Frequently Asked Questions

An HOA fee means a periodic charge collected by a homeowners' association (HOA) from each condo owner. You may also hear an HOA fee called an assessment. HOA fees cover the maintenance of the common areas and services as well as the wages of building staff; in some condos, some of your utility costs, such as sewage, water, or trash removal, can also be included under an HOA fee.

Average HOA fees can range from $200 to $400 a month. How much your HOA fees will cost is based on the square footage of your condo, whether you live in a high-amenity or low-amenity building, and other factors. Typically, higher-service condos include higher HOA fees because they need to cover more staff and amenities. Conversely, a low-amenity condo includes lower HOA fees, since the HOA doesn't need to pay for full-time staff, a pool, a gym, etc.

Ultimately, whether you feel that the amenities you get for your money are worth it is up to you. But if you decide to live in an HOA community, it is very important to pay your HOA fees on time. Homeowners' associations can put liens on your property and can even force a foreclosure in order to collect past-due HOA fees.

Typically, you will pay HOA fees monthly, but in some associations, your HOA fees are due on a quarterly or annual basis. When your HOA fees are due will depend upon the rules of your specific association; be sure to ask whether you'll pay monthly or less frequently before you buy.

Typically, you will pay HOA fees monthly, but in some associations, your HOA fees are due on a quarterly or annual basis. When your HOA fees are due will depend upon the rules of your specific association; be sure to ask whether you'll pay monthly or less frequently before you buy.

Is condo insurance mandatory? The short answer is yes, in almost all cases. In general, an HOA's master insurance policy covers building exteriors and common areas. This coverage is included as part of your HOA fees. Insurance coverage for the interior of your condo and its contents is your responsibility. In nearly all cases, you will not be able to secure a mortgage on your condo until you purchase HO-6 condo insurance, which will cover your individual unit.

The good news about insurance with a condo is that in most cases your HOA dues will cover insurance for the structure in the common areas, meaning your insurance premium is only for what is inside your unit and that typically makes the premium a lot less than with homeowners insurance.

Should the worst case scenario happen a flood or a fire in the building, HOA insurance will cover most of those cases by rebuilding everything except your condo interior. That is when your insurance would take over and cover the finish like cabinets, appliances even your personal items like furniture.

You want to check the HOA insurance policy during the disclosure period to be sure everything is covered. It is wise to consult with your own insurance agent also during this time to be sure your personal interests are covered within your condo.

You want to check the HOA insurance policy during the disclosure period to be sure everything is covered. It is wise to consult with your own insurance agent also during this time to be sure your personal interests are covered within your condo.

In most cases, you will be covered under two insurance policies. Your condo's homeowners' association will have a master insurance policy that covers damage to the exterior of your condo and damage to the property's common areas. You will also be covered under an individual policy (called an HO-6 policy) that insures the interior of your condo from damage and insures your personal possessions.

Condo building insurance, also known as your condo association or HOA's master insurance policy, only covers the external structure of your condo building and common areas like a pool, parking garage, or clubhouse. Whether or not any of your unit's internal structures are covered under this policy will vary from property to property and from state to state. Always check with your HOA and find out what's covered by your dues before purchasing an insurance policy.

Typically, should a covered event occur and your condo building is damaged, you will be liable only for the cost of rebuilding the interior structures of your unit and replacing your personal possessions under your condo insurance policy, while the rest of the property is covered by your HOA. Under a traditional homeowners insurance policy, you would need enough coverage to rebuild the entire house. For this reason, condo insurance is typically cheaper than homeowners insurance.

There are four types of condo insurance you need to be sure are included in your individual policy. These are:

• HO-6 condo insurance, which we will explain shortly
• Liability insurance, which protects you from liability if someone is injured inside your condo
• Condo contents insurance, which insures your furniture, electronics, or other personal possessions
• Loss assessment coverage, which will protect you if you are required by your HOA to contribute to a large
• master insurance deductible in the event of damage to common areas

Your condo HO-6 insurance policy covers the internal structures of your condo. Depending on your HOA's master insurance policy, you may need to cover all internal features, such as kitchen and bathroom fixtures, countertops, and flooring. This is called "walls-in" condo insurance. Other HOAs may have "all-in" or "all-inclusive" policies, which cover the majority of internal structures and only require the condo owner to pay for damage to specific features. Either way, you will always need to have condo contents insurance, which insures your personal possessions, and personal liability coverage.

