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Murrieta Real Estate - The Condo Challenge

Buying a Murrieta condo presents unique challenges that you will not encounter when you buy single family houses or other types of Murrieta real estate. Therefore, you should arm yourself with as much information as you can find and be ready to ask questions before you make a financial commitment to this housing option. Here are some facts to consider and questions to ask when you look at Murrieta condos.

Rules and Regulations

Obtain a copy of the rules and regulations early in your visit and determine if there are any restrictions that will affect the way you live. For example, some Murrieta condos either do not allow pets or enforce pet size or weight restrictions. Others set limits on the activities of children, such as prohibiting skateboarding on the grounds. You also may want to ask if there are rules about:

• the colors of paint and trim you can use on your exterior;
• fencing or landscaping around your condo;
• alarm systems or security lights you can install;
• the size and type of parties or events you can host in your home or in the common areas;
• quiet hours or noise restrictions;
• long-term houseguests;
• garbage storage and pickup;
• regulations and hours of recreation facilities, like the pool, gym or basketball courts; and
• parking.

Parking and Pets

Parking and pets in a Murrieta condo are two sensitive topics. No one wants either one to be restricted, yet many condo associations have established guidelines and restrictions about these matters

Parking

If at all possible, you want to buy a Murrieta condo–or any type of home–with a space to park one or more cars. Even if you do not own a car and do not know how to drive, you will need a parking space if you ever want to sell your Murrieta home.

There are many parking options available. Some Murrieta condos include parking spaces or garages in the price of the home; other condos, particularly in city high-rises, require that you buy a parking space as an extra cost of living in the building. One option is called a deeded parking space and is usually a marked off rectangle in a parking garage. Because it is deeded, you have a percentage ownership of its common elements and pay an assessment on it. You also will receive a tax bill for it just as you do for your condo. Because it is deeded property, you can sell or rent it.

Another option is a parking space owned by the association that you have the exclusive rights to use. This often is referred to as a limited common element space. You do not pay taxes on it, and the association controls the use and transfer of the space. For this kind of parking space, the association has the authority to charge expenses related to the space back to you or to the entire membership. If the association chooses the latter method of reimbursement and you have no car or space, then your general assessments subsidize those who do have parking spaces.

Some Murrieta condos offer a parking right service. In these cases, valets take your car when you drive in, park it somewhere–on-site, off-site, in parking lots, private garages, communal garages or on the street–and retrieve it when you are ready to leave again.

When you explore parking options, ask about fees and restrictions. For instance, your condo association may allow only one car or one guaranteed space per unit, so if you have more than one car, you may have to pay an extra fee to park it. Garage or space owners may have to contribute to a garage reserve fund. Any guests to your home may have to pay to park. You may not be allowed to use guest parking for one of your extra cars, and you may not be allowed to park overnight in your driveway or on the street. All of these rules and the fee structures should be spelled out clearly when you are considering a condo.

Pets

For many people, regulations or restrictions about pet ownership mean the difference between closing a deal on Murrieta real estate and walking away. Some Murrieta condos do not welcome pets at all. Others have stringent regulations about the numbers, types and sizes of pets. For example, many Murrieta condo associations limit the size and weight of dogs. They also may regulate when and where you can walk a dog. Virtually all of them require adherence to local leash and cleanup laws.

Cats are often acceptable, particularly if they are inside cats. In general, condo associations consider cats to be quiet, unobtrusive pets that do not disturb other residents. For the same reasons, fish are welcome, but some associations limit the size of the aquarium. Large tanks full of water can cause a great deal of damage to attached units if the tanks leak or burst.

Few Murrieta condos allow unconventional pets, such as large snakes, alligators or exotic spiders, which is understandable, considering that condo units often share air ducts, piping and walls. If a boa constrictor is part of your family, you may have a more difficult time finding a condo development that will allow you to move in to the building.

Finding a Murrieta condo association that accepts pets may not be easy, but it can be done. Your Murrieta real estate agent should know which condos accept pets. Visit pet stores in the Murrieta neighborhood and ask about housing developments where there are pets. Look for dog walkers in parks and on the street. They often know which buildings are friendly to pets.

The Packet of Important Documents

Most states require that buyers or prospective buyers be given a packet of the governing documents of the condo. Unfortunately, many buyers do not read every document carefully. If you want to know exactly what you are signing on for, you must read the packet and compile a list of questions to clarify any information that is unclear.

If you need any information on Murrieta Real Estate or Property please check our Murrieta Homes section on this website or contact us at any time.