The Condo Chronicles: Your Guide to Condo Financing
10/5/2023
When it comes to buying a home, condos offer an urban lifestyle that combines convenience, amenities, and a vibrant community. These compact residences boast enticing benefits, but securing a condo mortgage can sometimes seem like you’re navigating a labyrinth of regulations and intricacies. To ensure a smooth journey as you make your urban living dreams a reality, we’ve put together this guide to serve as your trusted roadmap to condo financing.
Condo vs. Townhome - When you compare any property type to a condo, you’re going to notice a spectrum of advantages and trade-offs. For instance, while condos offer a lifestyle of convenience and reduced maintenance responsibilities, the shared walls and common spaces inevitably lead to less privacy and limited customization opportunities. Townhomes offer more space and a greater sense of ownership over both the interior and exterior of your home, but with added space comes increased maintenance obligations. When comparing condos and townhomes, your biggest deciding factors are lifestyle preferences, so you’ll need to choose between the conveniences of condo living or the space and ownership of a townhome.
Condo vs. Single-Family Home - Owning a home offers you ample space, autonomy, and the opportunity for personalization - but single-family homes also come with the burden of full responsibility for maintenance and often higher overall costs. Additionally, condos tend to come with lower price tags than houses. By owning a condo, you’ll be able to invest in a home and build equity without committing to all the maintenance and repairs.
Condo vs. Apartment - While the structure and lifestyle apartments and condos offer are vastly similar, the difference lies in the way the dwellings are owned. Apartments are owned by a landlord or real estate developer and rented out to tenants, whereas individuals typically own condos. Renting an apartment will not help tenants build equity, but owning a condo allows you to invest in a home.
A non-warrantable condo does not adhere to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s rules, so you won’t be able to get a conventional loan to finance the property and you’ll need to seek alternative financing solutions. Financing a non-warrantable condo will be more difficult as they are a riskier investment for the lender. Alternative financing options are available, but they often involve higher interest rates or larger down payments.
Conventional Condo Loans - Conventional loans are the bread and butter of mortgage financing. SouthState offers conventional condo loans for as little as 10 percent down. While conventional mortgages can be flexible in terms of property type and location, lenders may require the condo to be warrantable to receive conventional lending.
Portfolio Condo Loans - Lending solutions for non-warrantable condos can be complicated, but SouthState works hard to make purchasing a non-warrantable condo seamless as possible. Portfolio loans can be a lifeline for borrowers seeking to buy a condo that doesn’t meet conventional loan criteria and borrowers with unique financial situations. We offer adjustable-rate mortgages with as little as 10 percent down and no private mortgage insurance (PMI).
Federal Housing Association (FHA) Loans - The FHA offers government-backed mortgages allowing qualified borrowers to get into a home for as little as 3.5 percent down. These loans are beneficial for first-time homebuyers and require a minimum credit score of 580. Additionally, the condo complex itself will need to be warrantable to meet the FHA’s approval standards.
Veterans Association (VA) Loans - The VA exclusively offers government-backed loans to veterans and active-duty service members meeting specific service requirements. These loans offer 100 percent financing with no money down, and often have more relaxed credit standards, limited closing costs, and competitively low interest rates.
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Loans - The USDA offers loans to qualified borrowers to purchase condos in designated rural areas with no minimum credit score and no down payment required.
Why do I have to complete a condo questionnaire? Lenders use the condo questionnaire to assess risk, uncover any litigation and legal matters, ensure the condo complex is adequately insured, and prove the association has enough funds to cover maintenance and repairs (if necessary). The condo questionnaire helps lenders ensure the condo meets the warrantable guidelines set by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
Navigating the complexities of condo financing can be both intimidating and rewarding. Whether you’re a first-time buyer looking for affordability, an empty nester seeking to downsize, or an investor eyeing the rental market’s potential, SouthState is here to help. Contact a local mortgage banker today - the perfect condo could be just around the corner.
About the Author, Hatton Valentine: Hatton Valentine serves as a VP of Secondary for SouthState Bank Mortgage. He has more than 30 years of experience in mortgage banking, condo project review/approval and secondary marketing.
The Condo Lifestyle Advantage
Before we dive into the nuances of condo financing, it’s essential to appreciate the unique advantages condo living provides. Condos typically provide a compact, hassle-free lifestyle with amenities such as pools, fitness centers, and communal spaces, making them an attractive choice for urban dwellers seeking both comfort and convenience. Consider these perks in your decision-making process to ensure they align with your lifestyle and preferences.Condo vs. Townhome - When you compare any property type to a condo, you’re going to notice a spectrum of advantages and trade-offs. For instance, while condos offer a lifestyle of convenience and reduced maintenance responsibilities, the shared walls and common spaces inevitably lead to less privacy and limited customization opportunities. Townhomes offer more space and a greater sense of ownership over both the interior and exterior of your home, but with added space comes increased maintenance obligations. When comparing condos and townhomes, your biggest deciding factors are lifestyle preferences, so you’ll need to choose between the conveniences of condo living or the space and ownership of a townhome.
