Articles

We are all concerned about safety. High Rise management companies and Board members, who have a responsibility to protect the common property, must pay particular attention to security at their properties. A secure condominium means a happier and safer community, and that is what is most important to owners and residents.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! No doubt your high-rise building will be extra- busy with family and friends visiting residents, and with lots of packages being delivered! Online shopping is bigger than ever. Few things are easier than finding the perfect gift for a loved one while still in your pajamas and snuggled on the couch – no fighting mall traffic or bad weather, and deals abound. That said, holiday package delivery does have its own caveat: Will it arrive on time and safely?

The most important factors in association policy making, whether for a condo, co-op, townhome or master-planned community, are clarity and sensibility. When making a new policy, the board must present a united front and clearly communicate the policy and related consequences to all residents. Whether you live in an Alexandria condo or a Fredericksburg gated community, whether the policy is about overnight guest parking or designated smoking areas, the basic principles for crafting good policy and successfully enforcing it are the same.

Your repair and replacement reserve fund is what helps your association anticipate its future expense needs – and budget for it, too. This fund gives you the power to maintain the quality of your community by allowing for projects that are both necessary and expensive (like a future roofing or paving project, for instance). Needless to say, establishing this fund can get a little complex. The good news is that you don’t have to be a fortune teller to read the future of your association... you simply need a good reserve study firm to help. Here’s how you can find one.

Preparing your association’s annual budget can be a source of stress, but it’s also a valuable opportunity to ensure the financial well-being of both your association and homeowners. Proper community association management hinges on this financial tool for both short-term and long-term planning, so it’s important to follow some guidelines.

Labor Day weekend is the last hurrah – school starts in Virginia at the beginning of September! As a parent, you know what back to school means. Sure, it’s a change in schedule, but it’s also a change in your whole world: rushing out the door, speeding through homework, running back home for forgotten lunch boxes, permission slips and backpacks. Back to school doesn’t have to mean back to insanity. A little organization can go a long way toward minimizing back to school stress – and make this time of year more fun for everyone. Check out these suggestions from California Closets, the leader in custom home storage solutions and an authority in design, for arranging your household to be more school-friendly, and your first day back will earn an A! 

Summer is a great time to hit the road! Taking advantage of the warm weather and time off from school to relax on a beach, camp, board a cruise and more. This is a great time to hike the Blue Ridge Mountains, road trip to Virginia Beach or Williamsburg, or venture further for an exotic adventure. Whatever you plan to do, there is a lot to plan for to make sure this summer vacation is one to remember. Most schools start after Labor Day, so summer in Virginia can be a little longer than many places today.

Whether you live in a high-rise condo or master-planned community, in Fairfax or Alexandria, it’s important to know how to prepare your home for an extended time away. No matter where you live, here are some simple tips to help ensure your home is safe and well maintained while you are off enjoying the summer sun.