Know your Condo Rules and Regulations – Tips for Selling Your Florida Condominium

Posted on July 19, 2012 by Condo Documents

ddpavumba | freedigitalphotos.net

Florida condominiums naturally attract many different types of people, so if you’re selling one, chances are there will be interested individuals. However, because there are so many different condos in Florida for sale, you’ll have some high competition. Renovating yourFlorida condominium before selling is a good way to ensure that you get an offer not long after listing the condo. By understanding what buyers are looking for, you can have the best chances of making the sale quickly. Regardless what you do to the condo, it’s important to be familiar with your Condo Rules and Regulations

Maximizing the Space

One great way to make sure potential buyers really like the condo is to maximize the space as much as possible. Walls of windows are a great way to do this, because a lot of natural light is able to make its way into the condo, and it gives the illusion that the space is bigger than it really is. The beautiful Florida views don’t hurt, either. Other great ways of maximizing space include adding shelf space high on walls to create additional areas for items, and to draw the eye up. Note that most condo rules and regulations won’t allow you to enclose or convert a patio or porch to additional interior space.

Upgrading

Another thing you can do to ensure that you sell your Florida condominium quickly is upgrade the features in the condo. For instance, pull out the carpeting and replace it with wood laminate flooring. This is highly desirable because it’s easier to maintain and looks more polished and elegant than carpeting. Make sure you check the Condo Rules and Regulations as most condos require soundproofing. Make sure the appliances are new and full of features. Most people prefer stainless steel appliances that are energy efficient.

Bathrooms

Bathrooms are a big selling point withFloridacondominiums. People are looking for airy, open spaces with plenty of room. Do what you can to open up the space in your bathroom. Install modern, efficient sinks and counter space in your condo’s bathrooms, and make sure the space is as open as possible. New tile in light colors can also make the space seem larger. A fresh coat of light colored paint can give the space a new, open look. Neutral is always better than bright loud colors

Custom Additions

There are a few custom additions that are simple but beautiful and will make the condo more appealing to potential buyers. Consider adding a window seat to den or living room windows, and use a neutral fabric. Other custom additions that can make the space more appealing include floor to ceiling bookshelves (if there is sufficient room), pantry space in the kitchen, window seats in the bedrooms and linen shelves in the bathroom. All of these additions are helpful but you want to make sure you are following the condo rules and regulations.

While Florida condominiums are highly sought after, it’s important to do what you can to make yours more appealing to potential buyers. By using the tips above, you can ensure that your condo has the extra something that makes potential buyers want to make a serious offer quickly. Remember that you can always locate a copy of your condo rules and regulations often found in the condominium documents here at Florida Condo Docs.

Things You Should Know Before Attempting to Buy a Florida Condominium – Condo By Laws

Posted on July 7, 2012 by Condo Documents

David Castillo Dominici | freedigitalphotos.net

Florida condominiums are selling like crazy right now, including bulk condominiums to investors who are looking to make a profit. It’s entirely possible to make money with condominiums, but it’s also important to know as much as possible about purchasing condos and the condo by laws before doing so, to avoid common pitfalls and issues. Here are some important things you should know before attempting to buy a Florida condominium.

Owners Association Issues

The first thing you’re going to want to think about is the owner’s association, which is the committee that governs the condominium units and the behavior of the tenants. While many owners associations are fairly lax in their rules and guidelines, others are extremely strict. You should read over the policies and information before purchasing any condo so you know how difficult it will be to renovate and then sell the condo. Ask for a copy of the Condo By laws and review them.

Rental Issues

With the economy the way it is currently and the unemployment rate being so high, many individuals are unable to pay their monthly HOA payments. This can mean that there simply isn’t enough money to handle maintenance issues and other problems that arise with the condominiums. Another tragic result is that the building could end up losing insurance coverage. If this happens, banks simply aren’t going to lend money to interested buyers who want to purchase one of the units. You can see that this is a difficult situation to be in, so thoroughly researching the history of payments and issues is a must. Along with the condo by laws you should be requesting a copy of the condominium budget and minutes.

Thoroughly Looking Over Special Assessments

It’s very important that you and an attorney thoroughly look over the meeting minutes that you will be provided with. These will include the things that are discussed as well as special assessments addressed in meetings, and will give you insight into what’s going on with the building. Unfortunately, many buyers realize too late (through these documents) that there has been an ongoing problem and they’re left to deal with the problems after they’ve already purchased the building. If a problem is spotted in the special assessments, you should thoroughly investigate the issue before making an offer or purchasing. In addition to the minutes, there is small print in the condominium by laws that you are bound by so read it.

Attorneys

If you go into a contract or even look at a property without the benefit of a real estate attorney, you could end up making a bad investment. You need the professional opinion and advice of someone who deals with these issues every single day, especially when it comes to Florida condominiums. Condominium Documents or Condo by laws should be reviewed in detail. Take the time to seek out a qualified attorney in order to get the best legal expertise when it comes to purchasing Florida condominiums.

