The documents to request before you write an offer

The Florida Condominium Act gives a buyer a short window to review association documents after receiving them, and the inspection period in a standard contract is negotiable. Use that window. For any condo 25 years or older, ask for the following as part of your condo due diligence.

The full milestone inspection report, both phases if Phase 2 was triggered. Read what was found, not just the date on the cover. Phase 1 findings that stopped short of Phase 2 can still reveal conditions worth knowing about.

The most recent SIRS, checked against the association's actual reserve balance. Note the current funding percentage for each component and whether the board has adopted a plan to reach full funding.

The last 24 months of board meeting minutes. This is where special assessment discussions live before they become special assessments, and it is the most underused document in the entire process.

The two most recent annual budgets and reserve schedules, so you can see whether reserves are being funded on schedule or paused.

The current master insurance policy, including wind and flood coverage. Inadequate master insurance is a leading reason buildings run into financing trouble, and an insurance problem usually precedes a financial one.

If a seller or listing agent is slow to produce any of these, treat the delay itself as information.