What are capital improvements? A guide for your Virginia HOA

As a board member, one of your responsibilities is making sure that your community members have the information they need, when they need it. Consider these guidelines as a roadmap to great communication that will keep everyone on the same path.

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 process of preparing a budget for your association can be stressful, but it’s a valuable opportunity to ensure the financial well-being of all in the community.

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.

Choosing the best community association management company can be a time-consuming task. It takes research, interviews, and a lot of input from your fellow stakeholders in the community.  So how can you streamline this process? Well, while it’s not good to take shortcuts, there are a few basic qualities you should seek in a company while you’re vetting your candidates, and that can simplify things. We’ve put together a short checklist of those qualities here.  
 

Michael Mendillo, president of FirstService Residential's Mid-Atlantic region, returned to William Patterson University, his alma mater, to inspire students with real-life lessons about leadership and success.