Condos, with the paperwork actually read.
A condo purchase is really two purchases: the unit, and a share of a building with its own budget, insurance, and repair history. Most surprises live in the second one. I read it before you buy it.
The documents most people skip
Budget, reserve study, master insurance policy, meeting minutes. Twenty minutes with the minutes tells you more about a building than an hour at the open house — what's been argued about, what's been deferred, and what letter might be coming.
True monthly cost, not list price
Dues plus your HO-6 policy plus the realistic assessment risk for a building of that age and exposure. Two units at the same price can be hundreds apart per month once you do this math. We do it on every candidate.
When trading up beats staying
Sometimes the honest math says your equity works harder in a newer home minutes off the water. Sometimes it says stay — your building is sound and the balcony is the whole point. I'll run both columns and you decide.
Ready to talk it through? No pressure, just honest numbers.
Call or text (251) 597-5809Mandy Longshore · RE/MAX of Gulf Shores · Licensed in Alabama & Florida