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Reserve Funds, Assessment, or Loan: 3 Ways to Pay for a Capital Improvement Fee
Great capital improvements lead to better property values. Read on to see the three ways to pay for them and the pros and cons for each. -
Seven Tips for Choosing the Right Reserve Study Firm
Your reserve fund is an important way for your homeowners association (HOA) to plan and budget for the future. It gives you the financial ability to maintain the quality of your community by funding necessary—and expensive—projects. Rather than covering day-to-day maintenance expenses, a reserve fund is intended to be used for major expenses like roofing, paving and capital improvements (for example, new construction or remodeling). -
6 Questions for Self-Managed Associations to Consider
As a self-managed association, do you need a management partner? Before making that choice, ask these 6 questions. -
6 Ways Your Board Can Improve HOA Meetings
Having a diverse group of opinions and perspectives on your HOA board can be a great thing, but it can also lead to challenges because of conflicting personalities. To set you and your association up for success, here are 6 tips to improve board meeting dynamics. -
The Language of HOAs: Terms You Should Know
Now that you’re on the board of your homeowner or condominium association, it’s time to jump right in and start making a difference for your community. But before you begin, it’s important to get clarity on a few important terms all Arizona board members should know. -
The Strategic Community Plan - A Road Map for the Future
Is your community interested in introducing a Strategic Community Plan? Read more to learn about the benefits of having a Strategic Community Plan in place and how to introduce them into your association. -
React, Outsource, or Prevent? Find Your Association’s Maintenance Style
How does your Arizona association handle maintenance? Discover your association's unique maintenance style. -
Staffing, Employer Liability and Homeowners Associations: Who is Handling Your HR?
You may take on several responsibilities as an HOA board member, but Human Resources (HR) should not be one of them. In order to avoid employer liability, your board should leave HR responsibilities to a professional community management company. -
Why HOA Boards Should Attend Educational Classes, Events and Expos
Let’s face it: Just because you are a member of your homeowners association (HOA) board of directors, doesn’t mean you know everything about running an HOA. The truth is, most board members are not experts; they are simply volunteers who want to do all that they can to ensure that their community continues to be a great place to live. -
Why Master and Sub-Associations Should be Managed by the Same Community Management Company
Have you ever been in a situation where you didn't know who to call when an issue in your HOA came up because you live in a sub-association of a master-planned community that has two different community management companies? This is a consistent challenge for many homeowners living in multiple managed communities. -
Your Checklist for Ensuring the BEST HOA Management Services
It is always a good idea to evaluate your current HOA management company's performance based on a few key services they provide. After all, the whole point of hiring a professional management company for your homeowners association is to take the daily burden off the board and let the professionals take care of it, right? -
Watch the Video: Board Alignment – The Secret to a Successful Association
What does it take to make effective board decisions that enhance your community and improve the resident experience? -
An Ounce of Prevention
Like changing the oil in your car, regular maintenance on a building helps keeps everything working properly and safely. For stratas, some tasks are not optional, they are mandatory. -
The Importance of Homeowners Insurance
Up to 60 percent of strata home owners in the Greater Vancouver Regional District lack insurance. A good policy will protect your biggest asset and help you keep your head above water. -
Does Your Strata Corporation Have A Plan For Fostering A Sense Of Community?
Humans are social creatures with a deep-seated yearning for connection and community. This is particularly evident in a strata corporation, where a strong sense of community can be the difference between long-standing residency and high turnover. -
Five Ways to Make Your Strata Council Meetings More Effective
Undoubtedly, running meetings is one of the most ;challenging parts of being on your strata council. Members sometimes get off track. Disagreements sometimes turn into arguments. Short discussions sometimes become long-winded monologues. Is there anything you can do to make your council meetings more effective? -
Four ways to set decoration policies for your strata corporation without being a grinch
Lights, candles and wreaths, oh my! The most decorated season of the year is arriving, with celebrations from many cultures and faiths coinciding in the next few months. For condo communities, the desire to deck the halls can clash with the rules of the corporation. Follow these tips to maintain a festive community without décor running amok. -
Getting Your Strata’s Spring Cleaning Started
As strata managers begin their inspection, they note the necessary repairs for winter damage as they make their rounds through the community. -
Strata Annual Maintenance Planning Infographic
A maintenance plan is a great tool for organizing and discussing a Strata Corporation’s property repairs and maintenance. -
Things to Consider When Creating Your Strata’s Budget
As a homeowner, you want to live in a place that accentuates your style – from a beautiful sense of arrival or exquisitely decorated building lobby, complete with freshly pruned trees and lush landscaping – but unless your strata council has strategically planned out your strata’s budget, you can forget all of that. -
The Six Secrets to Building Your Strata’s Volunteer Pool
As a council member for your strata corporation, you know that your community depends on volunteers to operate successfully. However, finding residents who are willing to be on your council, join a committee or help at an event can be challenging. -
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. -
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? -
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.