decisions and discussions at the actuator valves ... · as you can see, conditions are favorable...
TRANSCRIPT
September 2018 Vol. XXXIX No. 9
Inside This Issue Basic Information: Registration Forms ………………………….…………………...………. 2 When Will My Heat Get Turned On?................................................... 5 Condominium Association Updates: Board Meeting, August: Outstanding Projects………………………………………………... 2 New Business……...………………………………………………… 2 Hail & Farewell……………………………..…………………................. 12 Insurance………………………………………………………………….. 8 Noise and Your Neighbors……………………………….……………… 13 Parkside Green …………………………………………………………… 7 Parkside Readers ……………………………………………………….. 6 Parkside Village …………………………………..…………..………….. 4 Recent Sales…………………………………………………….………… 12 Security Incidents …………………………………………………...…… 12 Utilities and Your Monthly Condo Fee………………….……..….……. 2 Utilities Usage and Dollars YTD………………………………………… 2
Decisions and Discussions at
the
August Board Meeting
General Manager The Board introduced Mr. Joe Riviere as the interim General Manager. Iman Jackson is serving as the Interim General Manager until September 28th.
Replacement Reserve Study The Board noted that the new Replacement Reserve Study reflects an increase of 1.21% in contributions to reserves to be used in the preparation of the next fiscal year’s budget calculations.
Laundry Equipment The Laundry Committee has been meeting with pre-
ferred local laundry equipment companies to seek a
partnership with better equipment and customer ser-
vice. The current laundry equipment contract expires
on December 31, 2018.
Pool Extension Management and our current pool contractor pro-posed three alternatives for an extension to keep the pool open. The Board unanimously authorized Management to negotiate one additional week of service from the pool management company at a cost of $2,980.00
Environmental Disclosure The updated Environmental Disclosure was ap-proved for inclusion in the resale packages.
Don’t Forget Parkside’s Fall Yard Sale
Saturday, September 22 (rain date: Sunday, Septem-ber 23) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Management Office parking lot.
Actuator Valves Replacement Two actuator valves on the controls for boilers in Boiler rooms 1A and 1B required replacement. The Board unanimously approved the proposal from Noyes Air Conditioning for the replacement.
Page 2.
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September 2018 www.parksidecondo.org
Registration Forms for Residents and Vehicles
Due September 14
Please review the preprinted registration forms for your unit (one form for residents, the other for vehicles), make any necessary corrections, and return the forms to the Management Office for processing by September 14. New stickers and activity cards will be delivered to units by the end of September.
If you need to add an occupant or vehicle, please see the detailed instructions in the cover letter that was distributed with the registration form.
Note that the current vehicle stickers expire on September 30.
Outstanding Projects
Research continues for the motion sensor lights pilot program in the storage rooms.
Railroad ties will be replaced/repaired on the Metro pad as weather allows.
Research will be undertaken for the installation of a Wi-Fi hot spot within Parkside.
Bids are being sought for the Hallway Design project.
Section V balcony repairs are continuing.
The charter for the Welcome Committee has been written and is awaiting the review of the new Chair, Beth Schlenoff.
The Landscape Committee is working with the Grounds Supervisor on insect repellant bushes at the pool and the back side of the North Club house.
The Board noted that Management is research-ing the installation of a level 2 electric charging station in the Management Office/South Club-house parking lot.
New Business
It was reported that Ms. Jodie Fine has resigned
from the Board of Directors. Mr. Chip Brennan
has been appointed to fill the vacancy until the
next Annual Meeting in accordance with the
Bylaws of the Association.
Utilities & Your July Condo Fee
In the month of July, the cost of utilities amounted to 38.10% of your condominium fee. For example, if your condominium fee is $400 per month, in July $152.39 of that went for water, elec-tricity, heating gas, and cooking gas.
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As we enter the second half of 2018, I wanted to share with you my perspective on a few key economic metrics and how they are affecting home buyers and sellers in today’s real estate market.
Mortgage Interest: Rates are edging up, and many in
the industry expect average mortgage rates around 5
percent in the near future. If you are in the market to
buy a house, remember that interest charges have been
much higher (up to the high teens in the early 1980s)
and 5 percent is still historically low.
Why it matters: Buyers’ purchasing power diminishes when
borrowing costs rise. With an ongoing shortage of homes on
the market, it can take a while to find the right place to buy.
Additionally, home prices are on the rise. If you are actively
looking, working with a real estate professional (like me) and
my mortgage partners can help expedite the process and poten-
tially save you money.
