Lawn maintenance can kind of be a hassle, but with some patience and some weed tips and tricks, you can have a beautiful lawn and landscaping in no time. Avoid the HOA warning letters with these weed tips, and keep your lawn properly cared for! HOA letters are no joke, you don’t want to have […]
Tree Care for Your HOA
With spring in bloom and hot weather becoming the norm, it’s important to make sure your trees are properly cared for. We often hear about communities who ignored their trees until many were sick or dying. Instead, we encourage your community to proactively treat trees for pests, prune them regularly, feed them with proper fertilizers, […]
Prepping Your Property for Warmer Weather
With the end of winter comes relief. No more snow or sleet or slush or sludge; it’s sunshine and windbreaker season, baby! But the board of a condo, cooperative or homeowners association cannot be content with simply waiting for April showers to bring the long-awaited May flowers. A lot of work must be done to […]
Seasonal Maintenance: A Year-Round Responsibility
Building maintenance follows a schedule based on the seasons, each of which presents a unique set of challenges to a co-op or condo. At certain times of the year, it just makes sense to do certain regular maintenance projects: weatherizing, boiler maintenance, winterizing gardens and landscaping in the fall; cleaning, repainting, pruning, and switching off […]
Caring For Trees: The Right Tree, in the Right Place
Trees may seem like the ultimate in low-maintenance landscaping; they’re naturally occurring, live for decades (sometimes centuries), don’t really require much in the way of watering, and sometimes don’t even need pruning. But while all that is true, in fact in a residential setting, trees require much more care and consideration than one would think. […]
Water is an Enemy to Asphalt Paving
In the asphalt paving business we are asked many questions regarding proper maintenance of pavement surfaces for driveways, parking lots and roads. Our best advice is to be proactive about maintenance to ensure the life of your pavement surface. As we change seasons from winter to spring, one of the most frequent issues we encounter […]
Prepare Your Trees for Spring in 4 Easy Steps
New blooms, warm rain, and bright sunshine are just a few reasons to love spring. Sleeping plants slowly awaken and the birds sing with joy. A quick look around tells you it’s time to start working on your landscape. Spring is a great time to give trees the extra TLC they need to make it […]
How to Handle Every Stage of a Snowstorm
While residents of warmer clients experienced some early Spring weather, some regions have experienced extreme winter weather patterns this season and for a few of us that meant record breaking snow levels. Even right now, in some parts of the country snow is still falling, and as some may be inspired to dust off their […]
Battle Over Pesticide Spraying Heads to Court (IL)
A man with an autoimmune disorder claims his condition worsened after his homeowner’s association refused to stop spraying dangerous pesticides and threatened to increase spraying near his condominium. An anonymous plaintiff sued Rob Roy Country Club Village Association, its board of directors and Rowell Property Management Inc. in Chicago federal court on Wednesday, alleging negligence, […]
HOA Housekeeping 101: Proper Waste Removal and Outdoor Neatness
The word “housekeeping” may call up images of shower scrubbing, dusting and vacuuming; but the kind of housekeeping we’re talking about has to do with maintaining proper waste removal and outdoor neatness in your community. When sidewalks are swept, poop is scooped, and loose garbage is picked up, your community will shine with pride of […]
Five proven steps to landing your first HOA client (Landscapers)
I was 14 years old working in my father’s landscape business over the summer when I saw them. I was impressed by the fully uniformed staff with the logoed trucks all working together. This company did everything in the fancy community. They had a truck that did just irrigation. Another that did just trimming and […]
5 marketing practices most landscaping contractors get wrong
In a hyper-competitive industry like landscaping, marketing your business is critical. Even if you think you have enough customers now, people move all the time — more than 35 million people move every year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau — and they take their business with them. To keep a steady flow of new […]
Gardening In Your Association: The Basics
As the bleak cold of winter finally breaks and signs of spring begin to pop up all around, thoughts of vibrant flowers and lush vegetables are on gardeners’ minds. For those green thumbs living in tiny quarters, an impressive garden may seem unattainable. However, many are turning toward urban gardening, bringing plant life into unique […]
Don’t Touch that Sidewalk! Doing Too Much Could Be as Problematic for Condo Associations as Doing Too Little
We regularly advise condominium boards to be wary of taking on obligations beyond those state laws or their association’s governing documents require them to assume. A recent decision by a Massachusetts Appeals Court adds a judicial exclamation point to that advice. Read the article…………
Snow Removal Planning for Community Associations
I was talking with a friend recently regarding the challenges that they have with snow removal, and how they were managing the record snowfall that they have had so far this year. In certain areas of our nation, the snowfall has been significant, and in some instances, welcome reprieve due to droughts. Snow removal for […]
Dormant Season Pruning
Many of our associations were created and developed in the ‘80’s and ‘90’s. Trees and shrubs were part of the enhancements and have been thoroughly enjoyed over the years. Unfortunately, in all too many cases, they have been neglected over the years except to remove broken limbs and those that have fallen victim to rot, […]
Dealing With Ice is Anything But Neat
Those of us in the Northwest were recently hit with the first round of winter snowstorms. My children are avid weather watchers (in hopes of future school closures), so I understand that we are in store for several more storms in the coming months. Winter snow and ice inevitably result in a host of insurance […]
Snow Removal: No Business Like Snow Business
Time will tell whether global warming and climate change eventually make winter – and its attendant snow, ice, sleet, and other challenging weather issues – extinct, but for now at least, the colder months can take a seasonal toll on buildings and surrounding property. With the proper planning, forethought, and communication, however, building administrators can […]
Pros and Cons of Snow Removal Contract Options
Sitting by a warm fire or having a snowball fight on a snow day can be fun for the whole family. However, when you have to get around, the snow quickly becomes a hassle. If your area frequently sees snowfall, the HOA may be considering snow removal contracts. Check out these pros and cons of […]
4 Fall Landscaping Tips
As the temperature starts to drop, your HOA needs to get on top of fall landscaping. There are many things that should be done to get your plants ready for the winter. Check out these four fall landscaping tips and make sure your association follows them. Read the article………….
