I told him the reason I didn't want to go above 16,250 was because I didn't want the loan to be sent back to risk assessment or underwriters because of the increased down requirement, thus cutting into the buffer required BY the underwriters for 6 months mortgage & repair costs.

Personally, I would be more concerned about buying a condo that was made with "shabby work".Also, does the HOA have funds saved to cover the costs of litigation, or is this going to get passed on to the condo owners with a special assessment?

Because our supplemental tax bill actually had a negative amount, we received a refund check after our property taxes, based on the old assessment, were paid.

Keep looking and fully assess the risksGood Luck!

Anyone have any comments on how to assess their services ?

such things as cleaning between tenants, inspections after tenants vacate to assess if the security deposit is going to be returned, etc...?

I agree with the assessment, and am anxiously awaiting my +3.

There are ways of doing either or both.When I appraised notes and installment contracts for the government (to assess the note holder eligiblity for benefits and assessing the net worth of the applicants) such appraisals can not be made without collateral inforamtion.

My advise would be to keep assessing your strengths, resources, skills and knowledge and figuring out how to use those things to accumulate assets that replace your earning power.I hope this is helpful.Mark

You've eluded to many variables that, without nailing those variables, make it extremely difficult to assess this from a financial perspective.That said, if you are a "newbie" and are thinking of investing in an area that has a lot of turnover, I think you are in for a very disheartening experience.