So confused! My county thinks we have a condo but we thought we have a single-family home (i.e. a free-standing house on land we own). Then why does my property tax bill show that we've been taxed for the land? [more inside]
posted by ObeyScient on Nov 24, 2009 - 11 answers

What should a landlord look for during a mid-lease inspection? [more inside]
posted by ignignokt on Nov 20, 2009 - 12 answers

Where should we stay in Maui? [more inside]
posted by joelhunt on Nov 18, 2009 - 21 answers

If I buy a condo in Seattle with a great view, will that view be blocked by new condo construction in the near future? [more inside]
posted by nyc_consultant on Nov 9, 2009 - 10 answers

My grandpa lives in Chicago and has decided to move into a retirement community (also in Chicago). We are not sure what to do with his condo. The mortgage is paid off, but the assessments come to about $550 a month with taxes being around $1000/yr. We would like to sell the condo at some point, but right now market is so bad that it might not be worth selling. We are considering renting it out, but have never had experience with renting. We believe we can rent it out for about $1,000 a month. [more inside]
posted by parakeetdog on Nov 1, 2009 - 9 answers

My condo suddenly wants me to sign an agreement saying I will abide by their draconian rules and provide a tonne of personal data to them. This is all under the guise that they are creating 'files' for residents for access to the building. Is this legal? [more inside]
posted by urbanette on Oct 13, 2009 - 10 answers

My fiance and I are in the midst of buying a condo. Offer accepted, inspection went great, still collecting all the documents related to the condo association. Yesterday, we got a three page document that is the "noise abatement policy." We are not happy. But should we suck it up and still buy the place? [more inside]
posted by bibbit on Oct 13, 2009 - 37 answers

Miystery Leak in apartment that we just purchased...where could it be coming from and how to proceed to ensure it doesn't occur again? [more inside]
posted by spacefire on Oct 12, 2009 - 5 answers

Looking for suggestions or examples of websites dedicated to folks who live in Condos or HOAs (i.e. a website for a specific building or development), and what makes them work (or not). [more inside]
posted by lowlife on Sep 23, 2009 - 3 answers

If I move for 6 months to a year, what do I do with my condo? [more inside]
posted by milinar on Sep 21, 2009 - 9 answers

Does anyone know of a reliable home (or condo in this case) inspector that specializes in the Hoboken / Jersey City area? [more inside]
posted by thetenthstory on Sep 11, 2009 - 2 answers

Is it OK (consequence-free) for my condo association to delay all roof shingle replacements until January? [more inside]
posted by amtho on Aug 10, 2009 - 3 answers

Bats are living (and excreting) in the attic of my condo unit. I first noticed them in Sept 08, and immediately contacted my property management company for removal and cleaning. Since then, I've called every 2-3 weeks and attended two HOA meetings to bring up the issue. I keep getting excuses or brushed off. How can I motivate them to ACTUALLY remove the bats, protect my unit from further infestation and clean the insulation? [more inside]
posted by steeb2er on Jun 22, 2009 - 8 answers

I need ideas for renting out our furnished Seattle condo while still allowing us to use it periodically, and while not running afoul of our condo association's rule regarding rentals. [more inside]
posted by HotToddy on May 17, 2009 - 9 answers

We're heading to Kauai in late June/early July for our anniversary, and are leaning toward staying on the North Shore--I'd love to hear from folks out there about their experiences with condos. Worth it? A Hassle? If I can't sear a mahi mahi steak to save my life, and there aren't any restaurants nearby, will we starve? [more inside]
posted by Ham_On_Rye on May 4, 2009 - 5 answers

I'm on the board of HOA of my building and we have a bylaw which prohibits leasing of units. But it occurs to me, couldn't an owner just rent on the sly? For example, they could say someone is house-sitting their condo. Or they could say they're letting a friend stay at their place for a while. How can a condo board prove a unit is being leased?
posted by rsol44 on Apr 22, 2009 - 11 answers

What is the cause of the slightly silicone/leathery/car interior smell in my condo? [more inside]
posted by fantasticninety on Apr 18, 2009 - 7 answers

Buying a first residence in a major city: can it be done? [more inside]
posted by cranberrymonger on Apr 13, 2009 - 15 answers

For purchasing a 1- or 2-bedroom condo in NYC: tips and links to how to search effectively, evaluate wisely, and get a great deal and wondeful home? Ideas (or links to forums) about which neighborhoods and types of condos are the best values, broker recommendations, etc.?
posted by Malad on Apr 10, 2009 - 7 answers

Unfortunately for my condo association and me, I have been designated to do our annual taxes. It's supposed to be really easy. I just fill out form 1120h and pay the tax. Except, according to my calculations (and including the $100 deduction), the government owes us money?! (only $5 of our income is taxable) What am I doing wrong? Why would the government owe us money when we haven't yet paid any tax? [more inside]
posted by B-squared on Apr 8, 2009 - 4 answers

I and four friends have rented a condo in Kona for four nights. Now, a cousin of one of us is going to "crash" in the condo for two nights. How should we share the costs? (other logistics within...) [more inside]
posted by SSinVan on Mar 29, 2009 - 7 answers

