Best Practices to Display Holiday Cheer

As any parent or relative of school-age children knows, the period from Halloween through New Year's is marked by a seemingly continuous string of holiday celebrations. Many of these holidays include a tradition of decorating homes with displays of individuality, creativity and holiday spirit. While holiday decorating can be a great way to build and maintain community spirit, there are . . . to read more of this article from Chuck Mortimer, Levy von Beck & Associates, P.S., click here.

Winterizing Your Building's Exterior

Washington State winter weather changes drastically across the mountains from rainy and mild Seattle to cold and dry Spokane. Regardless of where you are in the state, these winters can often take a toll on a building's exterior, leading to deterioration over time. There are a number of ways ranging in price and scope that homeowners can . . . to read more of this article from Ed Segat, Morrison Hershfield, click here.

Tying Up Loose Ends: End of the Year checklist for Self-Managed Communities

As we near the end of the year, it's time to take care of loose ends and prepare for the upcoming year. This can often prove a difficult balancing act, especially without the help of professional management. However, just because you're a self-managed community doesn't mean you must do without professional assistance. In fact, under the Washington Nonprofit Corporation Act, a board of directors is allowed to . . . to read more of this article from Tony Rafel, Rafel Law Group, click here.

Simplifying the Management of Life and Property Protection

According to the National Fire Protection Agency in 2009, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated 1.3 million fires that resulted in over 3,000 civilian fatalities and an estimated $12.5 billion in direct property loss. This equates to one civilian fire death every 175 minutes. Fire code and testing requirements are critical to maximizing safety and protection of life and property. Recently, there have been several tragic fires that remind us of the importance of being up to date and informed about critical life safety issues, testing requirements and advancements in technology that increase safety. In addition . . . to read more of this article from Erin Gilliam, Guardian Security, click here.

Heating Season Tune-Ups

About 55% of American home owners have their heating-cooling equipment professionally serviced at least once a year, according to a recent survey of home owners across the country by Honeywell, Inc., which makes a variety of electronic heating-cooling controls. They're the smart ones. An annual heating system . . . to read more of this article from Tina Young, Northwest Mechanical, Inc., click here.

Flooding, Freezing and Other Facts

Winter is approaching fast! According to the weather service, we are slated for a "La Nina" winter this year which means lots of rain, snow, wet and cold. Winter temperatures will mean more freezing pipes, slippery walking surfaces and snow removal. Cold weather also increases use of candles, heaters and fireplaces. Spend your time this fall getting your property ready for . . . to read more of this article from Linda Larsen, CIRMS, Brent Ward State Farm, click here.

The New Year for Community Associations

The fall and winter seasons are filled with many momentous and personal occasions for association members, board members, and association managers. Good tidings and holiday spirit lighten our steps as we embark on the paths of budget ratification and annual meetings. As the snow falls, and we sit down to appreciate friends and family, we reflect on the year's successes and failures. Our future goals are documented in a series of New Year's resolutions. What would happen if . . . to read more of this article from Sarah Anderson, CMCA, AMS, The CWD Group, Inc., AAMC, click here.