and condos work together? Nicole Christy shares her insights on bridging the gap between buyers, boards, and the unique world of condominium living. Nicole Christy - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nchristy88/ Ottawa Real Estate Board - https://www.oreb.ca/ Thanks for tuning in to THE Condo Pod Hosted by Michael Lewicki, Joshua VanHooyd…
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The Simple System That Caught Over 3,000 Leaks
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23:29
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23:29Water damage is insidious: it will eat into your building's budget and drive up insurance costs. John Rusk, president and co-founder of ProSentry, reveals how an affordable leak detection system can transform your building's risk profile through the story of a condominium that saved $300,000 on insurance after installing sensors throughout the buil…
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Thanks for tuning in to THE Condo Pod Hosted by Michael Lewicki, Joshua VanHooydonk, and Nancy Houle, The Condo Pod is brought to you by the Canadian Condominium Institute – Eastern Ontario Chapter. This is your go-to podcast for all things condo in Eastern Ontario—from governance and legal updates to maintenance, management, and community living. …
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continue reading
Thanks for tuning in to THE Condo Pod Hosted by Michael Lewicki, Joshua VanHooydonk, and Nancy Houle, The Condo Pod is brought to you by the Canadian Condominium Institute – Eastern Ontario Chapter. This is your go-to podcast for all things condo in Eastern Ontario—from governance and legal updates to maintenance, management, and community living. …
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How Smart Planning Prevents Building Panic
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36:12Planning and executing building projects is a board’s key task, which sounds much simpler than it actually is. Complicating the task is timing, financing and communicating to building residents. Habitat’s Emily Myers speaks with Ira Meister, President of Matthew Adam Properties; Anton Lekic, Co-Founder of Murray Hill Management; and Jamie Sikorski,…
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What happens when courage meets authenticity? You get a conversation like this
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23:17Send us a text What happens when courage meets authenticity? You get a conversation like this This week on Elementary, I’m thrilled to welcome the powerhouse herself—@chanelle_grosser. In this episode, we dive deep into her journey: the highs, the hard lessons, and the moments that shaped her into the voice she is today. Chanelle doesn’t hold back.…
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Turn $100K Fines Into Smart Building Investments
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11:06Time is running out for New York co-op and condo boards facing Local Law 97's 2030 compliance deadline, but there's a smart path forward. Punit Shah, Vice President of Existing Buildings at Bright Power, shares the surprising reality facing one Upper East Side condo that was looking at massive penalties. Shah reveals the three-phase approach that's…
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Document Requests Are Rising and Your Board Needs a Plan
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14:15Send us a text Every board dreads that moment when a shareholder demands to see corporate documents, contracts, or financial records. But ignoring the request isn't an option. Evan Gitter, partner at Cohen Warren Meyer & Gitter, breaks down the shifting landscape of transparency laws and reveals why boards without proper procedures are setting them…
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Why Your Alteration Rules Might Land You in Court
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15:44Send us a text When board members think they have unlimited power, they run the risk of going too far when handling unit owner alterations. Carol Sigmond, partner at GreenspoonMarder, shares eye-opening stories from her legal practice, including one particularly puzzling case involving dangerously hot walls and a board's baffling response that turn…
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Selling Smart: What You Need to Know Before You List
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23:05Send us a text Selling Smart: What You Need to Know Before You List Here’s the deal: let’s be real. Selling a home isn’t about tossing a sign on the lawn and praying to the real estate gods. Nope. Hope is not a strategy. This episode is for every seller who feels stuck, stressed, or flat-out overwhelmed by the thought of putting their home on the m…
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When Building Electrification Uncovers Decades of Hidden Problems
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14:20When a post-war Upper West Side co-op decided to electrify to meet Local Law 97 requirements, they thought they had a clear roadmap. But what started as a $2 million project quickly spiraled into something much bigger and much more complex. Tina Larsson, CEO of The Folson Group, reveals why even well thought out projects can double in cost and scop…
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The Hidden Challenges of Switching Management Companies
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37:38
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37:38Changing managing companies can be a fraught endeavor, but it’s a hurdle many boards will face at least once. Habitat’s Emily Myers sits down with three seasoned NYC property management experts: Mark Levine (Principal, EBMG), Robert Ferrara (President, Ferrara Management Group), and Evangelos Fantakos (CEO, Highrise Property Management) to reveal t…
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Buying a home isn’t all champagne toasts and Pinterest boards. It’s equal parts exciting, stressful, and downright messy.
