Energy bills—like the temperature—always rise in the summer. But there are many inexpensive, energy-saving steps you can take to save money. (As always, be sure to consult with the association to get approval for any major home renovations.) Turn it up. Set your thermostat as high as possible. Start with 78 degrees when at home and 85 degrees when
Summer is right around the corner and that means one big part of many HOAs is about to take center stage: the community pool. Perhaps the most widely used amenity of any association, it's important that each community is prepared for pool season. Before the first splash into the water, make sure your community pool meets the checklist:
In honor of 100 years of Red Cross service in Colorado, the month of May will be celebrated by "Turning the State Red" with lights and signage throughout the state. This statewide campaign will be an opportunity for businesses, schools, communities, and other organizations to be engaged with our celebration by showing your support of Your American
As the community association management industry continues to evolve and be impacted by laws and legislation, you can't help but notice how fast things change. Which is why the theme of this year's CAI's Spring Showcase was "Staying Ahead of the Curve". At the showcase CAI invited Derek Daly, a Hall of Fame Formula One race car driver, to speak
The HOA management industry is demanding, challenging, and often thankless. Community Managers, as well as management company accountants, administrative staff, and executive teams work long hours to ensure communities run smoothly and are financially stable. Working intimately with people’s homes and money may be stressful, but it is also very stimulating and rewarding. Hammersmith is
Minimize board activity outside of scheduled meetings and working sessions. Allow the manager time to complete the action items and collect the information required by the Board to make informed decisions. Constant dialogue outside of meetings consumes time, creates confusion, and causes burnout for both the manager and volunteer Board members. Exchanging occasional emails is
Curious about the history of Hammersmith Management, and all of the work John Hammersmith put into his community association management business? CAI recently published an Executive Insights article explaining how a small family business went from providing computerized accounting services to Leaders in Community Management®. Follow the link here CAI Executive Insights for the full article. Enjoy!
As the weather turns from the cold of winter to the sunny days of spring, it is the perfect time to walk your community and note what, if any, work needs to be done to keep your association looking its best. Regular site visits are conducted by community managers, but board members and residents can also take
Disorganized and inefficient meetings represent one of the biggest challenges for HOA Boards. The monthly Board meeting should last no more than two hours, and the most productive meetings stay on a pace with an agenda. Implement the following strategies to ensure your Board meetings run smoothly and end in a timely manner: Prepare. Every Board
Spring is here! With spring officially beginning on March 20th, it is the perfect time for homeowners to think about getting to those cleaning, maintenance, or improvement projects that sat idle all winter long. A house is one of the biggest purchases a person will ever make, and most want to keep their homes looking beautiful not