Someone contemplating buying a condominium should keep in mind that they're not only buying real estate, but joining an organization as well. In addition to investigating the property, the buyer should look into the organization also.
Buying a condominium is different from buying a single family home. All states have laws that govern condominium sales. These laws mandate that information be provided to potential condominium buyers. Review of the information by potential buyers is very important. This information generally includes the following:
- Declaration of Condominium
- Condominium Association Bylaws
- Association Financial Records.
- Minutes of Association Meeting
Declaration of Condominium
The Declaration is the constitution of the association, it provides the structure by which the association is initially organized and managed. The developer of the complex files the Declaration with the county recorder of deeds. It defines important elements of the property, such as the common areas and limited common areas. This document is generally not subject to change. It may provide for amendment, but only in a very difficult way, such as the unanimous vote of all property owners. The Declaration provides for the initial election of officers.
Duties of the Board of Directors, the terms of office, selection of officers and authority of the Board are defined by the declaration. These Board and Officers are unit owners themselves, and should be knowledgeable about condominium rules and regulations. The Board normally has the final say is what is done in the complex. That say is expressed through the bylaws.
Association Bylaws
The Bylaws of the Association set forth the rights and responsibilities of the unit owners. Bylaws set the election rules for officers after the first election and define the rules the owners will live by. Rules related to pets, maintenance, even Christmas decorations can be addressed by the bylaws. The Bylaws are generally freely amended by the Board of Directors.
Financial and Management Records
The condo buyer is entitled to inspect the financial and management records of the Condo Association. These can tell the buyer if the organization of which he would be a part is managed in a way comfortable to the buyer.
When reviewing the above listed materials a prospective purchaser of a condominium should consider the following:
- Has there proper budgeting?
- Has spending stayed within the budgets of the past?
- Are the property reserves adequately funded?
- For what items are reserves in existence?
- What is the history of monthly assessments and what is the current assessment?
- Is the Board currently contemplating a special assessment?
- Has a current reserve study been completed?
- Is insurance adequate for liability and damage to common areas?
- Is there errors and omissions insurance for Board Members?
- What are the policies on renting units? Are there rental restrictions and how many units are presently rented?
- What limits have been placed upon unit owners? (Such as limits on pets, age restrictions on residency)
- Do those limits and related rules meet with the plans the buyer has for use of his unit?
- What system of communication exists to keep owners informed of actions by the Board of Directors?
Those are questions someone in the market for a condominium should have answered before buying. The answers should be contained in the Declaration, Bylaws, Financial Statements, and Board Meeting Minutes. While the buyer may like a property, he should also like the organization that he would be joining.