20:51
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20:51Send us a text Buying a home isn’t all champagne toasts and Pinterest boards. It’s equal parts exciting, stressful, and downright messy. The good, the bad, and the ugly all show up—and that’s exactly what makes the journey worth talking about. In this episode, I’m breaking down the 5 easy steps to buying a home—but not the polished version you read…
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Board Members' Worst Nightmare: When Bad Faith Ruins Everything
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17:17Send us a text The Business Judgement Rule protects a lot of board decisions, but when your actions are ruled “in bad faith,” everything changes. Steven Sladkus, partner at Schwartz Sladkus Reich Greenberg and Atlas, unpacks a shocking case where board members faced personal liability after a judge found they acted in bad faith. What started as a c…
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When the Gas Goes Out: A Bronx Co-op’s Laundry Saga
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7:15Gas 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 …
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The Ladder Approach to Resolving Apartment Smoking Disputes
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13:07Send us a text Smoking disputes have exploded since the pandemic, and they're turning neighbors into enemies faster than ever. In this episode, Peter Massa, partner at the law firm Fox Rothschild, reveals why boards that ignore these complaints face serious legal liability. He shares his proven "ladder approach" for resolving conflicts before they …
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Why Your Sponsor May Still Owe Your Building Money
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14:47Board 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 …
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🕵️ Before you sign on that shiny new condo, here are the red flags hiding in plain sight.
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26:55Send us a text The Truth About Condos in Toronto & the GTA Let’s be real—condos in Toronto spark strong opinions. Some people swear by them. Others avoid them like the plague. But here’s the truth: condos can be your ticket to smart homeownership—or your biggest headache. It all depends on how much you know before you buy. In this episode, I take y…
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How a Harlem Condo Uncovered Hidden Water Waste
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11:13Water 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 s…
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Confused about whether to buy, sell, or just sit tight? You’re not alone—and in today’s GTA market, confusion is the most expensive mistake you can make.
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17:57Send us a text On this episode of Elementary, I dive into one of the biggest questions I keep hearing lately: “I’m so confused… should I buy, should I sell, or should I wait?” Downsizers, move-up buyers, and anyone feeling stuck in the current Toronto/GTA market—this one’s for you. I unpack the messy middle of decision-making and share how to start…
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The Hidden Alteration Risk That Could Bankrupt Your Building
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9:21
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9:21When 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…
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How One Late Payment Can Sink Your Building's Budget
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16:48Send us a text Every board will have to deal with residents in arrears at some point. But in this conversation, Marc Schneider, managing partner and CEO at the law firm Schneider Buchel, reveals why waiting even 45 days to pursue collections can devastate your building's finances. Schneider explains how communities with 20% arrears can still surviv…
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Why Your Building Could Lose Insurance Coverage Tomorrow
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17:08Your 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'…
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💰 Unlock Home Equity: Smart Moves in Today's Market! 🏡
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18:06Send us a text 💰 Unlock Home Equity: Smart Moves in Today's Market! 🏡 Feeling stuck with a house full of equity but no clue what to do with it? You’re not alone. You’ve got a house that’s worth a fortune — but you’re stuck. You’re not sure if you should sell, borrow, or stay put… and all the advice out there? Confusing, generic, and not designed fo…
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From Dysfunctional Entrance to Stunning Space for $800K
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12:58
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12:58Asking 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 nigh…
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When Your Building's Mortgage Bomb Explodes in 2025
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12:55
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12:55If your building's mortgage is coming due soon, you're not alone — and you're definitely not prepared for what's coming. Don Einsidler, president of Einsidler Management, reveals the harsh reality facing co-op boards as interest rates skyrocket from the low threes to over six percent. Einsidler shares actual loan scenarios from his portfolio, expla…
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The $50K Mistake 99% of Downsizers Make (And How to Avoid It!)" 💸
