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How to Set Pet Policies for Your Community
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. -
Is Your Staff Properly Trained to Respond to Emergencies?
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? -
Avoid Board Burnout: Ease Your Workload and Keep Your Sanity
Board members can become overly burdened and burn out. Working with a quality property management company can help ease board burden. Learn how. -
Managing Your Association’s Paperwork: 6 Tips to Make it Easier
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. -
Riding the Storm Out: How Your Property Management Company Can Help With Hurricane Planning
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. -
5 Board Meeting Rules to Live By
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. -
Seven Tips for Comparing and Finding a Reserve Study Firm in Georgia
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. -
Should You Go National or Local When Choosing a Property Management Company?
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. -
Six Essential Elements of a Great Community
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. -
Staff Changes Made Easy
Do you know what you should expect from your management company during staff transitions? -
Association Policy 101: How to Make Rules Without Making Enemies
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. -
Top 10 Socially Distant Activities to Keep Your Community Healthy
As the days and weeks pass, and residents of your condominium or HOA are asked to stay home, it's more important than ever to help your community stay fit and active! -
Understanding the Fair Housing Act: Homeowners Association
All associations are subject to the federal Fair Housing Act (FHA) and its antidiscrimination provisions. Stay informed to identify the ways you could be exposed to claims of discrimination. -
Want to Make Your Community Smoke-Free? Four Tips to Help
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. -
What Radon Exposure Can Mean for You and Your Family
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. -
The Top 10: What You Should Expect from Your Property Management Company
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. -
Why All Associations in Master-Planned Communities in Georgia Should be Managed by the Same Community Management Company
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. -
6 Ways HOAs Partner with Management Companies
The distinct roles of the board and manager can shed some light on the ways the board can develop an effective partnership. -
Slow and Steady: 5 Surprising Benefits of Raising Your Dues
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? -
Community Association Terms That Every Board Member Should Know
New to a condo or homeowners association, or need a refresher? We put together some vocabulary you will want to be familiar with. -
Four Ways Illinois Condos/Co-ops and HOAs Can Save Money on Energy Bills with the Best Property Management Services
Energy conservation and managing HOA community environmental footprints are crucial, but board members have a responsibility to homeowners to exercise financial prudence and proactively seek ways to manage rising costs. -
Four ways to set decoration policies for your community association without being a grinch
The holiday season is upon us, and nothing puts you in a festive spirit 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. -
How to Communicate: What Your Board Should Know and Do
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! -
Is Energy Taking a Big Bite Out of Your HOA’s Operating Budget?
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.