Pennsylvania HOA laws: A 2025 guide

April 22, 2025
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A Complete Guide to a Property Management Agreement
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Managing a Lakeside HOA: Effective Property Management
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An All-In-One Guide to Learning Property Management Basics
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Understanding HOA meeting types, guidelines and how to prepare
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2022 Property Management Trends Managers Should Know
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FEMA Flood Insurance in PA for HOAs & Condominiums
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  • Seven Tips to Finding a Reserve Study Firm

     Aug 03, 2017

    Your 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. Needless to say, establishing this fund can get a little complex. But you don’t have to be a fortune teller to read the future of your association, you simply need a good reserve study firm to help. Here’s how you can find one.

  • Creating Your Next Budget: Nine Easy Steps

     Jul 31, 2017

    There’s no reason to put off your next annual budget. You’re not just planning for the next year; you’re planning for the long-term quality and longevity of your community. We know that budgeting isn’t necessarily easy, but there are things you can do to make it less stressful and more rewarding for everyone involved. Read on for expert advice on how to budget more easily.

  • Planning for L.E.A.D.S. 2017 is underway

     Jul 14, 2017

    FirstService Residential is proud to announce L.E.A.D.S. 2017 will take place on Wednesday, September 27thp at the Convention Hall in Asbury Park, New Jersey. pWe are excited to report that our biannual event is now taking place annually! Our educational, networking event is focused and shaped on the attributes of Learn, Evolve, Achieve, Deliver, and Succeed.

  • How Your High-Rise Can Respond and Prepare for Blackouts

     Jul 13, 2017

    Losing power is never fun. But it’s bound to happen at some point, so preparation is the best defense. Obviously, different types of communities are affected by blackouts in different critical ways: high-rises lose their elevators and water; resort-style gated communities lose the ability to operate their gates. For residents, a blackout may be a short-term nuisance. For a community association, it can be a major headache in terms of risk management, safety and potential equipment damage that can provide an unwelcome shock to your budget.

  • Emergency Preparedness: Is Your Building Staff Ready?

     Jul 12, 2017
    In Philadelphia, building emergencies present themselves in various forms – from power outages and gas leaks, to floods and fires and even security risks. The one thing that links all these together? They happen when you least expect it. It is essential for your building’s management team to prepare for the unexpected through continuous education and training. Is your building staff ready?

  • If Disaster Strikes, Is Your Community Association Covered?

     Jul 05, 2017
    Mother Nature has quite the surprises to throw at us! Sometimes, there’s some notice and time to prepare. But often, there’s no warning at all. That’s why it is critical to the financial health of your community association that you have the correct insurance coverage in place. What can happen if your high-rise building or community association common areas aren’t properly covered? Unfortunately, nothing good. That's why it is important to make sure your Association is covered with insurance. 

  • Emergency Preparedness: What You Need to Know, and How Your Property Management Company Can Help

     Jun 29, 2017
    Although you can’t predict emergencies, you can prepare for them. The most important thing that both board members and management can do to ready themselves for the unexpected is to create a customized emergency preparedness plan. A quality community association management company will have the experience, resources and knowledge to help you develop a plan that fits your specific situation.

  • Choosing a New Management Company: Look for a Team Approach

     Jun 19, 2017
    What should you look for in a prospective community association management company to help avoid a rough transition? How can your association avoid financial missteps and pitfalls when switching from one management company to another? Make sure that the management company you are considering has the resources you need in every aspect. Transitioning to a new company is simply too large a task for one manager to handle!  A team approach is the best way for a professional community association management company to handle a transition. 

  • How Should You Enable Board Member Succession?

     Jun 19, 2017
    Every successful business organization plans for succession: who comes next as far as leadership? Succession needs to be an integral part of corporate strategy, and great leaders know that. They look for team members who have the potential to lead and encourage and mentor them toward those leadership positions. This is just as important for your community association board as it is for a Fortune 500 company.

  • Six Essential Tips For New HOA Board Members

     Jun 19, 2017
    Congratulations are in order – you’ve just been elected to the board. So now the big question: What’s next? “The great thing about associations that are helmed by owners is that they have a vested interest in doing right by their community,” said Kirk Kowieski, CMCA, AMS, vice president of FirstService Residential. “But that also comes with challenges...many board members find themselves in this kind of position for the first time, so there’s a little bit of a learning curve.” Fortunately, FirstService Residential is here to help. Follow these new board member basics and you’ll soon be governing like a pro.