Condo Buyer's Guide: What you need to know when buying a condo

Download a PDF version of this guide here:  Fannie Mae Condo Buyer's Guide

Is buying a condo right for you?

Condominiums, or condos, can be great alternatives to detached homes. City dwellers, singles, couples, seniors, and many others may find condos that suit their needs and budgets. Others may simply prefer low-maintenance living. Buyers who feel “priced out” of homes may discover condos offer an affordable homeownership alternative. For some buyers, a condo is a place to live for a few years. For others, a condo can be home sweet home for a lifetime.

This guide is designed to help you learn terms, questions, and obligations you should understand before you decide to buy a condo.

How do you become a well-informed condo buyer? Take the time to read and learn… you may find a bright and exciting future of condo ownership ahead of you!

Just what is a condominium?

You may have a basic understanding of what a condo is: you own your “unit” within a larger building or community of other condo owners. You jointly own the exterior property and common areas with all unit owners in the building or community. Condo owners pay a monthly “condo fee” that covers general repairs and maintenance to the building exteriors and common areas and builds up a cash reserve for future needs.

There are many styles of condos, from high-rise apartments reached through common interior hallways or garden-style apartments with outside entrances to multi-story townhomes. Each condo is different, but generally the maintenance of exterior and common areas is taken care of through your condo fee, so you don’t have to worry about replacing a roof, for example.

But there’s more to know. And one important thing is that condo ownership is homeownership. As a condo owner, you’ll enjoy both the benefits and the responsibilities of homeownership.

You may find that homeownership provides you with tax and investment advantages. For example, you may be able to deduct your mortgage interest if you itemize deductions on your tax return, and you may discover that, like detached homes, condos may appreciate in value over time. Please consult your tax advisor about your individual situation.

Some important things to keep in mind

• Condos represent a community form of ownership.
• In addition to your monthly mortgage payment, local property taxes (in most areas), and insurance costs, you will pay a condo fee that may also be referred to as “homeowners’ association” (HOA) dues or fees.
• Your lender will factor in the condo fee in determining how much of a loan you can qualify for. And, like detached homes, if your down payment is less than 20 percent of the purchase price, you may also have to pay PMI, or private mortgage insurance, each month—which is generally cancellable once you have more than 20% equity in your home.
• Your monthly income, credit history, and monthly debts — the “home buying basics” — all help determine if you qualify for a mortgage.

Qualifying the property

Your lender will look at many of the same kinds of borrower qualifications for loans secured by condos as it does for loans secured by detached homes. It is critical for your lender to know that you can repay the loan without undue hardship to you or risk of default on your mortgage.

But with condos there are a few more things to know. To make sure your condo qualifies for the most favorable loan financing, Your lender may evaluate several factors designed to assess the financial and governance strength of the condo community or building you are considering.

You’ll want to evaluate the condo carefully before finalizing your purchase offer. You’ll want to know:

• Are there any special assessments (such as for capital improvements to the condo property) that will affect your cost to own the condo unit, or the building’s value, in the long term?
• Are there any major lawsuits pending against the condo association or developer that could limit your ability to obtain financing to purchase the condo? This is a question to discuss with your lender.

Questions to ask your real estate professional, lender, and condo association

To help you learn more about purchasing a condo, here are some questions you may want to ask or research.

• How much can you afford to spend on a condo? Your lender will look at what your total monthly housing costs would be, taking into consideration the condo fee, property taxes, PMI (if applicable), plus the principal and interest payments on your mortgage loan. One of the best ways to determine how much you can afford is to get pre-qualified before you go condo shopping—ask your lender how.
• What are your legal rights and obligations under the condo bylaws? As a prospective purchaser, you will receive a copy of the condo bylaws and other documents that you should review so you understand the rules about remodeling, leasing your unit, fees and penalties, parking restrictions, pet ownership, and other obligations. If you have any questions, you may want to talk with an officer of the condo association, or a real estate attorney with experience in your area.

In most cases you have a limited period to review the condo documents after your purchase contract is accepted by the seller. Talk to your real estate professional, know your rights—and, if necessary, consult a real estate attorney.

• What is included in the condominium fee? Are utilities, hazard insurance premiums, or real estate taxes paid directly by homeowners or are they included in the condo fee? Is there on-site property management?
• Is parking deeded and/or assigned? Are there spaces for visitors? How many parking spaces are provided for the unit you want to purchase? Can spaces be purchased?
• How are officers elected to the condo board or HOA? How frequently are elections held? What are the qualifications to run for office? How long do officers serve? Are there term limits?
• What kinds of modifications to the unit are allowed? Is there a committee that reviews and approves changes?
• Is it possible to talk to some owners in the community or building? What is it like living there: for example, is maintenance handled well? Is there much turnover? Are there concerns about noise levels or other problems?
• What is the remaining useful life of the community or building’s major components? These components include the roof(s), sewer and water pipes outside individual units, parking lots or garages, elevators, and other major building infrastructure. Is there a potential impact on the value of your condo?
• How much is in the cash reserve fund for future repairs? Are there any pending assessments or major repair projects that exceed the repair fund at this time? Has the HOA’s accountant offered recommendations or has the HOA obtained a study on the adequacy of the cash reserve fund? Having adequate funds for both routine maintenance and cash reserves for major repairs or unexpected costs is critical. If necessary repair costs exceed the available funds, a special assessment can be imposed on all unit owners in the condo project, requiring a one-time payment or increasing the monthly condo fee for a period of time. Ask if the condo has any history of special assessments.
• Does the master property insurance policy cover full replacement costs? Does the policy have a building-ordinance clause to cover costs associated with bringing the building up to code in the event rebuilding is required?
• Does the master insurance policy cover the interior of the units as well as “common elements” used by all residents? If not, you will probably be required under the terms of your mortgage financing to purchase and maintain an insurance policy to cover your condo’s interior, commonly known as an “HO-6” policy.
• Is the complex renter-friendly? If you are looking at your condo as a long-term investment, you may not want any restrictions on your future ability to rent out or sublease the unit. But if you plan to make the condo your long-time residence, you may prefer that owner-occupancy is high, so you’ll be living among property owners (like you!). Inquire about all terms and conditions by which you can rent your unit, as there may be seasonal or other restrictions.

Tips for moving forward

First, make sure you’ve covered the standard home-buying basics. When you’re ready to purchase a condo, your lender can help you with the process and help you select the mortgage financing option that is best for you. If you have credit or other issues that need to be addressed before you can buy, ask your lender to refer you to a HUD-approved housing counselor.

Be proactive. Prepare your own checklist about the home style, services, and amenities that are important to you, and then visit a variety of condos to find one that fits your lifestyle.