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The Building Insider: January 2026
Lance Luke
December 28, 2025
The New Year brings fresh beginnings, renewed hope, and the opportunity to set meaningful goals for the months ahead. This month’s newsletter highlights the importance of starting 2026 with awareness and preparation, featuring timely articles on Understanding Developer Transition and Common Problems Boards Inherit After Turnover, both essential topics for homeowners and association leaders.
We also feature Lance’s book, Developer Transition: Broken Promises – Stand Your Ground. Demand Answers, which offers expert guidance to help protect your community, strengthen your board’s decision-making, and ensure a confident start to the year.
Happy New Year and Warm Wishes for 2026!
New Year is a time for fresh beginnings, renewed hope, and meaningful goals. As we welcome 2026, it’s the perfect moment to focus on safety, preparedness, and protecting the place we call home.
Our featured book, Developer Transition: Broken Promises – Stand Your Ground. Demand Answers, by Building Expert Lance Luke, offers essential guidance to help homeowners and associations start the year informed and empowered. ✨🏡
Featured Book
Developer Transition: Broken Promises – Stand Your Ground. Demand Answers offers a straightforward guide to understanding what really happens when control shifts from the developer to the homeowners. Learn what documents matter, how to spot issues early, and what owners should expect during the transition process.
A must-read guide from Building Expert Lance Luke, filled with practical insights to help you protect your investment, hold developers accountable, and make informed decisions for your community.
Download available for 30 days only.
Understanding Developer Transition: What Owners Should Expect
 | The developer transition is one of the most important milestones in the life of any condominium or planned community. When control shifts from the developer to the owners, the association begins operating as an independent body—responsible for its own finances, building maintenance, and long-term planning. |
Common Problems Boards Inherit After Turnover
 | When a newly elected board takes over from the developer, they often inherit more than meeting minutes and financial statements. Many associations find themselves coping with unexpected maintenance issues, underfunded reserves, or unresolved defects. |
National Building  Introducing the | Webinars  Explore our | Expert  Enhance your building's safety with Lance Luke's |
Q&A: Ask the Building Expert
Question: Our condo board just took over from the developer, and we’re already finding things like incomplete documents, unclear warranties, and possible defects. Is this normal after developer turnover, and what should we do first?
Answer: Yes, it’s more common than many owners realize. During developer transition, associations often discover missing records, underfunded reserves, or unresolved construction issues. The first step is to gather and review all turnover documents—plans, permits, warranties, contracts, and financial statements. Next, hire an independent building inspector or engineer to perform a transition inspection. This helps identify defects early and provides the documentation you need if repairs must be requested from the developer. Starting the year with a clear, expert-supported evaluation ensures your board makes informed decisions and protects the community moving forward.
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