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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? -
Quick Tips to Preparing an Annual Association Budget
The half-year mark has come and gone and we’re now staring budget preparation season in the face. With just a little preparation you can charge forward to tackle this budget with confidence. As North America’s leading association management company we are no strangers to annual budgets. In our experience the first step to successful budget planning is a little preparation. Here are a few quick tips to get you started on the right foot. -
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. -
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. -
What Are Some Strategies for Effective Communication?
Do your residents have the 411? See how board members can create an effective communications strategy that gets everyone talking! -
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. -
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? -
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. -
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? -
Condominium Corporation Budgets: Creating a Road Map to Success
It’s budget season! Are you stressed? Concerned about a potential dues increase or a large capital project that’s looming in the future? The word “budget” can be scary, so thinking about creating next year’s budget is daunting for many homeowners boards. We’d like to change that. -
Condominium Corporation Budgets: Mapping Out Your Strategic Plan
Get the details on creating a strategic plan for your community. -
Condominium Corporation Budgets: Things to Consider When Creating Your Budget
The annual budgeting process offers an opportunity for your board to explore your condominium’s current financial condition and to ensure your community’s financial stability for the future. Successful condominium management hinges on a well thought out budget for both short-term and long-term planning. -
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. -
Cyber-Security Part One: How Residents in Condo Communities Can Protect Their Tech
Like it or not, we have become very dependent on our technology. Whether it’s a cell phone, tablet or computer, our devices enable us to stay connected, conduct business and access information anywhere, anytime. Yet as convenient as these devices may be, cyber security is simply not a priority for the majority of tech users—despite the increased prevalence of cyber attacks. One recent attack even occurred in our own backyard at the University of Alberta. In part one of our two-part series, we look at why cyber security is so important to condo associations. We also provide important steps that residents in your condo community can take to protect their technology so that sensitive information doesn’t fall into the wrong hands. -
Cyber Security Part Two: Board Member Tips for Keeping Your Condo Association Safe
In part one of this two-part series, we discussed the importance of cyber security to your condo association and the steps that residents can take to protect themselves and their association. In this article, we look at your board’s responsibility in preventing cyber attacks. -
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.