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  • The Best Service from Your Management Team Starts Before You Ask

     Jun 15, 2017
    You want your community association management company to respond when you need them. Shouldn’t a good management company be able to foresee some of your association’s needs and meet them before you ask? That’s the principle at the heart of proactive service, when emergencies are prevented rather than responded to. The best service is proactive, but its very nature – preventing problems before they arise – means that it can be hard to spot. So how do you know that your community association management company is being proactive on your behalf? Read on for some ways you can tell if your management company is behaving proactively.

  • The Importance of Preventative Maintenance in Your High-Rise

     Jun 14, 2017
    Protecting your high-rise with a solid preventative maintenance program will also protect the lifestyle you love and your community association’s budget. Preventative maintenance programs have countless benefits, including extending the life of almost every component and system in your building. A well-executed plan can also help your community optimize its operating budget by predicting when repairs or replacements are most likely to be needed and allowing your community to set aside money for them. How can you get started on a preventative maintenance plan? Check out our advice to get your high-rise on the right track when it comes to preventative maintenance.

  • Is Your Association Covered If a Natural Disaster Strikes?

     Jun 13, 2017
    Mother Nature has quite the surprises to throw at us! Sometimes, there’s some notice and time to prepare. But often, there’s no warning at all. That’s why it is critical to the financial health of your community association that you have the correct insurance coverage in place. What can happen if your high-rise building or community association common areas aren’t properly covered? Unfortunately, nothing good. Association members can also sue the board for not having the correct insurance in place; it’s an important part of your financial responsibility. That's why it is important to make sure your Association is covered with insurance. 

  • Planning Your High-Rise Maintenance and Capital Improvements

     May 24, 2017
    Maybe this has happened to your high-rise association: An unexpected capital expense finds your condominium’s board of directors needing to impose a special assessment. Establishing a plan for your building’s maintenance and capital improvements is not only important for your budget. It can also prevent life-threatening catastrophes. So what does it take to put together a program that protects both the health of your association’s finances and the safety and lifestyle of your residents? Find out in our interview with Phil Pool, vice president at FirstService Residential.

  • Resale Packages and Certificates 101 for Community Association Boards in Virginia

     Apr 26, 2017
    For most people, buying a home is the largest investment they make. We all know there’s a lot of paperwork that comes with buying a home, and although it can seem overwhelming, that paperwork is vital for the protection of the buyer, the seller and the community in which the home is located. If you are buying or selling a home in managed community, a resale package is a critical part of that. What is a resale package and why is it important? How do you get one and when do you need it? We sat down with our Director of Resale to get the answers to these and other important questions.

  • Four Secrets to Great Communication in Your Association

     Feb 06, 2017
    There’s one challenge that plagues all board members, regardless of experience: communication. Part art and part science, communication is the key to building strong relationships and effectively meeting your obligations as a board member for your community association. Here are a few quick tips to ensure communication is flowing in your association.

  • Cyber Security: How Community Residents Can Protect Their Tech

     Feb 06, 2017
    Why should cyber security be so important to community associations? Do you know what important steps residents in your community can take to protect their technology so that sensitive information doesn’t fall into the wrong hands? This article provides guidelines on how to prevent cyber attacks and tips on increasing cyber security.

  • How to Create a New Revenue Stream from Your Amenities

     Feb 01, 2017
    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. 

  • Cyber Safety: Steps Board Members Can Take to Protect Your Community

     Jan 29, 2017
    Isn’t technology wonderful? It’s made so many aspects of life easier, and that includes managing the operations of your community association. Technology does have its vulnerabilities, though, and it’s imperative that they be addressed. Your board can implement these four steps to begin putting your association on a more secure path. 

  • Getting to Great: Guide For HOA Board Communication

     Jan 25, 2017
    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.