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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.

Conflict of interest can be a real threat to your association. Learning how to recognize and avoid conflicts of interest can go a long way toward ensuring the strength and stability of your community.

As the weather heats up and stay-at-home orders surrounding COVID-19 are lifted, it's important to remember the social distancing guidelines in place.

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.

Without board meeting rules, you can be met with unproductive debates and disorganized meetings. In this article, we will cover essential board meeting rules for more effective HOA meetings.

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?

When it comes to upgrading your high-rise amenities, start at the top: your rooftop! That space can be enhanced to offer new opportunities for fun, relaxation and building community, while also enhancing your property values.

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.

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.

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.

Illinois condo insurance typically falls into two categories: the master policy purchased by the association and the HO-6 policies purchased by individual unit owners. Learn everything your condo should know in this guide.

High-rise living has many perks, and high on that list is the amenities. For many home buyers, amenities can be the deciding factor when determining to buy a unit in one building over another.

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.

Elected board members will have a variety of skillsets and experience as volunteers. A partnership with a strong management company will provide the guidance and knowledge that will support the board as they fulfill their duties.

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.

Is good communication important to your property management company? Use this questionaire to find out.

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.