If I could shout one message from the rooftops to buyers and realtors this year, it would be this:
Yes, you can condo!
And for many people in today’s real estate market — you absolutely should.
Condos are one of the most misunderstood, underutilized, and untapped affordability opportunities in housing today. And yet… they’re also one of the best tools we have for budget-friendly homeownership, smart financing, prime locations, lifestyle upgrades, and long-term wealth-building.
I’ve seen it over and over again:
A buyer falls in love with a condo. They can afford it. It fits their budget perfectly. It’s close to work, school, amenities, or family. They’re excited. They’re hopeful.
And then?
A lender who doesn’t understand condo lending guidelines looks at the file…
and says:
“Sorry — condos are tricky. This one won’t work.”
But here’s the truth:
Most of the time, it absolutely CAN work.
It just requires a lender who specializes in condo financing and knows how to navigate the rules.
A Quick Story (One I See All the Time)
A few months ago, a buyer came to us discouraged (and a little heartbroken).
The condo they wanted was perfect — the right price, the right area, the right monthly payment.
But their lender had declined them over something that wasn’t even an issue… simply because that lender didn’t understand Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac condo requirements.
We reviewed it.
We dug into the HOA documents.
We asked the right questions.
We knew what to look for (and what not to fear).
And within 48 hours?
Approved. Clear path forward. Keys in hand.
Not because the condo magically changed…
but because the understanding did.
This is why I teach a CE class on condos.
This is why Fairway has one of the best condo review departments in the industry.
This is why my team says yes to condos every single day — even the ones that make other lenders nervous.
Why Condos Matter More Than Ever
In a world of higher interest rates, rising home prices, and tight inventory, condos often provide:
- A more affordable entry point for first-time buyers
- Lower monthly payments
- Prime locations that would be out of reach with single-family homes
- Excellent long-term rental and investment potential
- A way to stop renting and start building equity quickly
I started in a condo myself.
It was my foot in the door — the beginning of everything.
And for so many buyers today, a condo is the most realistic and strategic way to enter the real estate market.
The Misconceptions That Cost Buyers Homes
Most condo deals fall apart for one reason:
Lenders who don’t understand condo lending.
Things like:
- HOA budgets
- Pending litigation
- Reserve requirements
- Owner-occupancy ratios
- Single-entity ownership
- Special assessments
- New construction project approvals
These aren’t obstacles — they’re simply criteria.
When you understand the rules, the puzzle pieces fit.
This is where my team shines.
And this is where so many buyers (and realtors!) finally exhale and say:
“Oh… so this is possible.”
If You’re a Realtor… This Part Is For You
Your buyers are stretching.
They need options.
They need creativity.
They need a lending partner who can handle more than plain-vanilla loans.
Condos open doors — literally.
But only if the person on the lending side knows condo underwriting inside and out.
When you bring us a condo?
We don’t flinch.
We get curious.
We dig in.
We collaborate with our condo department.
We find solutions where others see roadblocks.
Your clients deserve that level of certainty, clarity, and confidence.
If You’re a Buyer… Don’t Count Yourself Out
If you’ve ever heard:
“Condos are too risky.”
“Condos are too complicated.”
“Condos don’t qualify.”
— you were talking to the wrong lender.
Condos can be an incredible wealth-building strategy, especially in a challenging housing market.
And you’re not supposed to know all the rules.
That’s our job.
And we love it.
Final Thought
Whether you’re a first-time buyer, a downsizer, an investor, or a realtor guiding clients through a fast-changing market:
Don’t overlook the condo.
Don’t let someone else’s lack of expertise cost you a home.
And most importantly…
Yes. You really can condo.
And we’re here to help you make it possible.
— S.
