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A capital improvement plan for your Georgia association
A successful capital improvement project requires a lot of planning to ensure that things go as smoothly as possible. Does your community know where to start? -
Keep Your Community Safe and Cool: Summer Water Safety
Fishing, boating, swimming, water skiing and other refreshing water sports are a key part of summertime in Georgia. Georgians have plenty of opportunities to enjoy the water throughout the summer months. -
Landscape Basics: Getting the Most Out of Your Landscape Design
Trees are an essential and invaluable part of the environment. They provide oxygen, improve air quality, add character to landscaping, increase curb appeal and property values. -
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. -
Nine Ways to Build Community Spirit
Community spirit is not something that just happens; it requires an association where residents contribute and enhance the living experience of their neighbors. -
Board Member Titles and Roles: What Does My Title Mean?
What are key ingredients of a great community? Committed residents, a dedicated board and a clear understanding of everyone's roles and responsibilities, and you have the recipe for success. -
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! -
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. -
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 preventive maintenance can keep your HOA ready for all seasons
Cold weather will soon be upon us, so now is the time for your homeowner association (HOA) to make sure your maintenance program is on track. As brutal as Chicago winters can be, you certainly don't want to discover a leak in your roof during a heavy snowfall or have a boiler stop working during a record cold spell. Don't get caught in the cold! -
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. -
Is Your Management Company a Good Communicator?
Is good communication important to your property management company? Use this questionaire to find out. -
Patricia Bialek Receives Community Manager of the Year Award
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. -
Planning Your High-Rise Maintenance and Capital Improvements
Your association should never have to rely on a special assessment for a capital expense that could have been foreseen – or even prevented. Here are five tips to keep your Chicago high-rise condominium association's budget in the black and keep up with maintenance and capital improvements. -
Great Service: Does Your Property Manager Have What It Takes?
Not all property managers have what they need to give you great service. Learn what it takes to be a great property manager. -
Tis the Season…Will Your Holiday Packages Arrive Safely and on Time?
It’s that wonderful time of year! Many of us are shopping online to get that perfect gift for our loved ones. And, for those doing last-minute shopping, we don’t want to have to worry that something will go wrong with our deliveries. -
Promoting Fire Safety in Your Community Association
Part of your job as a board member is ensuring the safety of residents in your community association. To that end, it’s important to educate homeowners about possible fire risks and the steps they can take to prevent fire hazards in their homes. Chances are that fire safety isn’t top of mind for residents. However, home fires are more common than most people realize. -
Implementing a Building Fire Safety Plan for Your Community Association
Part of your job as a board member is ensuring the safety of residents in your community association. To that end, it’s important to educate homeowners about possible fire risks and the steps they can take to prevent fire hazards in their homes. Chances are that fire safety isn’t top of mind for residents. However, home fires are more common than most people realize. -
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.