Builder confidence: New homes sell quickly, with res-
idences in the first-time-buyer range selling in the least
amount of time. The National Association of Home
Builders’ monthly survey of builder confidence was un-
changed in July, at 68. Anything over 50 is favorable for
growth.
Why it matters: Inventory levels are low and we need more
homes to sell, so we generally view sentiment levels this high as
a good thing. Will a new tariff structure compound issues that
are squeezing builders’ margins, such as lumber and steel costs?
It remains to be seen, but my team at Long & Foster and I will
continue to track this important metric and keep you updated.
Unemployment is at 3.9 percent which is at its lowest in years,
so more people have incomes. Private-sector employers are
also on a 101-month hiring streak.
Consumer confidence: Sentiment rose slightly in July,
showing fairly strong optimism.
Why it matters: Consumers report strong confidence
levels when they are secure in their jobs and feel opti-
mistic their situations are improving. This metric
bodes well for the housing market, because making
the biggest purchase of your life requires a sense of
security in your financial future. Another number we
are watching is the National Association of Realtors’
affordability index, which has declined to 134.8 in
June from 162.4 in January. This essentially says a
family with the average income can afford an average-
priced home – for now. In our current low-supply,
high-demand environment, buyers in more expensive
areas could eventually be priced out if current trends
continue.
As you can see, conditions are favorable for buyers and sellers in today’s real estate market. A pro-fessional Realtor like me can help you get the most for your property if selling and find your perfect place to call home if you are looking to buy. Reach out any time to discuss your situation further or get a free analysis of your home’s potential market value. I look forward to hearing from you.
Cindy Davis, Long and Foster Realtor
[email protected] 301.787.8744
Homeowner or Resident/Tenant
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September 2018 www.parksidecondo.org
PARKSIDE VILLAGE EVENTS
Mark Your Calendars! Parkside Village Third Thursday and Village Weekend events are open to all resi-
dents. Come meet, mingle, learn, chat, enjoy and more. Third Thursday events are in the North Club-
house with morning programs from 10:30am – 12:00noon and evening programs from 7:00pm to 8:30pm.
Upcoming Events:
Thursday, September 20, 2018 – Third Thursday Connections
10:30am The Library of Congress Veterans History Project
presented by Nancy Kane
7:00pm Social Hour Bring an appetizer/dessert/refreshment to share and
meet, greet and mingle with your neighbors!
Friday, Saturday and Sunday, October 12-14, 2018 – Village Weekend
Friday October 12, 2018 – 7:00pm Friday night social/reception. Bring an appetizer/refreshment to
share and meet and mingle with your neighbors.
Saturday, October 13, 2018 – daytime program TBA
Sunday, October 14, 2018 – 5:00pm Sunday Potluck Dinner (bring your favorite dish/refreshment or
dessert)
Thursday, October 18, 2018 – Third Thursday Connections
10:30am TBA
7:00pm TBA
Thursday, November 15, 2018 10:30am Cookie Exchange – Share recipes and specialties
7:00pm Cookie and Dessert Social Hour Reception – an extension of the daytime
program! Bring a dessert/refreshment to share and enjoy.
Would you like to help with Village ideas, events or programs? Interested in volunteering? Have a topic or
presentation you’d like to share with neighbors? Let us know! Send your note to [email protected]
No email? Not to worry, simply drop a note to/contact the office with your information.
Parkside Village – Neighbors Helping Neighbors
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When Will My Heat Get Turned On?
In the Fall, residents often ask about Manage-
ment’s timing in converting from a/c to heat. Man-agement wishes to emphasize that there is no fixed date for making the changeover. Note: The discus-sion here of the interrelationship between heat and A/C pertains only to Sections II-V. In Section I, there is no connection between the heating and A/C systems: the heating system is controlled by Parkside, whereas the A/C comes from apartment-specific air-conditioning units, each of which serves only the single apartment in which it is installed.
In deciding when to change from A/C to heat, Management has two goals: (1) to convert only once per season, thereby minimizing wear and tear on the system and prolonging the useful life of the equip-ment; and (2) to maximize the comfort level for all residents, bearing in mind that the 954 units in the community have a range of exposures to the sun and therefore become colder or hotter at different times and to different degrees.
In trying to find the right balance between these two goals, every year Management makes its decision about when to make the change not by looking at the calendar but by relying on the long-range weath-er forecast. In general, Management knows from experience that during the second half of September there are almost always many warm days that require A/C, so Management typically does not switch from A/C to heat until October, usually between the 5th and 10th.
