-
Woman laying back in a comfortable outdoor chair smiling broadly
Should You Buy a Vacation Home?
Mar 18, 2015Thinking about buying a vacation home? Perhaps you’ve fallen in love with a special and memorable vacation destination and want to make a more permanent commitment. But before you say “I do” to a second home, consider these five factors to help you decide with your head, not just your heart. -
Creating a Feng Shui entryway: Enhance your home and life
Creating a Feng Shui entryway: Enhance your home and life
Mar 03, 2015In today’s busy, noisy, fast-paced world, many of us have become multitaskers by necessity, caught up in trying to juggle the demands and responsibilities of family, health, career, lifestyle, community and more. But what if you could turn down the stress and volume of everyday life and enhance your life just by coming home? -
Well-trained golden retriever sitting happily on the carpet of his family's home with his owners in the background
Seven Obedience Tips for Happier Dog Owners – and Their Neighbors
Feb 26, 2015Ah, man’s best friend. Dogs become cherished family members and add so much to our lives. But sometimes, our best friends can exhibit less-than-friendly behavior. This can not only cause friction in your home, but also in your community. The good news is, however, that often the only difference between a good dog and a not-so-good dog is training.
-
Two older adults running on a path in nature
Active Adult Living: Marketing Amenities for Broad Appeal
Feb 23, 2015Successful active adult communities offer amenities that are suited to their residents, who may span several generations -- and multiple interests. It can be challenging to determine the active adult amenities, programs and services that fit best, but in his guest blog for Multi-Housing News, FirstService Residential's Michael Mendillo offers several clear and effective guidelines.
-
Older woman presenting younger woman with gift at her open door
Six Ways to Love Thy Neighbor
Feb 13, 2015In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, it’s time to take a look at a different kind of love: the kind you extend toward your neighbor. -
Seven Tips to Finding a Reserve Study Firm
Seven Tips to Finding a Reserve Study Firm
Feb 12, 2015Your reserve fund is what helps your association anticipate its future– and budget for it, too. This fund gives you the power to maintain the quality of your community by allowing for projects that are both necessary and expensive (like a future roofing or paving project, for instance).
-
Property management services vendors standing up meeting around blueprints at a table
Five Reasons to Use Quality Vendors
Feb 06, 2015When you have a large-scale project slated for your community, it’s tempting to select a vendor based on price. After all, what’s more important than saving your association money?
-
Six Things to Know About Fire Hydrants
Six Things to Know About Fire Hydrants
Feb 05, 2015Aside from knowing to not park next to one, how deep is your knowledge of fire hydrants? Unless you’re a firefighter, it’s probably not that extensive. This may not be a problem... until the unthinkable happens and you need to be confident that your fire hydrants are in good working order. But like any equipment in your community, fire hydrants need to be maintained.
-
Moldy wall and how to fight it
Seven Ways to Fight Mold - And Win
Feb 04, 2015It’s the scourge of households everywhere: the unsightly, unsanitary, unbecoming sight of mold. But waging war on mold means more than launching a full-scale assault when you see it (though that can be part of the battle plan). Instead, consider a comprehensive strategy – here are some tips to help you get started and steer clear of mold.
-
Protected home in a safe neighborhood
Nine Useful Tips to Protect Your Home
Jan 29, 2015You’ve worked hard to create a home that is warm and inviting for your family and friends. So how can you make sure it won’t also be inviting to burglars or others with criminal intent? We’ve got ten tips that can help keep your home and property safe -- and keep unwanted visitors at bay.
-
Man holding a toy house
12 Things You Should Know About Your Insurance
Jan 28, 2015Are you an insurance expert? Unless you sell it, the answer is probably “no.” But if you’re a member of your HOA’s Board of Directors, it’s a really smart idea to have a basic understanding of the policy that protects your association from liability.
-
9 tips about board of directors conflicts of interest
9 tips about board of directors conflicts of interest
Jan 26, 2015It’s a term that gets tossed around quite a lot. But “conflict of interest” is a real and genuine threat to your association and its proper stewardship. Understanding what the term means – as well as how to recognize and avoid conflicts of interest– can go a long way toward ensuring the strength and stability of your community and eliminating many concerns.