Training and Professional Development

Toronto's allowable land uses in flux
 
It has been 12 years since the six local municipalities that formed Metropolitan Toronto were amalgamated into the City of Toronto. Toronto is now considering the approval of a new harmonized zoning by-law to replace the zoning by-laws of the former local municipalities.

Planning for value
 
Condominium corporations, and the property managers they hire, have an important responsibility – to ensure the smooth running of the condo’s operations together with prudent financial management. After all, sound condo corporation management should result in a well-run and well-maintained building, enhancing the owners’ quality of life and the long term value of each owner’s property.

Curb appeal
 
Most people have heard the cliché that you only get one chance to make a good first impression. This saying is not only true in life, but it even applies to real estate: first impressions are exceptionally important, especially in a slower market like the one we are facing today. Not only is the market softer than it has been in a number of years, but with so many new condominiums available, how are older buildings and townhouse complexes supposed to compete?

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Confusion can crop up over roles of manager and condo board
 
A property manager’s day often begins at daybreak with a flood of messages and continues at a frenetic pace until evening board meetings. But no two days are alike and each day poses a new challenge.

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Project managers are tooled for success
 
One of the best ways to save money during a construction project is to hire an experienced project manager to oversee construction. The project manager will direct the project from pre-construction to the completion of the post-construction phase and will ensure a successful undertaking performed on time and within budget.

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Developing community standards
 
Condominium homeowners often question the necessity of having so many bylaws and rules governing their day to day use of the common areas and their units. They view bylaws and rules negatively, as restrictions rather than consider the positive effects that they have in promoting the enjoyment of their condominium lifestyle. These owners often forget that in a freehold home setting there is no Board or property manager to intervene with the people next door whose dog keeps them up all night and there are no rules that can be used to stop the family next door from turning their driveway into an auto-body shop.

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Improve employee retention with training
 
Condominium homeowners often question the necessity of having so many bylaws and rules governing their day to day use of the common areas and their units. They view bylaws and rules negatively, as restrictions rather than consider the positive effects that they have in promoting the enjoyment of their condominium lifestyle. These owners often forget that in a freehold home setting there is no Board or property manager to intervene with the people next door whose dog keeps them up all night and there are no rules that can be used to stop the family next door from turning their driveway into an auto-body shop.

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A mixed bag
 
To introduce commercial uses into a residential building can be a complicated matter and those who design and develop the facility are rarely around to learn from their mistakes. The property managers of these facilities often find themselves with a string of problems that could have been avoided with a little communication with the developer during the planning stages. Here are some of the ideas that may be communicated at such a meeting.

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Personnel payback
 
Property management firms are experiencing increased staff turnover in a labour market with strong demand for both entry level and experienced employees. The costs of replacing departing workers and allowing time for their successors to get acclimatized in the workplace can become even more pronounced if new hires don’t stay long enough for employers to recoup their human resources investment.

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Proceed with caution: high stress levels ahead!
 
Are you one of many individuals who have read good articles on how to manage stress? Do you say to yourself, “yes this makes sense and I should practice some of those techniques”? Maybe you have even tried for a minute or two or a full day to keep the suggestions alive. Nonetheless, somehow life keeps happening and your attempts at stress management fall to the end of the priority list. You say to yourself, “When I have time, I will try again.” 

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