NYE 2011-2012

2011 is virtually over. And even with the challenges we've all experienced this year, we're all still here and celebrating. 


In 2012 there'll be more fun, excitement and adventures and I'm looking forwarding to sharing them with everyone who follows my high density real estate interests.


Enjoy your NYE celebrations!




Francesco ...

Another Year of Strata Blogging

Wow!  Another year is ending during which I've been blogging about strata title and high density real estate issues.


This year's stats are as follows.

• I posted 272 blogs
• There were more than 42,000 separate user pages views
• The most viewed post was Why Do We Only Think of Vertical as Up? 
• The top 7 reader countries this year were the USA, Australia, United Kingdon, India, Canada, Russia and Germany (in order of numbers)

It's hard to believe since it's gone so fast.  But, it has and we're about to start another one.


See you all again talking high density real estate in 2012.

Francesco ...

Weird Christmas Stuff

It's Christmas and all around the world people are enjoying gentle, romanticised and friendly imagery.  Whether it's religious, wintery or Santa Claus based, they all make us feel warm and fuzzy inside.


But what's going on at Christmas in the Catalan region of Spain?


They decorate their nativities and christmas scenes with a weird character called El Caganer.  A bizzarely ugly peasant whose squatting with his pants down and defacating!


Apparently, El Caganer is a popular pooping peasant figure in Catalan Christmas nativity scenes, often found squatting off to the side of the traditional scene.


This giant version was displayed at the Maremagnum Shopping Centre in Barcelona, Spain in December 2010, and at 19-foot tall it was also the Guinness World Record winner for the Largest Caganer.

You gotta love it.


Enjoy and Merry Christmas.





Francesco ....

A Strata Christmas Gift

In British Columbia, Canada, Mike Mangan is an expert strata lawyer and he's been publishing The Condominium Manual for a while now.


It's regarded as the leading text on strata laws in British Columbia and has been recently updated.

Well, this Christmas Mike has a present for strata owners which is free access to the online version of The Condominium Manual until 31 December 2011.  All you have to do is get it from the website.


So, thanks Mike and have a great Christmas.
Francesco ...

The Top 5 StrataPoll Issues

For more than 25 years I've spoken to people all over the world about the strata title issues they're facing.  So, I have a lot of anecdotes, information and ideas about what matters and what makes a difference.


Often the strata issues they describe are very similar to other people's issues, sometimes the issues are unique to them and their circumstances and every now and again new issues emerge that no-one expected or predicted.  


Nothing surprises me much in strata anymore.


In many (if not most) cases changes to laws, the economy, business practices and knowledge have improved or fixed these strata issues.  But, in some cases the issues persist and remain as unresolved problems or unaddressed concerns and needs.


So, The Strata Experts and I have decided to try to list the strata issues facing stakeholders, identify the level of concern, see if (and how) they've been addressed and come up with the Top 5 Strata Issues at any point in time.

We hope that by doing so strata stakeholders can understand them better and address them collectively and more effectively.  Hopefully, it will also provide an indication over time about emerging and long lasting trends.


We're doing this with a confidential online tool provided by Poll Daddy. 


All you need to do to participate is follow these 5 easy steps.


1.  Go to www.strataexperts.com.au/stratapoll.html
2.  Vote on the Strata Issues Poll
3.  Add your own issues (if you want) and vote on them too
4.  See the progressive results


There's a constant update on latest StrataPoll results and I'll post my views about the information collected and the StrataPoll results on this blog.


So, get your Strata Opinion heard now on StrataPoll!




Francesco ...

12 Days of Strata Christmas

Since it's Christmas why not sing along for the 12 days of Strata Christmas with me ...

