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Not too long ago, one of the main ways residents in homeowner associations (HOAs) could pay their association fees was with a check, money order, or cash. Fast forward a decade or two later, and paying with a check is inconvenient for many residents who no longer use checkbooks or carry cash—leaving many homeowners wondering how to make an HOA payment online. Luckily, we know how.

FirstService Residential and FirstService Financial work in tandem to help our clients successfully finance capital improvement projects and save money without compromising quality of service.

Transitioning to new management? See these 8 steps to ensure a seamless switch and take the stress out of change.

Not only will they learn something new every day, but it'll also keep their minds bright and busy.

Homeownership comes with a myriad of benefits, but it also brings a set of responsibilities, particularly when you are part of a Homeowners Association (HOA). The board of directors for the association maintains the integrity and value of a community by establishing HOA regulations that protect resident’s investment as a homeowner.

An effective Nevada homeowners association will not only recruit great volunteers and committee members, but will empower them to help improve the community. The question is – how do you get there?

Even in the best of times, transitioning from one property management company to another is a work-intensive and stressful process. Things can go bad quickly if the transition is carried out without the necessary resources and strict attention to detail. To avoid potentially serious financial missteps during a management transition, homeowners associations (HOAs) should consider bringing aboard a management company that provides a team of experts to guide the process.

Knowing where your assessment money goes is essential to being a savvy association or co-op resident. In this article, we break down the main cost categories.

Realizing that energy conservation and managing HOA community environmental footprints is crucial, board members have a responsibility to homeowners to exercise financial prudence and proactively seek ways to manage rising costs.

How much do you know about community association insurance? Every community’s bylaws and declarations include requirements to provide homeowners association insurance coverage, and Board members have a fiduciary duty to protect the best interest of their HOA and owners. Additionally, associations are under pressure to find the least expensive homeowners association insurance options available. But there is a caveat – in community insurance, as in most things, buyer beware – not all policies are alike, and if you neglect certain types of coverage, you may end up paying a much higher price.

To help owners and shareholders navigate requirements for the 2023-2024 tax abatement cycle, our experts answered the most frequently asked questions.

Every board of directors needs a great secretary and is required, by law to maintain certain records. The secretary is responsible for maintaining those accurately, including meeting minutes, bylaws and membership records.

Though inflation and economic uncertainty continue to impact property investments and transactions, multifamily stakeholders and institutional owners remain optimistic.

Get a head start on preparing for the cooler seasons. See tips to keep your community looking its best as the weather changes.

Owning a condominium is a unique homeownership experience, blending the comfort of a private residence with shared community spaces. As a condo owner, you may wonder about the intricacies of insurance coverage.

No humidity and no personal income tax – just two of the many reasons people continue to flock to Nevada to raise families, retire or simply enjoy its unique blend of desert and metropolitan lifestyles. But as many residents of Nevada’s HOA and condo communities have discovered, there is another important thing you won't find in the Silver State: requirements for training or education for community board members, to ensure that they understand and can fulfill their association duties. In some cases, that can affect residents’ quality of life.

Most people who join the board of their condominium corporation aren’t experts. Rather, they are well-intentioned, dedicated volunteer-leaders who want to protect property values and ensure their community continues to be a great place to live. If you’re a new board member – or even a seasoned one – it’s important to get the training you need to govern effectively and address the issues you may face.

Have HOA budgets changed in 2020? Find out what 7 trends have shaped association budget planning this year.

How do you prevent conflict, avoid costly litigation and maintain a great resident experience in your community? Start by adopting these best practices for dispute resolution.

While maintenance, events, committees, and budget are all crucial aspects of managing a homeowners’ association, there's one even bigger challenge that board members face: HOA agreement and alignment. Read on to discover the secret to successful alignment among diverse individuals with distinct values.

Another budget season is here once again, and that means that the boards of homeowners associations are busy planning, analyzing—and grinding their teeth. We know that developing your HOA’s annual budget is not an easy task. However, with the guidance offered in the following nine steps, you’ll be able to get through the process more easily—and without needing to visit your dentist.

A big part of what sets your community apart is the amenities it offers. This goes beyond a pool, a fitness area or a place for a rooftop party – your amenities help create a lifestyle, and that’s the most important thing to residents and association members.

These days, you can do almost anything online—buy groceries, look for a job or even find love. But what about voting on issues that affect your community?

Maintaining your HOA’s financial health—just like maintaining your personal health—boils down to moderation and good decision making. Eating one deep-fried blooming onion every once in a while isn’t a problem. Eating three or four several times a week is. Keep your HOA financially fit with these four "health" tips.