Particularly in the light of the mandaâ€" tory Reserve Fund Studies being proâ€" posed in the promised "on again â€" off again" revision of the Condominium Act, it was important that the physical condiâ€" tion of the property should be carefully reviewed. The speaker, while dealing with improving the value of the common elements presented â€" in a series of slide The Globe and Mail reports that, ‘"When your outgo exceeds your income, your upkeep will be your down fall." This was amply demonstrated at a recent seminar on "Making Improvements to Your Condominium". A number of pracâ€" tical methods for enhancing the resale value of your unit were suggested and designed, in part, to prevent the downfall of the value of units in today‘s condoâ€" miniums. Amongst them, it was suggestâ€" ed that it was up to the Board of Directors to make sure that a careful study of the physical conditions of the building, or buildings, should be underâ€" taken, if the value of the individual units were to be maintained. Your guide for improvement Wear and tear is inevitable and over the years can run into an enormous expense if left to accumulate through neglect. The result can be twofold, deteriâ€" Any owner, interested in the possible future sale of their unit, should be conâ€" cerned that the Board of Directors make every effort to maintain the property and, thereby, increase the marketability of the complex and individual units. A study by a professional engineering firm would provide the directors with a guide showâ€" ing those areas requiring attention, the life span, and cost of replacement of the common elements such as: elevators, exterior walls, garages, roadways, lighting, and every other item which lies in the area of their responsibility. projections â€" examples of some of the horror stories a number of corporations were experiencing as a result of neglect by the directors, either through indifferâ€" ence, false economy, or ignorance â€" with the result that some complexes were faced with the task of major repairs or replacement of the common elements. There is a great deal that the board can do to increase the marketability of the It was, also, pointed out that the employment of a professional manageâ€" ment firm would provide the Board of Directors with an excellent resource when it came to efficiently operating the complex. The knowledge of the trades possessed by the manger, the broad expeâ€" rience in the administration of a wide variety of highrise, townhouse, commerâ€" cial buildings under the care of the manâ€" agement firm, can provide an invaluable asset for any board concerned with mainâ€" taining the value of the property. oration of the facilities, thereby, reducing the potential resales value and the evenâ€" tual requirement of the application of a special assessment â€" and we can guaranâ€" tee that there is nothing in this world which can cause as more uproar and disâ€" sension in a condominium as the applicaâ€" tion of a special assessment. Once all possible steps have been taken to make the physical improvements to the common elements â€" which are under the control of the board â€" as well as, those that lie within the responsibility of the individual owner, then all that is required to assure the sale of your unit is to appoint a reputable real estate agent to (See "Smart" Page RE 12) Countless articles on home improveâ€" ment appear in magazines and all forms of the media including: books, television, newspapers, which can provide as much assistance as one‘s financial resources can allow. One is only limited by imagiâ€" nation and cash availability. complex and the units. The overall appearance of the buildings has an immeâ€" diate impact upon anyone who first approaches with the intention of purchasâ€" ing a unit. Once this first impression has proven to be acceptable, then it is up to any owner who is interested in the sale of their unit to have made the necessary improvements in their unit which would insure its marketability.