Your individual HO-6 condo insurance cost will vary depending on where you live, the value of your personal possessions, whether your HOA has a "walls-in" or "all-in" policy, and whether you choose a high- or low-deductible plan. Currently, the average monthly price of an HO6 condo insurance policy is around $480 per year.

Owner's title insurance protects you in the event that someone files suit against you due to a claim against the home that occurred before you purchased it. Without owner's title insurance, you will be held liable for this claim. If you have a mortgage for your condo and a lender is involved, the lender will often require title insurance before they will approve the loan. Even if you have a situation where title insurance is not legally required, it is highly recommended that you purchase it anyway to protect your interests and your investment.

At this point, you may be asking yourself: "Exactly how much condo insurance should I buy"? To figure this out, first, take an inventory of the value of your personal possessions. Expensive items like furniture, appliances, jewelry, or electronics may require special additional coverage. After you have determined the value of your personal property, check your HOA's master insurance policy and see if there are any gaps in the coverage of your condo's internal structures; be sure to include the cost of replacing these if your HOA's policy leaves you liable.

Sometimes, your HOA will have to pay for something that isn't part of its usual budget. A special assessment, also known as a special levy, can fund a capital improvement, like a new roof or upgraded air conditioning, or it can cover unexpected circumstances like an extreme winter with a lot of snow removal. When a condo association special assessment occurs, the association can levy a fee on the individual condo unit owners. This can affect the value of a condo, and if a condo is being sold after an assessment has been announced, this must be disclosed to the buyer. This is one of the reasons why it's important to work with a Realtor who knows the building well: If there's even a rumor of an assessment, some owners may sell to attempt to avoid paying it. A local agent who is familiar with the building and the HOA may know about an upcoming special assessment and advise buyers accordingly.

Usually, special assessments levied by your condo association are not tax-deductible. However, if a special assessment was levied for capital improvements to the property, you may add the amount to your condo's tax basis, which increases the resale value of your condo.

Common elements of a condo are all of the areas and amenities in your condo building or on the property that are available for all residents to use. Examples include swimming pools, lobbies, parking garages, or fitness centers. Some condo properties have what are called "limited common elements." These are elements that are the property of the condo association but are for use only by specific owner(s), not everyone in the complex. Examples of limited common elements include exterior doors, windows, patios, and balconies.

You own the "air space" in your individual condo unit, from the wall paint to the wall paint. You may also own your parking space if it is deeded to you, as well as other amenities like a bike garage or storage unit.

Condo financing rules vary depending on whether you apply for a traditional bank loan or a Federal Housing Administration loan backed by the government. In general, you will need to undergo a credit check, and your condo association will need to meet requirements set by the FHA. No matter which type of loan you are seeking, the lender will want to see that the condo association has adequate reserve funds, has adequate insurance coverage, does not have any pending litigation against it, and collects HOA dues on time.

The most common condo financing options are conventional bank loans and FHA loans. With a conventional bank loan, you borrow money from a bank, credit union, or mortgage broker. An FHA loan is still borrowed from a traditional financial institution, but it is insured by the federal government. Many buyers find FHA loans beneficial because they allow a lower credit score than a conventional loan, they usually have little or no adjustment to their interest rates, and mortgage insurance can often be bundled into the loan. FHA loans are usually favored by first-time buyers.

Not necessarily, but there are more factors to consider than with a traditional single-family home. A lender will look at how many rental units there are in the building, the fiscal health of the HOA, and if there are any active lawsuits against the HOA or developer. Any of these factors could cause you to be rejected for a loan, despite the fact that they are out of your control. But as long as the building is mostly owner-occupied and has a healthy HOA, financing a condo won't be any harder than a single-family home. This is another case where it makes sense to work with an agent who specializes in local condos: They'll know which buildings can and can't be financed easily.

