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Maryland HOA board members
6 essential tips for new Maryland HOA board members
Jun 19, 2017
Congratulations are in order – you’ve just been elected to the board. So now the big question: What’s next? “The great thing about associations that are helmed by owners is that they have a vested interest in doing right by their community,” said Kirk Kowieski, CMCA, AMS, vice president of FirstService Residential. “But that also comes with challenges...many board members find themselves in this kind of position for the first time, so there’s a little bit of a learning curve.” Fortunately, FirstService Residential is here to help. Follow these new board member basics and you’ll soon be governing like a pro.
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Close up of female manager in black at a laptop with others behind her, blurred
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.
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Beyond the Manager: Discover the Value in Your Management Company
Beyond the Manager: Discover the Value in Your Management Company
Jun 15, 2017
We all want to get the most for our money, and your community association is no different. When hiring a management company, it’s easy to focus on the bottom-line price and not understand the differences in real value among the proposals you see. The right community association management company will provide you with so much more than a good manager.
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Male maintenance worker in a navy blue jumpsuit standing with a clipboard with brass pipes behind him
The Importance of Preventative Maintenance in Your High-Rise
Jun 06, 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.
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Male maintenance worker in a dark blue jumpsuit holding a clipboard with brass pipes behind him
Maintenance Styles: Which One Fits You Best?
May 23, 2017
If you’re part of your community association’s board, you know that it’s important to budget for regular upkeep of landscaping and grounds, common areas, By budgeting for routine maintenance and upkeep, you can extend the life of almost everything in your community. Read more on which preventative maintenance style you are.
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Why Have a Preventative Maintenance Plan for Your Maryland High-Rise?
Why Have a Preventative Maintenance Plan for Your Maryland High-Rise?
May 18, 2017
Budgeting accurately for your high-rise maintenance needs will not only save money over time, it will also reduce the risk of losing services. As we all know, happy residents make a happy community, and no one’s happy when the HVAC is out or units get flooded thanks to a completely preventable cause. We sat down with Robert Kirby, regional building engineer at FirstService Residential to talk about the importance of a preventative maintenance plan.
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Man in suit standing behind 3-D screen that says Cyber Security with a lock icon, touching it
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.
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Four Secrets to Great Communication in Your Association
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.
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How to Create a New Revenue Stream from Your Amenities
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.
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how to keep your community safe from cyber attacks
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.