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HOA Financial Health: 5 Numbers Buyers Must Check Before Closing
74% of HOAs are underfunded. 5 numbers predict trouble: percent funded, delinquency, assessments, insurance, single-entity ownership (1,900+ HOA docs).
18 min read
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Featured
2026 Fannie Mae Condo Rules: Reserves Up to 15%, Limited Review Gone
New Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac condo rules: reserve minimum jumps to 15%, Limited Review eliminated (Aug 2026), insurance relief for roofs. What changes for buyers closing on a condo.
10 min read
Featured
Florida Condo Crisis 2026: Should You Buy? (56% Fail SIRS)
56% of FL condos miss the 2026 SIRS deadline. Prices down 9.9%, assessments hit $400K per unit. The buyer's guide to what's still safe (1,900+ HOA docs).
9 min read
Due DiligenceInsuranceHOA Fees
What an HOA Insurance Increase Actually Costs You
93% of associations saw an insurance increase at renewal, but the cost per owner ranged from under $100 to over $2,000 a year. A board decision sets which.
10 min read
Due DiligenceInsuranceBoard Governance
What Your Insurance Carrier Is About to Ask Your Board
Global property insurance rates fell 12% in Q2 2026. Whether your association sees any of it depends on the documents most boards assemble far too late.
10 min read
Due DiligenceCaliforniaCC&R Amendments
How to Read CC&R Amendments Before Voting (CA Davis-Stirling Guide)
30 days notice is all California law guarantees before a CC&R amendment ballot arrives in 2026. What to read on that ballot, and the rules that govern it.
9 min read
Due DiligenceHOA BoardsShort-Term Rentals
Before Your Board Restricts Airbnb: 5 Things to Check in Your CC&Rs
Roughly 64% of associations restrict rentals under 30 days, but courts void the ones that skip these steps. 5 checks before your board bans Airbnb in 2026.
10 min read
Due DiligenceBuyer Due DiligenceShort-Term Rentals
What Your CC&Rs Actually Say About Short-Term Rentals (And What Boards Get Wrong)
Nearly two-thirds of HOAs restrict rentals under 30 days, yet courts say a residential-use clause usually won't. What CC&Rs say about Airbnb in 2026.
11 min read
State-by-State RulesArizonaState Laws
Arizona HB 2397: The New Condo & HOA Disclosure Packet Rules
Arizona HB 2397 takes effect Sept 12, 2026: a bigger condo and HOA resale disclosure packet, a 10-day clock, and $400 fee caps. What buyers must read.
9 min read
Due DiligenceBuyer Due DiligenceHOA Governance
Why HOA Quorum Requirements Matter When You're Buying a Condo
30% is all a Florida HOA needs to reach quorum. When a condo association can't clear that bar, elections, budgets, and reserves stall. 2026 buyer's guide.
9 min read
Due DiligenceBuyer Due DiligenceReserves & Financials
Why Your Condo's Age Matters: What HOA Documents Reveal About Older Buildings
A condo's major systems wear out at 15 to 30 years, and post-Surfside laws now target older buildings. What HOA documents reveal before you buy in 2026.
10 min read
Due DiligenceBuyer Due DiligenceHOA Governance
HOA Board Recall: What It Means for Buyers and Property Values
5 business days is all a Florida board gets to certify a recall under §718.112. A recalled HOA board is a governance red flag buyers must screen in 2026.
9 min read
Due DiligenceBuyer Due DiligenceHOA Governance
Can Your HOA Change the Rules on You? Understanding CC&R Amendments
Only 2 of 6 major HOA states protect existing owners from a rental-ban amendment. Most CC&R changes need a 67% owner vote. What to check before you close.
10 min read
Reserves & FinancialsBuyer Due DiligenceHOA Fees
Average HOA Fees by State 2026: What's Normal and What's a Red Flag
The national median HOA fee hit $135/month in 2024 (U.S. Census). See average HOA fees by state for 2026 and which fee levels are a red flag before buying.
10 min read
Due DiligenceBuyer Due DiligenceCondo Financing
What Happens When Your Condo Fails the Lender Questionnaire
5,175 condo projects sit on Fannie Mae's ineligible list. When a building fails the lender questionnaire, financing dies for every unit. What to check.
11 min read
Due DiligenceBuyer Due DiligenceForeclosure
Buying a Foreclosure Condo: HOA Risks Most Buyers Miss
Foreclosure filings rose 19% in 2025. A cheap foreclosure condo hides unpaid HOA dues, super-liens, and special assessments. What to check before you bid.
