hundreds of bucks. where does all the money go, is it really used? doorman, gardener, pool cleaner?

 

NO,they just like to give it to you up the ASS.

 

very case specific...what do you get?

 

HOA on my condo is $299.

The single biggest per month expenditure is insurance on the pool and jacuzzi.

However, the grounds maintenance, and professional management services are also fairly large. The nice thing about our manager is that she puts a goodly amount away to avoid additional assessments. We're getting a fresh coat of paint this year, and are not getting dinged dime one (versus my buddy who's having to shell out $1000 w/o warning).

Your realtor should be able to furnish you with the books and before you buy.

 

mine is $600 a year and I know it is being wasted on pointless "updates" or bills. It has been climbing every year since I bought my house in 2001. It used to be $350 a year.

 

i guess it's a socal thing

 

It's this way in NYC too. The doormen have a pretty powerful union and they've threatened to walk many times unless their demands were met. Of course with increase in salary comes out of everyone's pockets. I guess some NYers (Manhattanites) can't imagine opening their own doors

 

I'm about to purchase a condo soon...hope mine isn't very expensive.

 

Become an active member of the association. Attend meetings &/or become an officer. In a house you have to do the yard and in a condo you have to be an active member.

This way you can see an accounting for fees and work on reducing costs.

HOA dues are pass thru fees for services being rendered. Simply shop better for services and you'll reduce costs.

When management companies do all the ordering of the services they have no incentive to cut costs since they will be paid either way.

 

Is that for a year?