Common-interest community guide
You are buying the home and joining a shared financial and legal system. The documents help reveal the obligations that do not appear during a showing.
Bold, colored terms with a dotted underline have explanations. Hover, tap, or use your keyboard to read them. Open the full home-buying cheat sheet →
Review assessments, delinquencies, reserves, budgets, insurance, pending claims, anticipated projects and special assessments. Compare the association’s responsibilities with the owner’s responsibilities.
Washington law governs resale certificates and cancellation rights, but the applicable statute and contract timing depend on the community and transaction. Review promptly with the right professionals.
Look for rental limits, pet rules, parking, exterior-change approval, maintenance duties, use restrictions and enforcement history. Do not rely on a listing summary when the governing documents control.
For condos, clarify the boundaries of the unit and who maintains windows, decks, roofs, siding, plumbing and other components.
Compare dues with the services provided and the adequacy of reserves. Deferred maintenance can appear inexpensive until a major project requires a special assessment.
Ask what has recently been repaired, what is expected next and how the association plans to pay for it.
Use primary sources
Programs, service areas and property facts can change. These sources are the right place to begin; your lender and transaction team can apply them to your specific situation.
Continue your research
Your next step
Ask the question this guide brought up. It’s fine if you’re still working out your timing or budget.
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