11 min read
Florida & SIRSFloridaMarket Trends
Florida Condo Sellers Outnumber Buyers 3:1: What That Means for Your Purchase
In Miami, condo sellers outnumber buyers 3 to 1 (Redfin data). Why the glut is happening, your leverage, and the 6-figure assessment risk to screen for.
10 min read
State-by-State RulesTexasState Laws
Texas HOA Laws 2026: What Buyers Need to Know
Texas has 20,000+ HOAs and no cap on dues. Under the Texas Property Code, here are the resale, foreclosure, and 2026 financing rules buyers must check.
11 min read
Reserves & FinancialsReserve StudiesFlorida
Reserve Study vs SIRS Report: What's the Difference and Why It Matters
7 structural items make Florida's SIRS different from a regular reserve study, and owners can't waive them. The key differences buyers miss in 2026.
10 min read
Due DiligenceBuyer Due DiligenceComplete Guide
The Complete Condo Buying Checklist (2026): Every Document, Every Red Flag
11 HOA documents, the red flags in each, and your state-by-state cancellation clock. The 2026 condo buying checklist before Fannie's new reserve rules hit.
14 min read
Due DiligenceBuyer Due DiligenceCost & Pricing
How Much Does an HOA Document Review Attorney Cost? (And Cheaper Alternatives)
$300 to $1,500 is the typical 2026 attorney fee to review HOA documents. Compare what it covers against a $595 service, free ChatGPT, and a $39 AI tool.
10 min read
Reserves & FinancialsHOA GovernanceFinancial Health
Self-Managed vs Professionally Managed HOAs: What Buyers Should Know
About 1 in 4 of the 373,000 US HOAs is self-managed. Not automatically a red flag, but it changes a buyer's due diligence. What to check before closing.
10 min read
Reserves & FinancialsReserve FundsFinancial Health
HOA Reserve Fund: How Much Should Your Building Have Saved?
74% of HOAs are underfunded. A strong reserve holds 70%+ of its fully funded balance. Two ways to estimate what your building should have saved.
11 min read
Due DiligenceNew ConstructionDeveloper Turnover
Buying a Condo Under Construction: HOA Red Flags in Developer-Controlled Boards
5 red flags hide in developer-controlled new condos: reserves near zero, a defect clock that never starts, and loans that fail Fannie's project review.
12 min read
Reserves & FinancialsFinancial HealthHOA Reserves
How to Read an HOA Budget: 5 Red Flags That Signal Trouble
5 HOA budget red flags that hide a reserve crisis, including the Fannie reserve floor rising from 10% to 15% on January 4, 2027. What buyers must check.
11 min read
Reserves & FinancialsClosing CostsHOA Fees
HOA Transfer Fees and Hidden Costs: What Buyers Don't See Until Closing
HOA transfer fees, capital contributions, and move-in fees can stack to $1,000-$2,000 at closing. Who pays, and where 7 states cap them, before you buy.
11 min read
Reserves & FinancialsHOA ReservesFannie Mae
Fannie Mae's 15% Reserve Rule: What Your Board Needs to Know Before January 2027
10% to 15%: Fannie Mae's condo reserve minimum rises Jan 4, 2027 (LL-2026-03). Miss it and owners can't sell or refinance. What your board must do now.
11 min read
Reserves & FinancialsHOA FeesState Law
Can an HOA Raise Fees With No Limit? What Your CC&Rs Actually Allow
Only 2 states (California and Arizona) cap HOA dues increases, at 20% a year. Most have no limit at all. What your CC&Rs allow before you buy in 2026.
11 min read
Due DiligenceBuyer Due DiligenceCondo Disclosure
What's in a Condo Resale Certificate? A Buyer's Guide to the Most Important Document
FL estoppel cert is $299 with 10-day delivery; VA buyers get 3 days to cancel. The 15 documents inside a condo resale package that decide your closing.
12 min read
Due DiligenceHOA LitigationCondo Financing
Is Your HOA in a Lawsuit? How to Find Out Before You Buy
Palm Bay Yacht Club owners won $6.3M (Dec 2025) and still owe $44M. 8 ways to surface HOA litigation before Fannie B4-2.1-03 kills your mortgage approval.
