Whether you're a homeowner or renter, moving into a new community can feel daunting. However, there are some actions you can take to help you navigate this process for it to be an enjoyable experience! In this article, we discuss six steps to take before moving into your new home

Utilities are essential for any home, and the costs can quickly add up. Between everyday activities like bathing, laundry, cooking, and turning on your lights, it’s impossible to avoid paying for these services. When looking to save money, your utilities are a great place to start, especially if you're

Every community has a distinct personality created by the many different members who reside there. Some of your neighbors may love to socialize and attend community events, while others prefer to keep to themselves and have a more private life. Regardless of the makeup of your community, there are three

As we celebrate a new year and all it has to offer, it’s common practice to sit down and reflect on what you’d like to accomplish within the coming months. While this usually leads to creating personal resolutions, you can also apply this to your community!   To ensure

Autumn is the perfect time to prepare your lawn for spring and summer due to the cooler temperatures and (in some regions) elevated rainfall. Giving your lawn some extra TLC during the fall will ensure that you have a lush, green lawn come spring. In this article, we’re sharing

With the world taking precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19, we’re collectively adapting to a new normal. Staying home and keeping a social distance has meant developing strategies to remain flexible in how you conduct community business. In the following article, we're providing 7 tips for how you

Member engagement is a necessity for a successful community organization. Therefore, it’s important to encourage your members to develop a relationship with the community and be active participants. A great way to boost your member engagement is through creating committees and clubs in the community. In this article, we'll

The heat is on, meaning it’s time to transition the home for the warmer months. By taking some simple actions, you can ensure your home is refreshed and ready for the summer season. In this article, we’re covering 5 ways you can prepare your home for summer. Grab

As we continue to navigate the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we're adjusting to the new normal of staying home and maintaining a social distance to help keep communities safe. During this time, it’s more important than ever that our communities stay connected. Thankfully, we live in an age of technology

A community’s amenities not only add entertainment and socialization to the members’ lives, but they also add value to the properties! To keep members invested and active, and to help attract new members, it's important to make sure your facilities are kept up-to-date and refreshed throughout the year. With

Being a new board member can feel both exciting and a touch daunting. For those that haven’t served before, they’re likely to encounter a learning curve and, therefore, will need some guidance. This is where incumbent members can step in to help bridge the gap by hosting a

We're all familiar with the New Year's tradition of coming up with resolutions. While we typically associate making New Year's resolutions at the individual level, these can also be made on a community level! If you're a leader within your community, we recommend sitting down with your peers and brainstorming

With the holidays right around the corner, 'tis the season for planning events to celebrate with your community! In addition to the classic holiday parties, there are several other ways to celebrate this special time of year together. So grab a cup of hot cocoa, put your feet up, and

As the air turns cool and the leaves start to change colors, hosting a community fall festival is a great way to welcome the new season and boost member engagement! Whether you're a festival newbie or a seasoned pro, in this article, we'll provide some helpful tips on how to

Communities hire vendors regularly to provide a wide range of services on an as-needed or contract basis. Since who you do business with can have a major impact on property values, resident satisfaction, and your community’s reputation, it’s important to prepare and structure your hiring process in a

Want to increase resident engagement while enhancing community property values? If so, consider implementing a Yard of the Month (YOTM) program in your neighborhood! Yard of the Month is a community-driven program that awards monthly winners for landscaping, property curb appeal, and holiday decorations. By recognizing those that demonstrate the

Community meetings are beneficial in that they provide important information about what’s happening in the community, and are an opportune time for members to engage with leadership. However, if attendance at these meetings is low, these benefits can be lost. If you’ve found your community is struggling to

Summer is officially in full swing, and that means kids are out of school and likely looking for something to do. While they could be left to their own devices, that isn’t always the most engaging or safest option. This is where your community can step in! By gathering

With natural disasters of all variations occurring at a more frequent rate, it's a wise decision to take the time before one hits to create an emergency preparedness plan for your community. An emergency preparedness plan (EPP for short) is composed of a few different elements that create a collaborative

In recent years, buzzwords like sustainability, environmentally friendly, and eco-conscious are being used by an increasing number of people and businesses in an effort to encourage others to go green. If you're unfamiliar with these initiatives, you may be left with questions like “Why is this important?” and “How does

Whether your community is new or established, there are benefits to both the community and its members to hosting social events and gatherings regularly. Social events provide communities with ample opportunities for building camaraderie and can be geared towards adults, children, or families as a whole. While hosting a social

Decluttering and organizing our homes is “on trend” right now and this is one fad you’ll likely want to join in on. Most everyone has unwanted and unused items cluttering their homes, and what better time to go through and get rid of those items than during some good

Prepare your community for a successful future! Learn how to prepare for this upcoming year’s expenses with these budget planning tips. Review and evaluateAssess how to allocate funds for next year’s budget by first understanding how funds have been spent in prior years. To do this, take time

In order to have a truly thriving community, you need the residents who live there to be engaged in community-related decisions and activities. Fostering a community environment where resident engagement is encouraged will help with increasing resident satisfaction and build the foundation for a stronger, more motivated community. If you’

Now that you and your neighbors have finished Spring cleaning, you’re likely wondering what to do with your unwanted items. An economical option is to host a community garage sale! This is a great way to dispose of unwanted and unused items around your house while making some extra