On the first day of Christmas, my strata love gave to me ... a new strata manager under a compulsory appointment

On the second day of Christmas, my strata love gave to me ... 2 notices to comply with by-laws

On the third day of Christmas, my strata love gave to me ... 3 office bearers

On the fourth day of Christmas, my strata love gave to me ... 4 quarterly levies

On the fifth day of Christmas, my strata love gave to me ... 5 legal actions

On the sixth day of Christmas, my strata love gave to me ... 6 owners complaining

On the seventh day of Christmas, my strata love gave to me ... 7 sewer stacks overflowing

On the eighth day of Christmas, my strata love gave to me ...  8 tradesmen parked in visitor spaces

On the ninth day of Christmas, my strata love gave to me ... ... 9 committee members  

On the tenth day of Christmas, my strata love gave to me ... 10 percent GST on levies 

On the eleveth day of Christmas, my strata love gave to me … 11 un-financial owners

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my strata love gave to me ... 12 proxies for the AGM

And, all together now … 

On the twelve days of Christmas, my strata love gave to me - 12 proxies for the AGM, 11 un-financial owners, 10 percent GST on levies, 9 committee members, 8 tradesmen parked in visitor spaces, 7 sewer stacks overflowing, 6 owners complaining, 5 legal actions, 4 quarterly levies, 3 office bearers, 2 notices to comply with by-laws and a new strata manager under a compulsory appointment !!!

Enjoy the festive season.

Francesco …

A Strata Complaint With a Difference

You'd have to say that getting complaints in a strata building is not that unusual.  Many owners, residents, and others often have things to complain about and regularly do so.

But, after seeing strata complaints for over 20 years, I'd have to say that the complaints are usually pretty tame.  

They contain polite requests for action and/or responses.  They're written respectfully and in the spirit of co-operation.  They often contain concessions and offers to accept compromises.  Where they express frustration it's usually exasperation rather than anger.  And, where they make threats they're usually legally focused and expressed in the typical third person and passive-aggressive tones of lawyer's letters.

Imagine however, if the compliant letter was blunt, offensive and directly threatening action without consequence?  It would be pretty shocking and refreshing at the same time.

Well here's a strata corporation complaint letter by Andy Leonard to another owner he calls 'Judas' that exactly that.  Andy describes himself as an actor, singer, writer and complainer and lists his interests as complaining.

Read and enjoy it.  I particularly like his views about the unfairness of owner contributions to balcony repair costs.

But, I'm glad I don't live in Andy's building.

Francesco ...

I want to live in Strata Too ... Woof!

There's a new breed that desperately want to live in strata apartments in increasing numbers these days.  


But they're not empty nesters, or newly weds, or young professionals.  They are the urban dogs and cats of the inner cities.


These dogs and cats are using all kinds of tactics to get into their favourite strata buildings. Sometimes, secretly hiding out in apartments after being smuggled in and out in cars and bags.  And, other times running the gauntlet of getting strata corporation approval before being allowed to move in. It's a strata life full of uncertainty and fear.


Now things are a bit easier with a kit that's been launched by Strata Community Australia and Petcare Information Advisory Service with pro forma application forms and consent conditions.  They can be used by owners and tenants to get approval and by strata corporations to imposes sensible (and fair) conditions on approvals.

You can read more about the initiative here - http://www.stratacommunity.org.au/featured-articles/pets-apply-housing 


It makes an old dog happy to see that things are getting easier for pets in strata buildings.  




Woof ...

Chaos Theory Amongst Crowds in Ho Chi Min

We all accept the proposition that when you put people closer together, cause congestion and force them to share space, rules about what they can and can't do are a good idea.  


It's that kind of thinking that drives the increasing regulation of strata corporations, owners and residents. More rules, more guidelines, more enforcement and more policing.  


But maybe allowing things to be more chaotic and allowing people to sort it out for themselves might work equally well.


This amazing time lapse video of the traffic in Ho Chi Minh City by Rob Whitworth shows just how things we often think need serious rules can sort themselves out.  There's no lanes, roundabouts, stop or give way signs, indicating or much else but it all seems to work.  Plus it's just mind bending to watch the randomness of the traffice chaos.



Traffic in Frenetic HCMC, Vietnam from Rob Whitworth on Vimeo.

Enjoy!


Francesco ...

Strataman to the Rescue

We all need a Strata Superhero to save us when that strata crises suddenly occurs.  And, now we have Strataman!


Whilst he may not be faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive or susceptible to kryptonite, he can certainly help NSW strata owners.


You see Strataman is a website with loads of useful information for strata owners, residents, managers and suppliers to help them know what's happening in their strata building, what can (and should) be done about it and where to look for help.  The information is easy to read and kept up to date regularly.


So, why not call for Strataman when you need strata help?  He's on your side.




Francesco ...

