Here is Everything you must Know About NYC Real Estate HOA Fees

By: ROS Team

HOA stands for Homeowners Association which works for the benefit of homeowners. When you buy a property in NYC, you will be required to submit monthly fees to HOA. In return, they take the responsibility for the general maintenance of the building in which your apartment is located. They often pass guidelines such as when to rent out your apartment and when not?

If you aim to buy an apartment in NYC, make sure to learn every detail of NYC HOA so you know what would work best for your benefit.

What is the Homeowners Association?

Across the country, many states have established this platform to facilitate homeowners. It consists of a board of directors who manage a community of apartments. The organization is run by laws to achieve its goals.

It is mandatory for those who own a property where a homeowners association exists to pay a certain fee.

How Much are HOA Fees?

Homeowners Association Fees are submitted on monthly basis and are usually referred to as maintenance fees. This is a separate fee from your other monthly mortgage.

The amount of fee is determined by the board of directors keeping the expenses in mind. Board manages all expenses such as salaries for building employees, building maintenance, etc.

The Facts you must know about NYC HOA Fees:

It is a good idea to get to know about the terms and conditions of the homeowners association before you sign up for the detail:

The Fee is Not Fixed:

First thing first, you should know that the HOA fee is different for different units. It depends on a host of factors such as age, condition, and who owns the building. The cost may vary from a hundred to a thousand dollars depending on these factors.

Tip: Before you strike a deal for the desired apartment, ask how much would it make for the apartment against HOA fees so you can calculate your monthly expenses.

girl holding a house model and money

Fees Keep Increasing with Time:

The way rent increases on annual basis expect the same in HOA fees as well. You should keep that factor in your mind beforehand so you do not have to face trouble in years to come.

HOA Fees are Permanent:

Unlike your mortgage, you have to pay HOA fees as long as you own the property. You pay monthly installments expecting one day you will not be supposed to pay mortgage payments. But it is not like that here.

You have no Alternative:

It is not an option or there is no alternative to it. The moment you ink down a purchasing agreement, you become liable to pay this fee where the homeowners association exists. Avoiding it may make things unpleasant for you.

You have no alternative

It Works for your Best Interest:

You might be finding it hard to digest these facts but the truth is it works in your best interests. They cater to a lot of responsibilities which otherwise would have become yours. They make life easy for you and in return you just have to pay HOA fees.

Average HOA Fees:

When you fix a budget for a home, you must keep in mind whether the HOA fee fits in your monthly budget or not. In the areas where homeowners associations are established, the monthly expense generally stands at $1500.

HOA Fees for Condos:

One of the determining factors of the HOA fee is whether you are buying a condo or coop. Generally, charges for condos are lower compared to the coops. Condos are the apartments that you own and have full rights over the space. You have to pay your taxes individually so that it is not included in HOA fees.

There will be multiple assessments of your property overtime to settle the maintenance fees by examining the condition of the property such as the requirement of new carpeting for the hallways or a new boiler for the building.

Fees for co ops:

Coops have higher maintenance fees than condos. It is because when you buy a coop, you are not buying a property instead of buying shares in a corporation that owns the property. The size of your apartment depends on the number of shares you own in the apartment.

HOA fees also depend on the number of shares you have in the building. In the condo, you pay your property tax individually but in a coop, the entire corporation which owns the building is levied tax which is then passed on to the shareowners as per their shares.

What you may Expect in Return?

As a general rule, it includes the necessary operating costs of your building. It includes:

Common amenities like a fitness center, deck, pool
Salaries of building staff such as doorman or superintendent
Maintenance of lobby and hallways

Note: The more luxurious your apartment is, the higher will be your HOA fees.

Hire a Lawyer:

HOA fees might be intriguing for a first time buyer and complex to handle. There are two solutions for this: first, educate yourself on the matter and read laws and guidelines well, second, get the assistance of a lawyer. A lawyer knows the business inside out and will not only work for your benefit but will also give you good insight.

the lawyer is giving legal advice

Conclusion:

Buying a property in NYC involves a host of legal obligations and technicalities. It always works well if you take the help of a professional from the field; be it a lawyer or real estate agent.

Besides, we hope, now you have complete insight into NYC Real Estate HOA fees. Make good use of it.