Tree Trouble – Part II, Self-Help
In part one of our three-part series on Tree Trouble, my colleague David Silver wrote about Timber Trespass. In this post, I’m going to discuss self-help. Self-help is the legal term that describes “taking the law into your own hands”—literally. In this context, it would include a property owner getting out their pruning shears or […]
Do’s and Don’ts for Properly Pruned Trees
As the fall leaves drop and the winter wind starts howling, tree limbs will be left barren, making this the perfect time to prune. Pruning makes for happy, healthy trees for years to come. “The best time to prune is between fall and winter,” explains Steve Nagy, a certified arborist from The Davey Tree Expert […]
How to Start a Community Garden
A community garden can be a great way to boost community interaction and give everyone something to share. If you’re considering starting a community garden in your HOA, check out these how-to tips. Before you run out and start planting a community garden, find out if anyone else is even interested. While a garden seems […]
What to Consider When Planning Your Community Landscaping
Beautiful landscaping is integral to any community. The right community landscaping can enhance your property values and make the area more enticing to prospective homebuyers and residents. Whether you’re investing for the first time or revamping your community landscaping, here are four considerations to keep in mind when choosing what to plant, when to plant […]
Fall Landscaping Checklist
With fall upon us, we’re eagerly awaiting the transformation of bright green leaves to the buttery yellow, deep red and vibrant orange colors the season is best known for. The changing autumn colors really are the best part of the season. Even though these fall changes happen each year without our intervention, there’s a lot […]
Budgeting for Snow Removal Without a Crystal Ball
For community associations that maintain their own streets, exterior parking lots and sidewalks, snow removal services can easily be one of the highest budgeted expenses each year. In the real estate boom of the early 2000’s, buyers purchased homes without knowing that maintenance of the streets and sidewalks (including snow removal) would be the responsibility […]
Budget Tips: 5 Reasons Your Landscape Maintenance Costs May Increase
Landscape maintenance budgets can be a major component for homeowners associations and in some cases condominium budgets. What should your association be prepared for in your 2017 budgets? Unfortunately, there are several market forces that have resulted in increased costs for landscape maintenance companies over the past few years. Read the article……………
Budgeting for Snow Removal Without a Crystal Ball
For community associations that maintain their own streets, exterior parking lots and sidewalks, snow removal services can easily be one of the highest budgeted expenses each year. In the real estate boom of the early 2000’s, buyers purchased homes without knowing that maintenance of the streets and sidewalks (including snow removal) would be the responsibility […]
Preparing For the Invasion: How Can Co-ops and Condos Deal with Invasive Species
Trees have their own natural enemies, but perhaps the most devastating for co-op, condo and HOA communities are invasive species of insects like the emerald ash borer (EAB). Originating in Asia, this predator of ash trees is now present in 27 states, including New York and New Jersey. Metallic-green in color and measuring just a […]
July Is A GREAT Time To Discuss Snow Removal
On behalf of snow contractors everywhere, if you currently have your snow and ice management contract signed, and/or plan to have it signed on or before October 15th, please consider yourself “HIGH FIVED”. Your pro-active leadership should pay off big time when it counts. Your association should recognize you as a superior board member or […]
Operation: Landscape
There are many parts to the landscape “game.” Some are small, some large, some moving and some waving their arms frantically in the air, calling you over to handle the imaginary emergency that needs to get taken care of immediately or the world will end. But I digress. All of these parts are in perpetual […]
HOA & Xeriscaping
When you hear the word “xeriscaping,” does it evoke images in your mind of endless gravel, rocks, and cacti? Well, if you’re like most people, this is probably how you tend to view xeriscaping and it may seem less-than-appealing to you as your choice of landscaping. Don’t be too fast to rule it out of […]
Operation: Landscape
There are many parts to the landscape “game.” Some are small, some large, some moving and some waving their arms frantically in the air, calling you over to handle the imaginary emergency that needs to get taken care of immediately or the world will end. But I digress. All of these parts are in perpetual […]
Starting A Landscape Plan As A Property Owners Association
If your association has landscaped common areas, then you should have a grounds maintenance (landscaping) contract for the association in place. The key to being successful long-term with any landscaping plan, and financial investment, is to start out with a good plan. Read the article………….
