A complete guide to unenforceable HOA rules in Maryland

FirstService Residential is proud to announce L.E.A.D.S. 2016 will take place on Thursday, September 22^nd at the Convention Hall in Asbury Park, New Jersey.  This biennial educational, networking event is focused and shaped on the attributes of Learn, Evolve, Achieve, Deliver, and Succeed.

Summertime and the living is easy…  With gorgeous weather, a break from school until the end of August and lighter schedules for many, it’s the perfect chance to go to the beach, camping, on cruises and more. Whether you’re road tripping from Baltimore to Ocean City or the Jersey Shore, or hopping a plane across the country, summer vacation offers a breather for everyone.

While fun in the sun and sand might be on your mind, it’s just as important to think about the safety and security of the home you’ll be leaving behind. Whether you live in a high-rise or in a master-planned community, it’s important to know how to prepare your home for your trip. No matter where you live, here are some simple tips to help ensure your home is safe and well maintained while you are off enjoying the summer sun.

Preparing your association’s annual budget can be challenging, but that doesn’t mean it has to be a negative experience. With a few pointers, you can take away some of the hassle and end up with a more workable budget in the process. Let’s take a look at a few tips to help you prepare an actionable budget for your association.

Electric cars are now a reality.  As we discussed in our previous article, the number of PEVs (plug-in electric vehicles) on the road has escalated. With the universal desire to protect the environment combined with Maryland’s new incentives aimed towards owners of PEVs, the number of future owners are estimated to further escalate. The Maryland state website offers information on multiple attractive incentives such as Federal Income Tax Credit, and rebates available for current and future consumers. With the escalation of demand on electric cars and its purchases in Maryland, this is a hot topic that needs to be addressed for many homeowners associations (HOAs), community associations and condo boards across the country.

Congratulations! You’re now a board member of your Maryland community association. No doubt you’re finding it’s a position with new challenges – along with a language all its own.
 
Not to worry – here’s a list of terms you can learn to make your transition a lot easier. Before you know it, you’ll be speaking the language of homeowner associations (HOAs) like you’ve known it your whole life.

Many of your Maryland neighbors have already switched to plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs), and the numbers are growing.  Why? Because PEVs, commonly known as “electric cars,” are budget-friendly and environmentally responsible – and that’s just for starters. Want to know more? Read on.

Are empty units hurting your building’s appeal? Empty units can lead to security issues and a decreased building appeal. They can also create a negative feeling of disassociation among residents. That’s why it is so important to keep every unit occupied. But how do you keep units full on a consistent basis? The solution is to put real effort into marketing your building to attract new buyers. Not sure how to start? Here are some tips that will make marketing your building a breeze.

Michael Mendillo, president of FirstService Residential's Mid-Atlantic region, returned to William Patterson University, his alma mater, to inspire students with real-life lessons about leadership and success.  

If you’re on the board of a condo, co-op, high-rise or HOA, you know that managing your Association’s budget takes a high priority and is often a challenge. You’ve likely explored many ways to save money and get the best deals while trying to maintain a high level of service.