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It’s that time of year again – budget season is upon us. You know the things to consider when creating your budget, but what drives your process? Are you focused on achieving a particular vision for your community? Avoiding conflict in the community? Solely looking to avoid increasing dues?

We will all need a measure of patience as we navigate changes related to the pandemic. Communications may move at a pace that’s different than we’re used to. As always, the best policy is to assume positive intentions from others, listen carefully and respond professionally.

The holiday season is upon us, and nothing puts you in a festive like pulling your holiday decorations out of storage. Many people derive a sense of community and comfort from seeing familiar decorations at the same time each year.

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.

Being on the board of your community association is not an easy job. No matter what your level of experience, mistakes can happen. Learn the seven common mistakes board members make and what you can do to avoid them.

You want your community association to be successful. All board members do. You know that means watching the finances carefully and maintaining the property. But do you think about effective board communication as an ingredient in your recipe for success? It is!

You may not think that your homeowners association (HOA) is likely to be targeted by a computer hacker. After all, we usually hear about data breaches affecting large organizations, like the 2018 breach at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri, that affected more than 60,000 people.

Having a fiduciary responsibility to your homeowners association means putting the interests of your community first. Even the perception of a HOA board conflicts of interest can put you and your association at risk. Learn the nine things you can do to recognize and avoid potential issues.

If you're on the board of a condo, co-op, high-rise or HOA, you know that managing your homeowner's association budget is a major priority. You've likely explored many ways to save money and get the best deals, while still maintaining a high level of service.

One of the most important responsibilities your HOA board of directors faces is effectively planning for major common-area repairs and replacements. Whether a costly expenditure is needed in a few years or 20 years from now, it’s the board’s fiduciary duty to make sure your homeowners association (HOA) has adequate funds when the time comes. That’s where HOA reserves come into play.

Not all property managers have what they need to give you great service. Learn what it takes to be a great property manager.

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.

How do you tackle alignment as a group of diverse individuals with unique values? Find out what real board members from successful HOAs are doing differently.

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:

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

You love your managed community or high-rise building! But obviously, living in proximity to other people can come with challenges, especially during cold and flu season. As a board member, you want to help keep your residents healthy and your community running smoothly. Read on to learn 4 ways to do that.

There are numerous reasons why working with a management company can help your community achieve its vision and goals. Read on to learn 6 of the major benefits you can experience when you transition from managing your own staff to having a staff ran by a management company.

Managing a community is a lot of work. You know that, and you wouldn’t do it if you didn’t care about your community and neighbors. Things are good and have been for a long time… but what if you could take them from good to great?

Vendor relationships are a large part of serving on the board of a managed community. Every community has outside partners for services like landscaping, sanitation, cable and Internet service, pool maintenance, valet services and more. Open, effective communication with the people who service your community and residents is crucial for maintaining the lifestyle your residents expect and deserve.

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.

No board wants to raise fees. But costs go up – or do they? Learn how cost containment can help keep your NJ HOA fees from increasing.