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Nine Ways to Build Community Spirit
Community spirit is not something that just happens; it requires an association where residents contribute and enhance the living experience of their neighbors. -
Ten Ways to Take Your Rooftop to the Next Level
When it comes to upgrading your high-rise amenities, start at the top: your rooftop! That space can be enhanced to offer new opportunities for fun, relaxation and building community, while also enhancing your property values. -
Board Member Titles and Roles: What Does My Title Mean?
What are key ingredients of a great community? Committed residents, a dedicated board and a clear understanding of everyone's roles and responsibilities, and you have the recipe for success. -
Too Many Packages? How Your High-Rise Can Manage the Holiday Rush
Online holiday shopping is a common way to find the perfect gift while saving time and money. Shoppers worry about; will I get it in time and safely? -
Top 10 Socially Distant Activities to Keep Your Community Healthy
As the days and weeks pass, and residents of your condominium or HOA are asked to stay home, it's more important than ever to help your community stay fit and active! -
Upgrading Your High-Rise Amenities without Busting Your Budget
High-rise living has many perks, and high on that list is the amenities. For many home buyers, amenities can be the deciding factor when determining to buy a unit in one building over another. -
Using Mediation and Arbitration to Resolve Conflict in Your Community
Disputes may arise in your homeowners or condo association. Often times, the parties involved can settle their differences directly with each other, through honest and open communication -
Want to Make Your Community Smoke-Free? Four Tips to Help
The dangers of smoking and secondhand smoke have been highlighted in recent years. Smoking also affects our physical environment by increasing risks of fire and property damage, raising insurance rates and increasing legal liability. -
How to Communicate: What Your Board Should Know and Do
You want your community association to be successful. Do you think about effective board communication as an ingredient in your recipe for success? -
The Top 10: What You Should Expect from Your Property Management Company
Boards are finding that they prefer to hire a quality property management firm than to self-manage. It's not an easy decision for Boards to make, but it is a wise decision and the best one for all involved parties. -
6 Ways HOAs Partner with Management Companies
The distinct roles of the board and manager can shed some light on the ways the board can develop an effective partnership. -
Four ways to set decoration policies for your community association without being a grinch
The holiday season is upon us, and nothing puts you in a festive spirit like pulling your holiday decorations out of storage. Many people derive a sense of community and comfort from seeing familiar decorations at the same time each year. -
Asphalt Repairs: Fixing Winter’s Damage
As community managers begin inspection, they note the necessary repairs for winter damage as they make their rounds through the community. -
How preventive maintenance can keep your HOA ready for all seasons
Cold weather will soon be upon us, so now is the time for your homeowner association (HOA) to make sure your maintenance program is on track. As brutal as Chicago winters can be, you certainly don't want to discover a leak in your roof during a heavy snowfall or have a boiler stop working during a record cold spell. Don't get caught in the cold! -
How to Communicate so Residents Listen
Are residents in your community always aware of upcoming events, construction projects and board meetings? Do they understand their responsibilities and the policies they need to comply with? -
How to Communicate: What Your Board Should Know and Do
You want your community association to be successful. All board members do. You know that means watching the finances carefully and maintaining the property. But do you think about effective board communication as an ingredient in your recipe for success? It is! -
How to Improve Communication in Your Association
As a homeowner, you can do your part to make communication in your community association better. Find out how. -
Is Your Management Company a Good Communicator?
Is good communication important to your property management company? Use this questionaire to find out. -
Patricia Bialek Receives Community Manager of the Year Award
Pat Bialek, VP Property Management, was named Community Association Manager of the Year at the Excellence Awards and Winter Gala hosted by the Community Associations Institute (CAI), Illinois Chapter. As the first-ever winner of this prestigious award, Pat was recognized for her exemplary knowledge, ethics, professionalism and skills in financial, administrative and facilities management. -
Planning Your High-Rise Maintenance and Capital Improvements
Your association should never have to rely on a special assessment for a capital expense that could have been foreseen – or even prevented. Here are five tips to keep your Chicago high-rise condominium association's budget in the black and keep up with maintenance and capital improvements. -
Great Service: Does Your Property Manager Have What It Takes?
Not all property managers have what they need to give you great service. Learn what it takes to be a great property manager. -
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. -
Association Budgets: Mapping Out Your Strategic Plan
Dive into the details of creating a strategic plan for your homeowners association. -
Association Budgets: Things to Consider When Creating Your Association’s Budget
As a homeowner, you want to live in a place that accentuates your style – from a beautiful entrance monument or exquisitely decorated building lobby, complete with freshly pruned trees and lush landscaping – but unless your association board has strategically planned out your community’s budget, you can forget all of that. The budgeting process is a valuable opportunity to explore the current financial condition of your association and ensure its financial stability for the future.