GoverningDocs vs CID Analytics (CIDA)
Both analyze HOA documents for buyers. One costs $595 and takes 5 days. The other costs $39 and takes 5 minutes. Here's what you get with each.
CID Analytics
Established since 2012. Human-reviewed reports with the CIDA Score (200+ factors, 100-point scale). Best for final due diligence on a single property when budget allows.
GoverningDocs
AI-powered analysis trained on 1,900+ documents. A-F health grade, 25+ report types, page-level citations. Best for screening multiple properties fast and affordably.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | GoverningDocs | CID Analytics |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per property | Supported$39 | Not supported$595 |
| Turnaround time | Supported3-5 minutes | Not supported~5 business days |
| Review method | SupportedAI-powered (trained on 1,900+ docs) | SupportedHuman analyst review |
| Source citations with page numbers | SupportedEvery finding links to page | ~Partial supportSummary report format |
| Composite scoring | SupportedA-F health grade + risk tiers | SupportedCIDA Score (100-point scale, 200+ factors) |
| Reserve study analysis | SupportedPercent funded, RUL=0, contribution trends | SupportedIncluded in review |
| CC&R restriction extraction | SupportedRental, pet, architectural, FHA/VA flags | SupportedIncluded in review |
| Meeting minutes analysis | SupportedDedicated tool with pattern detection | ~Partial supportIncluded if provided |
| Coverage gap detection | SupportedIdentifies missing documents | Not supportedReviews what's provided |
| Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac compliance | SupportedBuilt-in thresholds (2027 rules) | SupportedIncluded in assessment |
| Cross-document correlation | SupportedAuto-correlates across all docs | SupportedAnalyst connects findings manually |
| 25+ structured report types | SupportedFinancial, governance, building | Not supportedSingle comprehensive report |
| Free tier available | Supported3 free tools, no signup | Not supportedNo free option |
| Track record | ~Partial support1,900+ documents analyzed | SupportedOperating since 2012 |
15x Cost Difference
GoverningDocs
$39 per property. Analyze every condo you're considering for less than a single CIDA report. Screen 15 properties for the price of one CIDA review.
CID Analytics
$595 per report. At this price, most buyers only order a report on one property. That means no analysis on the other properties you considered and walked away from.
Smart approach: Use GoverningDocs to screen 5-10 properties ($39 each). Then order a CIDA report on your top choice if you want a second opinion. Total cost: ~$790 vs $5,950 for CIDA on all 10.
Minutes vs Days
GoverningDocs
Results in 3-5 minutes. Analyze documents before making an offer. In competitive markets, this means you know the building's financial health before other buyers even start their review.
CID Analytics
Approximately 5 business days. In states with 3-7 day HOA document review windows (like Florida), the CIDA report may arrive after your review period closes.
Why it matters: Florida gives buyers 7 days to review HOA documents and cancel. A 5-day turnaround leaves almost no time to act on findings.
AI Analysis vs Human Review
GoverningDocs
AI trained on 1,900+ HOA document packages. Delivers 25+ structured report types with every finding linked to its source page. Detects what's missing from your document package. Consistent analysis every time.
CID Analytics
Human analysts with deep domain experience. The CIDA Score evaluates 200+ factors on a 100-point scale. Human reviewers can apply contextual judgment to unusual situations and catch nuances that may require experience to identify.
Key difference: GoverningDocs links every finding to its source page so you can verify claims. CIDA delivers a comprehensive summary report based on analyst judgment. Both approaches have merit.
When to Use Each
CIDA is better when:
- Budget is not a constraint ($595 per property)
- You're doing final diligence on one specific property
- You want a human analyst's contextual judgment
- You have 5+ business days before a decision is needed
- The property has unusual governance or complex issues
GoverningDocs is better when:
- You're evaluating multiple properties
- You need results before making an offer
- You want source-cited findings you can verify
- You're working within a tight review window
- You want to identify what to bring to an attorney
Frequently Asked Questions
Try it yourself. Upload your CC&Rs for free.
No signup required. Get your analysis in 3-5 minutes.