Condo vs. Single-Family Home - Owning a home offers you ample space, autonomy, and the opportunity for personalization - but single-family homes also come with the burden of full responsibility for maintenance and often higher overall costs. Additionally, condos tend to come with lower price tags than houses. By owning a condo, you’ll be able to invest in a home and build equity without committing to all the maintenance and repairs.
Condo vs. Apartment - While the structure and lifestyle apartments and condos offer are vastly similar, the difference lies in the way the dwellings are owned. Apartments are owned by a landlord or real estate developer and rented out to tenants, whereas individuals typically own condos. Renting an apartment will not help tenants build equity, but owning a condo allows you to invest in a home.
What is a Warrantable vs. Non-Warrantable Condo?
A warrantable condo adheres to specific rules set by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and is eligible for conventional mortgage loans. The criteria ensure that mortgages issued for condos are a reasonable risk for both the lender and the buyer.A non-warrantable condo does not adhere to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s rules, so you won’t be able to get a conventional loan to finance the property and you’ll need to seek alternative financing solutions. Financing a non-warrantable condo will be more difficult as they are a riskier investment for the lender. Alternative financing options are available, but they often involve higher interest rates or larger down payments.
Types of Condo Mortgages
Any time you purchase property, there are several mortgage options available. Eligibility and lending requirements vary between product types, and each loan option has its own unique intricacies and considerations. Here are some common condo mortgage options.Conventional Condo Loans - Conventional loans are the bread and butter of mortgage financing. SouthState offers conventional condo loans for as little as 10 percent down. While conventional mortgages can be flexible in terms of property type and location, lenders may require the condo to be warrantable to receive conventional lending.
Portfolio Condo Loans - Lending solutions for non-warrantable condos can be complicated, but SouthState works hard to make purchasing a non-warrantable condo seamless as possible. Portfolio loans can be a lifeline for borrowers seeking to buy a condo that doesn’t meet conventional loan criteria and borrowers with unique financial situations. We offer adjustable-rate mortgages with as little as 10 percent down and no private mortgage insurance (PMI).
Federal Housing Association (FHA) Loans - The FHA offers government-backed mortgages allowing qualified borrowers to get into a home for as little as 3.5 percent down. These loans are beneficial for first-time homebuyers and require a minimum credit score of 580. Additionally, the condo complex itself will need to be warrantable to meet the FHA’s approval standards.
Veterans Association (VA) Loans - The VA exclusively offers government-backed loans to veterans and active-duty service members meeting specific service requirements. These loans offer 100 percent financing with no money down, and often have more relaxed credit standards, limited closing costs, and competitively low interest rates.
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Loans - The USDA offers loans to qualified borrowers to purchase condos in designated rural areas with no minimum credit score and no down payment required.
What is a Condo Questionnaire?
Think of a condo questionnaire as an information request form designed to help lenders assess the financial stability and risk associated with a condominium project. This essential document protects potential buyers by shedding light on the condo complex’s financial health and legal standing.Why do I have to complete a condo questionnaire? Lenders use the condo questionnaire to assess risk, uncover any litigation and legal matters, ensure the condo complex is adequately insured, and prove the association has enough funds to cover maintenance and repairs (if necessary). The condo questionnaire helps lenders ensure the condo meets the warrantable guidelines set by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
Do You Save Money Living in a Condo?
Living in a condo can potentially save you money compared to other housing options, but it largely depends on your specific circumstances and financial goals. You could save money on exterior maintenance because the condo association typically manages this. You also could see cost savings on included amenities you might pay for elsewhere, like a gym membership or a pool. Additionally, condo owners generally have lower property tax bills compared to homeowners with comparable home prices, lower utility costs, and less expensive insurance costs.Navigating the complexities of condo financing can be both intimidating and rewarding. Whether you’re a first-time buyer looking for affordability, an empty nester seeking to downsize, or an investor eyeing the rental market’s potential, SouthState is here to help. Contact a local mortgage banker today - the perfect condo could be just around the corner.
About the Author, Hatton Valentine: Hatton Valentine serves as a VP of Secondary for SouthState Bank Mortgage. He has more than 30 years of experience in mortgage banking, condo project review/approval and secondary marketing.
