Posts made in January 2020

There’s nothing like condominium living. You are the owner of your luxurious condo, and as such, can add value to your real estate investment.

With condo ownership also comes condominium association membership. Take a few minutes now to learn about condo associations and condominium law in Ashburn, VA, from Raymond A. Ceresa Attorney at Law. We focus on condo law and provide comprehensive legal services that will benefit every condominium owner.

Condo Associations

But first, what is a condominium association? Well, as you know, there’s no more lawn care or extra work for you when you buy a condo. And major expenses are shared by everyone. Your condominium association handles these tasks and other administrative duties. Your personal safety and building security are looked after, and this, too, is the job or your condo association.

Condo Association Law

At Raymond A. Ceresa Attorney at Law, we’ll help you as a new homeowner and condominium association member with our condominium law services. You should examine the condo association’s finances, budget, and what each member owes annually. You should read over the minutes of the recent board of directors meetings. As a new or prospective condo owner, you need to know something about the day to day operations of your governing association.

How much insurance does the condo association carry? It’s not unusual for such associations to be sued. If the condo association comes up short and can’t cover a court-ordered payment, the homeowners may have to cough up the rest of the required amount. Raymond A. Ceresa Attorney at Law will advise you on any or all of these topics and what the best course of action would be. We look forward to hearing from you.

Pride in ownership is something we all have. Whether it’s a new car, that new set of golf clubs, or your dream home, we truly appreciate something that’s a cut above the rest.

Pride in owning a home means that you may belong to a homeowner association (HOA) or community association. But how do these organizations differ? Is it essential that you belong to one, more than the other? Let a real estate attorney in Ashburn, VA, shed some light on the issue. Here’s a brief explanation from Raymond A. Ceresa Attorney at Law.

Community Association

A community association is formed by like-minded folks that live in a neighborhood and who want to support the social needs of the community while at the same time, planning, developing, and maintaining community amenities or facilities.

Membership in a community association is voluntary, and these groups exist to promote the wellbeing of the community and its people. Community associations are worth joining.

Homeowner Association

Membership in a homeowner association is usually mandatory and required by a land developer who owns the property on which a community is built. Fees are often needed, and each homeowner must maintain specific standards concerning lawn maintenance, snow removal, outdoor lighting, and possibly other things. 

Raymond A. Ceresa Attorney at Law is an experienced real estate lawyer, that provides homeowner association and community association legal services. He’s ready to stand by your side when you need him most and we urge you to find out more by contacting our office today.

A community association, such as a condominium complex’s homeowners association, also called an HOA, has many powers and responsibilities under the bylaws of the group. These services are carried out by the HOA’s board of directors, which is charged with maintaining and overseeing the complex in light of the regulations.

It’s not easy for a loosely-collected group of individuals, the members of the board that is, to completely carry out their responsibilities effectively and within the scope of the associations’ regulations without professional assistance and guidance. The solution is to choose a real estate attorney in Ashburn, VA, to offer legal services and advice to the board.

A law firm, such as Raymond A. Ceresa Attorney at Law, has the combination of skills, experience, and know-how to work closely and successfully with your association to meet all its obligations. Your HOA will have rights under the governing documents that can specify what it can do, and also have many options when it comes to fulfilling its duties. Keeping on top of these rights and options is the key to the smooth operation of the board and running of the condo complex itself.

As state laws and regulations that directly impact an HOA are often changing, by having ready access to a real estate attorney, you can ensure that your association is on top of things and doesn’t get tripped up by alterations or addenda in real estate regulations.

At the simplest level, an HOA is an organization that makes and enforces rules about properties in a community. Common for condominiums, townhouses, and planned neighborhoods, they usually operate with the goal of preserving property values and generally improving the living experience for everyone involved. However, they don’t come without some potential disadvantages. A real estate lawyer in Ashburn, VA, can help you understand your specific HOA, but here are a few benefits and drawbacks to consider:

Added Value — Since HOAs essentially exist to keep property values high, they are a tremendous benefit for those willing to trade fewer freedoms for long-term financial gain.

Involuntary Enrollment — Unfortunately, HOAs tend not to be optional, as that would defeat the point of the organization. When you purchase property in a community governed by one, you usually agree to abide by its rules.

Dispute Resolution — One resource that can be both a positive and negative aspect of an HOA is its ability to resolve disputes. People living together inevitably come into conflict, and the organization’s rules often provide clear-cut answers to any issues that might arise. While this cuts down on ambiguity, it also has the potential to leave you without options to pursue your side of an argument. However, being a part of the HOA means that you might be able to influence the rules through a fair process if you feel that they don’t contribute to the good of the community.

When disparate individuals live together in settings such as condominiums, it is important to have a group oversee the operation and conditions of the property. In the majority of instances a homeowner’s association, also known as an HOA, fills that role.

Most associations are set up by the property developer to market, manage, and sell units. An HOA doesn’t operate in a vacuum though; it has rules and bylaws to follow to ensure everyone knows what is expected and how issues are dealt with on a day-to-day basis.

A homeowners association law firm in Loudoun County, VA, such as Raymond A. Ceresa Attorney at Law, can provide in-depth information on common HOA regulations that renters and condo owners should know. These bylaws and rules cover:

• Fees that homeowners are expected to pay monthly for items such as insurance and maintenance.
• Maintenance standards are enforced to ensure that the aesthetic appeal of a community is upheld.
• For properties that are rented by the owners, rental guidelines state that renters must follow the same rules as everyone else.
• Occupancy limits put limits on how many people may live in a residence based upon its size.
• Regulations for pets cover which animals are permitted and which are not.
• Quiet hours and noise limits are in place to provide an enjoyable atmosphere for everyone.
• Parking can be a contentious issue, especially in crowded cities, so these rules are handy for covering who can park where and what types of vehicles are allowed.