Condo Docs Make for Good Bathroom Reading

I am often asked of the importance of condo or homeowner's documents by buyers, and my answer is always the same; Get them, read them, adhere to them, and keep them in a safe place. Some agents don't even give these to their buyers and that, my friends, is a no no. Here in Florida you are required by law to give them to the buyer upon signing a contract unless they reject it in writing. Then the buyers have three days to review. Where you hurt yourself as a seller is by not giving it to them because now the buyer has a right to cancel the sales contract whenever they please.

So, in essence, when you get them read through the rules and regulations thoroughly. If there is something you do not like there is no sense in trying to fight it. You are better off moving on. If you are okay with the rules, remember that sooner or later they will be amended and you will have to live with that because you have no control over the outcome unless you are on the board. Follow those rules too. If not, all hell will break loose and your life in that community will become a living hell. What's the point of living in a gated community with an association if you are not going to abide by the rules that everyone else has to? And finally, keep the docs in a safe and have them ready when you decide to sell. At the signing of a listing contract give them to your agent for safe keeping and so that your agent is ready once a contract comes in. Being prepared with these docs is an ultra important part of the sales process in real estate.