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  • Set Holiday Décor Standards Without Being a Scrooge

    It's easy to get enthusiastic about holiday decorating. How do you keep your residents from going overboard without being a scrooge? Read on for simple tips to keep holidays in your community merry!
  • Severe Weather & Your Community

    Whether you live in a single-family, condo, high-rise or operate a commercial building, we all should know how to prepare for the impact of severe weather.
  • The 12 Yeas & Nays of COA Social Media

    Get 12 Do's & Don'ts of social media management.
  • The High-Rise Effect: Social Media 101

    Find out how your condo association could benefit from the online presence you deserve!
  • The HOA Effect: Social Media 101

    Find out how your HOA could benefit from the online presence you deserve!
  • 'Tis the Season: Community Decor & Vendor Management

    There's just something about living among a community with lights stretched around each tree that inspires a childlike enthusiasm for what lies ahead.
  • Top Five Tips for Board Member Success

    After partnering with thousands of board members like you, we've identified 5 tips to help you be successful this year.
  • Why transparent communication matters in your HOA budget committee

    Before planning next year's budget, carefully examine how HOA and COA budget transparency shows residents how their money will make a visible difference.
  • 4 Ways Your Board Can More Effectively Communicate Your Condo’s Budget

    Creating your condominium corporation’s annual budget is one of the most important responsibilities your board has. It takes a lot of hard work and may require spending decisions that won’t be popular with unit owners. Consequently, owners may voice strong objections or even question the board’s ability to manage the corporation’s money.
  • Tips for Creating a Community Newsletter

    Creating a newsletter for your condominium residents that will give them valuable and relevant information is harder to do than it may seem upon first glance. Here are the basic things to consider, brought to you by your property management professionals at FirstService Residential.
  • Creating a Condo Flooring Policy to Address Noise Issues

    When people live in close quarters, it is inevitable that they will hear sounds from neighbouring condos from time to time. Noise between units can be minimized in many ways. One of the most effective tools for a condominium board to implement is a flooring policy that guides owners when they want to replace their floor coverings. Choosing the right products makes a big difference when it comes to the transfer of noise between condominium units.
  • Creating Positive Interactions Between Condo Board Members

    Everyone brings their own assumptions and methods of completing tasks to each group to which they belong. Condominium board members are no different. While the diversity of the group can be its greatest strength, it also can create difficulties between the individual members. It is important to structure condo board meetings in a way that creates a professional and positive working relationship. Here are some tips to help boards achieve this.
  • Defining Condo Corporation Leaders’ Rights and Responsibilities to Create Better Communities

    When your condominium board members (and your property management team, if you are working with a professional management company) have a thorough understanding of their rights and responsibilities, it helps to create a more inviting community. Your community is more likely to be effectively managed and well-maintained, which leads to happier residents.
  • Home for Sale? Six Tips to Add Value and Appeal

    For most people selling a condominium, it is important to stand out from the competition in the real estate market, have a quick sale and obtain the best possible price. But how do you do that? The way your property is presented to potential buyers makes a big difference. Consider these tips to help you achieve real estate sales success.
  • How to Improve Communication in Your Condo Corporation

    As a homeowner, you can do your part to make communication in your condominium corporation better. Find out how.
  • Keeping Your Condo Board Committees on Track

    Community committees allow residents to become involved in the activities of their condominium. They can also help reduce the work load for the volunteer board. In order to function properly though, committees do need structure and board guidance. These eight tips will help to ensure your committees make positive contributions to the community and are aligned with board goals.
  • Preventing Condominium Issues When Snowbirds Fly the Coop

    As Canadians anticipate spending the winter months knee-deep in snow and freezing temperatures, it’s likely that some residents in your condominium corporation community are anticipating spending some of their winter in a warmer climate.
  • The Difference Between Operating Costs and Condo Reserve Fund Expenditures

    Sometimes confusion exists over what expenses the operating budget covers and those that are reserve fund responsibilities. If board members understand the difference between the two, it's much easier for them to make the correct decisions when managing the affairs of the condominium corporation.
  • Seven Important Things to Know About Condominium Boards

    Each condominium corporation in Alberta is required by law to elect a board of directors to manage the corporation on behalf of all the owners. This article gives more detail about the election process and the role of the board.
  • The Sharing Economy Part 2: Reducing the Risks to Condo Associations and Residents

    Short term vacation rentals are popular with both travelers and the homeowners that rent to them. Perhaps you have stayed in a home that was advertised on Airbnb or VRBO. Maybe you have rented your home this way. For the most part people love this alternative to staying in a hotel or a B & B. But what are the implications when the home is part of a multi-family community? What about the common areas and amenities for which all the owners pay upkeep? There can be insurance implications as well. This article discusses some ways the risks to the condominium and its residents can be reduced.
  • Should You Consider Moving to a High-Rise Condo?

    There are many things to consider when it is time to move. Maybe you’re moving to a new neighbourhood or a new city. What if you want a complete lifestyle change and are thinking about leaving your single-family home or townhome and considering moving to a high-rise condominium? Depending upon your goals, this may or may not be the right move for you.
  • Six Simple Steps to Develop Your Condo Budget

    A good budget provides the framework for the successful operation of a condominium corporation. Sometimes condo board members are daunted by this important undertaking. We have broken the task down into manageable steps to help you create a financial plan that will accomplish your goals.
  • 5 Ways to Stop Disagreements from Taking Over Your Board Meetings

    If you’ve ever been a volunteer board member, you probably know the importance of board meetings. However, sometimes they are not as productive and professional as they could be. Delicate situations can arise. To keep your meetings focused, respectful and collaborative, put these helpful tips into practice.
  • The Nuts and Bolts of Running a Great Condo Board Meeting

    Love them or hate them, if you are a condominium board member you know that board meetings are essential to the successful operation of the community. But not all meetings are as effective as they should be. With some planning and guidelines in place this can be improved in short order.
Showing 145 - 168 of 207