Condo Unit or Separate House?

[Graham Smith]

Hi BP!

I'm buying a condo unit that has an HOA - but the current seller actually hasn't paid the HOA dues since he bought it before the HOA was established. BUT the more I look into the condo unit, it seems that the last four digits of the PIN number for the property (in Cook County, Chicago area) make it seem that it is actually a separate house.

So now I can't tell if actually the seller is in the right to not be being the HOA fee every year and I do not know how to move forward given that the HOA president just filed a lien against the condo.

In short, how do I know if it is a condo unit or separate house when I have conflicting information?

Thanks!

Graham