Condo boards eventually face this question: “Should the community stay self-managed, or should they hire a professional condo management company?” While many opt for self-managing to keep operative costs low and full control of administrative affairs, these aren’t the only tasks that make a condo run efficiently, and the responsibilities can pile up quickly as … Read more

Calgary is located in the “hail alley”, the area with the most hail storms in Canada, and it’s also known as the hailstorm capital of Canada, so Calgarian homeowners and landlords are no strangers to summer hailstorms that cause millions of dollars in property damage, including the 2024 severe storm that caused over $3 billion … Read more

In our previous blogs about house foundations, we mentioned that the soil type in which a foundation lies directly impacts the foundation’s condition over the years. Unfortunately, Alberta didn’t win the soil lottery because expansive clay soil, also known as shrink-swell soil, is abundant across the province, including Calgary.  Expansive soil changes a lot in … Read more

In our last blog, we discussed the importance of foundation integrity for rental properties and the role of regular maintenance in avoiding simple fixes from becoming major problems that can disrupt your tenants’ daily lives, and your income and reputation as a landlord.  When independent landlords notice their property has foundation issues, their first reaction … Read more

The most important part of a house is the one we rarely see or think about. Hidden below the house, the foundation quietly supports everything above it: the structure, the systems and ultimately, your investment. However, the foundation’s critical work requires that its integrity is intact; when it sometimes goes wrong, it can escalate quickly … Read more

Yard drainage is often an overlooked (or forgotten) item in landlords’ maintenance checklists, but the reality is that it is an extremely critical aspect in property management. Poor drainage goes beyond aesthetics and landscaping problems: It can cause serious structural damage, from mold growth and pest infestations, to foundation instability, cracked walls and basement flooding. … Read more

Electrical problems in rental properties are more common than most landlords may think, and they’re not issues to be ignored. From faulty outlets and flickering lights to aging wiring, these small issues can quickly turn into serious safety hazards if you don’t address them as soon as your tenants report them, because beyond their comfort, … Read more

Every landlord wants to maximize their revenue, and handling rental property repairs on their own is often the first thing they do to save. However, this isn’t always the best idea, as there is a fine line between a cost-effective repair project and a liability crisis that can cost you way more than hiring a … Read more

A water damage notification is something no independent landlord wants to get. However, once your tenant lets you know about a minor drip or a burst pipe, it’s a race against time, and you need to act fast to prevent the issue from escalating into mold, structural damage, expensive repairs, and unhappy tenants.  This guide … Read more