Condo Living Made Easy

As we welcome 2026, we'd like to wish our readers a very Happy New Year! A new year is the perfect time for condo boards, property managers, and owners to refocus on what matters most. Here are three priorities to start the year strong:

1. Financial Well-Being: A solid financial plan and routine oversight sets the tone for the year ahead. Stay on top of budgets, reserves, and long-term planning with financial management support from trusted partners like Haus Financial Services. Expert financial management can help your association make confident, proactive decisions.
2. The Right Vendors & Systems: Reliable vendors and efficient building management are essential, especially in Chicago. Tools like Condoly.io help you find, hire, and manage vendors for all of your HOA needs. Make maintenance and management of your communities a simple, stress-free experience in 2026.
3. Knowledge & Resources That Empower:  ChicagoCondoResource.com connects you to news, information and resources to help you better manage your association. Membership provides access to Educational Videos, Ask the Expert Q&As, and practical Templates designed to support condo boards and owners. Our blog and event calendar are always free and open to all visitors. Stay tuned for exciting new offerings coming in 2026!

As the new year begins, each Chicago condo community continues to be an essential part of what makes our city thrive. Here’s to a year of working together, moving forward, and building strong, connected communities. Wishing you health, prosperity, and successful condo living in the New Year!

As the year comes to a close, we want to take a moment to thank you for being part of our community and for leading your own. Serving on a condominium board is no small commitment for those who volunteer their time to support their neighbors, protect their building, and make thoughtful decisions that impact the entire association. We are grateful for your readership and for the care you bring to your communities throughout the year.

We hope this holiday season gives you a chance to step back, recharge, and enjoy time with family and friends—well deserved after another busy year of budgets, meetings, and problem-solving. Wishing you a peaceful holiday season and a healthy, successful year ahead!

As always, please remember that you don’t have to do this work alone. If you need financial guidance, accounting support, or help navigating complex association decisions, Haus Financial Services is here for you. And if you’re looking for trusted vendors or an easier way to connect with professionals who understand condo communities, Condoly is ready to help—now and in the year ahead.

Chicago winters can be brutal, and a heating emergency in your condo building can escalate quickly. Here’s what boards and owners should keep in mind to stay safe and minimize damage.

1. Respond Quickly: If a resident reports a loss of heat, acknowledge it right away and determine whether it’s an individual unit or a building-wide issue. Contact your HVAC or boiler contractor as soon as possible, ideally one with 24/7 service.
2. Communicate Clearly: Keep residents updated with what’s happening, who is working on the problem, and when they can expect the next update. Clear communication reduces stress and helps residents plan.
3. Prevent Freeze Damage: During an outage, encourage residents to; keep cabinet doors open near plumbing, let faucets drip slightly, and close common-area doors to retain warmth. This can help prevent frozen or burst pipes.
4. Support Residents While Repairs Are Underway: Share tips for safe space heater use, open a warm common area if possible, and check in on vulnerable residents. For longer outages in extreme cold, consider temporary accommodations for those most at risk.
5. Prepare Ahead of Time: Annual system inspections, updated emergency contacts, and reminders about reporting procedures can help prevent emergencies—or make them easier to manage.

Managing heating emergencies (and all building issues) gets easier with the right tools. Condoly.io helps condo boards and associations find, hire, and manage professionals for all your property management and maintenance solutions for your community. It’s a smart way to stay prepared before winter hits.