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Condo Buyers. How To Avoid Trouble

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Daytona Condo Realty, 386-405-4408

Too often people buy a condo, and run into a problem with the Association. And not because they are rude and obnoxious people, or do not care about others, but because they do not know.

- What is there to know?

A lot, but we will concentrate on one issue here:

Minimum rentals.

It is not unusual for owners to think about offsetting some or all of their expenses by renting out their second homes (condos) when they are not using them. However, in Daytona Beach area practically every condo has some sort of rental restrictions. Majority of them are about the length of time you are allowed to rent. Many residential condos are trying to avoid turning their condominiums into a hotel. So, you can find minimum rental periods from one week to one year.

Case in point. From the listing you learn that minimum rental in a particular condo is, for example, 2 months.

Some smart buyers figure that they can rent for less as long as they do not rent more than 6 times a year and not rent more often than once in each 60-day period.

It may be right, but it may be wrong. Yes, you can’t force people to be using all 2 months of their rental period, and it happens that they leave, but if you have people coming for 2 weeks, and it is again and again, you may run into a serious problem. Check with the association, how they interpret their rules, so that you can save yourself from trouble.

But this is not the only problem that you might have. Some investors are buying only condos with the most liberal rental term of 1 week in order to maximize their rental profits. How can you go wrong here if you bought a condo with 1 week rental minimum and rent it out for one week only?

You can. For example, we have a condo, where minimum rental period is one week, however you can only rent 4 times a year. So, if the buyer was betting on 40 weeks a year to make money, with 4 weeks s/he will not even cover the expenses of maintaining the condo, leave alone the profit.

When you are buying a condo, not only get the facts, but also learn the interpretation. Best if is from those, who will be interpreting it, as they are the people, who not only interpret, but also impose fines :)

Of course, there are way more troubles out there, and I will be posting about them. And one of the troubles is that the Boards of Directors change every year, and they can change the interpretation, and not only the interpretation, but the rule as well. So, when you are buying a condo, think about it as that you are buying a piece of real estate for your enjoyment, and everything else is simply a bonus.

Good luck, and if you need help, call me at 386-405-4408 and in Daytona area I will gladly represent you in the transaction.

Follow the link for availability and prices of condos in Daytona beach area

Bob Jakowinicz
National Realty Centers Livonia--Bob Jakowinicz - Livonia, MI
Michigan Real Estate Agent-- MI Real Adventures

Jon, we also see this very often in Michigan. 

Jun 12, 2014 04:34 AM
Hannah Williams
HomeStarr Realty - Philadelphia, PA
Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376

Jon  You are right . If you are buying it for a rental you best know the condo rules on rentals

Jun 12, 2014 05:41 AM
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

     Good advice, Jon.    A Buyer should have an Attorney review and explain the Condo Docs and By-Laws during the statutory review period.    

Jun 12, 2014 08:45 AM
Andrea Bedard
Thompson Company, REALTORS® 240.593.2860 - Silver Spring, MD
Fluent in Real Estate & German, M.A. ABR ASP CIPS

It makes sense to me that there are some restrictions in place. After all, condo owners who live there year round probably do not want to feel like they are living in a hotel. It's best to read the condo docs thoroughly and to work with the expert in everything Daytona condo, Jon Zolsky

Jun 12, 2014 12:19 PM
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Nothing like buyers who feel like the rules don't apply to them.  They make life for the B.O.D. a real pain.

Jun 12, 2014 10:39 PM
Jon Zolsky, Daytona Beach, FL
Daytona Condo Realty, 386-405-4408 - Daytona Beach, FL
Buy Daytona condos for heavenly good prices

Bob - I am sure we are not unique :)

Jun 12, 2014 11:08 PM
Jon Zolsky, Daytona Beach, FL
Daytona Condo Realty, 386-405-4408 - Daytona Beach, FL
Buy Daytona condos for heavenly good prices

Hannah - condo rules may turn an unpleasant surprise in many instances. Nothing wrong with the rules, but if you do not know them, then it may become an issue, thank you

Jun 12, 2014 11:09 PM
Jon Zolsky, Daytona Beach, FL
Daytona Condo Realty, 386-405-4408 - Daytona Beach, FL
Buy Daytona condos for heavenly good prices

Fred - that's an expensive proposition :) With sometimes 120 pages, and I have seen twice as much, it can be costly. But reading it carefully, and then consult regarding sticky or unclear issues would be a less expensive endeavor

Jun 12, 2014 11:12 PM
Jon Zolsky, Daytona Beach, FL
Daytona Condo Realty, 386-405-4408 - Daytona Beach, FL
Buy Daytona condos for heavenly good prices

Andrea - thank you, but yes, I can understand why there are restrictions. In a condo with 200 units life can become difficult, as what for one owner would be a one-time breach, would be happening every day.

Jun 12, 2014 11:13 PM
Jon Zolsky, Daytona Beach, FL
Daytona Condo Realty, 386-405-4408 - Daytona Beach, FL
Buy Daytona condos for heavenly good prices

Gabe - of course. But reading and not checking for particulars may be a surprise. Especially when people never lived in a condo, and decide that nobody can tell them what to do.

Jun 12, 2014 11:14 PM