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It can be tough to balance festive and tasteful, when it comes to holiday décor. Setting policies for decorating will help maintain peace and goodwill for all within your association.

Very few issues and problems that come up seem to have anything to do with pets. However, here are tips to help resolve any pet-related issues.

Whether you live in a high-rise condominium, a gated community or an active adult community, emergencies happen. Does your onsite staff know what to do to protect residents and the community?

Board members can become overly burdened and burn out. Working with a quality property management company can help ease board burden. Learn how.

You're not alone if organizing paperwork is not one of your favorite things to do? Follow these 6 tips to streamline your operations and increase efficiency.

Community spirit is not something that just happens; it requires an association where residents contribute and enhance the living experience of their neighbors.

In recent years, hurricanes have become so large that they can affect the entire state of Florida and move well into Georgia, causing loss of power, flooding or sustained damage.

The greatest strength of your board is the diverse perspectives of its members, but this can also present the biggest challenges. Creating the right dynamics will help your association board conduct business smoothly and efficiently.

Reserve studies are vital to the success of your association, which is why partnering with the right reserve study firm is critical. Here are some tips to help you find a reserve study firm.

For many condominium Boards, deciding to hire a property management firm is a move in the right direction, but there is a lot to consider. Read our article on factors to consider when making your decision.

If you ask anyone to describe what a great community looks like, they are likely to paint the picture of happy homeowners, smiling residents enjoying amenities, and well-kept neighborhoods that look amazing.

Do you know what you should expect from your management company during staff transitions?

As a board member, you know the importance of making rules and establishing policy; these must be clear and sensible. The process for creating and enforcing rules successfully is the same.

The dangers of smoking and secondhand smoke have been highlighted in recent years. Smoking also affects our physical environment by increasing risks of fire and property damage, raising insurance rates and increasing legal liability.

Radon can pose a very real threat to your health and well-being. Here's a basic overview of radon gas – what it is, where’s it’s found, the risks associated with it and how to protect your home and family from it.

Boards are finding that they prefer to hire a quality property management firm than to self-manage. It's not an easy decision for Boards to make, but it is a wise decision and the best one for all involved parties.

There are many benefits to living in a master-planned community. Master-planned living clearly focuses on offering a certain level of convenience, lifestyle and quality of life.

The distinct roles of the board and manager can shed some light on the ways the board can develop an effective partnership.

New to a condo or homeowners association, or need a refresher? We put together some vocabulary you will want to be familiar with.

You may not be able to control rising utility rates, but your condo or homeowners association (HOA) can take measures to make your energy budget go a lot further. Just follow the four strategies described in this article. They’ve already worked for many Illinois properties managed by FirstService Residential.

Pat Bialek, VP Property Management, was named Community Association Manager of the Year at the Excellence Awards and Winter Gala hosted by the Community Associations Institute (CAI), Illinois Chapter. As the first-ever winner of this prestigious award, Pat was recognized for her exemplary knowledge, ethics, professionalism and skills in financial, administrative and facilities management.

It’s that wonderful time of year! Many of us are shopping online to get that perfect gift for our loved ones. And, for those doing last-minute shopping, we don’t want to have to worry that something will go wrong with our deliveries.

Whether you're on the board of a high-rise or community association. you want to hire a property management company that will provide the best service for their community. What does that really mean?

As a homeowner, you want to live in a place that accentuates your style – from a beautiful entrance monument or exquisitely decorated building lobby, complete with freshly pruned trees and lush landscaping – but unless your association board has strategically planned out your community’s budget, you can forget all of that. The budgeting process is a valuable opportunity to explore the current financial condition of your association and ensure its financial stability for the future.