Converting Only Once
The reason Management aims to limit the num-ber of conversions is that our heating and cooling systems are 46 to 50 years old. (The possibility of
replacing them with more modern systems was studied, and replacement was found to be prohibi-tively expensive.) To go from cooling to heating, staff has to manually switch more than 50 valves and must spend at least an entire day converting the equipment; if problems arise, staff may have to spend a second day.
After the switch to heat has been made, a switch back to A/C cannot be made the next day because the water in the systems takes 48 hours to cool.
The central systems are not the only ones affect-ed by each conversion. Conversion between A/C and heat also puts wear and tear on the portion of the system that is located in each unit, which is the unit owner’s responsibility to maintain, repair, and replace. Unless your individual H&AC unit has been replaced, it is at least 50 years old, and as the property continues to age, more and more of the individual units require replacement. Keeping the switching to a minimum prolongs the useful life of these parts of the system as well.
Making 954 Units Comfortable
We all know that the comfort level in our unit has a great deal to do with whether our unit receives the afternoon sun, how many exposures we have, and how high up we are. These variations affect our sense of the best time for Management to convert the systems—and they underlie our distress when our best time is not the time that Management has chosen. It is a given that Management cannot satis-fy all of us at once, but Management makes an ef-fort to achieve the greatest happiness for the great-est number.
www.parkside.condo September 2018
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Parkside Condominium Management Office
10520 Montrose Avenue—Bethesda, Maryland 20814
Phone: (301) 493-5100 Fax: (301) 493-5031
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
www.parksidecondo.org
The Parkside Condominium News is published monthly by the Communications Committee of Parkside Condomini-
um. Opinions expressed in signed articles are not neces-sarily those of the Council of Unit Owners, the Board of Directors, the Communications Committee, or employ-
ees of Parkside Condominium.
September 2018 www.parksidecondo.org
Parkside Readers: A Wrinkle in Time for October
The Parkside book group's next meeting is Wednesday October 3 at 7:30 pm. To
get the address for the meeting (we take turns hosting) or to be added to the group's email list, email Pat McNees <[email protected]> or call her at 301-897-8557 (after 10 am). All Parkside residents are welcome. This is an easy and pleasant way to get to know fel-low Parkside residents.
For October we are reading A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L 'Engle. Winner of the Newberry Medal in 1963, it's a story of adventures in space and time of three high school kids (athlete, student, and one of the most pop-ular boys in high school). They are in search of Meg's father, a scientist who disappeared while engaged in secret work for the government on the Tesseract ("wrinkle in time") problem. We want to see if it is as good now as it was when we read it as kids (or parents).
For November we are reading The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah, in which "a brave girl confronts her disturbed dad in the Alaskan wild," as the Washington Post puts it. One member of the book club who has read it said she couldn't put it down and stayed up all night to finish it, alt-hough she had zero interest in Alaska when she started.
September's Youth Artist
Parkside would like to recognize 4th grader Rithika Arjun for her craft design art work.
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www.parkside.condo September 2018
Parkside GREEN wants you to know…
Tips on Cleaning up a Broken Florescent Light Bulb (CFL).
The following steps are provided by the EPA in order to reduce exposure
to mercury vapor from broken florescent light bulbs. For more detailed information,
visit https://www.epa.gov/cfl/cleaning-broken-cfl
BEFORE CLEANUP:
Have people leave the room
Air out the room for 5-10 minutes by opening a window or door
Shut off heating/air conditioning
Collect materials needed: stiff paper/cardboard, sticky tape, damp paper towels
DURING CLEANUP:
Be thorough in collecting broken glass and visible powder
Place cleanup materials in a sealable container (plastic bag or glass jar)
AFTER CLEANUP:
Promptly place all bulb debris and cleanup materials outdoors in a trash container or protected area
until materials can be disposed of properly.* Avoid leaving any bulb fragments or cleanup materials
indoors.*
For several hours, continue to air out your room where the bulb was broken and leave the H&AC sys-
tem shut off.
*Check with your local/state household hazardous waste authority for disposal requirements; Montgomery
County Department of Environmental Protection recommends double-bagging the broken CFL or tube in a
re-sealable plastic bag and place in your household trash. For more information visit
https://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/DepHowDoI/material
_____________________________________________________________________________________
REMEMBER! BROKEN BULBS CANNOT BE RECYCLED!
