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Why association boards chose FirstService Residential
Finding a property management company to partner with your board isn’t easy. Find out how we can help you. -
HOA resale certificates: What is a resale certificate?
We all know that there's a lot of paperwork in the home buying process. If the home you want to buy is in a managed community of any kind, a resale package, including your resale certificate and governing documents, is part of that paperwork. Resale certificates and packages offer transparency about the community and whether or not the sellers are current in their financial obligations to the association. -
Can an HOA deny an emotional support or service animal?
Service dogs can help individuals with a variety of disabilities enjoy a greater quality of life and assist in performing daily tasks. What happens when your association’s policies and the need for a service animal conflict? The short answer is, if a service animal is needed and used as outlined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the community cannot prohibit it. -
6 tips for getting to know your neighbors during the holidays
For many of us, the holiday season can feel like a continuous run on a treadmill of work/shop/repeat – with a few parties and social engagements sprinkled in just to spice things up – and complicate your schedule. -
HOA lawsuit: Why community associations get sued and what to do if it happens to you
Your community or condominium association is there to protect the interests of all of its members. However, there may be situations when one or more residents don’t believe that the association is on their side. Hopefully, everyone involved can come to a reasonable solution, but if you can’t, it’s possible that your association – and even your board members – could become the target of a lawsuit. -
Email Communication
You may be unaware that you are opening up all of your emails to scrutiny. When using a personal or work email address to conduct association business, there is a potential liability involved. -
How Can My Association Fund Capital Improvements?
Nothing lasts forever…and when it comes time to replace your high-rise roof, community pool or to add new amenities, your association will need to determine how to pay for it. All of these things – significant repairs and replacements, as well as new construction – are considered capital improvements. -
Promoting Fire Safety in Your Community Association
Part of your job as a board member is ensuring the safety of residents in your community association. To that end, it’s important to educate homeowners about possible fire risks and the steps they can take to prevent fire hazards in their homes. Chances are that fire safety isn’t top of mind for residents. However, home fires are more common than most people realize. -
15 Things You’ll Want to Do Before Selecting an Insurance Agent
Insurance is one of the most important line items on your association's budget, but it is oftentimes the most expensive. Do you know how to select the right agent? -
How to Get Rid of Millipedes and How to Prevent Their Invasion
Ah, Florida nights. Perfect temperatures. And...a disgusting mass of undulating insects climbing up the side of your building? Learn how to get rid of millipedes. -
3 Cost Containment Strategies to Minimize Assessment Hikes
Your fiduciary responsibility is the most important commitment to fellow homeowners. Learn cost containment strategies that can save your association money. -
What to Know About an HOA Emergency Board Meeting During Trying Times
It's hurricane season again. As soon as June 1st rolls around, we are assaulted with hurricane preparedness pamphlets and emergency information at every turn. -
Estoppel Certificates: 7 Myths and the Real Facts
Estoppel certificates are a critical part of any real estate transaction and can be confusing. What's included, how are they created, what does it all mean? Learn more here. -
First Locally Transmitted Virus Case Confirmed for Zika in Florida
In February, the World Health Organization declared a public health emergency when cases of the Zika virus began to spread, impacting Florida. -
Six things you should know about flood insurance in Florida
As a Floridian, you're pretty familiar with flood insurance, but you may not be aware of the recent changes in the law. Learn more here! -
Four Ways to Get Mosquitoes to Buzz Off
Ah, summertime in Florida. Backyard barbecues. Long days at the beach. And endless mosquito bites. -
Vendor Communication Best Practices: The Do’s and Don’ts
Open and effective communication among the board, management company and vendors is an important part of any community's operating budget and for improving residents' lifestyles. -
High Rise Fire Safety Tips
High-rises come with their own challenges, and chief among them is fire safety. Here are four Fire Safety Tips from the experts at National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). -
Hurricane Season is Here: Have You Talked to Your Vendors?
Your vendors are a critical part of your community’s emergency planning for any kind of hurricane or storm. Are you on the same page before, during and after a storm? -
Keep Your Florida Community Safe during Summer Vacations
Living in Florida seems like a year-round holiday, but there are peak vacation times, and, of course, Summer is one. Learn how to stay safe during Summer vacations! -
Be Prepared with These Landscaping Safety Tips for Hurricanes
This hurricane season, start your preparations from the outside in with these 13 landscaping quick fixes. -
Here's How Your Property Management Staff Can Prepare for a Hurricane
Does your onsite property management staff know policies and procedures, and their individual roles when a storm is on the horizon? -
Policies for Hurricane Season: What Your Community Needs to Know
What hurricane policies should you have in place to make sure that all residents are on the same page and protected? -
Reasons Why You Should Use High Quality Vendors
Choosing a vendor is a decision that should only be made once you're re sure you've done your research. Here's a list of reasons why it makes more sense to go with a top-level vendor...even if it costs a little more.