SF Chronicle Contribution: What to Know About Condo and HOA Documents
Sound Off
Appearing in the San Francisco Chronicle Real Estate Section
From time to time, the editors of the Real Estate section at the San Francisco Chronicle will ask leading area real estate agents their opinion and thoughts about various topics related to the Bay Area’s housing market. This is right up our alley given our track record, experience helping buyers and sellers in various parts of the Bay Area and given the fact that Kevin used to be a reporter and lawyer, so you know there‘s an opinion just waiting to get out.
This Week‘s Question:
What do I look for in the HOA documents?
Answer:
When considering a condominium purchase in San Francisco, you’ll encounter crucial disclosure documents pertaining to the unit, building, and the homeowner association (HOA). These documents include HOA financials, the master insurance policy, and HOA matters. We routinely assist buyers in reviewing these documents and help sellers compile them for a sale. It’s important to note that the quality and quantity of these documents can vary.
Whether you’re purchasing a unit in a traditional 2-3-unit Victorian/Edwardian building or one in a newer building with hundreds, buying a condo entails a legal commitment to abide by the recorded governing documents of the HOA. The most vital of these documents are the Conditions, Covenants, and Restrictions (CC&Rs), which outlines ownership boundaries and common areas, along with rules related to HOA voting, assessments, rentals, pets, quiet hours, and renovations among more. With larger HOAs, you’ll encounter more paperwork (especially new builds), such as HOA meeting minutes, budgets, and reserve studies, which forecast future maintenance and repair costs. The adherence to reserve study suggestions and routine maintenance, as underscored by the Surfside tragedy, is of paramount importance. The HOA forms will also tell you if there’s litigation happening, which will limit financing options.
This appeared in the Sunday, November 5, 2023 edition of the San Francisco Chronicle and on SFGate.
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