UNBROKEN LIGHT BULBS CAN BE RECYCLED at most local hardware stores. Please! Do not
put CFLs or tubes into your recycling bin. Take your used bulbs and batteries to a local hard-
ware store to recycle these hazardous waste materials.
____________________________________________________________________________
______
Come visit the Parkside GREEN Committee information table at the Community Yard sale and see if you can pass
the ‘Recycle Quiz’ with tangible examples for you to recycle appropriately!
Thank you for thinking GREEN!
Parkside GREEN meets the second Tuesday each month at 7:00pm in the South Clubhouse.
Committee meetings are open to all residents and owners.
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September 2018 www.parksidecondo.org
Insurance Information for
Owners and Renters
by Robin Manougian*
Parkside Condominium is required by the Maryland Condo-minium Act, as well as the insurance provisions in the Asso-ciation’s bylaws, to carry specific insurance policies. This arti-cle provides detail on the Association’s Master Policy insur-ance coverage and how it applies to unit owners (and renters), as well as what coverages owners and renters should carry to supplement the Master Policy. Also included is information on what you need to do if your mortgage company requires proof of Parkside’s Master Policy coverage.
Robin Manougian is an agent and partner with the John Manougian Insurance Agency, Inc. The agency has represented Parkside’s insurance program for more than 30 years. Robin is also a member of the Maryland Legislative Action Committee, and has assisted in writing several insurance laws found in the Maryland Condomini-um Act.
The Association’s Insurance Coverage
Parkside Condominium Association carries a num-ber of insurance policies as required by the Associa-tion’s governing documents. Among these policies is the Master Policy, which includes Property Coverage (including Flood and Earthquake coverages), General Liability, Boiler and Machin-ery/Equipment Breakdown, Business Automobile, and Terrorism coverage. Other Association policies include the Umbrella Liability, Directors and Officers Liability, Employee Dishonesty/Crime (Fidelity), Workers Compensation, Information Breach Liability, Volunteer Accident Plan coverage, and Underground Storage Tank Liability (which protects the Association from pollution claims and third-party suits related to leakage of the heating-fuel storage tanks).
Master Policy, Property Coverage
The Property section of the Master Policy covers not only all real property belonging to the Association (buildings, amenities, fences, signs, etc.) but also – to a certain extent – the interior of each unit (see the final two paragraphs of this section).
Coverage of the Association’s real property is written on an Extended Replacement Cost Basis, which means the policy will replace all covered property with like kind and quality not subject to depreciation up to the limit shown on the policy. In the event a cata-strophic loss requires additional coverage, the policy affords an additional 25 percent of the policy’s blan-ket limit. The Property policy form is written on an “all risk” from direct, physical loss basis, which means the policy covers all causes of loss except for those specifically excluded in the policy. Common exclu-sions include construction defects, loss due to wear and tear/age, maintenance issues, water seepage, and vermin/insect infestation.
All covered property losses are subject to a $5,000 deductible with the exception of flood losses (subject to a $25,000 deductible) and earthquake losses (subject to a $50,000 deductible).
The Master Policy’s coverage of each unit is limited to the interior of the unit as it was deeded by the developer in 1981. This means that in the event of a covered loss, the Association’s Master Policy will pay to re-pair/replace the unit with new, but similar or standard-grade floor, ceiling, and wall coverings, and original-grade cabinets, counters, appliances, fixtures, and equipment within each unit. The policy will not cover any improvements, betterments, alterations, or addi-tions that have made by the current owner or that may have been acquired from a previous owner. Whatever any owner has added, altered, or improved upon is the current owner’s responsibility to insure (see “Other Important Provisions: Additions and Al-terations” next page).
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www.parkside.condo September 2018
To trigger Master Policy coverage for a loss to the component parts of an individual unit (floor, ceiling, and wall coverings, cabinets, counters, appliances and fixtures), the owner must advise management as soon as is reasonably possible that the unit has sustained damage; insurance carriers require prompt notification and reserve the right to see damage firsthand. Your own carrier should be notified of a loss to the unit on-ly if you are responsible for the deductible (that is, if the loss originates in your unit [see below, “Other Im-portant Provisions,” under “Loss Assessment”]), OR if you: (a) have damage to improvements and better-ments that you made or acquired from a previous owner, (b) have damage to personal property/contents, or (c) cannot live in your unit while the unit is being repaired.
