Frequently Asked Questions
Homeowner association (HOA) presidents and board members, residents, managers, policymakers and anyone else who wants insight into the real issues condominiums confront.
We tell human stories about creative problem-solving, such as how condo owners can safely charge electric vehicles in an aging building, how to keep mail thieves out of the lobby and the secret rate that may lower your common area electricity bill. From angry homeowners to organics recycling, CondoWonk covers "how to" details — hence the "Wonk" part of the name—to make your condo run better.
Visit the contact page to ask questions or describe your own experiences and solutions. We love getting input!
CondoWonk t-shirts might be cool, but no, CondoWonk is not selling anything. There is no advertising, commission or product placement. If products are mentioned by name, it's based on personal experience.
Some advice is specific to Los Angeles, while other information applies more generally to California. Overcoming the unique bureaucracy of LA and the Golden State is likely to be a recurring theme.. No matter where you are, you may find useful information here. Please be aware that condominium laws vary greatly by state and some information may not apply to your region.
CondoWonk is not intended as legal advice. Ever.
I’m Doris Goldstein. I'm a writer and Harvard Law School grad who practiced real estate law for many years in Florida before moving to Los Angeles. While that background shapes my thinking, Condowonk is not a legal blog. Instead, CondoWonk grew out of my frustration as an HOA condo president in Los Angeles and shares hard-earned information based on my own fact-finding.
Hmmm. I don't know yet. Let's see how it goes.