14 min read
Special AssessmentsInsuranceSpecial Assessments
Your Condo's HO-6 Policy Gap: Why $2K Loss Assessment Coverage Isn't Enough
$50K HO-6 coverage paid out $1,000. KRDO Mar 2026 exposed the loss assessment loophole leaving condo owners exposed to six-figure HOA assessments today.
13 min read
Special AssessmentsLegal RightsSpecial Assessments
Can You Refuse to Pay an HOA Special Assessment? Your Legal Options
$6.3M jury verdict Dec 2025: condo owners won against a fake-emergency assessment. What you can refuse, what you can't, based on 1,900+ HOA documents.
11 min read
Special AssessmentsHOA FinancesSpecial Assessments
Special Assessment vs HOA Fee Increase: What's the Difference and Which Is Worse?
$134K per owner. The difference between a fee hike and a special assessment matters before you close in 2026 (based on 1,900+ HOA documents).
11 min read
Due DiligenceTool ComparisonBuyer Due Diligence
Best Software for Analyzing HOA Documents (2026): 5 Approaches Compared
200+ page HOA packets, 3-7 day cancellation windows. Compare AI, attorney review, ChatGPT, and DIY for HOA document analysis (1,900+ docs analyzed).
8 min read
Reserves & FinancialsFinancial StatementsBuyer Due Diligence
How to Read HOA Financial Statements as a Condo Buyer (Not a Board Member)
$30M assessments hide in plain sight. Learn the 8 lines condo buyers read in HOA financials before the 2027 Fannie cap (based on 1,900+ HOA docs).
10 min read
Special AssessmentsMeeting MinutesSpecial Assessments
HOA Meeting Minutes: 5 Patterns That Predict Your Next Special Assessment
74% of HOAs are underfunded. Meeting minutes reveal special assessment risk months early. 5 patterns to scan, based on 1,900+ HOA documents.
7 min read
Special AssessmentsReserve StudySpecial Assessments
What Happens When HOA Reserves Hit 0%? Real Cases From 2025-2026
Champlain Towers was 6.9% funded before collapse. Harbor Towers hit owners with $75.6M. When HOA reserves hit 0%, every repair is a special assessment.
8 min read
State-by-State RulesCanadaBC Strata
What to Look for in Strata Bylaws Before Buying a Condo (BC 2026 Guide)
BC Bill 44 voided rental + sub-55+ age bylaws Nov 24, 2022. 22 of 24 strata fines struck down in 2024. What buyers must scrutinize (1,900+ docs analyzed).
10 min read
State-by-State RulesHOADue Diligence
How to Get HOA Documents Before Making an Offer (State-by-State Guide)
10-day delivery required in WA, CA, FL, TX, NV, AZ, MA, and GA. Most states give buyers a statutory right to HOA docs pre-offer (1,900+ docs analyzed).
9 min read
Florida & SIRSFloridaHOA Governance
Florida HB 657 Is Dead: What It Means for Condo Buyers in 2026
Florida's biggest HOA reform bill died in Senate Rules on March 13, 2026. No dissolution process, no community court, no Kaufman mandate. What buyers do now.
6 min read
Due DiligenceCondo InsuranceWarrantability
Condo Insurance Crisis: Why Your Building's Coverage Affects Your Mortgage
Condo master policy premiums up 102% in 3 years. Over 1,400 FL buildings blacklisted by Fannie Mae. How insurance now decides whether you get a mortgage.
9 min read
Reserves & FinancialsHOA FeesMarket Data
HOA Fees Up 29% Since 2019: When Monthly Dues Become a Shadow Mortgage
Median condo HOA fees hit $420/month in 2026, up 29% since 2019. Every $100/month removes $16K in purchasing power. What buyers must check before closing.
7 min read
Special AssessmentsSpecial AssessmentsHOA Risk
HOA Special Assessment Red Flags: How to Spot a $50K Surprise Before You Buy
74% of HOAs are underfunded per Association Reserves. $5K–$400K per unit at risk. Five document patterns predict special assessments before they're announced.
7 min read
State-by-State RulesWashingtonWUCIOA
Washington WUCIOA 2026: What Condo Buyers Need to Know
10,850+ WA communities must comply with WUCIOA by Jan 2028. Buyers get 26-item resale certificates and 5-day cancel rights (1,900+ HOA docs analyzed).
8 min read
Florida & SIRSFloridaMilestone Inspection
Florida Milestone Inspection 2026: What Happens If Your Condo Fails
900,000 FL condo units face milestone inspections. Failures trigger $134K-$400K assessments per unit. Deadlines and what buyers must check (1,900+ docs).
