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Whether you are a board member who wants to ensure your board is doing everything it can to succeed or a resident who wants to get involved in the governing of your community, we have identified the best practices that can help you get the answers you need.

The FirstService Residential customer care center means residents don't have to wait for the right time to call their manager -- the care center provides 24/7 access to help to address their questions and concerns.

What’s your dream winter vacation? According to recent statistics, when temperatures plunge, the four most popular vacation choices, in order, are beach vacations, sightseeing tours, casinos and ski trips. But no matter whether you plan to pack your bathing suit, walking shoes, ski parka or lucky rabbit’s foot, there’s one thing that should always be part of your vacation planning – ensuring home protection while you’re away.

You’ve worked hard to create a home that is warm and inviting for your family and friends. So how can you make sure it won’t also be inviting to burglars or others with criminal intent? We’ve got ten tips that can help keep your home and property safe -- and keep unwanted visitors at bay.

Where does true happiness begin? We’re sure you agree – it begins at home.

The Internet is exploding with social networking sites and websites designed to educate and connect people, whether they’re across the street or across the globe. Strong networks create safer communities and more rewarding living experiences, but with our busy schedules and time constraints, it’s not always easy to become acclimated and involved. Fortunately, there are websites and online tools expressly designed for this purpose – facilitating everything from helping you obtain community information, discover local businesses, organizations and service providers, build connections and friendships with neighbors, become active in your local community and much more. We’ve provided an overview to get you started.

Quick, name a colorless, odorless, naturally-occurring gas that can be found in homes and buildings and pose a threat to our health and well-being. If you said “carbon monoxide,” you’re right. Now, can you name another? If you had a bit of trouble coming up with “radon,” you’re not alone. Here is a basic overview of radon gas – what it is, where it’s found, its possible health effects and what you can do to protect your home and your family.

October 31 is quickly approaching, and little ghosts, ghouls and goblins are no doubt already thinking about the candy windfalls to come. But before your children and their friends haunt your homeowners association shouting “trick or treat,” it’s essential to take precautions to keep everyone safe.

Selling your home? Congratulations! Now the real work begins. Taking steps to make your home look its best and appeal to homebuyers can be challenging, especially if you don’t know the best ways to prepare it for sale. Here are some pointers to help you spruce up your home, both inside and out, to show it to its best advantage – and change that “For Sale” sign to “Sold.”

The moving truck has pulled away and you’re trying to navigate around a sea of boxes, so it can only mean one thing – you’ve officially moved into your new home, so congratulations! Even if you’re a first-time homeowner, you surely don’t need to be reminded about the boxes that need unpacking, the artwork that needs hanging or the clothing that needs to be put away – and where’s the baby’s pacifier or a coffee mug when you need them? But whether you’re a moving newbie or a been-there, done-that moving veteran, it’s a smart move to add a few less-obvious tasks to your to-do list – check out the seven move-in tips below to add value to your new house and make it start to feel like home:

Ah, man’s best friend. Dogs become cherished family members and add so much to our lives. But sometimes, our best friends can exhibit less-than-friendly behavior. This can not only cause friction in your home, but also in your community. The good news is, however, that often the only difference between a good dog and a not-so-good dog is training.

You’ve been there before. You meet with a vendor, they seem like a great choice, and then after a month or so, you find yourself in a dispute.

Large homes with sprawling floorplans can make some people swoon, but they don’t always fit every homeowner’s taste, budget or lifestyle. When it comes to living space, less can be more…less to furnish, less to clean and less to pay for. So if you’re short on square footage, but long on flexibility and creativity, we’ve got seven smart tips to help you live large in a smaller space.

Thinking about buying a vacation home? Perhaps you’ve fallen in love with a special and memorable vacation destination and want to make a more permanent commitment. But before you say “I do” to a second home, consider these five factors to help you decide with your head, not just your heart.

As a resident or HOA board member, summer safety tips are key to prepare for summer vacation. Discover tips for home security, utility savings, & more during the summer season!

In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, it’s time to take a look at a different kind of love: the kind you extend toward your neighbor.

Neighborhood Watch programs can provide significant benefits to communities – after all, they boost community awareness, communication and involvement, while reducing opportunities for neighborhood crimes to occur. But if you’re interested in getting started, there are many important factors to consider. Here’s an overview.

Whether you’re on the board of a single-family homeowners association (HOA) or a high-rise condo association, your community depends on volunteers to operate successfully. However, finding residents who are willing to be on your board of directors, join a committee or help at an event can be challenging.

We’ve got the scoop on how to get a mortgage loan, so read on for our top six tips to increase your chances.

Here are some tips to manage your HOA vendors more effectively & and get the results you're looking for.

Chances are, you joined the board at your HOA or condo because you’re extremely passionate about the community and want to improve the experience of the other residents within it. Part of adding value to residents in your community is offering classes and programs for them to participate in to get to know their neighbors and offer opportunities for them to stay happy and healthy. Read on to find some suggestions for great virtual programs for communities like yours.

Finding a property management company to partner with your board isn’t easy. Find out how we can help you.

Every year about the same time, your community association board is most likely creating its budget for the following year. Learn about seven commonly neglected items in community association budgets that you may be missing.

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.