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Let’s start by reviewing exactly what a condo reserve fund is. The condo reserve fund covers capital expenditures that will occur due to repair or replacement of critical items as they wear out. Your management company or condominium association should have a condo reserve fund study on hand and that study needs to be updated yearly to define what those systems are and the anticipated date of failure with replacement cost. Remember, the elements, heat and humidity, in the Houston area take their toll on these critical systems.

Are there condo reserve fund standards for financing?

Rule of thumb says there should be at least 10% of your annual operating budget in your condo reserve fund at any time. In fact, for FHA insured loans, Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac loans, it is actually a requirement that an amount equal to 10% of your annual operating budget be set aside in your condo reserve fund. Additionally, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae require that no more than 15% of the homeowners be delinquent on their assessments. Click here for more info.

What is the benefit to you?

A condo reserve fund that is equal to 10% of the annual operating budget on deposit helps to ensure that you as a condo owner will not be hit with last minute assessments to address critical failures. So, it should be limited surprises when it comes to maintenance assessments and repairs. This also helps you when it comes to personal budgeting. When you decide to sell your unit, it will also act as a selling point allowing for more financing options and better comfort for the buyer that this is a fiscally responsible property.

Things that can have an effect on your condo reserve fund

There are many things that can affect your condo reserve fund. Inflation is one of them. You may think that the interest you are earning on the deposited reserve fund money will offset this, but consider this: it takes a 13% increase in reserve contribution to offset a 1% increase in inflation.

The age of your complex also has a direct effect on the amount you need in your condo reserve fund. The newer the units, the less needed in reserves, as things are at their beginning of life. However, as a complex ages, you could need as much as 30% more to accommodate the aging items that are covered by your reserve fund.

Your objective in funding also is a factor; if you plan to be 100% funded obviously your monthly amount will be more. If you are using baseline funding, be ready for additional assessments.

What’s the golden number?

For most condominium projects across the country and in the Houston area, the golden number for condo reserve fund assessment is anywhere between $50 and $100 per month. While this might sound like a substantial number, consider this, an assessment of $1500 hitting at the wrong time can be devastating.

Get with your management company and/or condo board today and find out first if they have done a condo reserve fund study and second, if they are meeting the minimum requirements of 10% of the yearly operating budget being assessed for the condo reserve fund. Don’t get caught off guard!