Is Hardscaping Right for Your Community? Non-Organic Landscaping
When most people think of landscaping, they think of shrubs, trees, meticulously laid-out and maintained flowerbeds, and artful plantings scattered around a building or development. However, landscaping doesn’t need to end with the things that grow. Read the article…………
Tips from Our Property Management Team – Mulch
Keep mulch from exceeding 3” in depth. This includes OLD and NEW mulch. Consider removing old mulch before applying a fresh layer. Too much mulch leads to a decline in plant health. The extra mulch used leads to increased material costs. Read the article……….
Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow (NC)
Many property owners’ associations across North Carolina are faced with the annual challenge of clearing snow and ice from the community’s roads, sidewalks, and other common areas. Assuming there is no specific guidance in the community’s governing documents, what is a property owners’ association’s responsibility for clearing snow and ice? Read the article…………
Using Volunteers for Snow Removal Is Never a Good Idea
With budgets being finalized and the winter season approaching, association boards are again faced with the significant and sometimes unanticipated expenses associated with snow removal. In an effort to reduce these expenses, an unwise board may consider using volunteers to perform snow removal tasks around the property, such as shoveling or snow plowing sidewalks and […]
Winter Preparation
Although temperatures are yet to seriously plummet, chilly mornings promise that frigid temperatures are on the way. To prepare for winter weather, there are a few things condo associations should do to ensure the safety of tenants and their guests and of the building itself. Read the article………….
7 Ways Condo Landscaping Can Increase Your Occupancy Rate
Take a moment to picture yourself in a beautiful location. Go ahead, I’ll wait. What does that location look like for you? Is it filled with the beauty of nature? Are there water features or colorful trees? Now, think: how would you like to live there? Read the article…………
Do You Have a Problem With Trees?
Trees can add beauty to any yard and create valuable shade as well as improve property value. However, when trees become too big, they can lead to aesthetic and more serious problems. If you have big trees in your community, check out these three facts that can help you understand more about them. Read the […]
How to Order a Community Entrance Sign, or Any Other Signs (NC)
Signage is an important part of the impression created when someone visits your community. It’s the first thing residents see when they enter. It’s also the first thing that prospective home buyers see when they are considering buying a home there. Read the article…………..
It’s Time to Communicate Your Association’s Snow and Ice Removal Policy
Unfortunately, snow and ice are a fact of life in Ohio. When temperatures drop and snow starts falling, board members are often faced with questions and complaints about snow and ice removal. To better protect the association from liability and to place more responsibility on the residents, the board should send a newsletter, memo, or […]
You Can’t Prevent Snow and Ice but You Can Manage the Liability Risks They Create
Condominium residents, not unreasonably, expect parking lots to be plowed and walkways to be cleared of snow and ice. Boards that fail to deliver those expected services face not only the ire of residents, but also potential liability if residents or visitors suffer ice- and snow-related injuries. Those liability risks for community associations are far […]
Can’t Top That! Tree Topping in HOA’s
Homeowner associations often deal with tree issues in the form of view blocking or overcrowding as they age and grow. Tree topping is sometimes used to address the view issue. But tree topping is perhaps the most harmful tree pruning practice known. Yet despite years of explaining its harmful effects, it remains a common practice. […]
Waging War on HOA Weeds
Why is it that the plants you want to keep green and living always brown and wilt, while the weeds you try to kill flourish and drive you nuts? It’s a problem that plagues every yard, in every community no matter what part of the country you live in. While the problem is inevitable, there […]
Who Is Responsible for Community Upkeep?
If you are curious about Home Owners Association or community common areas and upkeep, the answers are going to require a bit of legwork and investigation. After all, the governing documents of towns and HOAs vary widely, and the bylaws, CC&Rs and other articles of incorporation may make it unclear as to who is responsible […]
Goats return to the Issaquah Highlands (WA)
Goats have returned to the Issaquah Highlands to clean up dry growth on the area’s steep hillsides, with nothing but the power of their prodigious appetites. Read the article……….
Reducing Liabilities in Your Community Parking Lot
No one likes being sued, but unfortunately, America has become a litigious society. Whether you were not warned that your coffee was too hot, or you slipped and fell on your untied shoelaces, it always seems to be the fault of someone else. Reducing potential liabilities in your community parking lot is an integral part […]
Yes, in My Back (and Front) Yard!
But in communities overseen by homeowners associations—where 20 percent of all U.S. homeowners live—progress can be slower. While some HOAs support and even codify gardening for wildlife, many are still attached to the anachronistic symbol of suburbia: lush lawns that, combined with commercial uses of turfgrass, collectively suck up more water than any other irrigated […]