An FHA-approved condo is a condo that is eligible to be purchased with FHA loans. In order for a condo building to be FHA-approved, there must be a certain ratio of owner occupants vs. rental tenants. This ratio fluctuates, so a building that is FHA-approved today may not be six months from now.

Getting a condo FHA-approved requires the following:

• At least 50% of condo units must be occupied by their owners (as opposed to rental units).
• No more than 50% of a property can be used for commercial purposes.
• No more than 15% of condo owners in a complex may have delinquent HOA dues.
• At least 10% of the HOA's income must go to a reserve fund.
• The HOA must have a master insurance policy that covers 100% of the cost of replacing the building(s) and have general liability insurance.
• The HOA must allow unit owners the right to lease their units.

Condotels, or hotel/condos, are hotel buildings where each hotel room is classified as a condo and is owned by an individual. That individual owner may stay in their condo a set amount of nights per year, and when they are not there, the hotel rents their condo space as a hotel room. This can be a good investment if you invest in a condotel in a city you enjoy visiting frequently but do not want to live in all year. You can stay in your condo when you're in town, and it makes money for you while you're away. The rates charged by the building and the fees associated with this arrangement vary wildly, so you'll want to clear all of that up ahead of time with your agent.

Condo/hotel financing is often not an option through the FHA, as most condotels do not meet the FHA approval guidelines. However, some banks will grant condotel loans through conventional lending programs. The income and credit score requirements for a conventional loan are usually higher than with FHA loans.

Resale certificates are a set of legal documents that provide information about a condo before you buy. When your application to purchase a condo is approved, you will receive a packet of information disclosing everything about the building's HOA, including the budget, reserves, meeting minutes, and more. You'll also receive the building's covenants, conditions, and restrictions. You'll be able to review all of these documents before you close on the sale. These documents can run into the hundreds of pages and can be overwhelming, but a good buyer's agent can help you navigate them and look for the most important items. Also, be aware that there is typically a cost associated with receiving these documents, and it is nonrefundable if you decide not to purchase the condo.

Yes, you need a resale certificate in order to understand the terms of your condo purchase. You will also need to apply for a resale certificate if you are selling a condo. The steps for how to get a resale certificate are as follows:

• Determine if you are legally required to have a resale certificate by your state.
• Find out which government agency within your state accepts applications.
• Collect all of the necessary documentation required by your state.
• Pay the required fee, if applicable.

Sometimes, you may hear the terms "resale certificate" and "seller's permit" used interchangeably. However, they are not exactly the same. A seller's permit is issued by a state and authorizes a person or business to make sales of tangible property. Once you are in possession of a seller's permit, you can obtain resale certificates for specific transactions.

While no place can be guaranteed to be one hundred percent safe, high-rise condos are generally a very safe and secure way to live. Most buildings have secured access to the common areas and they likely require a key fob for access into the building and elevator.

Some high-rise buildings will even have a full-time door or front desk attendant as well so you can feel really secure when you are in your condo. One of the first people who came to highrises.com and bought a condo in 2005 was a retired gentleman in Dallas who told us the very night before someone tried to break into his town home while he was home. He turned on all the lights, made a lot of noise and thankfully they left but he was shaken by it and he decided he wanted to be in a secure building from then on.

Condos are Great for a Lock and Leave Lifestyle

A lot of people who like to travel also choose to live in a high-rise because it has the lock and leave lifestyle where they don't have to worry about their house being damaged or broken into while they're away. So that's really appealing to a lot of buyers who may be retired, travel for work a lot or are gone for extended periods of time.

High-rise buildings also have very strict building codes that must be followed for fire prevention and extinguishing as well as for natural disasters like earthquakes and hurricanes.

This is a very important question and one of the reasons you should be working with an agent who knows your local high-rise market well.

Know Your Condo Surroundings Before You Buy

Some buildings were originally built as rental apartments and converted to condos so the construction might not be as solid as a building that was developed and built from the ground up specifically to be a condominium. So you might hear people walking around upstairs or noise from the units next to you.

You really want to emphasize if noise is an issue for you while you are searching for your new high-rise. Be sure you are telling your agent your noise level preference because they'll know which building has a reputation for being quieter or noisier.

