Ready to take the plunge and buy your very own condo? Purchasing your own place is definitely a big decision, but it doesn’t have to be a difficult one. We’ve outlined plenty of tips and suggestions to help you navigate the market and the condo-buying process, so you can make a smart, informed decision about your future abode. Keep reading to get one step closer to buying the condo of your dreams!

1

Buy a condo if you’d like an affordable place of your own.

  1. Condos offer the roominess of a house without the extra upkeep. When you buy a condo, you don’t have to worry about mowing the lawn or keeping your bushes trimmed. Instead, you pay a monthly fee to your condo association (also known as an HOA), which takes care of all your landscaping needs for you. These fees also cover special amenities, such as a pool.[1]
    • If your condo complex has a lot of fancy amenities, you may have to pay more each month.
    • Condos definitely have a cheaper pricetag compared to a single-family home, but they may not be worth as much when it’s time to sell.
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3

Search for FHA-approved condos.

  1. These condos let you finance your condo with an FHA mortgage. The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) has a specific set of standards for condos; if a complex meets these standards, they get “FHA approval.”[3] These FHA-approved complexes and units can be financed with an FHA-sponsored loan, which makes it easier for people with low credit scores to qualify for ownership.[4]
    • Some FHA requirements include the complex being fully built and not under construction, as well as having 5 finished condo units.[5]
    • You can find FHA-approved condos here: https://entp.hud.gov/idapp/html/condlook.cfm
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6

Calculate the HOA fees.

  1. Make sure these fees fit into your overall budget. Each month, condo owners are required to pay a fee to their condo association/HOA—this helps cover maintenance costs, like landscaping and amenities.[9] Chat with your real estate agent or a member of the condo association to get an idea of what your monthly condo fees could look like.[10]
    • For some complexes, these fees might only be an extra $200-300 or so per month; at other places, the fee could be at least $1,000 each month.
    • These fees are also known as “dues.” They’re separate from your condo mortgage payments, and won’t be lumped together.[11]
7

Check for potential special assessments.

  1. Special assessments require residents to pay extra for a condo-wide project. Chat with the current owner or realtor and see how many special assessments were issued over the past few months and years. While the occasional special assessment is expected as a building goes through its normal wear and tear, monthly assessment fees are definitely a red flag.[12]
    • For example, the HOA might issue a special assessment to replace a really old plumbing system.
    • Some condo associations keep their monthly fees too low to save a significant amount in their reserves. They make up for this by charging frequent special assessments from the different condo owners.[13]
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8

Check how much money the condo association has in reserve.

  1. A good condo association needs to be prepared for the unexpected. Ask the condo association for copies of their recent financial records and documents. Then, take a closer look at these records and see how much the association has saved up overall.[14] An almost empty account definitely isn’t good, and could be a sign that the condo association issues lots of special assessments.[15]
    • Some states require HOAs to research the amount of reserves that a condo complex needs to cover future fees, repairs, and maintenance.[16] See if your condo complex has a copy of this study on hand.[17]
13

Inspect the condo’s amenities and landscaping.

  1. See how well the property management group maintains everything. Take a walk around the public spaces and amenities of the complex, like the swimming pool and fitness center. Do these areas and facilities look well cared for, or are they in disarray? An inattentive property management group is definitely a red flag when you’re shopping for a condo.
    • As a member of a condo complex, you pay regular fees to your condo association, which manages the lawn maintenance, amenities, and other communal aspects of the complex through a property management group.[22] You want to make sure you're getting your money's worth!
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14

Apply for a preapproved mortgage once you’ve done your research.

Expert Q&A

  • Question
    Is there homeowner's insurance that is specific for condos?
    Ryan Baril
    Ryan Baril
    VP, CAPITALPlus Mortgage
    Ryan Baril is the Vice President of CAPITALPlus Mortgage, a boutique mortgage origination and underwriting company founded in 2001. Ryan has been educating consumers about the mortgage process and general finance for almost 20 years. He graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2012 with a B.S.B.A. in Marketing.
    Ryan Baril
    VP, CAPITALPlus Mortgage
    Expert Answer
    Yes, there are two types of insurance that primarily cover condos. First is the "walls-out coverage"; this is obtained by the condo association and paid by your monthly dues. This policy covers anything from the walls out, like windows, the roof, the building itself, etc. Then you have the option to obtain an HO6, or "walls-in" policy. This you will pay yourself and covers all of your personal belongings inside the property.
  • Question
    What are questions to ask for HOAs for condos?
    Ryan Baril
    Ryan Baril
    VP, CAPITALPlus Mortgage
    Ryan Baril is the Vice President of CAPITALPlus Mortgage, a boutique mortgage origination and underwriting company founded in 2001. Ryan has been educating consumers about the mortgage process and general finance for almost 20 years. He graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2012 with a B.S.B.A. in Marketing.
    Ryan Baril
    VP, CAPITALPlus Mortgage
    Expert Answer
    Ask to see the budget, and pay special attention to special assessments and reserves. Ask when the last special assessment was and when they anticipate the next one to be.
  • Question
    At what stage are you interviewed by the HOA?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    You'll likely have to go through an HOA interview before you officially put a down payment on the condo. Try not to worry, though! This interview is actually a great time to get your own questions answered about the condo complex.
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About This Article

Nathan Miller
Co-authored by:
Property Management Specialist
This article was co-authored by Nathan Miller and by wikiHow staff writer, Janice Tieperman. Nathan Miller is an entrepreneur, landlord, and real estate investor. In 2009, he founded Rentec Direct, a cloud-based property management company. Today, Rentec Direct works with over 16,000 landlords and property managers across the United States, helping them manage their rentals efficiently. This article has been viewed 109,330 times.
2 votes - 100%
Co-authors: 24
Updated: January 31, 2023
Views: 109,330
Categories: Buying Property
Article SummaryX

To buy a condo, first research locations to figure out where you want to live. When you’ve decided on an area, look at condo listings, and go to open houses for properties you’re interested in. Consider hiring a realtor, who can help you identify condos in the neighborhoods you like. Also, talk to your banker about getting pre-approved for a loan so you’ll know what you can afford. If you find a place you like, make an offer, then be prepared to review any counter-offers you may receive before you reach an agreement on a final contract. For tips on choosing a realtor who can help you get the condo you want, read on!

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