Please make it clear to me just how essential property managers are. [more inside]
posted by ignignokt on Mar 9, 2009 - 26 answers

Should I buy a 1 bedroom or 2 bedroom condo? Specifics after the break... [more inside]
posted by crewshell on Feb 24, 2009 - 24 answers

My boyfriend and I just booked a flight to Honolulu for the first week of May and now we need to find accommodations. We're hoping to find a week-long rental somewhere within the city to use as a home base, spend most of our time at the beach and/or exploring nearby tourist-y sites via public transit, and maybe rent a car for just a couple days. [more inside]
posted by sanitycheck on Feb 2, 2009 - 7 answers

Can the HOA make me ultimately responsible for their drama ? [more inside]
posted by duckus on Jan 20, 2009 - 4 answers

My toilet is constantly backing up with soap and water to the point where it overflows and floods my condo! What is the problem? What are my legal options? [more inside]
posted by DorothySmith on Jan 4, 2009 - 16 answers

Is there a good way to estimate how soon I'd be able to rent out my place? [more inside]
posted by ignignokt on Dec 16, 2008 - 8 answers

How did you learn how to buy a house? First-time homeowner needs some guidance. [more inside]
posted by sah on Nov 1, 2008 - 25 answers

We've moved every two years since 2000. Always renting. We're about to move into our very own condo, and in the interests of not being ripped off, we're avoiding the developer's sources/prices and buying our own appliances, window treatments, do our own closets, find our own contractor for the floors, etc. The problem? We don't know how to do any of this stuff. Bonus points: 6 month old baby. [more inside]
posted by NoRelationToLea on Sep 30, 2008 - 12 answers

I am looking to buy a condo next fall (2009) in DC. While I have rented in DC for quite some time, I haven't been keeping an eye on the housing market nearly as much, particularly as it has begun its decline. [more inside]
posted by waylaid on Sep 29, 2008 - 3 answers

In the market of Buying a Condo in the Los Angeles areas and want to know how to research best. Need to find out sites that keep me up to date with the housing market, when its good to buy etc...for with the economy right now I don't really know what to do.....please help [more inside]
posted by matthelm on Sep 23, 2008 - 5 answers

How much does it usually cost to paint a three-story fire-escape-style metal staircase? [more inside]
posted by ignignokt on Aug 31, 2008 - 8 answers

Redevelopment and eminent domain- Should I fight it? [more inside]
posted by ets960 on Jul 8, 2008 - 7 answers

What manufacturers should I be looking at in searching out a very secure (i.e. 3 point lock) but stylish interior door to act as the entrance into a condo unit? [more inside]
posted by serial_consign on Jun 18, 2008 - 6 answers

House vs. apartment. Are the costs of maintaining a house roughly less, the same as, or more than levies on a comparably sized apartment? [more inside]
posted by lottie on Jun 16, 2008 - 11 answers

Should I live in the Arts District in downtown LA? [more inside]
posted by dentata on Apr 15, 2008 - 13 answers

Purchasing a condo - does an alarm system make sense? [more inside]
posted by MeetMegan on Mar 9, 2008 - 17 answers

Remember my previous question regarding a noisy upstairs neighbor in our condo complex? Its gotten worse. [more inside]
posted by KevinSkomsvold on Feb 18, 2008 - 29 answers

Legally, what rights do I have in regards to shoddy renovation work done on my condo before I bought it? [more inside]
posted by tocts on Jan 31, 2008 - 16 answers

Do we really need to refinish our hardwood floors before we list our condo? [more inside]
posted by AgentRocket on Jan 11, 2008 - 23 answers

SEATTLE: I'm looking for internet resources to find rental apartments, condos, houses [more inside]
posted by Bob Dobbs on Jan 6, 2008 - 10 answers

The real estate broker for our condo is a jackass...do we have any recourse? [more inside]
posted by frosty_hut on Sep 29, 2007 - 21 answers

Help a recent grad find a condo in Toronto, and help me figure out if I can afford it. [more inside]
posted by veritascitor on Sep 17, 2007 - 14 answers

What can I do with my money if I don't buy real estate? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jun 27, 2007 - 26 answers

How hard is it to find a roommate in Toronto? [more inside]
posted by pantheON on Jun 23, 2007 - 16 answers

My apartment was entered without the knowledge or consent of me, or my landlord. Is this trespassing? [more inside]
posted by othersomethings on Jun 8, 2007 - 21 answers

I'm looking to buy a condo in Cambridge, MA, where many of the attractive properties are old, multi-family houses, with 2-6 units each. I have some reservations about buying a condo with such a small group of people running the association. [more inside]
posted by scottso17 on May 15, 2007 - 5 answers

I need help with crafting a multi-dwelling (Condo) solution for TV and/or Internet service [more inside]
posted by twiggy on Apr 30, 2007 - 3 answers

What do I need to know and what things should I consider before buying (and while buying) a pre-construction condo? [more inside]
posted by echo0720 on Apr 22, 2007 - 11 answers

Is this the worst possible time to become first-time home owners in Portland, Ore., even though we found what looks like a pretty good deal on a condo? This sort of thing scares me, but we just found a place that we like and that seems very reasonably priced. [more inside]
posted by croutonsupafreak on Apr 2, 2007 - 26 answers