Buying condo

What is the name of your state? Maryland
I am new to the board but iI have a question, I am buying a condo and found that there is issues with the roof during home inspection. The want to get me to settlement in about 2 weeks. I have not seen any condo docs! so here is my question: How long are the legally required to provide me with my condo docs? question 2: Can i get something in writing stating that the roof repairs will be that of the seller or condo association stating a time frame of estimated repairs? and lastly is there a way for me to contact the association prior to settlement or do i have to wait until i am legally the new owner? Any help would be appreciated as i dotn want to get burnt and buy a condo with whole bunch of hassles.

[seniorjudge]

Q: How long are the legally required to provide me with my condo docs?

A: It depends on what your written contract says.


Q: Can i get something in writing stating that the roof repairs will be that of the seller or condo association stating a time frame of estimated repairs?

A: Yes, you can ask for this.


Q: lastly is there a way for me to contact the association prior to settlement or do i have to wait until i am legally the new owner?

A: You can talk to them now...this is America!




Warning: Make sure everything is in writing and that you understand it before you buy. Once it's your baby, then it's your baby.

Thanks now all I have to do is get the info about the association "yikes!" the sellers agent claims to have reached out to the condo assoc. since 1/03/07 and now being 1/15/07 with no response or even then sending the condo docs to him! This is making me feel very uneasy as they seem to be dragging and as a first time buyer im nervous already but this isnt helping. Any suggestions on getting this resolved? All i want is that the condo association or the seller to document that it is their responsibility (financially) to resolve this and a time frame! that way it isnt left on me after i close and i can take someone to court should it not be resolved by at least whatever date "they" determine.

Ok so maybe I need a new agent becuase he is saying he contacted the condo assoc. and they are saying it is not ok for me to contact them and that i would have to go through him? lastly what question should I ask or find out about the assoc. to see if they are organized or a good assoc. all together?

[Paddy Reagan]

First, regarding the condo docs, the Maryland Statutes offer this:

§ 11-135.
(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a contract for the resale of a unit by a unit owner other than a developer is not enforceable unless the contract of sale contains in conspicuous type a notice in the form specified in subsection (g)(1) of this section, and the unit owner furnishes to the purchaser not later than 15 days prior to closing:

(1) A copy of the declaration (other than the plats);

(2) The bylaws;

(3) The rules or regulations of the condominium;

Not much ambiguity there! There are more requirements for documentation prior to sale that are too extensive to include here. You can find them on line using this link:

[url]http://mlis.state.md.us/cgi-win/web_statutes.exe?grp&11-135[/url]

Regarding the roof repairs and responsibility, there are two issues: First, the Board is bound to maintain the common areas of the condo. Regardless of who owns the unit, this is true. Payment may be made with reserve funds if the owners contribute to such a fund or by special assessment. It's this potential assessment that can cost you which leads to the second issue:

In most cases, any special assessment will be levied against the owners of record. If you're already such an owner when the assessment is approved, it will be your responsibility. Any payment by the previous owner can only be negotiated by the two of you prior to closing. This can be done by placing funds in escrow, offering an allowance against the purchase price, etc.

Finally, if you're having problems getting answers from the board or its management company, ask the seller to provide roof repair information. Until the sale is final, he/she has access to association records such as minutes, plans, and financial documents.

I'll offer a personal aside: If the board and/or manager is offering so little help to a potential owner maybe you should be wary of what the future may hold for you as an owner.

Thanks and I will check the url out and print it for knowledge. But Patty it seems a little to technical for me, maybe I can post a copy of the actual condo docs so u or someone else can break it down to me in lamen terms? or is that not ok on this board? thanks in advance!