By using these tips and information you can make sure it’s a great deal before purchasing a Florida condo, whether you plan to keep the condo or invest to make a profit. Looking for a copy of the Condo Documents search our database of thousands of Florida Condominium Documents

How to Make Money Flipping Florida Condominiums

Posted on July 5, 2012 by Condo Documents

Stuart Miles | freedigitalphotos.net

As a real estate investor, you already know how popularFloridacondominiums are. If you’ve never invested in one before, you may have your doubts about how much money you can stand to make or how quickly you can sell the condo. The trick to selling quickly is making sure the condominium is up to par and everything potential buyers are searching for. Here are a few tips on how to make money flipping Florida condominiums.

Buying Right

The first trick is to avoid jumping on the first Florida condominium that becomes available. While it can be tempting, you need to wait for a sweet deal to come along so you can get a great condo at a low investment. This might mean a foreclosure or a short sale, so watch the market and make sure you’re up to date on the condos in the area you’re looking to purchase in. Your profit is made when you buy, not when you sell your condo or home.

Improving the Condo

Because it’s virtually impossible to add rooms or do major renovation on a condo the way you can on a house, you’ll need to make improvements in different ways. For instance, most people focus on the kitchen and the bathrooms in condominiums when they’re considering purchasing. They look for plenty of space, up to date appliances and facilities, open and airy rooms, and functional work stations. Focus your time and effort on these two rooms above all else, because a condo with a fantastic kitchen and bathroom will sell quickly.

Cosmetic Touch-Ups

In addition to providing great quality bathrooms and kitchens, there are cosmetic touch-ups you can make to your Florida condominium that will help it sell. A fresh coat of paint throughout the condo will help it look immaculate, and you should keep the colors to neutral tones like off white, beige or cream. This allows individuals to see the condo as a canvas for their own taste whereas bright or vivid colors can be off putting. A thorough cleaning is in order, and should include dusting the baseboards, scrubbing the bathrooms and kitchens especially, and airing out the condo.

Staging the Condo

You may want to hire a staging professional or do it yourself, but in some instances, staging will help the condo sell. All personal items should be removed from the condominium and areas should be staged much like the set of a movie. Neutral, classic furniture can be placed in rooms to illustrate how the area might be utilized. Before opening the condo for someone to view, light candles scented in vanilla or another subtle scent, and use lighting to set the moods in different rooms.

Making the Condo Competitive

Finally, when you’re ready to sell the condo, you’ll want to make sure it’s a competitive price. Check the local listings and compare those condos (including the number of bedrooms, bathrooms and specific features), and then determine a fair price for your condo.

By using these tips, you can ensure that your Florida condominium flipping will be successful and that your condo will sell quickly, making you a lot of profit. If you are looking for a copy of your Declaration of Condominium or Condominium Documents, please feel free to search our database of 1000’s of Condo Documents.

Distressed Florida Condominium Act is Not Extended : Where This Leaves Investors

Posted on July 3, 2012 by Condo Documents

Florida Condominium Distressed Act

FreeDigitalPhotos.net | Suwit Ritjaroon

Florida condominium investment has been hot for quite some time, and investors – both foreign and American – have been investing right and left. Many have purchased Florida condominiums in bulk, and some investors have even purchased land to develop more condos. However, developments in the past few months may change how investors feel about Florida condominiums, because the bills that were designed to extend the Florida Distressed Condominium Act were not pushed through.

What is the Florida Distressed Condominium Act?

This act, enacted on July 1, 2010, enabled investors to buy Florida condos in bulk without the fear of certain liabilities. Most importantly, the act restricted certain developer liabilities that investors might have been saddled with from the original developer, making it much easier (and more attractive) to purchase condos in bulk for investment purposes. It also allowed the investor to maintain certain rights regarding the operations as well as the re-positioning of the assets.

The Bills Designed to Extend the Act

Set to expire on July 1 of this year, the Florida Distressed Condominium Act could have been extended by two bills set before lawmakers, including Florida House Bill 319 and Florida Senate Bill 680. These were designed to extend the act and keep it effective through the year 2015. Neither bill went through, meaning that the act was not extended. This could mean serious changes for those investors who have been quickly buying up distressed condominiums in Florida.

What Does This Mean for Investors?

If you’re sitting on a group of condos and thinking about buying them, the bottom line is that now is the time. After July of this year, the act will have no legal effect, meaning that you can be liable for those specific things mentioned above, such as the developer’s liabilities. This includes claims that originated with the condominium developer. If you plan to purchase bulk condos after July 1, 2012, you’ll need to speak with an attorney to ensure that your best interest is protected.

