You've seen the view, the pool, the gym. Have you seen these four documents?
Since Surfside, Florida condo buildings have new inspection and reserve requirements, and new documents that come with them. Our free Condo Documents Quick Guide & Checklist shows what to request before you make an offer, what each document means, and what to clarify before moving forward.
Get the free guideGet the Quick Guide & Checklist
We'll email you the PDF. No appointment or newsletter subscription required.
General information, not legal advice.
Everything we look at before our buyers commit to a condo
- 4The big four to ask for before you offerWhat each one is, why it matters and what to look for.
- ✓The contract boxes that request the extra recordsHow to use the Condominium Rider to get board minutes, the full inspection report and more.
- ⏱The timeline: ask early, read, coordinateHow to line up document delivery, the unit inspection, the application and the appraisal.
- A–ZEvery condo document in plain EnglishIncluding what's new since Surfside: milestone inspections, reserve studies and turnover reports.
- ?Red flags and ready-to-send questionsPlus a section for sellers getting their packet ready.
The contract said the reports were done. The association didn't have them.
Our buyers were under contract on a Hallandale Beach condo that looked perfect: about 20% of the budget going to reserves, and the 40- and 50-year inspections passed. When we asked for the milestone inspection and the reserve study, the association said it didn't have them. Then the manager told us the roof had no remaining life expectancy, with a special assessment being discussed.
The loan would have worked. But financing isn't the only thing. Our buyers chose not to proceed and got their deposit back.
Two questions, not one
"Will this building qualify for the loan?"
"Is this the right building to own?"
A condo can pass the first and fail the second. The guide shows you how to answer both, starting with the four documents.
What working with Melissa Estrada & Wil Estrada is like
Buying or selling a condo in South Florida? Start with the right documents.
Get the free Quick Guide & Checklist, or tell us about the building you're considering and we'll help you figure out what's still missing.
Good to know
Is the guide really free?
Yes. We email you the PDF. No appointment, no obligation, and the market newsletter is a separate, optional choice.
Who is it for?
Anyone buying a condo in Florida, especially in buildings three or more habitable stories tall, and owners getting ready to sell who want their documents organized before buyers ask.
Is this legal or engineering advice?
No. It's general educational information from a real estate brokerage. It doesn't determine whether a building is safe, compliant or financeable. Review your contract and deadlines with a Florida real estate attorney and the appropriate professionals.
Can you look at a specific building with me?
Yes. Reply to the email that delivers your guide and tell us which building you're considering. We'll start by identifying which documents you have and which questions still need answers.