Reidenbach & Associates, LLC

I am a member of the board of trustees of my condo association. It has been brought to our attention that one of the unit owners has a washer and dryer in his bathroom that drains into the tub. The bylaws prohibit washers and dryers in individual units. The unit owner who reported this violation does not want to file a written complaint. Can the board do anything if we don’t have a written complaint? Wicked Local has the answer: http://bit.ly/3sDhGDs

The first-time home buyer credit was launched in 2008 after the Great Recession caused the housing market to plummet rapidly. Unfortunately, the credit isn’t available any more: it expired a decade ago because of the terms of the legislation. But with first-time home buyers encountering a historic shortage of houses for sale and record-high prices, could it make a comeback? Read more from Forbes: http://bit.ly/2PoJ5uv

Deciding whether to rent or buy a home can have you talking yourself into financial circles. "Take advantage of low mortgage rates and build equity!," your "buy" brain says. "Have flexibility and keep your costs of getting in and out low!," your "rent" side says. Ultimately, the decision comes down to your financial fitness, how long you plan to live in the home and what your cash flow looks like. Read more from STL Today: http://bit.ly/37ZDpgL

I am moving to New York and need to look for an apartment. A friend told me to watch out for scams. What am I supposed to watch out for and how would I know if a listing is problematic? The New York Times outlines which renter scams to watch out for: http://nyti.ms/3bMt5tS

Smart home tech refers to the automation of a home whereby a system connects different devices and appliances. The automation system includes communication technology that enables a homeowner to remotely control their home setup from anywhere using an internet connection with their devices like a smartphone. So, which technology can you count on? Realty Biz News shares their suggestions: http://bit.ly/3uT6tR8

Real estate has been touted by financial advisers as a stable investment for those seeking a passive source of income in retirement. But instead of boosting their income, some retirees who invested in residential rental properties are now losing money due to eviction moratoria resulting from the coronavirus pandemic. The Wall Street Journal outlines what you need to know about the moratoria and what you can and can’t do when your tenants don’t pay: http://on.wsj.com/2Poxagc

Housing has become a critical battleground for activists during the pandemic, as millions of tenants struggle to pay rent and landlords tighten their grip on properties. Now, a new initiative called My Old Apartment is encouraging tenants to use snail mail to combat illegal rent increases on Prince Edward Island in Canada. Read more about the campaign in Vice: http://bit.ly/3riBlrK

How do you know if your homeowners or condominium association is being successfully managed? It can be hard to determine if a community with an association is being run well. From an outsider’s view, everything can look good. Amenities are clean and well-maintained. The landscaping is beautifully manicured, and smiling residents congregate on the sidewalks and trails. The Virginian Pilot outlines what to look for at a condominium community: http://bit.ly/3r5Ja4j

The Greater Philadelphia residential real estate market had been on a tear for several years when 2020 began. When we began to feel the virus’s effects here last March, the market seemed to go into hibernation. Real estate sales moved underground during the spring lockdown which happened to coincide with one of the busiest seasons for buying and selling homes. Philly Mag followed the stories of six Philly families who moved during the pandemic. Check out the full piece here: http://bit.ly/2ZZ2bcH

Home sale prices in Philadelphia rose dramatically in 2020, up nearly 13% overall and even more so in neighborhoods not traditionally known for steep increases. One of the city's top real estate analysts says he's never seen these increases, but the high numbers are concerning for a few reasons. NBC 10 has the full segment: http://bit.ly/3bRsw1S

Since COVID-19 sent the economy into a tailspin a year ago, much has been written about the movement to cancel rent and the importance of continuing eviction moratoriums. But some in the real estate industry have pointed to solution that may be more viable in the long-term for both residential and commercial tenants: flexible rent. Read more from Forbes: http://bit.ly/3bRGGQq

Saturday Night Live recently poked fun at the growing trend of people scrolling endlessly through Zillow, the giant online real estate marketplace. Reporting for Weekend TODAY, NBC’s Sarah Harman finds the sketch is not too far from reality after the app and website received 9.6 billion visits last year. Check out the full segment from The Today Show: http://on.today.com/2O6zO9H

LendingTree, the country’s largest online lending marketplace, commissioned a survey of more than 1,500 Americans to better understand their sentiments around relocating. The study revealed a significant contrast between Millennials and other generations regarding lifestyle preferences and aspirations for homeownership. Forty-five percent of homeowners have plans to move to a different home within the next decade, while some Millennials question whether homeownership is the best fit. Read more from Forbes: http://bit.ly/38IxwCX