Overall, although the act is not extended, buying Florida condominiums as an investment is still a great idea. It’s just important to look at the bulk buying options and whether you’re prepared to take the risk on purchasing in bulk now that the act is no longer in effect.

Looking for a copy of your Condo Docs?

Land Development Frequently Asked Questions

Posted on May 9, 2012 by Condo Documents

Land Development : Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is a comprehensive plan? A comprehensive plan provides a long-range guide for a community to effectively address future development and natural resource protection, and sets forth the community’s planning goals and objectives. The comprehensive plan is used in the course of deliberations on local planning issues, particularly with regard to local zoning, subdivision, and official mapping ordinances. In addition, the comprehensive plan is intended to increase intergovernmental cooperation and the general awareness and understanding of planning goals and objectives by residents, landowners, developers, the business community, and other private interests, and among the many units, levels, and agencies of government with land use related responsibilities within the community. Comprehensive plans contain the following nine elements as required by Section 66.1001(2) of the Wisconsin Statutes:

Issues and opportunities element

Land use element

Housing element

Transportation element

Utilities and community facilities element

Agricultural, natural, and cultural resources element

Economic development element

Intergovernmental cooperation element

Implementation element

A multi-jurisdictional comprehensive planning effort is currently underway by Kenosha County, nine local government partners, UW-Extension, and the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission.

2. What is land use plan?

A land use plan is a long-range plan for the desirable use of land in a county, city, village, or town as officially adopted by the local plan commission. The purpose the plan is to serve as a guide in the zoning, and progressive changes in the zoning, of land to meet the future needs of the community in the use of undeveloped land and in the acquisition of rights-of-way or sites for public purposes such as streets, parks, schools, and public buildings.

3. What is a neighborhood plan? A neighborhood plan is the master plan for a particular neighborhood or district that provides specific design standards and guidelines regulating the development and use of the property. A neighborhood plan is adopted by the local municipality as a part of the land use plan for the city, village, or town and contains public policies relating to a specific neighborhood.

4. Can I split (subdivide) my land? Whether or not a property is eligible for subdivision requires the analysis of several factors, including land use plan maps, road frontage and access, soil suitability, total acreage, as well as a number of other items. The Kenosha County Department of Planning and Development would be happy to provide you with more information on the subdivision process. Please contact the Kenosha County Department of Planning and Development at (262) 857-1895 to obtain additional information or visit the Land Development page on our website.

5. Do I need an appointment if I am going to subdivide my property? No. Appointments are recommended to ensure that a staff member is available to spend adequate time to answer all of your questions.

6. Do I need an appointment if I am going to open a new business in an existing building that had a business? No. Appointments are recommended to ensure that a staff member is available to spend adequate time to answer all of your questions.

7. What is a Certified Survey Map? Divides a block, lot or outlot within a recorded CSM or subdivision plat into more than one, but less than five, parcels or building sites, inclusive of the original remnant parcel, without changing the exterior boundaries of said plat or the exterior boundaries of blocks within the plat.

8. What is a Plat? A map prepared for the purpose of recording a subdivision, major land division, or condominium. A plat is generally prepared in two phases. The first phase is the preliminary plat and the second phase is the final plat.

9. What is a Preliminary Plat? A preliminary plat is a map showing the salient features of a proposed subdivision submitted to an approving authority for purposes of preliminary consideration. A preliminary plat precisely describes the location and exterior boundaries of the parcel proposed to be divided, and shows the approximate location of lots and other improvements.

10. What is a Final Plat? A map prepared in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 236 of the Wisconsin State Statutes and the Kenosha County Subdivision Control Ordinance for the purpose of creating a subdivision. When a final plat has received all approvals and signatures, it is recorded with the Kenosha County Register of Deeds.

11. I am looking to file for a certified survey map, conditional use permit, subdivision plat or rezoning approval. How will the filing and meeting attendance process work? Within the unincorporated areas of Kenosha County, keep in mind that many of the aforementioned processes must be heard by your local township andKenosha County. A petitioner must attend a joint meeting with Town and County staff to discuss the proposal. The standard rule is that the petitioner applies to the Kenosha County Department of Planning and Development first. After filing with the Kenosha County Department of Planning and Development, you will then take your receipted application and go directly to your town office to file with the town clerk. Once you have filed at both offices (county and town), you should have a set of meeting dates known for which your attendance will be required. The Kenosha County Land Use Committee will not act on your agenda item until you have received a recommendation from your local town board. Note: After the town board meeting is held and a recommendation is made on your agenda item, minutes are automatically forwarded to the Kenosha County Department of Planning and Development. From start to finish you can expect the approval process to take approximately four (4) to eight (8) weeks. Keep in mind that if your item should get tabled at any of the public hearings the timeline will increase.

Originally from Kenosha County Wisconsin Department of Planning and Development.