With the cold winter weather among us, frozen and burst pipes can be a real issue. To help prevent this from happening to you, here are several tips to prepare your family and your home for the cold. 1. Open sink-cabinet doors to allow warm air in. 2. In case of a burst water pipe, know where your home's water shut-off valve is located. 3. Keep a flashlight handy in case of a power outage. 4. A slow trickle of water from a faucet on an outside wall can help prevent pipes from

We strongly encourage all residents in single family, condo, and town homes to keep at least one, and preferably several, fire extinguishers in your home. Fire extinguishers reduce the potential for damage which keeps insurance premiums—and your assessments—down. Several types are available, and each has a specific use. Here's what you need to know. How Many? Common household fire extinguishers are only intended to snuff out small fires before they become serious. Keep as man

At Red Rock we prepare budget drafts and fair estimates for our Board members to review. However the trend for budget committes has increased as more homeowners show a willingness to get involved. The budget committee comprises members of your community association, which enables residents to have a say in how their money is spent. How does the budget committee work and who serves on it? The Treasurer’s and Accountant’s Roles It makes sense for the board treasurer to chair th

Few events in life are more exciting than buying your first home. You’re now a member of a community association. Here are a few tips and bits of information to help you make the most of community association living. Your Own Space There’s one important difference between renting and owning a home that you need to keep in mind. Unlike renting, your unit and its upkeep belong entirely to you. You’re responsible for all maintenance for any part of your home that is used only by

Some people question why they have to pay assessments when they move into a condominium, town home, or homeowner association. While assessments may be a technically correct term, the fact is that they are actually property maintenance fees. When the collective buying power of the entire association is factored in, they prove to be a real bargain for individual homeowners. These fees can cover exterior maintenance, snow removal, landscaping, trash removal, common area up-keep,

Water conservation is an important issue for the association and not just because we want to be environmentally responsible. An equally important reason is that we want to keep assessments as low as possible. This especially holds true for condominiums and townhomes with shared water. Here’s how you can help: Kitchen Aid Large appliances—washing machines and dishwashers—consume the most water, so they are important places to start any water-conservation efforts. • Set the wat

We've all heard the statement, "what do I get for my HOA dues". Now you can confidently add Increase Property Value to the list. Recent research conducted in Northern Virginia by a professor and student at George Mason University indicates that community associations can add a 5-6 percent increase in property values over similar homes in nearby non-association communities. Writing in Regulation magazine, the authors say that the increase in home value attributed to community

Encouraging residents to pay their HOA dues can prove to be a challenge. We've outlined 4 practical tips that have proven to be effective and may serve as a tipping point to better assist your association in collecting the funds it is owed. Tip 1: Top of Mind. You've heard the noisy bird gets the worm. Well, this holds true with your association as well. Communicate with your homeowners consistently, and not just about their balance. All touch points with your neighbors displ