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  • Saltwater Pools are the Future, and YES, They Have Chlorine!

    Saltwater pools offer a variety of benefits ranging from greater comfort for swimmers -- say goodbye to burning eyes and dried out hair -- and also for the environment. This article explores why saltwater pools are gaining popularity in condominiums and communities here in the Greater Toronto area and around the world.
  • The Six Secrets to Building Your Condo’s Volunteer Pool

    As a board member for your condominium corporation, you know that your community depends on volunteers to operate successfully. However, finding residents who are willing to be on your board of directors, join a committee or help at an event can be challenging.
  • Tips For Generating Community Engagement In Your Condominium

    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.
  • Ask the Expert: Homeowners and Condo Owners Association Reserve Study

    View our third episode of Ask the Expert, featuring Andrew Stoutenburg, Regional Executive Director of Reserve Advisors, as he talks about the importance of reserve studies in financial planning.
  • HOA landscaping maintenance tips to add more green to community property values

    It’s often said that you should never judge a book by its cover. However, the front-line curb appeal of a community can make a difference in the value of every property in a neighborhood. This is one reason current and potential homeowners consider landscaping and common-area maintenance so important.
  • Texas HOA capital improvements vs capital reserve fund

    Capital reserve fund vs. improvements: Budget for both and know when and how to allocate them in your Texas HOA for a continuously improved community.
  • What are underfunded HOA reserves, and what can you do about it?

    In this article, we'll cover what underfunded HOA reserves are, how they happen, as well as the risks and what can be done about it.
  • Special Assessments: Fund Your Capital Improvement Assessment: Part III

    Learn about special assessments as a way to fund unexpected capital improvements
  • Planning an Award-Winning National Night Out Event

    National Night Out is an annual event that promotes partnerships between communities, residents and local law enforcement. Celebrations can range from individual block parties to a large community festival. Either way, it’s a great opportunity to create connections between neighbors and focus on working together to make your community a safer, better place to live. This national celebration has become an annual tradition in many communities far and wide and we want to help you put together the best National Night Out event your association has seen yet.
  • A guide to community maintenance in Texas

    Handling day-to-day maintenance and making necessary improvements are critical responsibilities for any homeowners association (HOA). And when your serve on your association’s board of directors, they can quickly become overwhelming if you don’t have a good system in place to manage them. So how do you make sure that your maintenance staff is able to handle that long list of tasks that need to get done so that your community runs smoothly and retains its appeal?
  • 5 steps to choose the best Texas reserve study company

    Your reserve study is important to your financial health, but how do you get one? How do you choose the right reserve study firm to conduct it? Learn more.
  • 3 Ways to Fund Your Condominium Corporation Replacements and Major Repairs

    At one time or another, every condominium corporation has to spend money on replacing equipment or making major repairs. Whether that means replacing a roof, installing a new ventilation system or any other big-ticket project, they are a necessity. But how should your condo corporation pay for them?
  • Slow and Steady: 5 Surprising Benefits of Raising Your Dues

    It’s that time of year again – budget season is upon us. You know the things to consider when creating your budget, but what drives your process? Are you focused on achieving a particular vision for your community? Avoiding conflict in the community? Solely looking to avoid increasing dues/contributions?
  • Four Steps to Healthy Finances

    Keeping your condominium corporation’s finances healthy is much like keeping yourself physically fit. The key is to make smart choices and avoid over-indulgence.
  • Potted Plants are Not Ashtrays

    It seems innocent, but a surprising number of balcony and backyard fires are unintentionally started by disposal of smoking material in a potted plant or planter box. In a condominium environment this can have, and has had, disastrous consequences. And it's not just a summertime problem.
  • Preventative & Predictive Maintenance are Critical to Your Replacement Reserves

    Reserve Fund Studies are based on the assumption that components will reach their maximum useful life. However, if a preventative maintenance plan doesn’t accompany your reserve study, it’s highly unlikely some components will ever reach their maximum useful life.
  • Preventative Roof Maintenance is Crucial to the Sustainability and Longevity of Your Roof

    We can all agree there are many important elements to a housing structure, but your roof is probably the most important. Changing temperatures, snow accumulation, large amounts of rain, ice dams and high winds can all cause major damage to condominiums, townhomes and single-family homes. These harsh weather conditions can create all sorts of problems, from minor leaks to major cave-ins that can cost a condominium corporation thousands to repair.
  • Smart Financial Planning

    Safeguarding a condominium corporation’s operating and reserve funds is one of the main fiduciary duties of all board members, not just the treasurer. This means that boards must protect the financial interests of the corporation and its members by making sure all funds are properly managed, invested and protected.
  • Long-Term Community Planning is Your Legacy

    Adequate funding and planning preserves your community for future residents.
  • Managing Package Deliveries During the Holiday Season

    Managing package deliveries has become a necessity for condo associations and as the holidays arrive it's more important than ever to be organized for the onslaught deliveries. Check out our tips for managing packages during this busy time of year.
  • Condo Capital Improvements: Lending Solutions for Condominium and Co-op Boards

    FirstService Residential and FirstService Financial work in tandem to help our clients successfully finance capital improvement projects and save money without compromising quality of service.
  • Local Law 152: Updated Requirements for Boards and Buildings

    Is your building prepared for Local Law 152 gas piping inspections? FirstService Residential recommends getting ahead of schedule to avoid unforeseen deficiencies and costly fines.
  • 4 HOA Strategies to Cut Costs and Maintain Assessments

    There are valid reasons to raise assessments, but in some cases, you may be able to go a different route. Here are four strategies to save your HOA money and keep assessments stable.
Showing 73 - 96 of 142