If you're struggling to get enough votes to update your building's outdated governing documents, Mark Levine, principal at EBMG Management, offers a roadmap for success.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.

Levine offers practical strategies for overcoming common obstacles like poor meeting attendance, and shows how effective communication campaigns can turn indifferent residents into engaged voters. Learn why understanding your building's demographics is essential before proposing changes to policies covering everything from current issues like e-bike fire hazards to polarizing topics like flip taxes.

You'll also hear about leveraging technology and hybrid meetings to boost participation, plus how to tap into your management company's experience with similar buildings. Whether you're dealing with quality-of-life complaints or bylaws from the 1980s, this episode provides the tactical insights needed to successfully modernize your building's governing documents. Habitat's Emily Myers conducts the interview.

How To Run Your Building: For Co-ops and Condos

If 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 improvement. Shingwani offers practical insights on navigating catastrophic claims, managing affected residents, and implementing preventive measures that insurance companies actually respond to. Habitat’s Paula Chin conducts the interview.

How To Run Your Building: For Co-ops and Condos

Do you know why an effective capital reserve plan is crucial for your building's financial health? Learn how one Chelsea condo transformed their approach to multi-million dollar projects in this eye-opening conversation with Sara Gierloff, CFO of MD Squared Property Group. Here she reveals practical steps to track expenses, align investments with project timelines, and properly communicate with unit-owners. You'll gain insights on the pitfalls of relying solely on financing, why the standard "10% rule" for reserves is often inadequate, and how to avoid surprise assessments that frustrate residents. Most importantly, you'll understand how to develop a flexible capital plan that adapts to changing costs — without breaking the bank. Whether facing Local Law 11 repairs or elevator modernization, this episode helps you prepare for your building's future and avoid the dreaded cycle of emergency assessments. Habitat's Emily Myers conducts the interview.

How To Run Your Building: For Co-ops and Condos