In areas where housing is scarce or expensive, a growing number of developers are converting houses into small condo associations, with sometimes as few as two units. When you consider buying a condo in a small association, you should take into account that it is most likely self-managed, not professionally managed, and that the smaller the group, the more important that everyone get along. Here are ten tips to help you decide if the condo you want is everything you hope it is.

1. Ask the Realtor to find out the percent of units that are owner-occupied. Many lenders look more favorably on a condo building that is primarily owner-occupied than one that has many rental units, believing that owners are better caretakers than renters.
2. When you visit the building, for instance with the Realtor or inspector, talk with any residents you happen to see. Ask about any issues of importance to you-Is the building noisy? Is the neighborhood safe? Is there a grocery in walking distance? Find out if the building has had any recent problems or if there are serious disagreements among the owners. Ask yourself if the people you meet will make good neighbors.
3. Ask the Realtor when the building went condo. An established association has experience estimating costs and prioritizing expenses, and often has good ideas for improving the premises. Sometimes in new condo associations, the condo fee will be set low to entice buyers, the result being that unexpected expenses must be covered by special assessments.
4. Ask the Realtor to find out how much money is in the reserve fund. If there is no reserve, improvements and costly emergencies will most likely be covered by assessments. A healthy reserve not only allows a building to quickly address problems, it makes it easier for a condo association to enhance the property.
5. Ask your Realtor to find out if the association is involved in pending litigation. This could reveal if the building is being sued or if someone is being sued for damaging or otherwise harming the premises.
6. Call the local town or city hall. Find out what development plans the community has for the neighborhood. For instance, if the city plans to rebuild a school next door, you could be in for a year of noise and dust. If it plans to widen the road, your peaceful street could be on its way to becoming a highway.
7. Make sure your attorney reviews all condo documents especially the rules and regulations before you sign the purchase and sales agreement. If you have any specific concerns, such as the building policy regarding pets, let your attorney know.
8. Look over the condo documents carefully. Your lawyer will provide them. You may discover restrictions on the types of modifications you can make to your unit or that your share of the basement is actually common space. You may learn that one apartment has exclusive roof rights or rights to the garden.
9. Walk or drive through the neighborhood at different times-at night, during the morning, on a weekend day, and during rush hour. This is a good way to learn about all the neighborhood has to offer.
10. Hire a good inspector and inspect the property yourself. A good inspector is one who belongs to a state or national standards association and carries errors and omissions insurance. One that has many years of experience is likely to know what to look for in the type of building in which you are buying. A good inspector will bring electrical circuit testers, binoculars, and other tools to the inspection. When you're with the inspector, you should have general idea of how you want to lay out the space. Then, you can make sure there are enough outlets for your kitchen gadgets, that the bedroom is big enough for your bedroom set, that your carpets will fit, and so on. As you look over the place, make sure you tell the inspector if you come across any damage, such as water stains, cracks in the wall, or broken windows.

Living in small association can be a joy. In the right association, you have neighbors who share the chores, who watch your apartment while you're away, and who work together to make the common space useful and attractive. But, as with any home, before you buy, do all you can to make sure there are no unhappy surprises.