55+ condo buyer reference
Condo inspection, reserve and insurance questions to ask early.
A dated South Florida due-diligence checklist for buyers. Reviewed August 20, 2026.
The monthly fee is only one part of the financial picture.
In a condominium, the association’s records, upcoming work, reserve plan and insurance position can be as important as the floor plan. Request them early enough to understand the specific building and unit before you commit.
Document checklist
Ask for the records that explain the building.
- What current work is planned or underway?Ask for recent board minutes, engineer or contractor reports, project schedules and the current assessment status.
- What does the reserve information show?Request the current budget, reserve schedule and, where relevant, available structural integrity reserve-study information. Ask how planned work is expected to be funded.
- What does the association insure?Request the current insurance declaration, deductibles, renewal information and any known claim or coverage issues. Confirm what the owner must insure separately.
- What belongs to the unit owner?Read the declaration and ask about windows, doors, balconies, plumbing, electrical items, HVAC, roofs, exterior surfaces and post-loss responsibilities.
Condo due-diligence questions
Does a clean inspection eliminate association risk?
No. A unit inspection is important, but it does not replace a review of the association’s financial records, insurance, maintenance history or planned work.
Should I only look at the current monthly fee?
No. Compare the current fee with what it includes, the reserve plan, current or proposed assessments, insurance responsibilities and likely work on the building.
Which documents should I request first?
Start with the budget, reserve information, insurance declaration, assessments, meeting minutes, governing documents, application package and available inspection or engineering information.
Paul Saperstein, Broker Associate, SRES®
eXp Realty LLC
Want help making sense of the documents?
Paul can help you organize the association questions, compare the information across homes and identify where a specialist should weigh in.
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