Master Policy, General Liability Coverage
The General Liability section of the Master Policy provides liability coverage for bodily injury and/or property damage when the Association is negligent or is alleged to have been negligent. Coverage ex-tends to all areas of the Association except the interiors of the individual units. Unit owners and renters should secure their own coverage to protect themselves from liability claims that occur within the units they own or rent (see “Liability Protection for Individu-als” below).
Owners’ and Renters’ Insurance Coverage: Property and Liability
Owners and renters alike are strongly encouraged to carry both Property and Liability Coverage (investor owners, though not residing in the condominium unit, still need these coverages (a) improvements they or a previous owner may have made, (b) in the event they are sued for negligence along with the renter residing in the unit, and (c) for their deducti-ble responsibility should a loss originate in the unit). The individual policies – for owners, an HO-6 policy and for renters, an HO-4 policy – can be written to coordinate with the Association’s Master Policy to protect the owner’s or renter’s own personal
property/contents, improvements and betterments, and personal liability within the unit. Parkside’s insur-ance agent does not provide HO-6 or HO-4 policies, but residents can usually secure them from the same carrier that provides the resident’s individual automo-bile liability policy.
Nonresident owners should also make certain (perhaps by making it a condition of the lease) that the renter carry a tenant’s or renter’s policy (to include coverage for the tenant’s personal property and personal liabil-ity). The personal property coverage on the renter’s policy should be written on a full-replacement basis (see next paragraph).
Property Coverage for Individuals
The amount of insurance on a resident’s personal property should be adequate to replace the resident’s belongings within the unit. (If investor owners are rent-ing furnished units, they should maintain personal property/contents coverage, as well.) Thus, Property coverage should be written on a full-replacement basis so that in the event of a loss, all items will be replaced at current replacement costs rather than at their origi-nal cost less depreciation. This is best done by taking inventory of what you have in your unit and going through the painstaking process of itemizing every-thing room by room. Determine the cost to replace your belongings, and provide your own insurance agent with the total value. An inflation guard is built into the policy so that in subsequent years, the cost to replace your belongings will keep up with current replacement values.
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www.parkside.condo September 2018
Residents (Owners or Renters): Coverage for Valuable Items All owners’ or renters’ policies have specific limita-tions on certain valuable items such as jewelry, furs, watches, silver, art, and antiques. Such valuables need to be scheduled (i.e., itemized) on the policy and may require an appraisal. Coverage can usually be written on an all-risk basis unless specific exclusions or en-dorsements apply. Liability Protection for Individuals Liability protection provided by the HO-6 and HO-4 policies covers injuries sustained by others inside the unit, as well as property damage (to someone else’s property for which you may be responsible) that origi-nates inside the unit. Owners (whether or not they reside in the unit) can be held liable for such injuries and damages. Renters can also be held liable for their actions and negligence. While the Maryland Condo-minium Act requires that the Master Policy insurance carrier waive subrogation against (i.e., not go after) a negligent owner, the Master Policy carrier is within its rights to subrogate (go after) a negligent renter. The liability coverage a renter carries can protect the renter in such situations. Personal liability limits under the HO-6 and HO-4 policies start at $300,000, but may be increased. Owners’ Coverage: Other Important Provisions Important features of the standard unit owner policy are the provisions for (1) Additions and Alterations (sometimes referred to as “Dwelling Coverage” and sometimes as “Betterments and Improvements”); (2) Loss Assessment; and (3) Additional Living Ex-pense (also referred to as “Loss of Use” coverage). The standard policy deductible is $250, but may be increased to reduce the premium.
The Additions and Alterations provision covers the value of any improvements, betterments, altera-tions, or additions a unit owner (or any previous owner) has made within the unit beyond what the developer conveyed at initial offering. Improve-ments made by an owner could include such up-grades as wallpaper, built-in cabinetry, and upgraded appliances, cabinets, counters, lighting, and floor coverings. Additions and Alterations coverage up to $1,000 is included in the basic policy; higher limits of coverage can be provided for an additional pre-mium. Your lender may make it a condition of your loan that you carry this coverage in an amount equal to 20% of your unit’s appraised value. Please check your lender’s requirements before reducing this cov-erage (usually found under the Dwelling A. section of your policy). Loss Assessment coverage is for those occasions when the Association suffers a large property loss or liability judgment and the Association’s insurance policies do not entirely cover the loss. In such a situ-ation, owners may be assessed a percentage of the repair bill or liability judgment. Loss Assessment coverage pays the individual owner’s assessment up to the limit of the policy; $1,000 is included in the basic policy, but additional limits are available. Own-ers are encouraged to carry at a minimum $5,000 of loss assessment coverage. Important: Loss Assessment coverage will not pay for any special assessments the Association may levy for necessary repair, replacement, or improvement projects; special assessment should not be confused with loss assessment. Loss Assessment coverage may also pay for a unit owner’s responsibility under a provision of Mary-land law that became effective June 01, 2009, where-in if a property loss to your unit or other units origi-nates in your unit, you are responsible for paying the Association’s deductible up to $5,000 regardless of negligence or any failure to maintain. The law is based on point of origination and not any fault of the owner.
