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Setting Up Condominium Properties

Condominiums require specific property settings and fees that differ from single-family homes, and Deal Details automatically adjusts key fields like insurance type and HOA terminology when you correctly identify a property as a condo.

Updated over 2 months ago

Overview

When you add a condominium to Deal Details, the system recognizes the property type and tailors the experience accordingly. You'll see HO-6 interior insurance quotes instead of standard homeowner policies, and fee labels change to reflect condo-specific terminology like "Capital Contribution" rather than "Initiation Fee." Understanding these differences helps you present accurate costs to your borrowers and avoid confusion during the loan process.


Before You Start

Requirement

Details

Property address

Full street address of the condominium

Unit number

Required for accurate property lookup

HOA dues amount

Monthly amount from the listing (if available)

Capital contribution

One-time fee required by the HOA at closing (if applicable)


Step-by-Step: Adding a Condominium Property

1. Navigate to Properties

  • From your loan scenario, go to the Properties section

  • Select New Property Card and choose Existing Listed

2. Enter the Property Address

  • Type the street address in the search field

  • Enter the unit number in the designated unit field

⚠️ Important: Always include the unit number when searching for condos. This significantly improves search accuracy and ensures you find the correct unit within the building.

3. Verify the Property Match

  • Review the property details and photo to confirm you have the correct unit

  • The system will pull in available listing data automatically

4. Confirm or Adjust the Property Type

  • Check that the property type shows as Condo

  • If the listing shows incorrectly (sometimes agents list condos as townhomes), click the Edit button under Property Type

Property Type Option

When to Use

Condo

Legally recorded condominiums with shared common areas and HOA

Townhouse

Attached homes where owner typically owns the land beneath

Single Family

Detached homes with no shared walls

💡 Tip: Some properties are legally recorded as condos but visually appear as townhomes from the street. Always verify the legal property type from the listing documents or county records.


Condo-Specific Features in Deal Details

Insurance Quotes

When you request insurance quotes for a condo, Deal Details automatically provides HO-6 policies (condo interior insurance) instead of standard homeowner policies. These cover:

  • Interior walls, floors, and ceilings

  • Personal property and belongings

  • Liability within your unit

Insurance Provider

Policy Type

USAA

HO-6 Condo Interior

Chubb

HO-6 Condo Interior

Cincinnati Casualty

HO-6 Condo Interior

HOA and Fee Terminology

Deal Details uses condo-specific terminology for fees:

Standard Term

Condo Term in Deal Details

Initiation Fee

Capital Contribution

HOA Dues

HOA Dues (unchanged)


Setting Up HOA Dues and Prepaid Months

1. Enter the Monthly HOA Dues

  • The system may pull the monthly dues amount from the listing automatically

  • Verify or manually enter the correct monthly amount

2. Configure Months Collected at Closing

  • Many condo associations require additional months prepaid at closing

  • Enter the number of months to collect (commonly 2 months)

Months Collected

Purpose

1 month

Minimum coverage for dues processing time

2 months

Standard buffer to prevent arrears during paperwork processing

3+ months

Some associations require larger reserves

⚠️ Important: Prepaying HOA months at closing prevents the buyer from falling into arrears while ownership transfer paperwork is processed. Always confirm the association's requirements with the listing agent or HOA directly.


Quick Reference

Properties → New Property Card → Enter Address + Unit Number → Verify Property Type → Set HOA Dues → Configure Prepaid Months → Done

Tips for Success

  • Always enter the unit number when searching for condos to ensure accurate property matching

  • Double-check the property type since agents sometimes list condos as townhomes based on appearance rather than legal status

  • Verify HOA prepaid requirements with the association, as some require more than the standard two months at closing

  • Explain HO-6 coverage to your borrowers so they understand the difference between condo interior policies and standard homeowner insurance

  • Review the capital contribution amount separately from monthly dues, as this one-time fee catches some borrowers off guard at closing


Related Topics

  • Creating a New Property Card

  • Understanding Insurance Quote Options

  • Managing HOA and Fee Settings

  • Property Type Classifications

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