Buying guide · 2026-08-11
What to ask before you tour a first-floor condo
By Tim Tepes, pa licensed associate broker and realtor®
A condominium can be the simplest purchase you make, but only if you ask the right questions before you fall in love with the unit. The home itself is half the story; the association behind it is the other half. Here is the checklist I use with buyers touring first-floor condos like 4021 Pine Hurst Drive in Northampton, PA.
Six questions that separate smooth from surprising
- 01
What exactly does the HOA fee cover? Confirm whether roof, siding, exterior insurance, water, trash, lawn, and snow are included, and what falls to the owner.
- 02
Are there pending special assessments or major repairs on the horizon? Ask about the reserve fund and the most recent board meeting notes.
- 03
What are the rules on pets, rentals, parking, and exterior changes? Condo rules vary from community to community.
- 04
What is the unit resale history and how quickly do listings in this community go under contract?
- 05
For a first-floor unit: is the patio or balcony exclusive use, and who maintains the landscaping around it?
- 06
Where are the storage and garage allocations? Ask whether the garage is deeded, assigned, or shared.
The mortgage side of condo buying
Condo purchases can come with extra lender requirements around the project as a whole, not just the unit. Ask your lender early whether the building or community needs to be on an approved condo list, and whether the HOA’s insurance and finances will pass their review. Handling this at application time saves delays at closing.
Schools and boundaries
In Northampton, school assignments run through the Northampton Area School District, and attendance boundaries can change, so verify the current assignment with the district during your due diligence. Middle and high school attendance in the district is generally district-wide.
If you are touring 4021 Pine Hurst Drive, I will bring the association documents, the utility history, and straight answers to every question above. That is the tour we do in this office.