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Before Altering Your Unit… Alterations to units may require the prior written approval of the Board of Directors or the Architectural Control Committee. If you are thinking of altering your unit in any way, you should first review Article V, Section 15 of the Bylaws.
September 2018 www.parksidecondo.org
It is important for you as a unit owner to advise your HO-6 carrier of your deductible responsibility under the law so that if a loss occurs within your unit, your responsibility for paying the Master Poli-cy deductible will be covered (less your HO-6 poli-cy’s deductible). It is advisable to contact your HO-6 carrier now, before you sustain a loss, to make sure not only that your policy includes Loss Assessment coverage but also that the coverage will pay the Master Policy’s deductible if the loss originates in your unit. Most HO-6 carriers are able to cover this responsibility; if your specific carrier has questions about deductible responsibility, please have the car-rier contact Parkside’s insurance agent (see end of article) for clarification. The premium for such cov-erage is usually small. (Please note that not all HO-6 carriers provide this coverage, and it may be neces-sary to shop to find a carrier that will.) Deductibles for losses incurred by damage originat-ing from a common element, from a common area, or outside the building remain a common expense for the Association to pay. Additional Living Expense (also called Loss of Use) coverage reimburses an owner or renter for expenses incurred because a loss to the unit renders the unit uninhabitable. Hotel (or apartment) costs, meals, and other forms of additional expenses in-curred during the period of restoration are covered by this policy feature. Coverage is typically provided for up to 12 months. Investor owners who do not live in the unit should make certain to include loss of rents coverage so that if their renter cannot live in the unit during the period of restoration, the owner does not lose rent-al income during the period of restoration.
The Additional Living Expense limit generally is 50 per-cent of your policy’s personal property limit, thus, if per-sonal property is insured for a limit of $30,000, the Addi-tional Living Expense limit would be $15,000. Please note that Parkside’s Master Policy WILL NOT pay for a displaced owner or renter to live elsewhere while a unit is being repaired following a casualty loss.
Mortgage and Condominium Fee Payments Please note that if owners or their tenants are displaced for any period of time (because of a casualty loss or for any other reason), owners are still required to continue paying their mortgage AND their condominium fee. Neither the Master Policy nor the homeowner’s insur-ance policy will make these payments.
Proof of Insurance Coverage If your mortgage company notifies you by letter that it requires evidence of Master Policy coverage, you should send the letter to Parkside’s insurance agent, John Manougian Insurance Agency, either by fax (301-588-5177) or via scan/e-mail ([email protected]). Alternative-ly, you may order a certificate from the agency’s website, www.manougianinsurance.com (select the Request a Certificate of Insurance icon). Should you have any questions about Parkside’s Master Policy coverage or about your own coverage in relation to the Association’s policies, you may call Robin Manougian at the John Manougian Agency: 301-588-6585, ext. 102, or email her at [email protected].
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Report Hallway Damage
Immediately
When you see damage to the hallways, notify management AT ONCE so staff can keep it from spreading. Prompt action con-tains the damage.
Security Incidents August 1 - September 7
August 2– Resident's car was side swiped. Vehicle has paint scratches.
Reminder: If you have been the victim of a crime, please report the incident to the police (301-279-8000) immediately, and to the man-agement office as soon as possible during normal business hours. And remember: the number to call in an emergency (police, fire, rescue) is 9-1-1.
Hail & Farewell Listed in alphabetical order are the names of the latest buyers and sellers of Parkside units.
Hail and Farewell Buyers: Marcia Laurenzano Sarah Hill Shannon Matlock Vanesa Garces Yan Zheng & Yan Liu Sellers: Gil Giro Julie Ward Juliette Gaitan Kelly B. Mcbride Lisa Bernstein
If you are looking for crime reports for Parkside on the Montgomery County website, we are located in the 2nd District, D4 beat.
