-
Recycling symbol made from water
What to Consider When Budgeting for Your Condo Association’s Energy Efficiency Upgrades
Jun 01, 2017
Energy efficiency upgrades to your building’s systems can improve your benchmarking score and help fuel property values for your condo association. But paying for these upgrades takes careful budgeting. Read this primer to learn the basics about budgeting for energy efficiency projects and to find out what can impact the cost.
-
Chicago skyscrapers lit up at night
Conservation Can Reduce Impact of Rising Water Rates on Your Condo Association
Mar 12, 2017
A new water and sewer tax that went into effect in 2017 is adding to the cost of water in Chicago. The hefty 29.5-percent tax is being phased in over a four-year period. With spring right around the corner, many communities will soon begin using more water on lawns, trees and flowers. An experienced property management company can provide the tools and resources you need to prevent higher water rates from drowning your budget. Here are seven ways condominium associations can reduce water usage and save money.
-
Energy Benchmarking Part 2: How Chicago Condo Associations Can Save Energy – and Money
Energy Benchmarking Part 2: How Chicago Condo Associations Can Save Energy – and Money
Mar 05, 2017
Knowledge is power. It’s also the first step toward decreasing your condo building’s power consumption. Read part 2 of our two-part series to find out how you can use the knowledge you’ve gained from your Chicago energy benchmarking results to make improvements in your building. You’ll not only reduce your energy use. You’ll also save your condo association some big bucks.
-
Energy Benchmarking Part 1: What Every Chicago Condo Association Should Know
Energy Benchmarking Part 1: What Every Chicago Condo Association Should Know
Feb 16, 2017
The city of Chicago now requires many condominiums to benchmark their energy use. The good news is that understanding your building’s energy performance can help you improve its efficiency and save your condo association thousands of dollars. Here we explain how to comply with the Chicago ordinance and what to do with your results.
-
Winter Energy Conservation Tips to Help Your Condo Save Money
Winter Energy Conservation Tips to Help Your Condo Save Money
Feb 06, 2017
When you live in the Chicago area, spring can seem to take forever to get here. Energy costs to keep buildings and common areas warm and well lit can be a big hit on your budget when the temperatures plummet and the days are shorter.
Fortunately, doing a few simple things can reduce your energy costs. Here are some steps that you can take to help your condo save money on energy.
-
protect your pipes from freezing
Avoid Catastrophe in Your Condo Association This Winter: Protect Your Pipes
Jan 31, 2017
Winter is here, and in Chicagoland and the rest of the state, the cold can present a range of issues. You’ve probably been keeping a watchful eye on driveways, roofs and other essential areas in your condo community. But don’t forget about one of the most freeze-sensitive parts of your buildings and systems: pipes.
-
Illinois brownstones with personal gardens in the setting sun
A Rundown of New HOA Laws that Could Affect Your HOA
Jan 23, 2017
Illinois legislators, as well as the city of Chicago, have been busy making some important legal changes that have a direct impact on condominium and homeowners associations (HOAs). We discussed some of them in depth in previous articles. In this article, we provide a summary of the new laws with which your HOA board and residents should be familiar.
-
FirstService Illinois President, Asa Sherwood
What Makes a Condominium or Homeowners Association Board Successful?
Jan 02, 2017
Serving on a homeowners or condominium association’s board of directors is not an easy task. You are making decisions that impact your community and neighbors. So what makes one board more effective than another? The Cooperator Chicagoland recently interviewed FirstService Residential Illinois President Asa Sherwood to find out the secret behind some of the Chicago area’s most successful associations.
-
Property manager in a suit in an office leaning forward and smiling
What Makes A Property Manager Extraordinary?
Dec 26, 2016
What does it take to be successful in the residential property management industry? Top Agent Magazine recently interviewed FirstService Residential’s Daniel Valdes to discover what has helped him become a leader in the industry.
-
Recycling logo made out of water
2017 Chicago Recycling Ordinance: What Your Condo Association Needs to Know
Dec 19, 2016
Homeowners associations for buildings in Chicago should be prepared for some changes to the city’s recycling ordinance. Effective January 1, 2017, both residential and commercial multi-unit buildings will be required to implement “single-stream source-separated” recycling programs. What does this mean, and how, exactly, should your association’s board of directors go about ensuring that your building is compliant?