There are also exterior noise factors like bus routes, loud entertainment venues and railroads that you have to take into consideration. K know of a popular high-rise building in Dallas that's right across the street from the House of Blues, so if you like live music then that might be great for you but if you like to go to bed at nine o'clock then that high-rise would not be for you.

Just because a condo is quiet when you look at it for about 15 minutes, it doesn't mean that it will be quiet on a Friday night or when a freight train rolls through at 6 a.m. So again, talk to your agent and be sure they know what your concerns are and they will be able to direct you towards buildings suited for you.

The main difference between a house and a condo is that with a house you're buying everything; the structure, the land underneath it, any improvements that are on that land, landscaping etc. With a condo you're just buying the space between the walls and the unit.

Realtors often use the term 'paint to paint' because you own everything between the paint on the walls and everything else is owned collectively by all the owners and managed by the HOA. So even a one-story condo on some land that kind of looks like a house isn't because the person who owns the condo typically doesn't own the land or the exterior elements or have to maintain the roof or the lawn, the HOA takes care of all that.

Is a condo more expensive than a house?

If we're comparing apples to apples then the cost for a comparable condo in comparison to a house probably isn't much different. For example, let's say a luxury house in a gated community might sell for six hundred thousand dollars and a condo in a high-end secure building might sell for that price too but the condo will probably be smaller so the price per square foot will generally be higher.

I think the main reason people think that condos are more expensive is because they come with higher monthly HOA dues than houses do in most neighborhoods. However what most people don't know is that those condo HOA fees typically cover more than single-family home neighborhoods.

Condo HOA Fees

They include building maintenance repairs, insurance and utilities. So whereas in a house you might have to put a new roof on it every ten years, you won't have to do that in a condo because the HOA takes care of that. If the condo offers a gym like many do, you don't have to pay for a gym membership.

People get sticker shock when they see that the HOA dudes are $600 a month but that includes your insurance and all kinds of utilities including yard and lawn maintenance. So when it is all added up, the cost of HOA fees may even be less then your home utilities.

What is the difference between condos and townhouses? Townhouses are typically row style homes where there is a common wall between the units but nobody lives above you.

Condos come in all shapes and sizes from high-rise buildings where there may be several condos per floor to single-story condos with outdoor space included. Those single-story condo types sound a lot like a town home so you may be asking yourself again, what's the difference?

Condo Responsibilities

Well the difference lies in how the property ownership is structured. Condominium owners are only responsible for maintaining the inside of their home even if it's a one-story with a yard. So condo HOA's typically handle all the exterior maintenance including the roof, the foundation and the landscaping.

Townhouse Responsibilities

In a townhouse the owners are responsible for their entire structure including interior and exterior elements like the roof and the paint so in a way townhomes are kind of a hybrid between condos and single-family homes. If you want a little less maintenance than a single-family home but you don't quite want the density of a condo tower then the townhouses are a nice way to bridge that.

In a townhouse you can still have that lock and leave type lifestyle and low maintenance lifestyle with a little yard where maybe you can walk right outside and your car is in a driveway. Maybe you don't want to be on the 15th floor of a condo, taking an elevator to a parking garage to leave. If you want to be able to just walk out into your yard but you still want to have the low maintenance then town homes are a great option.

Parking is something you really want to consider when you're evaluating which condo you want to buy because it comes in all shapes and sizes. In different condo towers some buildings will have attached garages in the basement where you'll have an assigned parking space that's entirely yours and it's even deeded to the property so you own that space in the garage for as long as you own the condo.

Is All Condo Parking on Site?

In some buildings they will let you sell your parking spot to another owner if you do not use it. Sometimes they sell in the big cities for as much as 50 to 100 thousand dollars for a parking space. It's deeded property that you own and can sell.

Some buildings may not have condo parking on site, it may be located next door and you might even have to pay extra for that so you want to be sure and clarify that before you purchase. Even if it is within your building in the garage, if you need two parking spaces you should be sure and find out if it's tandem which is where you're parking one in front of the other or if they're side by side. Side by side is a lot more valuable so if it comes down to that and you can get side by side you'll have better resale value down the road as well as it's also a little more convenient.