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Commercial Observer- FirstService’s Dan Wurtzel and Marc Kotler on Everything From Supertalls to Rent Regulation
Who better to find out what’s happening on the ground than the largest residential property manager in New York? -
Enforcing Condo and Co-op House Rules the Right Way
How can you ensure that shareholders/unit owners comply with the established rules without your board becoming the "building bad guys"? -
Four Ways to Keep Your Building Safe and Clean
Living in close proximity to other people can come with challenges, especially during cold and flu season. -
From Beagles to Boxers: How to Take Care of a Dog in an Apartment
Here are some important tips and tricks to help keep both you and your furry friend healthy and happy. And as always, be sure to consult your vet or local breeder about how much daily activity is appropriate for your canine pal. -
Commercial Observer-Grading Buildings on Energy Consumption
A new law will require residential and commercial buildings to prove their energy efficiency -
How Your Condo or Co-op Can Help with Hoarding Cleaning Services, NYC
Hoarding is a disorder than can be dangerous to everyone in your NYC condo or co-op building. Learn how to handle hoarders in your building today. -
The New York Times-Like Restaurants, Buildings Will Get Grades
Next year, New York City buildings will be required to display their marks on energy efficiency. -
Getting Your Building’s Spring Cleaning Started
As building managers begin property inspection, they note the necessary repairs for winter damage as they make their rounds through the community. 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. -
How a preventive maintenance plan can prepare your condo for all seasons
Cold weather will soon be upon us, so now is the time to make sure your condominium maintenance program is on track. As brutal as Ontario's 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. -
Scary Fun: Halloween Safety Tips for Your Family and Community
Halloween is right around the corner and before it arrives there are many precautions we must take to ensure our kids and community are safe. As we prepare to celebrate let’s go over a checklist of safety measures we can take to make sure the little ghosts and goblins throughout our community are safe. -
Ask the Expert: Homeowners and Condo Owners Association Reserve Study
View our third episode of Ask the Expert, featuring Andrew Stoutenburg, Regional Executive Director of Reserve Advisors, as he talks about the importance of reserve studies in financial planning. -
Discover How You Can Implement HOA Pool Rules, Texas
In Texas, where temperatures can reach triple digits and humidity isn’t far behind, a refreshing dip in a pool can be a welcome relief. That’s why so many HOAs offer swimming pools as an amenity. Here are 10 guidelines to help you manage your association pool. -
Is Your Community Prepared for Water Leaks? Reducing the High Cost of Condo Water Damage
A leak in a high-rise condominium can quickly result in expensive water damage. How can you reduce your risk and be better prepared if your building springs a leak? -
HOA Landscaping and Property Maintenance Tips to Add More Green to Community Property Values
It’s often said that you should never judge a book by its cover. However, the front-line curb appeal of a community can make a difference in the value of every property in a neighborhood. This is one reason current and potential homeowners consider landscaping and common-area maintenance so important. -
Municipal Duties Move to ‘Burbs as HOAs Must Step In
John Friedrichsen, Senior Vice President & CFO of FirstService Residential parent company FirstService Corporation, is quoted in USA Today about how HOAs benefit from the value-added services provided by leading professional management companies. -
Capital Reserve Fund vs. Capital Improvements for Texas HOAs
Capital reserve fund vs. improvements: Budget for both and know when and how to allocate them in your Texas HOA for a continuously improved community. -
Special Assessments: Fund Your Capital Improvement Assessment: Part III
Learn about special assessments as a way to fund unexpected capital improvements -
Prioritizing and Managing Your Community's Property Maintenance and Improvement Needs
Handling day-to-day maintenance and making necessary improvements are critical responsibilities for any homeowners association (HOA). And when your serve on your association’s board of directors, they can quickly become overwhelming if you don’t have a good system in place to manage them. So how do you make sure that your maintenance staff is able to handle that long list of tasks that need to get done so that your community runs smoothly and retains its appeal? -
5 Steps to the Best Reserve Study Firm
Your reserve study is important to your financial health, but how do you get one? How do you choose the right reserve study firm to conduct it? Learn more. -
3 Ways to Fund Your Condominium Corporation Replacements and Major Repairs
At one time or another, every condominium corporation has to spend money on replacing equipment or making major repairs. Whether that means replacing a roof, installing a new ventilation system or any other big-ticket project, they are a necessity. But how should your condo corporation pay for them? -
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/contributions? -
Effects of frozen pipes in cold weather and how to avoid them
Frozen pipes are an unwanted, but common, occurrence during Alberta's cold winters. The damage caused can be significant to condominium units and shared property. Our cold weather warning offers condominium residents tips to prevent frozen pipes and the water damage that results. -
Four Steps to Healthy Finances
Keeping your condominium corporation’s finances healthy is much like keeping yourself physically fit. The key is to make smart choices and avoid over-indulgence.