MAINTENANCE FREE LIVING

(AND OTHER LIES THEY TELL YOU ABOUT COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS) By Martin Stone, PCAM, AMS

So, you bought a condo or a townhome because you never want to mow the lawn, paint the house, or shovel snow ever again. And yet, from time to time you still find yourself shaking your fists in frustration and wishing you had your own house, your own back yard, and your own roof that you could put as many satellite dishes on as you please, thank you very much! But why? Why so frustrated?

It’s probably because you were lied to.

I don’t think I’m alone in that I have often fantasized about rounding up each and every developer’s sales agent and realtor who has ever, when trying to sell a condo or townhome, uttered the words ”Maintenance Free Living” and have them not-so-gently shoved off a cliff and into the grand canyon. The only problem with this fantasy is, if fully executed, it would most assuredly fill to the brim one of the world’s most beautiful wonders. Alas.

Another common lie related to maintenance responsibilities in a condo or townhome association is: “Inside is yours, outside is the association’s.” (Gameshow buzzer sounds) Wrong! Or how about the timeless classic: “Since the association maintains the roof, if the roof leaks and damages the ceiling, the association is responsible for the ceiling repairs.” Wrong again!

You may be thinking, Well what is the truth? Why did I buy into this condo or townhome association if it’s not maintenance-free living? What the heck do I pay a monthly fee for if I have to fix my own ceiling from a leak, clean my own windows, clean out my own chimney, fix my own skylight? And what do you mean I can’t plant flowers next to my patio without permission from the board of directors? What do you mean my blinds have to be white or off-white? I want wooden blinds…I have to paint them white? (Insert garbled expletives here.)

And finally… Was my buying a condo or townhome a good idea or a total bone- headed move? That depends. Don’t go running to the phone to call your realtor just yet. Let’s first consider the significant pros and cons of community association living, so you can decide once and for all if it’s right for you, or if you want to jump into the Grand Canyon…

40 | COMMON INTEREST®

A Publication of CAI-Illinois Chapter