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  • Beyond the Manager: Discover the Value in Your Management Company

     Jun 15, 2017
    We all want to get the most for our money, and your community association is no different. When hiring a management company, it’s easy to focus on the bottom-line price and not understand the differences in real value among the proposals you see. The right community association management company will provide you with so much more than a good manager. 

  • The Best Service from Your Management Team Starts Before You Ask

     Jun 15, 2017
    You want your community association management company to respond when you need them. Shouldn’t a good management company be able to foresee some of your association’s needs and meet them before you ask? That’s the principle at the heart of proactive service, when emergencies are prevented rather than responded to. The best service is proactive, but its very nature – preventing problems before they arise – means that it can be hard to spot. So how do you know that your community association management company is being proactive on your behalf? Read on for some ways you can tell if your management company is behaving proactively.

  • Planning Your High-Rise Maintenance and Capital Improvements

     Jun 08, 2017
    Maybe this has happened to your high-rise association: An unexpected capital expense finds your condominium’s board of directors needing to impose a special assessment. Establishing a plan for your building’s maintenance and capital improvements is not only important for your budget. It can also prevent life-threatening catastrophes. So what does it take to put together a program that protects both the health of your association’s finances and the safety and lifestyle of your residents? Find out in our interview with Phil Pool, vice president at FirstService Residential.

  • The Importance of Preventative Maintenance in Your High-Rise

     Jun 06, 2017
    Protecting your high-rise with a solid preventative maintenance program will also protect the lifestyle you love and your community association’s budget. Preventative maintenance programs have countless benefits, including extending the life of almost every component and system in your building. A well-executed plan can also help your community optimize its operating budget by predicting when repairs or replacements are most likely to be needed and allowing your community to set aside money for them. How can you get started on a preventative maintenance plan? Check out our advice to get your high-rise on the right track when it comes to preventative maintenance.

  • Four Secrets to Great Communication in Your Association

     Feb 06, 2017
    There’s one challenge that plagues all board members, regardless of experience: communication. Part art and part science, communication is the key to building strong relationships and effectively meeting your obligations as a board member for your community association. Here are a few quick tips to ensure communication is flowing in your association.

  • Cyber Security: How Community Residents Can Protect Their Tech

     Feb 06, 2017
    Why should cyber security be so important to community associations? Do you know what important steps residents in your community can take to protect their technology so that sensitive information doesn’t fall into the wrong hands? This article provides guidelines on how to prevent cyber attacks and tips on increasing cyber security.

  • How to Create a New Revenue Stream from Your Amenities

     Feb 01, 2017
    Savvy boards are always keeping an eye out for ways to maximize revenue. If you’re interested in ramping up your revenue streams, take a look around and imagine the possibilities. Read tips on how you can generate cash flow from your existing amenities. 

  • How Board Members Can Keep a Community Safer from Cyber Threats

     Jan 29, 2017
    Technology has made running a business easier. With all of that technology comes some risks. Hackers make careers out of trying to access data for fun and profit. But there are things that you, the board, can do to help keep your community data safe.

  • A How-To Guide: HOA Communication Plan

     Jan 25, 2017
    Having a strong HOA communications plan is crucial. Consider these steps when creating your strategy.

  • Steps to Sucessfully Implement the New Budget for Your Association

     Jan 23, 2017
    You’ve done all the homework. Crunched the numbers. Your reserve study is complete, your vendor agreements have been checked and your budget is done! Now what? There’s an entire process to creating the budget, followed by implementing it, and clear communication to homeowners, through every step of the process, is the best way to avoid problems.