More Strata News from Queensland

The ever increasing interest in strata development, ownership and management means that we need more (and more) information.  And, ideally that should come from different sources to ensure the information covers what everyone wants and needs and so that all the different views that exist can be heard.


So, it's great news that GlobalX (the information providers) has started publishing Talking Strata: Body Corporate News.  


It's a monthly publication about Queensland strata issues and this month Talking Strata covers a range of useful topics including -

• the appropriateness of blanket bans in by-laws
• new asbestos control laws
• visitor parking matters

You can also subscribe to the newsletter.

So, well done GlobalX!




Francesco ...

Mi Casa is Tu (Strata) Casa

The popular saying mi casa e tu casa (my home is your home) seems perfectly appropriate for strata corporations since they're a place where everyone lives in the same home or building.


And that may be why one the newest tools for strata owners, residents and managers is called MiCasa.


It's a web application put together by the clever people at Thiinkstrata for use in strata corporations.  And they say the following things about MiCasa.

MiCasa aims to redefine the way residential buildings currently operate, by establishing a new norm where owners, renters, council and management groups use technology to work together to create a real, harmonious community for people living in residential buildings.


MiCasa opens up communication channels, bringing owners, renters, council and management groups together to build happier communities by filling the gap between the level of service that property managers provide and the level of service that residents expect.  

MiCasa is FREE although a paid version with more features will be available in early 2012. 

Have a look at MiCasa, join the conversation about it at Facebook http://www.facebook.com/micasahq and/or follow MiCasa on Twitter at  http://twitter.com/micasahq

It's a great example of how new technologies create new opportunities.  Well done MiCasa!

Francesco ...

Real Beachside Living in Brighton

Everyone wants to live by the beach.  And, in Brighton, Victoria you can own a building that's right on the sand.


You see there are 82 beach boxes at Brighton that the local council sells (by a long term licence) to private owners to store things in and use when they enjoy the beach on Port Phillip Bay.


Victorian era morality meant that bathing and enjoying the seashore was a demure pass time and, as a result of this, bathing boxes emerged in Australia, England, France and Italy and have survived in many locations to this day.

In Brighton they're brightly coloured and together make for a uniquely attractive beach front.  There's a Brighton Beach Box Association with its own website.  And, recently some of the beach boxes have sold for more than $200,000 as this article by Jonathan Chancellor in The Property Observer explains.  And, there's a few more for sale.

Apart from how quaint they are.  They demonstrate how many interesting and unique form of property ownership can exist to meet the needs of society as a whole and individually.

Francesco ...

Christo Builds Art Over a Colorado River

Christo has been wrapping big things for a long time.  From Sydney cliff faces to Reichstagg in Berlin and everything in between.

Now he's working on a new project in Askansas, USA.

Over The River is a temporary work of art by the artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude.  Christo plans to suspend 5.9 miles of silvery, luminous fabric panels high above the Arkansas River along a 42-mile stretch of the river between Salida and Cañon City in south-central Colorado.

Christo is currently working to obtain the necessary permits so that his team can begin the installation process. He is hoping to exhibit Over The River for two consecutive weeks in 
August, 2014.

I hope it comes together and we can see another amazing Christo creation soon.

Francesco ...

Strata Corporations & Social Media

Whilst the whole world is embracing new ways to communicate - I wonder if strata corporations, owners, residents and managers are getting left behind?


It's not that I think that strata corporations should adopt the latest technology because it's a craze.  Rather, I believe that these new and emerging social media tools create great (and easy) opportunities to do the one thing that strata corporations have struggled with forever - communicate better.


Whether it's keeping owners and residents informed about day-to-day issues, outline more long term and strategic plans, sharing information about the progress of projects, making records more accessible or getting feedback on plans and actions - social media provides easy and flexible options.


That's not to say that it's easy.  The kind and type of social media has to be selected, information uploaded and checked, updates posted regularly and comments moderated.  And, if successful, the activity level (and work) will almost certainly increase.


Plus, there might be legal, or at least, policy issues to be considered.


Stephen M. Marcus, Esq. recently posted a short piece for US Associations about social media policies at the Community Associations Institutes' legal pages which is a great starting point and makes the following key points.

