Looking to Buy a Condominium?
What You Need to Know
If you're presently in a house hunt, or even just dabbling with the idea of buying a home, you've probably done some research and run across multiple articles regarding the current Mortgage Process ... and its challenges ... You've probably also heard that you'll be asked to submit plenty of documentation regarding your finances (savings, credit/debt), employment, down payment ability, and more to meet lending requirements. And that the home you're hoping to buy will need to pass muster (via an Appraisal) with your Lender as well.
All that is true. And if the property you're hoping to buy is a Condominium, the level of scrutiny and amount of documentation required grows even more.
Why is that?
There are many outside influences that are woven into a Condominium transaction and its financing. Because of that, there are a few extra steps that must be taken by Buyer(s), Seller(s), and professionals involved with these transactions.
It's important to establish if the property being transacted is legally determined a Condominium. That determination is arrived at in a number of ways.
The first entails examination of the property's PIN - or Permanent Index Number. A PIN is a numerical "code" for the legal description of a piece of land as it has been defined for the purposes of real estate taxation. The code points to the parcel's location on tax maps.
PINs for Condominium units OFTEN, but not always, appear differently from other properties, as they are identified by an additional suffix, or set of numbers, other than 0000 at the end.
The second method involves the Legal Description for the property. If the word "Unit" is used within the Legal Description, the property is most likely a Condominium. If the Legal Description mentions "PUD" (Planned Unit Development) within it, the property is typically a Townhome.
The Association aligned with the Condominium Project will need to supply information and documentation for the Mortgage Lender. A complete copy of the recorded Condominium Declarations and Bylaws ... along with any amendments ... must be submitted to the Lender for their viewing. The Association's most recent budget must be submitted too.
A fully-completed Condominium Questionnaire will be required. What information does your Mortgage Originator look for on this Condominium Questionnaire?
- The number of 30-Day delinquencies within the Association (Ratio to total number of Units)
- The number of Owner-occupied VS Investor-owned Units
- Pending Special Assessments
- Possible litigation, mediation, arbitration, or disputes involving the HOA (Present & Pending)
- What, if any, Reserve Funds exist
- If common elements and/or facilities are complete
- If the Project plans additional phases or add-ons
- If the Condominium Project maintains adequate Insurance Coverage
Selling/Listing Agents can assist in the smooth transacting of Condominium properties by providing the following:
- Tax Bill for the Property
- Declarations/ByLaws for the Condo Association
- Survey (if it exists - There will be one for Townhomes)
- The Name and Contact for the Association
- A copy of the Title Policy/other document with a full Legal Description within it
It's important for Mortgage Originators to perform this close scrutiny of properties, as not all Condominiums (or the Projects they lie within) are eligible for all types of financing. Borrowers must remember it's ultimately for their protection that these questions are asked and documentation is requested.
Looking to Buy a Condominium? What You Need to Know ... There are some extra steps that must be considered and taken when purchasing a Condominium property. Your interests will be best served by working with experienced Mortgage and Real Estate professionals from start to finish.
* In the New Lenox, Will County, Chicagoland -IL-WI area, contact me with your Condo questions and for assistance with your Condominium financing. I'd be happy to put my Mortgage expertise and experience hard to work on your behalf. I'm easily found at:
Gene Mundt
Mortgage Originator - NMLS #216987 - IL Lic. #031.0006220 - WI Lic. #216987
American Portfolio Mortgage Corp.
NMLS #175656
Direct: 815.524.2280
Cell or Text: 708.921.6331
eFax: 815.524.2281
Gene Mundt, Mortgage Originator, an Originator with 40+ years of mortgage experience, will offer you exemplary mortgage service and advice when seeking: Conventional, FHA, VA, Jumbo, USDA, and Portfolio Loans in Chicago and the greater Chicagoland region, including: The Lincoln-Way Area, Will County, (New Lenox, Frankfort, Mokena, Manhattan, Joliet, Shorewood, Crest Hill, Plainfield, Bolingbrook, Romeoville, Naperville, etc.), DuPage County, the City of Chicago, Cook County, and elsewhere within IL & WI.
Your Referrals are Always Welcomed & Appreciated!
Your Referrals are Always Welcomed & Appreciated!
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thank you for taking the time to read and comment on my post!