Damage balcony post

Generally the governing documents for the condo (CCRs, Deed Restrictions, etc.) will define responsibilities and you would need to consult those for a definitive answer. It is common in condos that the owner is responsible for drywall in, and the association for everything outside of that, but not all condos are set up that way. Some associations are more responsive than others, so even in cases where the association is responsible, it could be anywhere from easy to very difficult to get the post repaired. At this point, you have no standing with the association, if the association is responsible, the current owner should contact them about the repair.

This might end up being a good test to see if this is a well managed association or one that you might want to avoid.

The problem is that I still don't read CCR - I don't have it yet!

And YES - this post is structural element. Seems like association needs to take care of this.

Is it possible to insert images in this forum?

Thank you!

Rick

Here's a concept... Maybe it's the SELLER's responsibility to fix the item? If it's the HOA's issue, then the seller/owner is to contact them to address the issue. That is how most real estate transactions work despite being in a HOA. It's part of the negotiations before you sign the dotted line.

You get a home inspector to report issues with the home prior to purchase. If there are some issues then you and your realtor negotiate terms on who is responsible to repair. When I bought my house, we wrote up in the contract that a window shade and awning be installed. We also had them hire a structural engineer to address a dip in the floor. All of which were terms of the sale.

The HOA documents should be available at the records department at the local courthouse. They are considered PUBLIC. So should be no problem for you or your realtor to go get a copy. Not all states make the seller provide that information. No reason you can't delay the sell until you review them as well. Should have already put earnest money in which is refundable.

You are NOT a member of the HOA. The seller is. So if there is an issue, then the member is responsible for taking it further NOT you. You are NOT a member until you are the owner.

Just wondering what is the full length of this post? Is this supporting one deck? And are we talking about a 4'X4' or 6'X6'?

How is this anchored at the bottom? And it lies on a concrete slab, concrete deck, or what ?

My suggestion ask the realtor to have the seller provide you with a copy of the By-Laws and Declarations. Those documents should explain who maintains these decks. Does ever unit have the same sort of deck?

I would suggest you not make a huge issue out of this IF this property is in some demand. Might just cost you an opportunity to buy it.

Have the realtor inform the seller about what the inspector found and ask them to have the HOA respond to how they plan to address this.

This should not be a major, dealbreaker.

My suggestion perhaps you get something from the association representative in WRITING! On a piece of paper with their name, the date and signed.

He said, she said down the road means little.

Glad to hear this situation might just be that easily resolved. Good luck with your purchase.

My opinion, delay the purchase until the repair is made or, have funds set into escrow to make the repair if the HOA doesn't.

A lender may choose not to underwrite a mortgage if there is known structural damage.

I can explain. This condo is very good - nice place, pretty good price compare to the neighbors and the main advantage - that was an investment property and looks like nobody lived there at all!

Believe me, I took a look for a 10+ condo's in this area - and they look terrible compare to this one. That's why I am OK even with this post at balcony - really it is not damaged. Water heater new, AC outside unit needs to e replaced only after 10+ years, walls are flat and very nice painted and many more advantages - that is I was looking for a 3-4 months.

This suggestion for you to RUN seems to me to be a bit drastic.

This is a support column for a deck 25 years old and perhaps not even pressure treated lumber that is rotten in one place.

The property has suggested they have plans to address this.

As this is more than likely common property Imwonder just who would be willing to put money in escrow to ensure thismworkmismdone as this is not the current owner's responsibility.

And as this is common property Iwould suggest you not take it upon yourself to do these repairs as this might be a violation of the property's documents.

If you search has determined this is a property worth buying as compared to others and you have been provided evidence the HOA has plans to address this I don't think you could ask for more than that.

Why not walk around and see if any other such lists have in fact been replaced. Ask some neighbors and owners as to the timeliness of repairs and upkeep around the property.

As I mentioned before in my mind this is not a dealbreaker.

My thing is that this is the seller's responsibility to be involved with the HOA/solution. The buyer is NOT a member of the HOA. It's one thing to request information from the HOA, it's another to demand repairs be made before signing the dotted line.

Someone came to me with this demand, I would send them back to the seller. It's NOT in the HOA's lane with the buyer. It is with the seller who IS a HOA member. Plus every home I bought, these issues were part of negotiations with the seller prior to purchase. It was none of my concern how or who did the work. As long as it was addressed.

ViachaslauL : If the governance documents lawfully download a structural replacement onto the owner a buyer will step into such obligation. Given the non-invasive limits of conventional inspections, ask yourself how much else there might out of sight.

As others point out above if you want enough to continue without waiving the current purchase conditions, have your legal representative insert or action any sale condition withholding from sale proceeds the cost to rectify this patent or observable safety risk.

You are all scaring the buyer. Great way to welcome somebody to an association. Yes he should get something in writing about his concern (replacing the column) from the association but many of you are scaring him (and other association buyers) away.

In PA and in other states, there are statutes that establish the required contents for estoppel letters. Estoppel letters should cover the stuff in item 2.

Along with the estoppel letter, we must also provide copies of the HOA docs - which in most cases, covers the stuff in item 1.

In PA, the HOA must provide the seller with an estoppel package within 10 days of request.

A buyer would be a fool not to review that package before closing the deal. In fact, the buyer has 10 days after receipt of the estoppel package to kill the deal and get all deposit money back without giving any reason for the cancellation.

Yet, I have personally interviewed everyone who bought a house in our community over the past 5 years. Not one of them was familiar with the estoppel package. All of them relied on their realtor's explanations. IMO, kind of silly to rely on someone who makes a commission if you buy and doesn't make a commission if you don't. But that's the way it works around here most of the time.

GOOD - MY JOB IS DONE

The buyer SHOULD be scared of purchasing into a development which has VISIBLE rotting structural elements.