• It's important to decide whether the social media is used to provide information one-way only, or to allow owners/fans/friends to post and comment.
• People need to be selected and authorised to update and manage the social media site.
• Should there be limits on who can see, friend and/or share information from the social media site.  And, if so, what are they?
• If posting is allowed will it be moderated or not, and by who?  In particular, will negative comments be allowed?
• Where there is a policy to take down negative or other unwanted posts, then it's important to enforce the policy properly to avoid legal exposures.
• Does the strata corporation's insurance cover the social media site and posts?

It's early days and only the most dedicated strata corporations, executives and managers are exploring social media avenues.  But, I think we'll see a lot more in the very near future and that it will benefit everyone involved in strata.


I'd be interested to hear of good, bad or neutral experiences.




Francesco ...

Where's the High Density Coming in Australia?

In figures released by Bankwest and reported by Alistair Walsh in The Property Observer, there's some interesting news about where medium and high density approvals are happening in Australia- which tells us where high density dwellings will be built.

For instance, last year 38% of national home approvals were for medium and high density dwellings.  That's a total of 59,276 approvals.  And the percentage has been increasing every year.

  

In 2010 - 2011 Victoria led the way with 21,235 approvals representing 36% of the national total. NSW had 16,397 approvals, representing 28%, and Queensland had 10,300, or 17%.  So it seems the southern states are leading the way on the numbers.

But, the Australian Capital Territory had the highest percentage of medium and high density approvals, which comprised 66% of all approvals and the Northern Territory was the second highest, where they comprise 57%.  By comparison New South Wales medium and high density approvals were 49% of the total.  

These figures confirm the trends we've seen for a while now with high density being the more preferred choice for new developments everywhere.  It's just that in the established free standing housing markets of Victoria, NSW and Queensland the increases are only slowly overtaking single dwellings whilst in the smaller states and territories they're representing a larger portion of the housing stock.

Either way it's good news for strata owners, managers and service providers all over Australia. 

Francesco ...

Strata Living (and Parking) with a Twist

It's one thing to say your apartment has parking but quite another to park your car in your apartment.  Usually you have to park in the basement and travel up a few (or more) floors to your apartment ... so it's not as convenient as it could be.


Well in a new luxury apartment development in New York they've fixed that problem by including parking for your car on the same level as your apartment.  So, you can have your car close by and it can also enjoy your view.


The arrangement works something like this as the New York Times reports.

• Drivers pull up to a door on 11th Avenue where an electronic reader that operates like an E-ZPass opens the gate
• After the driver pulls inside and make a left turn, , the door shuts and an elevator gate opens
• When the car is inside the elevator, a flat-panel display on the wall reminds the driver to shut off the engine and infrared sensors monitor and direct the car’s position
• The elevator automatically goes to the owner’s floor
• And the car is backed into the apartment garage space

Here's a short video report explaining it further.


I'm sure this could be very popular with some owners but wonder if it's all going too far.  


And it makes me think of Ferris Bueller's Day Off.

Francesco ...

New Newfoundland Strata Laws

Guess what I've found in Newfoundland, Canada?  New strata title laws!


On 1 December 2009, the Condominium Act 2011 starts operating in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and brings their strata laws in line with current developer, owner and resident needs and to accommodate for a future of high density housing.  
As the Minister, Paul Davis, said “Through feedback obtained in recent years, it was recognized that the act required modernization in order to meet the needs of all stakeholders involved including current owners, potential owners and condominium developers.”


The new laws includes many changes including -

• more information disclosure for purchasers
• establishing reserve funds for major works
• accommodates different kinds of strata developments
• mediation and arbitration for disputes
• a 10 day cooling off period for strata purchasers

The new laws and the changes follow similar trends for strata laws all around the world.  And, since the Bill was first issued in 2009 have taken about as long as other strata law changes too.

You can find the new laws here - http://assembly.nl.ca/Legislation/sr/statutes/c29-1.htm


Francesco ...


Image thanks to http://www.dogs-wallpapers.com/user-content/uploads/wall/o/26/big_newfoundland_dog_face_photo.jpg

Dubai Time Lapse

I'm constantly posting city time lapse videos that display the buzz of activity and ever changing beauty of city syklines and vistas.


And, here's another one.


This time we see 24 hours in downtown Dubai, in the UAE.  It's created by Gerald Donovan as part of the global time-lapse project 1day6cities.





Enjoy.




Francesco ...