Waukesha County Home

the pendulum is swinging toward managed associations — even for some smaller com- munities. "We have managed associations that range from 12 units up to 164, so it's not solely dependent on size," he said. "An association with 12 units may want to have professional management because they don't want to deal with the extra work as a small team." ■ Ask about financial health Another important question potential buyers should ask is how financially healthy is the association? "How much does the association have in the reserve? How often have they had to call for a spe- cial assessment? Those are all questions that are good to ask," Emrath said. To get a clearer picture of what kind of fee increases members might face due to a special assessment, Emrath suggested dividing the total reserve amount by the number of units. This gives a more realis- tic idea of how much money is available to each unit for maintenance and repairs. "If the association has $100,000 in the reserve, you may think that's a lot of money. But how many units are there?" he said. "Suddenly, that number may not seem like it's as much." Don't hesitate to ask for copies of the board meeting minutes and financial records, as well. "I usually suggest going as far back as you can go financially and request at least a year in minutes," Emrath suggested. "Those documents should be easy enough to be provided to the prospective buyer and can reveal a lot about the association's behaviors and trends." ■ What's covered in maintenance? Also ask what is (and isn't) the associa- tion's responsibility when it comes to maintenance. "The best example I have is a rummage sale I went to where the guy was selling all his tools. I asked him, 'Why are you selling all this stuff ?' and he said, 'I'm moving into a condo. I don't need any of this.' That's when I handed him back his snow shovel and said, 'You might want to keep this.'" Emrath's reason: Not all asso- ciations hire out snow removal. "And do they clean out the gutters? Because you probably don't want your eld- erly mother up on a ladder to do that," Emrath said. "Be sure you know all the procedures and regulations." ■ Talk with board members and future neighbors If prospective buyers want to get a feel for whether a community is a good fit, spend some time in it. "Walk around the neighborhood. Talk with the neighbors. Call the board mem- bers," McCurdy said. "Get a feel for the neighborhood and the people who live there to see if it feels like a fit for you." ■ Suited for community living This is also the time buyers will want to ask themselves a few questions about their own behavior, namely, are they community minded? If not, can they become someone who is? "The biggest change I had to make was going from a mindset that focused on being an individual owner to being an owner who was part of a larger community," McCurdy said. "I had to change my think- ing and decisions from what was best for me and what I wanted to what was best for the community." McCurdy admitted she didn't ask any of these questions when she bought her first condo. "But the second time around, I knew to ask all of this and I did," she said. "The whole process has been an education." One last tip for after move-in day: Get involved. "Getting involved in the manage- ment of the association is really benefi- cial," McCurdy said. "Who else would be more concerned about the community and what happens within it than someone who lives there?" HOMES PLUS MARCH 2016 6 2 4 8 8 4 0 0 0 1 WAUKESHA: WAUKESHA BUNGALOW 3 bedrooms, 2 FULL baths & LL rec room. HWF in many rooms. Kitchen has Butler's pantry. 3-season room & fenced backyard. Close to Waukesha Spring Park. Home Warranty & most appliances included. 1 car detached garage. $159,900 PIN 61035 firstweber.com/1456719 VICKI MARCINIAK (414) 243-5584 (262) 646-6800 EAGLE: Great 3BR, possible 4th, home w/MF master, formal DR, eat-in Kit, LR & HWF's throughout. This home features a large corner lot, deck, 3-season front porch & large patio. Basement w/plenty of room & possibilities. $175,000 ART SCHNEIDER (414) 313-1320 (262) 646-6800 WAUKESHA: LOCATION, LOCATION! Great opportunity on Waukesha's west side to start investing in your future and stop paying rent! 1,600 sq ft, Living & Family rooms, 3BR, 1.5BA, .34 acre lot, patio, shed, 2+ car GA. Ask to see 3D Interactive Tour, and get ready to move! $199,900 PIN 57152 firstweber.com/1460686 ROXANNE PLATZ (262) 370-7767 (262) 646-6800 OCONOMOWOC: NICE INVESTMENT! Lower has 3BD, 1BA. Upper features 1BD, 1BA. Both units have separate 2 car garages. Within walking distance to downtown Oconomowoc. $205,000 PIN 61711 firstweber.com/1460334 KELLY SECORD (262) 470-1392 (262) 646-6800 WAUKESHA: ZONED COMMERCIAL Almost an acre of land zoned commercial in the heart of Waukesha. Convenient to Frame Park and downtown. $250,000 PIN 49487 firstweber.com/1401646 JUDY KOOB (414) 588-1220 (262) 782-3110 SUMMIT: Spectacular executive ranch on over 3 acres! Approx. 8,322 sq.ft, 4 bedrooms, 4 full & 2 1/2 baths on 3.08 acres. Walk-out LL w/entertainment area. 3.5 att. Garage. Beautiful finishes throughout. Main level master suite, gourmet kit. & guest suite. $1,200,000 PIN 56745 firstweber.com/1435071 MENOMONEE FALLS: TAYLOR'S WOODS BEAUTY Executive Ranch in has so much to offer. Enjoy the award winning swimming pool and fenced in play area with play set for the kids. Finished LL, huge patio area, deck off of gourmet kitchen to enjoy family time and meals. So much to enjoy! $649,900 PIN 59400 firstweber.com/1448908 LISBON: Incredible views from every room! Open concept colonial beauty. Granite & stain- less steel kit & grand dining rm. Dramatic arched living rm. Over 4600 sq. ft living space. Impressive master suite. Walk-out LL w/huge FR. 2 Decks & patio w/Hot Tub. $575,000 PIN 60261 firstweber.com/1453552 PEWAUKEE: STILLMEADOW SUBDIVISION You will love the updates in this stunning Contemporary home. Updated chef pleas- ing kitchen with a dinette. Loads of win- dows overlook the private, professionally landscape lot. Large rec room on LL plus a stairway leading to the garage. $500,000 PIN 60009 firstweber.com/1452114 WAUKESHA: BRICK OFFICE BUILDING Unique opportunity to own this brick office building. Zoned COMMERCIAL, on a prime lot in Waukesha with great traf- fic exposure. Use your imagination-could be a dental office, medical building or anything else you could want. $460,000 PIN 49690 firstweber.com/1402779 JUDY KOOB (414) 588-1220 (262) 782-3110 LIZ TOBOLT (414) 881-0738 (262) 646-6800 MICHAEL SADOWSKI (414) 588-9966 (262) 251-7200 LIZ TOBOLT (414) 881-0738 (262) 646-6800 PIN 60236 firstweber.com/1453443 MICHAEL SADOWSKI (414) 588-9966 (262) 251-7200 4021 S. Kinnickinnic Ave. www.badgermetalfinishing.net •Commercial/Residential •Repair and Repainting •Free Estimates •5 Day Service •Free Pickup and Delivery Badger Metal Finishing 414.482.4820 Don't buy new - RENEW Using the newest technologies in coating and refinishing! 248355206 Continued from Page 1 Condos "I had to change my thinking and decisions from what was best for me and what I wanted to what was best for the community." – Mary McCurdy, condominium owner for 13 years

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