Mass Ave. Area Condo Questions (townhouses, neighborhoods, purchase)

[mhm7]

We're in the market to purchase a condo in one of the Mass Ave. area developments. At this point it looks like it'll be a unit in the Glove Factory, Real Silk, or Mill No. 9.

For the next 2+ years, this will serve as college housing for our daughter. Beyond that, it'll be an "urban cottage" for my wife and I.

Any red flags with the buildings mentioned above? Are the HOA's financially stable? Are the buildings well maintained? If you're a resident, do you enjoy living there? Any safety concerns?

Any information passed along will be much appreciated!

[sweetana3]

The glove factory in Lockerbie has some interesting problems. High income owners often have pushed thru expensive special assessments. Friends moved out due to this. Windows are a big potential problem at the Glove Factory. Make sure and get info on these two issues. I love the Lockerbie townhouses but they were cheaply built originally and there is a wide variety of remodeling that has been done. Location is about perfect however.

If your building is in a historic neighborhood, watch out for the cost (and time) of anything done to repair or improve the outside of the building. The Sylvania on Penn is an example. It appears their historic windows are just deteriorating. Will cost a fortune to repair.

None of these three have exterior plywood issues but there are several townhomes and residences that have rotting wood due to the use of wood on the exterior. Can be hidden by paint but would be worth it to me to ensure fiber cement siding and trim. I only say this since I have walked our downtown neighborhoods and seen what is going on and what had to be fixed.