Calling All Residents with Financial Management Experience
The Budget & Finance Committee, which works
closely with management during the budget process,
currently needs a chairperson. If you have financial
management experience, are interested in Parkside’s
budget and the process by which it is developed, and
are willing to donate your time on behalf of the As-
sociation, please contact the management office.
www.parksidecondo.org September 2018
Recent Sales
Section I, II & III — None Section IV
626W 2/1 $279,900 Severn Savings Bank, FSB 637W 3/1 ½ $308,000 Main Street Settlements, Inc.
644W 1/1 $217,500 SunTrust Mortgage, Inc. Section V
607M 2/2 $317,500 NFM, Inc. dba NFM Lending
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www.parksidecondo.org September 2018
Noise and Your Neighbors
Parkside’s buildings were not constructed with much emphasis on reducing the transmission of sound from unit to unit. As a result, residents should realize that any loud sounds they make are quite like-ly to disturb their neighbors. Below are a few sugges-tions on how to be a better neighbor and improve the overall quality of life for your building.
Music and TV
Because our units are not structurally sound-proof, sounds from TV, stereos, hi-fi equipment, musical instruments, etc., can be heard from unit to unit if they are not kept to a low volume. In particu-lar, stereo "bass" sound is especially hard on other occupants of the building. A bass beat in a ground-floor unit can be heard three floors above.
An easy way to tell if you are generating enter-tainment-type noise is to stand outside your unit door (with the door closed); if you can hear the mu-sic, etc., in the hallway, your neighbors can probably hear it inside their units.
To minimize the disturbance from music, TV, etc., we should all keep the volume of our enter-tainment equipment at a level that will not dis-turb our neighbors. We can also take such steps as raising the speakers off the floor and placing them on padding which will absorb sound. In Sections II–V, where units share common walls, we can avoid placing speakers along the common wall.
Showers and Baths
Bearing in mind how easily sound carries be-tween units at Parkside, PLEASE be considerate of your neighbors and try to avoid regularly taking showers or baths after 11 p.m. (unless you absolutely must).
If you must take a shower or bath after 11 p.m. or even very early in the morning, try to avoid mak-ing it a long one. Also, turning the faucet on only halfway, instead of full blast, reduces the sound that
is transmitted to other units. Your neighbors, who may be asleep, will appreciate your consideration.
Slamming Doors
Parkside’s doors are very heavy. When you let your door bang shut, the sound not only jars your neighbors but also causes the whole building to vi-brate. Thus, . . .
Stompers’ Reeducation
Does a stomp, stomp, stomp in your unit disturb the peace of your downstairs neighbor? Remember that even with padded carpeting, sound carries easi-ly, particularly if someone is walking rapidly.
What can you do to stop being a stomper? To lighten the impact, step so that the ball of your foot (the toe end) touches the floor first. When the heel touches first, your total body weight slams onto the floor.
Try it and listen to the results. Your downstairs
neighbor will be very appreciative. [NOTE: Accord-ing to Parkside’s bylaws, every unit that is above an-other unit must have carpeting on at least 80% of the floor.]
If you are serious about wanting to be a good neighbor, ask if there are any (other) annoying noises you might be able to reduce.
If you have an issue of noise disturbance, try to discuss the issue (politely) with your neighbor first. If you do not feel comfortable doing so, you can call the Management office for help.
Montgomery County has established "quiet
hours" to help diminish noise disturbances. The quiet hours are weeknights 9 p.m. to 7 a.m., and weekends and holidays 9 p.m. to 9 a.m.
14
HOMES of the MONTH PARKSIDE
Section IV, 3BR, 1.5BA. Patio on the park. 1278 s.f. Updated kitchen, bathrooms. Wood floors.$350,000
Section III, 2BR, 1BA. New to market. Gourmet kitchen. UNDER CONTRACT $279,900
Section I, 3BR, 1BA. Top floor. Steps to Metro! Views over the park. So affordable!.................. $275,000
Section I, 2BR, 1BA. New to market. Updated. Thermal windows. UNDER CONTRACT $225,000
This space is available for your Parkside condo! Call or email Don now!............………....(301) 919-8287
Section IV, 2BR, 1BA. “stretch” Patio. Wood floors. Priced below market! …………………... $250,000
Section V, 2BR,2BA. COMING SOON. Top floor. Balcony. Many updates. A must see!.…….…..$345,000
Section II, 2BR, 1BA. COMING SOON. Patio on the park. Extensive renovation. Near Metro…..$279,900
Section IV, 1BR, 1BA. New to market! Balcony. Thermal windows. Updated kitchen…………..$225,000
Section III, 1BR, 1BA. Just refreshed! Very affordable…………………………………………………$189,900
For experienced, professional service call Don, your Parkside specialist!