10 min read
State-by-State RulesCaliforniaSB 326
California SB 326 Balcony Law: What Condo Buyers Must Know
SB 326 balcony inspections are triggering $40K-$175K assessments per unit across California condos. What buyers must check before closing (based on 1,900+ HOA documents).
8 min read
Due DiligenceFHA LoansVA Loans
HOA Document Red Flags That Kill FHA and VA Loans
93.5% of US condos lack FHA approval. 8 red flags in HOA documents that block government-backed condo loans. What to check and workarounds (1,900+ documents analyzed).
10 min read
Reserves & FinancialsHOA Financial HealthReserve Funding
HOA Financial Health: 5 Numbers Buyers Must Check Before Closing
74% of HOAs are underfunded. 5 numbers predict trouble: percent funded, delinquency, assessments, insurance, single-entity ownership (1,900+ HOA docs).
18 min read
Special AssessmentsHOA Red FlagsReserve Funding
Are Low HOA Fees a Red Flag? When Cheap Monthly Dues Cost You More
Over 70% of HOAs are underfunded. New 15% reserve rule hits Jan 2027. Low fees hide deferred maintenance and six-figure assessments (1,900+ docs).
10 min read
Due DiligenceAI & TechnologyHOA Documents
Why "Just Upload Your CC&Rs to ChatGPT" Is Bad Advice
GPT-4 hallucinates on 58% of legal questions (Stanford, 2024). No page citations, no coverage tracking. Why purpose-built tools beat chatbots for HOA docs.
7 min read
State-by-State RulesHOA LawsGeorgia
Georgia SB 406: First-Ever HOA Oversight Law - What Buyers Need to Know
Georgia SB 406 affects 2.3M residents in 11,200+ HOA communities. Registration, foreclosure limits, 10-year records. What buyers must check before Jan 1, 2027.
8 min read
Due DiligenceCondo FinancingHOA Red Flags
HOA Delinquency Rate: The Number That Can Kill Your Condo Purchase
15% delinquency = no conventional mortgage. 1,438 FL buildings already ineligible. How to check before you buy (based on 1,900+ HOA documents).
10 min read
Special AssessmentsSpecial AssessmentsClosing Costs
Who Pays the HOA Special Assessment at Closing? State-by-State Guide
Special assessments of $20K-$100K+ are hitting buyers at closing. Who pays depends on your state and contract. State-by-state rules (based on 1,900+ HOA documents).
11 min read
Due DiligenceCondo MarketBuying Guide
Why Condo Prices Are Falling and What Savvy Buyers Should Check
Condo prices down 6% while houses rise. 90%+ of South FL condos sell below asking. How to tell if a discount is a deal or a trap (based on 1,900+ HOA documents).
9 min read
Due DiligenceHOARental Restrictions
Can an HOA Ban Rentals After You Buy? What CC&Rs Actually Say
HOAs can change rental rules after you buy. FL and CA now protect existing owners. 5 things to check in CC&Rs before closing (free analysis tool).
8 min read
Due DiligenceFinancingHOA
Can Your Condo Get Financed? How HOA Documents Affect Mortgage Approval
6 things in HOA documents that kill condo financing. Reserve funding, delinquency, litigation. What lenders check and how to verify before you make an offer.
9 min read
Due DiligenceFinancingHOA
2026 Fannie Mae Condo Rules: Reserves Up to 15%, Limited Review Gone
New Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac condo rules: reserve minimum jumps to 15%, Limited Review eliminated (Aug 2026), insurance relief for roofs. What changes for buyers closing on a condo.
10 min read
Due DiligenceHOAFinancing
Why Your Condo Might Be Non-Warrantable (And What It Means for Your Sale Price)
Non-warrantable condos can't get conventional financing. Buyer pool shrinks to cash buyers only. 6 triggers that kill warrantability—and how to check before it's too late.
7 min read
Reserves & FinancialsReserve StudiesHOA
What is a Good Percent Funded for an HOA? (2026 Benchmarks)
70%+ funded is considered healthy, but roughly half of HOAs fall short. How to interpret percent funded, what it signals about special assessment risk, and where to find it.
8 min read
Due DiligenceHOARed Flags
5 HOA Red Flags That Predict Special Assessments (Data From 1,900+ Docs)
After analyzing 1,900+ HOA documents, these 5 red flags predict special assessments before they hit. Underfunded reserves, deferred maintenance, budget gaps, litigation patterns.
