Your best bet is to look for a real estate investment that you can owner occupy at first to minimize your downpayment.

If it's in an a+ location and you're betting on appreciation then maybe offer at a 6 % on actuals.

From your response, I would bet you have done this a time or two 

In other words, what did day 1 look like versus day 30?  

Your best bet is a sure bet in my opinion get control of the property in your name if you want it. 

Check your HOA Declaration and I'll bet it spells out how to dissolve your HOA.

of course if it makes you feel better I guess thats OK.. but it is hard to scale up.. lenders will balk at complicated vestings and will look for PG's anyway .... proper insurance is by far your best bet for asset protection. the next is dont be a slum lord.. so i look at 42 years of owning rentals and other more risky type projects IE construction   development etc..

The condos that will be going up near central ave should have an impact on the area I bet. 

But if not, it seems it would be hard to prove that something was entered way back in January, versus a few days prior to tax time.

The safe bet...is to just park the money in a savings account until we are ready to buy (currently renting).