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Keeping Your Budget Healthy in the Age of COVID-19
As you begin to work on next year’s budget, it’s important to look for ways to save your building money to offset those unplanned expenses and potential revenue shortfalls. -
Opening Considerations for Gyms and Fitness Centers in Residential Buildings
Following the release of Interim Guidelines for Reopening Gyms/Fitness Centers, there are a number of procedures boards will need to consider when reopening fitness centers in residential buildings. -
Technology at Home Part 2: Keeping Boards and Residents Safe Online
As board communications become increasingly reliant on web-based technologies, it’s more important than ever to take proactive steps to safeguard the way you share and save sensitive information. -
Why Should You Increase Your Condominium Maintenance Fees?
Maintenance fees are an investment in the future of your building. Don’t be afraid to increase co-op or condo fees slowly and steadily to maintain high property values. -
How Can My Association Fund Capital Improvements?
Nothing lasts forever…and when it comes time to replace your high-rise roof, community pool or to add new amenities, your association will need to determine how to pay for it. All of these things – significant repairs and replacements, as well as new construction – are considered capital improvements. -
Condominium Corporation Budgets: Creating a Road Map to Success
It’s budget season! Are you stressed? Concerned about a potential dues increase or a large capital project that’s looming in the future? The word “budget” can be scary, so thinking about creating next year’s budget is daunting for many homeowners boards. We’d like to change that. In fact, we don’t want you to view next year’s budget as a task at all. -
Condo Board Communication: Communicate so Condo Residents Listen
Are residents in your condominium corporation always aware of upcoming events, construction projects and board meetings? Do they understand their responsibilities and the policies they need to comply with? -
How to Improve Communication in Your Condo Corporation
As a homeowner, you can make communication in your condominium corporation better. Find out how to do your part. -
Is Your Management Company a Good Communicator?
Is good communication important to your property management company? Use this questionaire to find out. -
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Simple Energy Conservation Steps to Benefit Your Community This Winter
With the cold weather in the Ontario air we all would love to find ways to save money as condo owners. There are a lot of helpful tips that we as homeowners can start before winter arrives and continue during the remainder of the winter season. -
Smart Financial Planning
Safeguarding an Ontario condominium corporation’s operating and reserve funds is one of the main fiduciary duties of all board members, not just the treasurer. This means that boards must protect the financial interests of the corporation and its members by making sure all funds are properly managed, invested and protected. -
The Do’s & Don’ts of Board Communication
Are Residents in Your Condo Corporation Getting the Message? Does your board know the secrets of effectively communicating with residents? -
Ways to Improve Your Condominium’s Lobby
How do you like to say “hello?” No matter what expression you use, chances are you like to take the opportunity to put your best foot forward and make a good first impression. -
Protecting Your Community Association from Fraud & Embezzlement
Fraud can happen with any management company and even in a community that is self-managed. Although there’s no way to ensure 100-percent protection against such an occurrence, FirstService Residential takes considerable precautions to minimize its likelihood. -
How Can My Association Fund Capital Improvements?
Nothing lasts forever…and when it comes time to replace your high-rise roof, community pool or to add new amenities, your association will need to determine how to pay for it. All of these things – significant repairs and replacements, as well as new construction – are considered capital improvements. -
Slow and Steady: 5 Surprising Benefits of Raising Your Dues
We understand that boards don’t want to ask residents to pay higher association dues. But costs go up, despite best efforts. Learn the surprising benefits of small, steady increases to your board and homeowners! -
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High Rise Security: Airbnb, Inc. & Active Shooter Preparedness
As a board member and resident, here's how you can address property management security in the wake of "invisible tourists". -
Annual Meetings and Special Meetings: FAQs for Homeowners Associations and Shareholders
If you’re looking for comprehensive information about the different types of association meetings, ask a seasoned board member or your property manager for information and guidance. Meanwhile, we’ve put together answers to some of the most common questions about annual and special meetings. -
Ask the Expert: Leveraging Buying Power
Watch our final episode of Ask the Expert, to learn about leveraging your buying power with Christian Mora, National Director of Procurement at FirstService Residential. -
Ask the Expert: Reserve Fund Study
View our third episode of Ask the Expert, featuring Andrew Stoutenburg, Regional Executive Director of Reserve Advisors, as he talks about the importance of reserve studies in financial planning. -
Ask the Expert: Vendor Contract Management
Start off our quick, 4-part webinar miniseries, Ask the Expert, with Joe Bushey, president of VIVE (Vendor Insurance Verification Experts), as he talks about the significance of vendor loss risk.