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19:06Send us a text "The $50K Mistake 99% of Downsizers Make (And How to Avoid It!)" 💸 The Downsizing Dilemma Every Toronto/GTA Senior Faces You've lived in your family home for 30+ years. The kids are gone. The house feels too big. But every time you think about moving, your stomach drops. Where do you even start? How do you know if you're making the r…
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Stop Throwing Money at Your Heating Bills
12:08
12:08
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12:08Imagine 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 buil…
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🎲 Gambling with Your Golden Years (And the house always wins)
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27:32
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27:32Send us a text 🎙️ STOP Waiting for Life to Force Your Hand (Yes, I’m talking to you… the one saying “maybe next year.” 👀) What if I told you the perfect time doesn’t exist — and that waiting often costs more than just time? In this episode of Elementary, we’re digging into the lie we’ve been sold: 🕰️ That there’s a “right time” to downsize. 🕰️ To r…
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Beat the Clock on Local Law 97 Without Breaking the Bank
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9:51
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9:51With 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 ab…
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Why Your Next Construction Project Needs a Professional Quarterback
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13:20
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13:20It's true that construction projects tend to go over budget, behind schedule, and drive residents crazy. Matt Resnick, senior director of project management at AKAM, explains the hidden costs that can blow your budget before construction even begins, like attorney fees and special inspections that boards often overlook. Resnick reveals how the righ…
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The Terracotta Trap: Why the 'Obvious' Fix Isn't Always Right
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14:34When a century-old building's terracotta cornice started cracking, the board faced what seemed like a straightforward fix: replace the damaged sections with new terracotta. But a closer examination of the numbers told a different story, says Michael Wolfe, president of Wolfe Realty Services, who consulted with the board. The cornice work cost $750,…
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Send us a text The digital age has brought unprecedented convenience to our lives, but for seniors, it's also created a landscape fraught with sophisticated scams that even the tech-savvy might fall for. Jacqueline Watson, a Toronto realtor specializing in working with downsizers and seniors, pulls back the curtain on the alarming evolution of seni…
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How One NYC Co-op Stopped Playing Whack-a-Mole with Water Leaks
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14:14Board members struggling with constant water damage need to hear this: Jerry Kestenbaum, CEO of the technology and service provider Aware Buildings, explains how one 220-unit luxury co-op in Sutton Place transformed from having staff literally walk hallways listening for leak alarms to deploying a sophisticated wireless sensor network that catches …
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Navigate Co-op Ownership Transfers Without Legal Drama
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14:01Send us a text It’s too easy for the complex world of co-op ownership transfers to become a costly headache. Attorney Aaron Shmulewitz, partner at the law firm, Belkin Burden and Goldman, breaks down the three main types of co-op ownership and explains why shareholders increasingly want to transfer apartments into trusts and LLCs for estate plannin…
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Think you know your mortgage? Think again.
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39:58Send us a text Think you know your mortgage? Think again. In this episode, we pull back the curtain on the truth about today’s wild housing market — because “hoping it’ll all work out” isn’t a plan. While the market showed a tiny spring stir in May, the year-over-year numbers are still sluggish, and the condo market? Let’s just say it’s having a mo…
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How One Bronx Co-op Cut $100K Annually Through Smart Building Technology
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16:18Tired of sky-high heating bills and residents complaining about wildly uneven temperatures? In this interview, Kelly-Ann Corrigan, CEO at the technology and service provider Runwise, reveals exactly how a 191-unit Bronx co-op transformed their bottom line using wireless sensor technology and strategic system upgrades. You'll discover how they inves…
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Send us a text Stage It Like You Mean It: Secrets from a Pro Stager with KP Staging & Design “Hey hey, friends! Welcome back ! — to the podcast where we turn big moves into smooth ones, especially for my fellow downsizers, right here in the GTA. Today’s episode? Ooh, it’s a juicy one. If you’ve ever looked around your home and thought: ‘How do I ma…
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Digital Payment Platforms May Be Secretly Routing Your Building's Money
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10:57Think your digital payment system is safely depositing maintenance fees directly into your building's account? Think again. This eye-opening episode reveals how a Queens co-op discovered their payments were making mysterious detours through unauthorized intermediary accounts before reaching their bank. Carl Cesarano, managing shareholder at the aud…