FEATURED HOMES
2BR 2BA, BALCONY, TOP FLR $345,000
2BR 1BA PATIO ON PARK $279,900
1BR 1BA SECTION IV, $225,000
parksidecondo.com
PARKSIDE
IS
FHA & VA
APPROVED!
Buying or selling? Parkside or anywhere else. Call Don first! He can help you buy and sell.
Associate Broker, CRS, GRI
Licensed in MD, DC, & VA
Serving Parkside Since 1981
(301) 919-8287 or (240) 403-0400
Realty Services 4825 Bethesda Avenue, Suite 200, Bethesda MD 20814
15
16
September 2018 www.parksidecondo.org
Units for Rent
Section II, 2BR, 1BA: Beautiful Apt
Sunny, overlooking woods, next to
Metro gate, new paint and carpets &
utilities included, parking and ameni-
ties $1675. Please call Gus 240-401-
6412.
Units for Sale
Section I, 3BR, 1BA: The bedrooms
you need at the price you want!
$275,000. Top floor. Steps to Metro.
Call Don for details at 301 919-8287.
RE/MAX Realty Services office 240
403-0400.
Section II, 2BR, 1BA: New to mar-
ket! Patio on the woods. Updated
kitchen and more. Woods floors. Steps
to community center and short walk to
Metro. $279,900. Call Don at 301 919-
8287. RE/MAX Realty Services.
Section IV, 1BR, 1BA: New to mar-
ket! Balcony. Very nice. Updated
kitchen. Thermal windows. Hurry to
see it. $225,000. Call Don to view.
Direct 301 919-8287. RE/MAX Realty
Services office 240 403-0400.
Section IV, 2BR, 1BA: “stretch”
with patio on the woods. Pricing to sell
right away at $250,000! Great oppor-
tunity for investor or occupant that
wants to update to their taste. Hurry!
Call your realtor. Or, contact Don
Stanley at 301-919-8287 RE/MAX
Realty Services office 240-403-0400.
Real Estate: What is the value of
my Parkside condo? What should I do
to keep it current, or to prepare it for
sale? What are the improvements that
will net the highest return? For a free
no obligation appointment contact
Don Stanley RE/MAX Realty Ser-
vices. Direct 301 919-8287, Office
240 403-0400
Real Estate: Buying, selling or rent-
ing. 38 years of experience helping
home buyers and sellers make sound
real estate decisions. Native of the
DMV. Condos, townhouse and single
family homes in MD, DC and VA.
For a referral anywhere in the country
and in over 100 other countries con-
tact Don Stanley.
[email protected] direct
301 919-8287 office 240 403-0400.
Real Estate: When choosing an
agent to represent you it is important
to hire a market expert. Thinking of
selling, buying, or renting? Call
Sunita Bali of RE/MAX Town Center
Park Potomac at 301-984-7108 or
Help Wanted
Helper: family of three in 10667
Montrose Ave seeks house hold help.
Responsibilities include dishwashing,
laundry, and food preparation, cook-
ing and cleaning $15/ hr. contact: 718
-207-9644.
Section IV, 3BR, 1.5BA: The space
you want with over 1300 sq. ft. of liv-
ing space! Sought after view of Rock
Creek Park. Patio and nice outdoor
space. Beautifully updated kitchen &
bathrooms. Wood floors. Affordable at
$350,000. This home is a must see!
Call Don at 301 919-8287 RE/MAX
Realty Services.
Section V, 2BR, 2BA: NEW TO
MARKET! Top floor. Balcony. Many
updates. Thermal windows. Spacious
and bright! $345,000 call Don directly
at 301 919-8287. RE/MAX Realty
Services office 240 403-0400.
Services Piano Teacher: Parkside resident
offering piano lessons for budding
young pianists. Use a classical ap-
proach. Terrific with kids. If interested
or would like to discuss, please call
301-613-7942.
Flute Teacher: Do you or your chil-
dren need a private flute lessons? I
happily teach students of all ages and
levels. Discounts for Parkside! E-mail:
[email protected] Phone: 301
-802-5574.
CLASSIFIED ADS—Next Deadline: October 1