Condominiums are complex entities to manage, yet they are governed by elected directors who are not required to have any relevant expertise. Most new directors have no prior experience on a condo board. If a director has expertise pertinent to the condominium, it is...
Aiding condo managers on the front lines: Taking measures to nurture a low-stress environment
For condo managers who work on the front lines of condo corporations, day-to-day business may include interacting with owners who might be unfriendly or keeping up with a busy and sometimes demanding board of directors. It takes a special person. The industry is...
Seven tips for building trust in condo communities
It is unlikely that the condo’s declaration, bylaws, rules, or policies include any reference to trust; yet good governance cannot be achieved without it. Directors might assume that meeting their fiduciary responsibilities is enough, but specific actions that provide...
A condo board’s guide to fixing people problems
Attempting to fix a condo board's problem does not usually result in calling the police. If a fight breaks out at a condo board meeting and the police are called to assist, most directors recognize that there is a problem. These types of problems usually escalate over...
Keys to HOA board success: the best practices of successful directors
Serving as an HOA board director can be a daunting task. The job comes with lots of responsibilities. Managing a homeowner association's affairs often includes making tough financial decisions. Why do some homeowner association boards excel and others struggle? Many...
Are passwords driving you crazy?
Are you having trouble managing passwords? It is impossible to keeping track of all the passwords needed to survive our digital lives without help? Doesn’t everyone hate all of these complicated passwords? I sure do. The last time I checked, I had 10 pages of...
Is your condo manager stressed? 10 tips for reducing stress
Don't stress your condo manager! Condo managers are special people working on the front lines of condo corporations and face challenging people regularly. These people could be owners who might be angry about something or directors who are busy and sometimes very...
Searching for condo board software: getting the right tech
With technology moving into every aspect of our lives, it is no surprise that condominiums are following suit. As such, it can be daunting for a condo board to find software that fits their needs and their condominium community. There are lots of products on the...
Best practices for managing difficult people at an AGM
I have attended many Annual General Meetings. Some have been very interesting mostly because they drove me nuts for the same reason, because “Kim” attended. Managing difficult people at an AGM takes practice, but take heart, the skills can be learned. Who is “Kim”?...
How to be the Best Homeowner Association Manager
What are the characteristics of the best homeowner association managers? Managing a community association, condominium, or homeowners association is a formidable task. It requires individuals who are nothing short of superheroes, possessing a unique blend of skills...