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When you’re touring condos and townhomes, it’s easy to focus on the view, the kitchen and the layout. Those things matter.
But when you buy into a condo or townhome community, you’re also buying into its homeowners association. And the HOA can affect your monthly costs, your lifestyle and even your ability to sell later.
Here are the questions we encourage every buyer to ask before buying a condo or townhome in Blaine, Birch Bay or Semiahmoo.
1. What Do the Monthly Dues Cover?
Two communities with similar dues can cover very different things. Some include water, sewer, garbage, exterior maintenance, landscaping, insurance on the building or amenities like a pool or clubhouse. Others cover much less.
Lower dues are not always a better deal. It depends on what you’re getting.
2. How Healthy Are the Reserves?
Reserves are the savings an HOA sets aside for big future projects such as roofs, siding, decks, paving and elevators.
Ask whether the association has a recent reserve study and how well funded it’s. Well-funded reserves can help protect you from surprise costs down the road.
3. Are There Any Special Assessments?
A special assessment is an extra charge owners pay when the HOA needs more money than the reserves can cover. Ask whether any are planned, proposed or currently being paid.
4. What Does the HOA’s Insurance Cover, and What Do I Need?
The association’s policy typically covers some parts of the building. You’ll likely need your own policy for the rest. Knowing where the line falls helps you budget and avoid gaps in coverage.
5. What Are the Rental Rules?
This is especially important here, where many buyers are considering a second home.
Some communities allow short-term rentals, some allow only long-term rentals, and some limit rentals altogether. If renting is part of your plan now or in the future, make sure the rules fit.
6. Are There Pet, Parking or Use Restrictions?
Pets, RV and boat parking, storage, exterior changes and even what you can put on your deck may be covered in the community’s rules. It’s better to know before you fall in love with a unit.
7. Are There Any Upcoming Projects or Known Issues?
Board meeting minutes can tell you a lot. Look for discussions about repairs, disputes, insurance claims or projects on the horizon.
8. Who Manages the Community?
Some HOAs are run by a professional management company. Others are run by volunteer owners. Both can work well, but it helps to know who to call and how responsive they are.
Where Local Knowledge Helps
The documents you receive during a condo purchase can be long. We help our buyers know what to look for and what questions to ask.
After more than 30 years of selling homes in Blaine, Birch Bay and Semiahmoo, we’ve also gotten to know many of these communities from the inside, including which have rental limits and how they compare.
If you’re considering low-maintenance living, take a look at our guide to condos and townhomes for sale in Blaine, Birch Bay and Semiahmoo, browse our current listings, then reach out. Kathy Stauffer and Team Stauffer would love to help you find a community that fits.
Team Stauffer | Windermere Real Estate Whatcom
We do real estate differently.
