08/11/2026
Cafecito y chisme ☕️: your condo association can absolutely make or break a deal.
I recently had a contract involving a wet dock at a marina that was considered a condominium unit within an association. When the buyer started asking about maintenance, rules, special assessments, upcoming repairs, and even potential lawsuits, the answers raised some serious concerns.
The association collected the maintenance fees, but essentially said they didn’t really deal with the marina. And when the buyer visited the property and saw the condition of the marina for himself, he had to ask a bigger question: Do I feel comfortable investing in this?
Ultimately, he decided he didn’t. He canceled the contract because the way the association was being managed—and how it handled one of its properties—didn’t give him the confidence he needed to move forward.
Here’s the takeaway for buyers and sellers:
☕️ Buyers: Don’t stop at the property itself. Ask questions about the association, its finances, maintenance, assessments, repairs, rules, and how the property is actually being managed.
☕️ Sellers: Your association matters. Attend those meetings, stay informed, and vote. The condition and management of an association can directly impact a buyer’s confidence—and potentially your ability to close the deal.
The lesson? Do your research before you fall in love with the property.
Have you ever seen an association issue affect a real estate deal? Tell me about it in the comments.