The first-time buyer: I want my HBO

Around the time we had decided to make an offer on a condo, my home inspector-to-be urged me to get a copy of the condo board minutes. He says that the common area of condo buildings cause buyers more headaches than anything else. Often there are maintenance issues that a sloppy builder hasn’t bothered with, or a lax condo board has let slide.

Before we made an offer, I asked to see the condo minutes and was greeted with blank stares, avoidance and refusals. Most agents won’t hand them over until you’ve made an offer, but it’s really worth getting the minutes before you can make an offer, and you should see them well before you schedule a home inspection. You might save yourself time and money if you don’t like what you see in the minutes. On the other hand, if you do like what you see, you feel more comfortable about handing over the $500 to the home inspector and moving forward.

I was desperate to see these condo minutes and irritated by the resistance I encountered. While I was touring the basement of the building with the seller’s agent, I memorised the phone number of the building’s property management company, and called the company when I got home. They emailed through the minutes for the last three years. The issues were as follows:

Hot water system needs replacing. The building recorded a “no” vote on installing the HBO movie channel. Hot water system is replaced. Bids are sought to paint the common hallway. Anyone for another round of voting on HBO movies?

There are some cracks in the garage floor that the condo board is going to repair. A motion to install HBO is narrowly defeated.

Bids are sought to upgrade the concrete pier at the back of the building. There is debate over whether to allow people to store their kayaks in the garage. A committee is formed to throw a holiday party for the building.

A vote is taken on whether to install the HBO movie channel. The building votes to get HBO movies.

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