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Depreciation Reports: What You Need to Know
A depreciation report provides an inventory of your Strata Corporation’s common property and assets, their projected 30-year maintenance and replacement cost. It is a useful tool for Strata Councils when it comes to budgeting for capital projects and it also gives transparency for owners and buyers on the building. -
5 Ways to Establish Strata Policies That Make Sense
Strata corporations need to have policies in place to function well. However, if you create new rules without adequately considering all their potential effects, or if you don't enforce them properly, things can go awry. Follow these tips when creating strata policies to avoid creating problems within the community. -
What Goes Into Strata Fees?
Condo living has its perks: amazing urban locations close to public transportation, being part of a community without having to do yard work or home maintenance, enjoying amenities like fitness centres, party lounges and pools at your doorstep. Just don’t forget that those perks come at a price – a monthly strata fee. What are strata fees and how are they determined? -
What Should you Expect from a Strata Manager
Not all strata managers have what they need to give you great service. Learn what it takes to be a great strata manager. -
What Your Strata Corporation Needs to Know About the Legalization of Recreational Cannabis
The Canadian Senate passed Bill C-45, known as the ‘Cannabis Act’, in June 2018 which legalized the recreational use of cannabis across Canada. The first G-7 country to do so! When Bill-C45 goes into effect on October 17 th , Canadians will be able to purchase, consume and grow cannabis as well as make cannabis-containing products at home, such as food and drinks. -
5 HOA Board Blunders to Avoid
To set you and your association up for success, we’ve pulled together a list of common board blunders and included some practical tips for avoiding them. If you can identify these early, you may save yourself (and your board) from a lot of frustration. -
Beware of These Five Budget Busters
As a board member, one of your principal responsibilities is stewardship of the association’s finances. A lot of that boils down to one thing: the annual budget. Unfortunately, for many board members, “annual budget” is just another term for “big headache.” It doesn’t have to be that way. By staying aware of common budgeting pitfalls, you can make the creation of your annual budget less of a hassle – and ensure an entire year of minimal money woes while you’re at it. -
5 Board Blunders to Avoid
Download our complimentary guide, 7 HOA Email Blunders to Avoid to learn what you should and should NOT be doing via email. -
Five Qualities of an HOA Treasurer
The HOA board members of your community association serve many important leadership functions. This article will discuss the role of treasurer and the impact they have on the health and future growth of your community. -
5 surprising reasons for increasing HOA assessment fees
The concept of raising HOA assessment fees can be a sensitive issue. Read our article to learn how to do so without stepping on people's toes. -
Four Financial Questions to Ask Your Community Management Company
Financial stewardship ranks near the top of the list of responsibilities for HOA board members. This requires proper allocation of association funds to ensure they are protected and FDIC insured, while earning the best possible rates. Adequate insurance coverage also factors into the equation. It’s a challenging balancing act, but asking the right questions can help. -
HOA Agreement: 4 Tips to Promote a Functional Board
How do you tackle alignment as a group of diverse individuals with unique values? Follow these four tips on HOA agreement to find out. -
How to Future-Proof Your Association’s Finances
Whether your HOA is an amenity-driven active adult community or an emerging single-family home community, future financial stability is always a top-of-mind concern. And while it may seem like your everyday operating budget is the ultimate priority, a well-funded reserve is the key to helping your community thrive well into the future. -
Investing HOA Reserve Funds: 6 Tips to Improve Your Returns
Are you getting the best returns on your reserve funds? Most California board members are not sure. Here are six ways to improve your reserve fund returns and create an HOA investment policy. -
How Do You Manage HOA Reserves During a Crisis?
It's vital to prepare for the future and take steps to protect your association reserve funds. Here are 3 ways to manage reserves during a crisis. -
Selecting Your Reserve Study Firm: Seven Essential Steps
Your reserve study gives you the power to maintain the quality of your community by allowing for projects that are both necessary and potentially expensive. Establishing this fund can get a little complex. But you don’t have to be a fortune teller to read the future of your association. You simply need a good reserve study firm to help. Here’s how you can find one. -
HOA Budget: Seven Best Practices for HOA Budgeting
Creating your HOA budget involves many considerations. It’s not simply a month-to-month accounting for expenses. Ideally, it’s a both a short-term and long-term blueprint for sustained financial health. Offset rising costs and high interest rates with these 7 HOA budgeting tips. -
Six Simple HOA Board Meeting Rules for Success
A great board meeting should have a balance of diverse opinions and discussions that are rooted in your community’s overall vision. Start with these 6 simple HOA board meeting rules. -
3 Strategies to Keep HOA Assessments Stable and Add Value
There are often good reasons to raise assessments, but in some cases, you may be able to take a different route. Here are three strategies to help save your HOA money and keep assessments stable. -
How to run an HOA: 10 habits to improve your community association
While the start of the new year is typically heralded as the best time to change old habits and commit to new ones, the reality for community associations and their board members is that there’s no time like the present. These 10 changes will help you get your board and your community association on the right track for the rest of the year. -
Ten steps on how to plan a community event
You’re planning an event for your homeowner (HOA) or community association. Congratulations! After the initial excitement comes growing panic, right? Well, not necessarily. -
A board member's guide to managing an HOA pool
Many people want to live in a community that has a swimming pool, and if there’s one in yours, you know what kind of value it brings. While it’s great to think of all those hot days when you and your neighbors can enjoy an afternoon in the water, with it comes many responsibilities community association board members must adhere to that go beyond staying cool or keeping in shape. -
HOA financial management: Tips for greater financial strength
So what’s the most important aspect of your community? Is it aesthetics? Sense of belonging? Neighbors knowing neighbors? Desirability to home buyers?