Articles

Every community has at least one. You know who they are: the squeaky wheels, the complainers, the busybodies. Difficult residents are a fact of community life. 

Part of your job as a board member is ensuring the safety of residents in your community association. To that end, it’s important to educate homeowners about possible fire risks and the steps they can take to prevent fire hazards in their homes.  Chances are that fire safety isn’t top of mind for residents. However, home fires are more common than most people realize.

The risks of not knowing what to look for in a management company are myriad: if you aren’t clear on what you want and need, a company cannot meet those needs. You can get stuck with management that you don’t really want, and no one wants that. 

The foundation of any good relationship is communication. And that also holds true for HOAs and community management companies, regardless of whether we’re talking about a townhome community, high-rise or a master-planned community.

Savvy boards are always keeping an eye out for ways to maximize revenue. If you’re interested in ramping up your revenue streams, take a look around and imagine the possibilities. Read tips on how you can generate cash flow from your existing amenities. 

The foundation of any good relationship is communication. And that also holds true for HOAs and community management companies, regardless of whether we’re talking about a townhome community, high-rise or a master-planned community.

The lazy days of summer are coming to an end more quickly than we’d like – West Virginia schools are most likely back by September 6. As a parent, you know what back to school means. It’s not just a change in schedule for the kids, it’s a change in your whole world too: rushing out the door each morning, racing back home for forgotten permission slips, backpacks and lunches, running carpools for after school activities. Some organization and planning can go a long way toward minimizing back to school insanity – and even make this time of year a bit more fun.

Summer is a great time to hit the road! Kids are out of school and the weather is beautiful – it’s the perfect chance to hit the beach, go camping, board a cruise and more. Road trip destinations for those in the Mountain State include the Lost World Caverns, Ocean City, Virginia Beach, Greenbrier, and the Shenandoah Mountains; or perhaps you’d rather fly to somewhere exotic instead!

Whether you live in a high-rise, condo or master-planned community, 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.

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. 

While exclusive communities like the Hamptons or Malibu will always be attractive locations for affluent vacation home buyers, several new trends are emerging in the growing second home market.