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Frozen pipes are an unwanted, but common, occurrence during Alberta's cold winters. The damage caused can be significant to condominium units and shared property. Our cold weather warning offers condominium residents tips to prevent frozen pipes and the water damage that results.

Get the details on creating a strategic plan for your community.

It’s budget season! Are you stressed? Concerned about a potential dues increase or a large capital project that’s looming in the future? The word “budget” can be scary, so thinking about creating next year’s budget is daunting for many homeowners boards. We’d like to change that.

The annual budgeting process offers an opportunity for your board to explore your condominium’s current financial condition and to ensure your community’s financial stability for the future. Successful condominium management hinges on a well thought out budget for both short-term and long-term planning.

As a board member of a condominium corporation you have an important role that should not be taken lightly. Remember, in addition to the responsibility you have to the members of your community from a business point of view, these people are also your neighbours and friends.

Self-managing your condominium property may seem like it saves money, but does it really? Why the cheapest property management option may not be the best.

When people live in close quarters, it is inevitable that they will hear sounds from neighbouring condos from time to time. Noise between units can be minimized in many ways. One of the most effective tools for a condominium board to implement is a flooring policy that guides owners when they want to replace their floor coverings. Choosing the right products makes a big difference when it comes to the transfer of noise between condominium units.

Humans are social creatures. Since the dawn of time, we’ve had a deep-seated yearning for connection and community. This is particularly evident in a condo corporation, where a strong sense of community can be the difference between long-standing residency and high turnover.

We all know that “organizing paperwork” is not at the top of most people’s list of things-to-do. Most likely we also know that it suddenly achieves high importance when we have to ask ourselves “now where did I see/put that?” When speaking of the documents of a condominium corporation, it is imperative that these be accessible and up-to-date when they are needed. These six guidelines will help you get it organized.

If you’re like many board members, one of your most challenging jobs is running your condominium corporation’s board meetings. Keeping everyone on task and addressing board member disagreements is not always easy. So what can you do to manage your meetings more effectively?

Determining the annual budget is an important responsibility that condominium board members know is important to the financial success of their community. This article discusses things to consider when making the important budget line-item decisions.

Most people who join the board of their condominium corporation aren’t experts. Rather, they are well-intentioned, dedicated volunteer-leaders who want to protect property values and ensure their community continues to be a great place to live. If you’re a new board member – or even a seasoned one – it’s important to get the training you need to govern effectively and address the issues you may face.

As community managers begin property inspection, they note the necessary repairs for winter damage as they make their rounds through the community. T

For most people selling a condominium, it is important to stand out from the competition in the real estate market, have a quick sale and obtain the best possible price. But how do you do that? The way your property is presented to potential buyers makes a big difference. Consider these tips to help you achieve real estate sales success.

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 Alberta 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.

Summer vacation is an exciting time-it’s great to get away! There’s no end to the adventures that await us all. At the end of the journey, though, you want to come home to a home that is safe and well looked after in your absence.

Are residents in your condominium corporation always aware of upcoming events, construction projects and board meetings? Do they understand their responsibilities and the policies they need to comply with?

Rules are essential in a multi-family community. They layout expectations for the residents and promote a spirit of co-operation amongst the group. When the board-set policies are violated, a defined set of steps should occur to encourage compliance. It is important for a condo board to craft their policies thoughtfully, looking at the rules from all angles to determine the balance between the need, property values and homeowner freedom. Here are eight steps to consider when developing policies for your condominium.

As a condominium or HOA board member, how do you deal with contentious issues? This article discusses five steps to take to foster a spirit of cooperation among board members and diffuse difficult situations.

Pet owners love their pets, but not everyone else feels the same. When people live in multi-family communities it is imperative to create a balance for all residents, whether they have furry companions or they don't. How can this be achieved? A good start is clear bylaws and pet policies that consider the needs of all.

For a condominium corporation, great communication relies on an open exchange of information, thoughts and ideas among residents, board members and your property management company. When communication is done well, you can get the answers you need, tackle challenges and strengthen community spirit.

Is good communication important to your property management company? Use this questionaire to find out.

The term “conflict of interest” is often used when discussing board member activities, but it is one that is not always understood. Having a clear definition of what is and what is not a conflict of interest is critical to a board as it carries out its duties on behalf of the rest of the owners.

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.