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Transitioning to new management? See these 8 steps to ensure a seamless switch and take the stress out of change.

Homeownership comes with a myriad of benefits, but it also brings a set of responsibilities, particularly when you are part of a Homeowners Association (HOA). The board of directors for the association maintains the integrity and value of a community by establishing HOA regulations that protect resident’s investment as a homeowner.

Even in the best of times, transitioning from one property management company to another is a work-intensive and stressful process. Things can go bad quickly if the transition is carried out without the necessary resources and strict attention to detail. To avoid potentially serious financial missteps during a management transition, homeowners associations (HOAs) should consider bringing aboard a management company that provides a team of experts to guide the process.

Knowing where your assessment money goes is essential to being a savvy association or co-op resident. In this article, we break down the main cost categories.

Not too long ago, one of the main ways residents in homeowner associations (HOAs) could pay their association fees was with a check, money order, or cash. Fast forward a decade or two later, and paying with a check is inconvenient for many residents who no longer use checkbooks or carry cash—leaving many homeowners wondering how to make an HOA payment online. Luckily, we know how.

Realizing that energy conservation and managing HOA community environmental footprints is crucial, board members have a responsibility to homeowners to exercise financial prudence and proactively seek ways to manage rising costs.

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.

Whether your HOA is self-managed or professionally managed, getting started on your fall and winter prep will help keep your operations running smoothly as the seasons and temperatures change – and that will keep your residents happy as well.

Owning a condominium is a unique homeownership experience, blending the comfort of a private residence with shared community spaces. As a condo owner, you may wonder about the intricacies of insurance coverage.

No humidity and no personal income tax – just two of the many reasons people continue to flock to Nevada to raise families, retire or simply enjoy its unique blend of desert and metropolitan lifestyles. But as many residents of Nevada’s HOA and condo communities have discovered, there is another important thing you won't find in the Silver State: requirements for training or education for community board members, to ensure that they understand and can fulfill their association duties. In some cases, that can affect residents’ quality of life.

How do you prevent conflict, avoid costly litigation and maintain a great resident experience in your community? Start by adopting these best practices for dispute resolution.

While maintenance, events, committees, and budget are all crucial aspects of managing a homeowners’ association, there's one even bigger challenge that board members face: HOA agreement and alignment. Read on to discover the secret to successful alignment among diverse individuals with distinct values.

A big part of what sets your community apart is the amenities it offers. This goes beyond a pool, a fitness area or a place for a rooftop party – your amenities help create a lifestyle, and that’s the most important thing to residents and association members.

Great policies can help your association run smoothly, enhance the resident experience and improve your reputation. Here are five questions to ask before creating a new HOA policy.

If your main concern is to avoid increasing assessments, you may want to reconsider. As a board member, one of your primary fiduciary responsibilities is to protect property values, and assessments are an investment that helps do just that.

We have all heard about the harmful effects of smoking and secondhand smoke exposure. Arizona law addresses the dangers of secondhand smoke through its Smoke-Free Arizona Act. The Act prohibits smoking in enclosed public buildings and workplaces, as well as in enclosed, common areas of multifamily buildings.

Enforcing HOA policies is nobody’s cup of tea, but having good policy enforcement in place helps improve the resident experience and elevates your reputation. Follow these 4 principles for healthy policy enforcement:

Are you getting the best returns on your reserve funds? Most Arizona board members aren't sure. Find out six ways to improve your association's reserve fund returns, like creating an HOA investment policy.

If you’re a board member of a Phoenix HOA, or any Arizona community for that matter, you’re used to facing challenges. But oftentimes, these challenges can become overwhelming. That’s why many master-planned and condo communities look to professional community management companies for help.

Not sure which components you should fix and which you should replace entirely? You're not alone. Get the answers to some of your top questions about maintenance, capital improvements, and useful life.

Does your association manager have the right tools, resources and support to take your association to the next level?

Your reserve fund is an important way for your homeowners association (HOA) to plan and budget for the future. It gives you the financial ability to maintain the quality of your community by funding necessary—and expensive—projects. Rather than covering day-to-day maintenance expenses, a reserve fund is intended to be used for major expenses like roofing, paving and capital improvements (for example, new construction or remodeling).

As a self-managed association, do you need a management partner? Before making that choice, ask these 6 questions.

Considering synthetic turf for your community common areas? Understanding the facts on what it's made of, benefits and disadvantages, and how it will affect children or pets will make all the difference when determining if synthetic turf is the right choice for your community!