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11 Qualities that Make a Great Strata Management Company
While every strata corporation has its own unique needs, and every strata management company has a unique way of serving them, there are a handful of qualities that any great company should have. And if they don’t, steer clear. -
Smart Financial Planning
Safeguarding a strata corporation’s operating and reserve funds is one of the main fiduciary duties of all board members, not just the treasurer. This means strata councils must protect the financial interests of the strata corporation and its members. -
Stop! Before Raising Assessment Fees, Check Out these Cost Containment Strategies
Your strata council is working on next year’s budget. You know how important the budget is, what it means to the future of your strata. You know that your fiduciary responsibility is the most important commitment you make to your fellow homeowners. And you’ve planned , and figured, and followed all the budgeting steps , but you’re still staring at the one thing NO strata council wants to do: an increase in strata fees. Before finalizing that increase, take a long, hard look at cost containment strategies that can save your strata money and help optimize your operating budget. -
Things to Consider When Creating Your Strata’s Budget
As a homeowner, you want to live in a place that accentuates your style – from a beautiful sense of arrival or exquisitely decorated building lobby, complete with freshly pruned trees and lush landscaping – but unless your strata council has strategically planned out your strata’s budget, you can forget all of that. -
The Essential Five People On Your Strata Council
It takes a lot to build a great community. You need committed residents, a dedicated strata council, and a clear understanding of everybody's roles and responsibilities. -
Tips For Generating Community Engagement In Your Strata
What makes a community a great place to live? A lot goes into it, but it’s no secret that often depends on community engagement. -
Tis the Season…Will Your Holiday Packages Arrive Safely and on Time?
It’s that wonderful time of year! Many of us are shopping online to get that perfect gift for our loved ones. And, for those doing last-minute shopping, we don’t want to have to worry that something will go wrong with our deliveries. -
5 Ways to Establish Strata Policies That Make Sense
Strata corporations need to have policies in place to function well. However, if you create new rules without adequately considering all their potential effects, or if you don't enforce them properly, things can go awry. Follow these tips when creating strata policies to avoid creating problems within the community. -
What Should you Expect from a Strata Manager
Not all strata managers have what they need to give you great service. Learn what it takes to be a great strata manager. -
What Your Strata Corporation Needs to Know About the Legalization of Recreational Cannabis
The Canadian Senate passed Bill C-45, known as the ‘Cannabis Act’, in June 2018 which legalized the recreational use of cannabis across Canada. The first G-7 country to do so! When Bill-C45 goes into effect on October 17 th , Canadians will be able to purchase, consume and grow cannabis as well as make cannabis-containing products at home, such as food and drinks. -
5 Board Blunders to Avoid
Download our complimentary guide, 7 HOA Email Blunders to Avoid to learn what you should and should NOT be doing via email. -
HOA Agreement: 4 Tips to Promote a Functional Board
How do you tackle alignment as a group of diverse individuals with unique values? Follow these four tips on HOA agreement to find out. -
8 Tips for Great HOA Committees and Volunteers
A healthy and effective California homeowners association will not only find great volunteers and committee members, but will empower them to drive positive change in the community. How can your association make this happen? -
More California Homebuyers Look for Community Amenities and Lifestyle Programs
Homebuyers are motivated to buy a new home and move to a new community for a wide variety of reasons – perhaps a desire to downsize, upsize, relocate closer to family and friends, or enhance their quality of life. But while those factors will always be important, there are two additional considerations many people find compelling – community amenities and programs for lifestyle communities. Read on for more details. -
Ten steps on how to plan a community event
You’re planning an event for your homeowner (HOA) or community association. Congratulations! After the initial excitement comes growing panic, right? Well, not necessarily. -
Contractor Tips: How to get the best from your contractor
When you hire a contractor, it could either be the best decision you ever made, or the worst. The stakes are high; a good contractor will execute your vision on time and on budget, whereas a not-so-good one will be the source of bad workmanship, unexpected delays, inconvenience and a whole lot of headaches. -
HOA Cleaning: Four ways to keep your community clean
You love your managed community or high-rise building! But obviously, living in proximity to other people can come with challenges, especially during cold and flu season. As a board member, you want to help keep your residents healthy and your community running smoothly. Read on to learn 4 ways to do that. -
5 steps to increase resident engagement in your HOA
In many community associations, residents lack interest in getting involved. Getting residents to attend meetings, volunteer on committees or help run events can be like pulling teeth for many boards. Turn that around with these 5 simple steps. -
Active Adult Communities: Not Your Grandma’s Retirement Home
The Baby Boomers, born after World War II, are the largest generation in United States history. The last of them turns 55 in 2019. With their children grown and in their own homes, Boomers are entering an era in which they can do what they please. They are retiring or scaling back on full-time work and it’s their time in the sun. Literally. They may be getting older, but as the first generation of Americans to embrace the fitness craze and eating with longevity and well-being in mind, the Baby Boomers (and Generation X on their heels) are not planning to sit out their golden years in a rocking chair. -
Tips to choose the right active adult community
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 76.4 million baby boomers were born between the years 1946 – 1964 – and in a few years, they’ll all be 55 or older. With their vibrant lifestyles and dedication to health and fitness, today’s active adults are more dynamic and full of life than any generation that preceded them – so dynamic, in fact, that many are choosing to move into communities that better fit their lifestyles. And no matter whether they’re looking to downsize or live large, enjoy retirement or move closer to work, soak up the warmth in a resort-like setting or go cosmopolitan and move to a big city, many people 55 and over are finding what they’re looking for in active adult communities. -
Active Adult Living: Marketing Amenities for Broad Appeal
Successful 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. -
Aging Gracefully - The Retirement Industry in South Florida
Every day for the next 15 years, 8,000 additional Americans will reach retirement age -- and millions will move to active adult communities in Florida. FirstService Residential manages 35,000 homes in 55-plus communities in South Florida, as well as thousands of additional units in active adult communities throughout the country. Hear CEO Chuck Fallon describe the challenges and opportunities of managing this unique sector in a radio interview on NPR. -
“Be Genuinely Helpful": Giving Back to Our Communities
Learn how associates and residents are making a difference in their communities, providing grocery delivery and food delivery, during the COVID-19 pandemic.