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To Self-Manage or Not? How to Get the Best Property Management Service.
Some self-managed associations believe they can't afford to hire a professional property management company to manage and maintain their community's operations, assets, finances, common areas and other day-to-day activities. However, as you'll learn in this article, a professional property management company is one thing many communities can't afford to be without. -
Getting Your Building’s Spring Cleaning Started
As community association managers begin their inspection, they note the necessary repairs for winter damage as they make their rounds through the community. The spring season is a time for renewal and a fresh look, so being able to properly landscape around the building is of utmost importance. -
Before Creating a New HOA Policy, Ask These 5 Questions
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. -
6 Questions for Self-Managed Associations to Consider
As a self-managed association, do you need a management partner? Before making that choice, ask these 6 questions. -
3 Strategies to Keep HOA Assessments Stable and Add Value
There are valid reasons to raise assessments, but in some cases, you may be able to go a different route. Here are three strategies to save your HOA money and keep assessments stable. -
How Does Your Community Rate?
Do you know how your community rates to newer communities? What can you do to change your image? Find out how you can be keep your rating up in this new article by Erin O'Reilly that was featured in Management Trends. -
Vetting Vendors: A path to success
Replacing a trusted vendor or finding a new one can be a challenge. How can you have peace of mind that the vendors you’re considering are right for you? Follow the tips below to help screen potential vendors and get the best fit for your association. -
8 Questions to Ask a Property Management Company & and How to Choose
Do you know what questions to ask a prospective property management company? Check out our list to make sure you have all the right information before making a choice. -
Email Communication Best Practices for Coronavirus Information
Here are some email communication best practices for your building to use when sending out communications regarding the current pandemic. -
Have You Asked Yourself, "Do I Need Flood Insurance in a High-Rise?"
High-rise buildings in New York City aren’t immune to flooding. Learn the basics of flood insurance and why your NYC high-rise needs it today! -
How to Hold Your Next Board Meeting Through Video Conferencing
It goes without saying that how we communicate has drastically switched from in-person contact to user-friendly digital platforms since the COVID-19 pandemic began to spread. -
Technology at Home Part 2: Keeping Boards and Residents Safe Online
As board communications become increasingly reliant on web-based technologies, it’s more important than ever to take proactive steps to safeguard the way you share and save sensitive information. -
Technology at Home Part One – Choosing the Best Internet Package
In an effort to help our clients and their families stay safe during these difficult times, FirstService Residential’s in-house technology experts recently assembled a list of best practices and technology tips for working at home, improving password security, identifying potential scams and selecting personalized internet packages. -
Getting Your Building’s Spring Cleaning Started
As building managers begin property inspection, they note the necessary repairs for winter damage as they make their rounds through the community. The spring season is a time for renewal and a fresh look, so being able to properly landscape around the building is of utmost importance. -
How a preventive maintenance plan can prepare your condo for all seasons
Cold weather will soon be upon us, so now is the time to make sure your condominium maintenance program is on track. As brutal as Ontario's 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. -
What Should you Expect from a Residential Property Manager
Not all residential property managers have what they need to give you great service. Learn what it takes to be a great residential property manager. -
Ask the Expert: Common Homeowner Association Insurance Questions
Continue our quick, 4-part webinar miniseries, Ask the Expert, where Jamie George, Vice President of insurance, FirstService Financial, will cover your common insurance questions and discuss anticipated increases in rates for 2021. -
Rules are Rules: How to Enforce Neighborhood Covenants
Managing association covenant enforcement can be difficult in any community. Restrictions for every community can be different, and it can be a challenge to keep the rules fair, reasonable and equally applied to all homeowners. Read on for some basic guidelines that will make navigating through these issues a little easier. -
How to Choose the Best Association Management Company in Texas - 10 Questions You Need to Ask Today
How do you determine which property management company will provide you with the best service? Here are 10 questions that you should ask when consulting with property or homeowner association (HOA) management companies to help you make the important decision. -
Is Your Community Prepared for Water Leaks? Reducing the High Cost of Condo Water Damage
A leak in a high-rise condominium can quickly result in expensive water damage. How can you reduce your risk and be better prepared if your building springs a leak? -
HOA Landscaping and Property 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. -
Municipal Duties Move to ‘Burbs as HOAs Must Step In
John Friedrichsen, Senior Vice President & CFO of FirstService Residential parent company FirstService Corporation, is quoted in USA Today about how HOAs benefit from the value-added services provided by leading professional management companies. -
Prioritizing and Managing Your Community's Property Maintenance and Improvement Needs
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? -
3 Facts About Insurance Your Condo Corporation Should Know
You and your fellow board members want what’s best for your condo corporation. You’re serious about your fiduciary duty and about protecting the corporation’s interests. Misunderstanding some important facts about insurance can actually put your community may be at risk.