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Don't Let Your Next Construction Project Bankrupt Your Building
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17:40Send us a text If you're facing a major renovation, some crucial information could save you thousands of dollars and months of headaches. Attorney Lisa Radetsky, partner at the law firm Phillips Nizer, reveals why standard construction contracts are stacked against building owners, and how New York's recent retainage law changes have made protectin…
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Why Your Credit Score Matters More Than You Think in 2025
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23:43Send us a text Why Your Credit Score Matters More Than You Think in 2025 "Your Credit Score is Judging You—Let’s Talk About It." 📌 In this power-packed episode of Elementary, I start with a BIG announcement—yes, The Globe and Mail featured me in their article on downsizing regrets! 🙌🏽 But here’s what that story really made clear: too many people ma…
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Condo, Bungalow, or Bye-Bye? How to Pick the Right Home Without Losing Your Mind (or Your Wallet)
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36:00Send us a text Condo, Bungalow, or ...? How to Pick the Right Home Without Losing Your Mind (or Your Wallet) Welcome back to Elementary – your real estate reality check with no fluff, just facts (and a sprinkle of sass). 💁🏽♀️ This week’s episode is packed tighter than a downtown Toronto condo closet! I’m answering the most common questions I’ve be…
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Your Commercial Unit Owner May Be Secretly Costing You Thousands Every Year
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14:05Surprise! You might be subsidizing your commercial unit owner's expenses. This eye-opening conversation with property management expert Greg Poverelli, senior property manager at Harlem Property Management, reveals a costly mistake that's bleeding money from countless condo buildings across New York City. Many boards discover too late that their co…
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How to Collect Overdue Maintenance Without Going to Court
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21:56
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21:56Send us a text If you’re struggling with unit owners who aren't paying maintenance or common charges, you're not alone. Attorney Maria Beltrani, partner at Schwartz Sladkus Reich Greenberg and Atlas, reveals game-changing pre-litigation strategies that can get you paid faster — and for less than going to court. Discover how to legally redirect subt…
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Breaking the Two-Thirds Barrier and Successfully Updating Your Building's Governing Documents
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15:23If you're struggling to get enough votes to update your building's outdated governing documents, Mark Levine, principal at EBMG Management, offers a roadmap for success. You'll discover why a West Village co-op needed multiple attempts to ban smoking, and how they finally achieved the crucial two-thirds majority needed for amendment approval. Levin…
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Protecting Your Building from Renovation Nightmares
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12:39Send us a text You might not expect it, but your alteration agreement might be setting your building up for years of headaches and potential lawsuits. In this episode, Ingrid Manevitz, a partner in the law firm Seyfarth Shaw, reveals how paperwork oversights can turn routine apartment renovations into costly legal nightmares that drag on indefinite…
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Send us a text Listing Regrets & Condo Crickets: What No One Warns You About! In this episode, I’m keeping it all the way real. If your condo has been sitting on the market collecting dust — this one’s for you. I break down the top five reasons why your GTA condo might not be getting offers, showings, or even looks. From off-the-mark pricing to ter…
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Inside a Co-op's Insurance Nightmare and Remarkable Recovery
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11:58If your building was suddenly hit with a 400% insurance premium hike, who do you turn to? That was the question facing a Queens co-op after a devastating fire. Vik Shingwani, a property manager at First Management Corporation, reveals how strategic management helped reduce their renewal from $750,000 to $510,000 — still high, but a significant impr…
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Smart Strategies for Managing Smoking in Your Building
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14:11Send us a text If you’re struggling with smoking issues in your building, Helene Hartig, founder and principal at Hartig Law, offers boards practical guidance on establishing rules that will actually pass a shareholder vote, balancing the rights of smokers and non-smokers, and handling medical exceptions without inviting discrimination claims. She …
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Exhausted but Empowered: Why Right Now Might Be Your Best Move Yet
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27:07Send us a text Exhausted but Empowered: Why Right Now Might Be Your Best Move Yet ☀️ In this episode, I'm answering some of the top real estate questions I've been getting lately. We’re talking about buying power (yes, even in this wild market), selling smart (without second-guessing yourself), and why timelines and conditions could make or break y…
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