If you’re a buyer considering buying a condominium or townhouse, make sure you pay attention not just to the individual units that are for sale, but look at issues associated with the community overall.
- Does it look like the landscaping and repairs are well-attended to?
- What amenities does the community have (tennis courts, pools, playgrounds, etc.) and how easy are they to access from the units that are of interest to you? Is there a separate charge for use of any of these facilities?
- Where do residents pick up mail?
- Where do residents leave their garbage (and is the garbage collection area tidy)?
- Is there a separate charge for garbage collection?
- What are the rules for resident parking and guest parking? Are there restrictions regarding the types of vehicles that can be parked outside a garage?
- What’s the monthly maintenance charge and what does it include?
- Has there been a special assessment recently or is one being considered by the Homeowners’ Association?
- (if you are considering buying with an FHA mortgage) Is the community approved for purchases financed by FHA mortgages?
By getting answers to these questions on or before your first visit to a community, you can not only save yourself a lot of time and effort in the process of identifying a particular condominium to purchase, but you can also avoid “falling in love” with a home only to find out that even though the unit is perfect, the community itself won’t be a good fit.
If you’re looking for answers to other questions about the process of buying or selling a condominium, we’re happy to help you out. Contact Leaf, Realtors® at 908-975-9756 or stop by our office at 66 Old Turnpike Road in the center of Oldwick, New Jersey.
