Condo wars (Baltimore: maintenance, condos, house)

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Baltimore Jewish Times

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In the same current issue of JT in which the above article appeared there weere some condo ads. I have always been intrigued by the Park Heights Avenue market. Before anyone else in Baltimore knew what condos were, they had condos. So many of the buildings are older. As are their occupants.
In the current JT there are two units available in the Imperial, at PHA and Clark's Lane. One is listed at under $50K and the other at something like $80K.
This points to the twist: Many condo prices are very reasonable but condo fees may not be. Since units may not be individually metered, the condo fee may cover utilities, maybe even cable. Whether that makes any sense for you, you have to decide. I myself feel that a bargain at a good place may justify the monthly charge because you would spend a certain amount for regular maintenance at your house.
That said, I would surely ask to see the condo association's financial statement and know how many owners are in the arrears in their payments.
I live in a rancher on half an acre in the area and one day I may want to consider a condo. There is quite a bit of turnover because many residents are old. There certainly is a wide range of offerings: I visited a unit at the Imperial, but that was some 40 years ago. Nice, with a sunken living room, but not that big. (I remember that well, because I was there to listen to an Israeli politician and place was packed).
By contrast there are two big old buildings next to one another, one being 7111 Park Heights. Huge units with high ceilings. I have seen two units, including one which its owner created by comibing two adjoining units. 3,000 square feet of space. High monthly charges are huge. Prices are reasonable but not low; it's the condo fees you have to worry about.