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What are CC&Rs?: The “Boss Doc" of Texas Associations
Find out what covenant restrictions mean for your association and get tips on how to communicate their importance to homeowners. -
Resale certificates and packages: What home buyers need to know
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. -
Flood Insurance for Condos and Co-ops in New York City
The rising cost of flood insurance and forthcoming changes to FEMA flood maps is a topic of discussion for condos and co-ops in the New York City area. -
How Developers Benefit by Partnering with Property Management Companies
Residential home builders and real estate developers must wear many hats while creating the buildings and communities so many of us call home. Indeed, each project’s ultimate viability and marketability depend on how well every phase of development is planned and executed – ideally, with the highest levels of expertise, experience, cost-efficiency and professionalism. -
How to Be an Effective Association Board Secretary
Every board of directors needs a great secretary and is required, by law to maintain certain records. The secretary is responsible for maintaining those accurately, including meeting minutes, bylaws and membership records. -
Don’t Be the HOA Bad Guy: 4 Proven Policy Enforcement Tips
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: -
What Do Association Fees Pay For?
Knowing where your assessment money goes is essential to being a savvy association or co-op resident. In this article, we break down the main cost categories. -
11 steps for a successful HOA transition from developer
When a property transitions from developer control, it typically means that the developer, who initially owned and managed the property, is transferring ownership or control of the property to another entity, such as a homeowners association (HOA), property management company, or individual property owners. The specific process and outcomes of this transition can vary depending on the type of property, its purpose, and the governing documents in place. -
FAQs for making an HOA payment online
Not too long ago, one of the main ways residents in homeowner associations (HOAs) could pay their association fees was with a check, money order, or cash. Fast forward a decade or two later, and paying with a check is inconvenient for many residents who no longer use checkbooks or carry cash—leaving many homeowners wondering how to make an HOA payment online. Luckily, we know how. -
Navigating the basics of homeowners association insurance
Homeowner's associations (HOAs) have many responsibilities that can be difficult to keep up with. One of the main ones is selecting community association insurance. HOA’s should carefully consider the type and extent of coverage they purchase from an insurance provider. The right policy can help protect your investment while minimizing risk. -
Getting Your Building’s Spring Cleaning Started
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. -
What does a secretary of a board do in a community association?
Every board of directors, whether for a Fortune 500 company or your community association, needs a great secretary. The secretary is responsible for maintaining those records accurately, including meeting minutes, bylaws and membership records. -
Cultivating Success: Embracing our culture and values
Within community association management, our goal is to establish industry standards by promoting a culture of service, dedication, and integrity within our organization. At FirstService Residential, our associates embrace our company's values and standards, contributing to our continuous success. -
The 12 Yeas & Nays of COA Social Media
Get 12 Do's & Don'ts of social media management. -
5 common HOA problems & board mistakes to avoid
We’ve highlighted four common board blunders and included some practical tips for avoiding them. It’s important to identify these potential blunders early to save yourself and your board time and frustration. -
Avoiding Community Conflict: Best HOA Practices for Dispute Resolution
How do you prevent conflict, avoid costly litigation and maintain a great resident experience in your community? Start by adopting these best practices for dispute resolution. -
Is HOA Agreement a Unicorn? 3 Boards Share What It Takes
While maintenance, events, committees, and budget are all crucial aspects of managing a homeowners’ association, there's one even bigger challenge that board members face: HOA agreement and alignment. Read on to discover the secret to successful alignment among diverse individuals with distinct values. -
Choosing the Right Community Management Company to Manage Amenities
A big part of what sets your community apart is the amenities it offers. This goes beyond a pool, a fitness area or a place for a rooftop party – your amenities help create a lifestyle, and that’s the most important thing to residents and association members. -
Creating Association Policies Without Making Enemies
Wherever you live—Phoenix, Tucson, Flagstaff or some other part of Arizona—having a great community requires that your homeowners association (HOA) has good rules. -
Creating and Enforcing Sample HOA Pet Policies That Work
With several Arizona cities ranking high in WalletHub’s 2016 listing of most pet-friendly cities, it’s likely that your community allows residents to have pets. Still, your homeowners association (HOA) needs to have a clear policy to prevent residents’ furry family members from becoming a community problem. After all, it isn’t really Rover’s fault if issues arise. It’s up to his owners to clean up after him, to ensure that he remains well behaved and to follow the HOA rules. -
Electronic Voting in Arizona - What You Should Know
These days, you can do almost anything online—buy groceries, look for a job or even find love. But what about voting on issues that affect your community? -
Can Your HOA Handle a Crisis? 8-Step Emergency Preparedness Plan
Is your HOA ready for a crisis, or does your emergency plan need improvement? Download a complimentary guide, HOA Emergency Preparedness Guide: 8 Questions to Ask . -
Finding The Right Lifestyle Community For You – Five Things to Consider
Are you considering moving to a community with more lifestyle elements? How do you choose which one is right for you? Do you research and consider these five tips to ensure you find your perfect match! -
5 Myths About HOA Board Decision Making
Solving for these 5 common myths can help you improve your decision-making process and align as a board. Read on to learn more.