Phoenix Condo and Loft Homebuyer's Guide

Find out if these urban abodes are right for you to buy, live in.

If you're looking for amenities, attractive prices and a low-maintenance lifestyle in the city, a condo or loft may be right for you, Phoenix Condo's & Lofts

A condo is generally an individual unit in a larger building or structure that was built as housing. A typical condo complex may look like an apartment building, but each unit is (owned), not rented. A homeowners association (HOA) governs the condo community, collects dues and maintains the common areas.

A loft is a living space carved out of a building that wasn't built as a living unit. Many lofts are built out of converted warehouses or old factory buildings in a city's urban center, making them an appealing alternative for professionals who work downtown. Lofts typically do not have interior walls, have more open space and higher ceilings than other homes, and require minimal maintenance. Loft developers will sell them as move-in-ready units or as empty "shells" for buyers interested in designing the space themselves. An HOA also governs the loft building.

"There's an interesting phenomenon happening today in Phoenix urban centers. People are moving back into the cities. "They're realizing it's much more cost-effective to live and work in the city center."

If you're considering buying a condo or loft, follow these six steps to guide you through the process.

•Step 1: Weigh the Pros and Cons
The condo lifestyle can be an attractive choice for a variety of buyers, such as families who like to be near parks and schools or the empty-Nester looking to downsize. Advantages of living in a condo or loft building include:

•Sense of safety;
•Minimal exterior maintenance;
•Convenience;
•Sense of community;
•Resort like amenities, such as concierge service, pools, fitness facilities, tennis courts, roof deck with views and valet service.
But expect to sacrifice some freedom.

"It can be a bigger process to get approval for renovations, and sometimes personal hobbies and entertaining may be curtailed, depending on building rules.

•Step 2: Find a Real Estate Agent Who Knows the Market (Linda Wieczorek 602-391-8246)
A knowledgeable real estate agent can help in your property search and is especially key if you're a first-time buyer. Most people who are buying condos are entry-level buyers. It's important for these buyers to find someone who has a lot of experience with condos and lofts and who can explain the process well. Transactions usually go sour when the buyer isn't aware of how the process works.

•Step 3: Know What to Look For
•How many units are owner-occupied?
"If a large percentage are owned by investors as second homes or rented out, it can have a negative effect on the value of your property.

•How is the building maintained?
"When you buy a condo, you own the common areas," she says. "Badly maintained common areas can be a red flag that perhaps the homeowners association is not running the building as well as it should."

•Is there an application process?
Sawyer says in Manhattan this step is becoming more common because it protects the owners by making sure others are financially qualified to live in the building.

•Who is the developer/builder?
Check reputations and other developments. "Remember, you are in essence buying a building.

•Step 4: Get to Know the HOA
Before you buy a condo or loft and join the HOA:

•Find out what the monthly dues are and if an automatic debit system is available;
•Ask for a copy of the HOA's covenants, conditions and restrictions (CC&Rs) as these rules can limit improvements or alterations you can make to how many pets you can have;
•Ask for a copy of the HOA by laws, which dictate in fine detail how the association should operate;
•Ask about any special assessments that were made in the past three years;
•Meet the HOA president and ask any questions you may have about the community;
•Find out when and where meetings are held;
•Ask for a copy of the latest budget and meeting minutes. Review them to see how dues are being spent.

•Step 5: Consider Insurance
With a single-family property, a homeowner must insure the building, its contents and even the land and landscaping. With condos and lofts, the HOA collects monthly dues from members that cover the cost of insuring the building.

Even though the building is insured, condo and loft owners should buy policies to cover their belongings inside the building."It's highly recommended that buyers also purchase a separate homeowner policy to insure the contents of the home, similar to renter's insurance," says Leslie Williamson, executive vice president of The Condo Store, a nationwide real estate service specializing in sales of condos and lofts.

•Step 6: Do the Research
Before you sign on the dotted line, make sure you find out the nitty-gritty on the community you're considering. Dig into the HOA's books, ask neighbors about their experiences and talk to the real estate agent on-site to see if it's a good fit for you.

Don't forget to research the community's management system. Is it managed by a small, local firm? Or is it a large company that manages several properties in the city or region? What is the grievance procedure? Who is the on-site manager and how well does he or she respond to day-to-day issues?