7 min read
Florida & SIRSFloridaInvestment
Buying Florida Condos in 2026: Risk vs Opportunity
Florida condo values down 19% since 2023. 62% missed SIRS deadline. Smart buyers find opportunity in the chaos. How to tell risk from reward (based on 1,900+ HOA docs).
10 min read
Due DiligenceFirst-Time BuyersHOA
First-Time Homebuyers: What to Know Before Buying a Condo
First-time condo buyers face $5K-$50K+ surprise assessments. 5 things to check in HOA documents before closing (based on 1,900+ HOA documents analyzed).
8 min read
Florida & SIRSFloridaSIRS
Florida Condo Crisis 2026: The Buyer-Agent's Disclosure Playbook
SIRS disclosure deadlines, 7-day buyer review, $400K assessments, lender blacklists. The 2026 playbook for FL buyer-agents (1,900+ HOA docs analyzed).
8 min read
Florida & SIRSFloridaSIRS
Florida SIRS Reports Explained: What Condo Buyers Need to Know in 2026
SIRS reports cover 8 structural components Florida condos must fund by 2026. Check percent funded, RUL=0 items, and assessment risk (based on 1,900+ HOA docs).
9 min read
Florida & SIRSFloridaSIRS
Florida SIRS Assessments: What Owners Can Do
26% of Florida condos underfunded below 50%. SIRS assessments reaching $100K-$400K per unit. 6 options from payment plans to county assistance (based on 38 SIRS reports).
8 min read
Due DiligenceHOADue Diligence
Why the 3-Day HOA Review Period Fails Buyers
300+ pages, 3 calendar days, zero guidance. Why most buyers waive HOA review—and what it costs them. Based on 1,900+ HOA documents analyzed.
7 min read
State-by-State RulesVirginiaHOA
Virginia Court: HOA Can't Collect Assessments Without Stating the Amount
A Virginia court ruled HOAs must specify assessment amounts and purpose to collect. The new 'textual anchor' standard and what it means for HOA homeowners.
5 min read
Due DiligenceHOAMeeting Minutes
7 HOA Meeting Minutes Red Flags That Predict Special Assessments
Board minutes leak trouble before the financials do. 7 warning signs: deferred maintenance, litigation threats, reserve waivers, manager turnover (1,900+ HOA docs).
5 min read
Florida & SIRSFloridaCondo
Florida Condo Termination 2026: Can a Developer Force Your Sale?
FL court blocked a developer's attempt to lower the 80% termination threshold. How to check your declaration for forced-sale risk (1,900+ HOA docs analyzed).
6 min read
Florida & SIRSFloridaSIRS
Florida Condo Crisis 2026: Should You Buy? (56% Fail SIRS)
56% of FL condos miss the 2026 SIRS deadline. Prices down 9.9%, assessments hit $400K per unit. The buyer's guide to what's still safe (1,900+ HOA docs).
9 min read
Due DiligenceDue DiligenceHOA Documents
HOA Document Review: What 1,900+ Documents Exposed About Hidden Risks
300+ pages, 3 days to decide. Most buyers miss the red flags buried in CC&Rs, reserve studies, and meeting minutes. What we found after analyzing 1,900+ HOA documents.
10 min read
Special AssessmentsSpecial AssessmentsHOA Risk
HOA Special Assessments Explained: $5K to $400K Risks Buyers Miss
HOA special assessments hit $5K to $400K per unit. 70% of associations are underfunded. How to spot them in reserve studies and CC&Rs before you close (from 1,900+ HOA docs analyzed).
8 min read
Due DiligenceHOALegal
5 Legal Risks in HOA Properties That Catch Buyers Off Guard
Super-liens can override your mortgage. Arbitration clauses strip your right to sue. Transfer fees hit at closing. 5 HOA legal risks most buyers discover too late.
7 min read
Due DiligenceHOARental Restrictions
How to Find Rental Restrictions in HOA Docs (2026)
Rental caps, lease minimums, and Airbnb bans hide in CC&Rs and bylaws. Where to find them, what they mean for your investment, and a free tool to extract them in minutes.
6 min read
Reserves & FinancialsReserve StudiesHOA Due Diligence
How to Read a Reserve Study in 5 Minutes (2026 Guide)
70% of HOAs are underfunded. 3 numbers in the reserve study predict your special assessment risk. Here's how to find them fast (based on 1,900+ HOA docs).
8 min read
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