Lots of newer communities have required Homeowner Associations. Many townhouse developments, where the developers wanted to avoid all the condo regulations here in Florida form PUDs instead and the owners have a Homeowners Association. All of these affect real estate agents because we need information for our listings, and information for our buyers. Many also have approval forms and required meetings (though more condos have this than homeowners associations). We need to know the fees, what the fees cover, what the minimum rental period is, whether pets are allowed (how many, what weight, breed restrictions). We need to provide homeowners association documents and budgets, and be sure everything is up to date. As we've all found, some are easier to deal with than others. Some are nearly impossible.
One of the best/easiest that I've dealt with is Huntington Townhomes, in downtown St. Petersburg. They are self run - don't use a professional management company (this can often be a disaster, but these mostly professional owners have done a great job). They have everything on line, which any of us can download. No cost, no fuss. Their web site lists the officers, and tells who to contact for what. They have the condo docs with ALL additions and updates. They have the Rules and Regulations, again updated to the minute. They have copies not only of this year's budget, but prior years' budgets as well and financials. They also have copies of the Minutes of the Board Meetings - what a great way to know what's going on, what's being considered, and get a tone of the people you're going to be sharing a community with. It's fast, complete, easy.
In any case, be proactive. As a listing agent, get these as soon as possible and have them available for the selling agent - don't send them on a goose chase to find everything, while the contract is "in limbo" because the buyer can walk any time up to 3 days after he gets the documents. If you receive these from the homeowner, be sure they are up-to-date and include all the amendments. If one is missing, the buyer can walk.
