The condo looked perfect. Great location, reasonable price, beautiful views. My agent said all the right things. Then I asked about the HOA’s reserve fund, and she gave me a blank stare. “What’s a reserve study?” she asked. I should have walked away then.

Six months after closing, a special assessment hit. Thirty thousand dollars for new windows I hadn’t budgeted for. My agent hadn’t known to check. She hadn’t known to ask. I paid for her inexperience. Here’s what I learned about finding a realtor who actually understands condos and townhouses.

Start with someone who has experience in the specific buildings or neighborhoods you want. Condos and townhouses aren’t just single-family homes with shared walls. They’re governed by homeowner associations with their own finances, rules, and risks. A generalist won’t know which buildings have healthy reserves and which are headed for disaster.

The right agent will have certification or specialized training. Look for designations like Certified Condominium Specialist or Accredited Buyer’s Representative with a condo focus. These signals that the agent has studied HOAs, reserve funds, special assessments, and the legal documents that govern attached living. My second agent had this training. She was a different species entirely.

Ask candidates about their experience upfront. How many condo or townhouse transactions have they closed in the past year? Which buildings have they worked in? Can they explain the difference between a reserve fund and an operating budget? A knowledgeable agent answers these questions immediately. A pretender stumbles .

Your agent should also know how financing differs. Townhouses are generally financed like single-family homes. Condos face more restrictions. The entire complex may need FHA approval for buyers using low-down-payment loans. If the building isn’t approved, the buyer pool shrinks dramatically. A specialist knows which buildings are warrantable and which will cause loan problems.

During interviews, ask scenario questions. “Walk me through how you evaluate a condo’s financial health.” The right agent will mention reviewing meeting minutes for upcoming projects, checking the reserve study funding level, and looking for special assessment history. They’ll also verify the owner-occupancy ratio, because too many renters can block conventional financing.

Beyond finances, your agent should understand HOA rules. Pet restrictions. Rental caps. Move-in fees. Renovation approval processes. These details affect your daily life and future resale value. My specialist pulled the CC&Rs before I ever toured a unit. She flagged a building with a no-dogs rule before I fell in love with it.

Where do you find these agents? Start by asking current condo owners in buildings you like. They know who helped them and who dropped the ball. Check agent directories on specialized sites like Certified Condo Expert. Look for agents who list “condo specialist” in their profiles on Homes.com or StreetEasy. Real estate attorneys and local lenders also know which agents actually understand attached homes.

When you have candidates, interview multiple. Ask for references from past condo buyers. Call those references. Ask specifically: Did the agent catch issues in the HOA documents? Did they negotiate effectively with the board? Were they honest about potential special assessments? The answers will separate specialists from generalists.

The right agent will also help you read the minutes. Board meeting minutes reveal everything. Arguments about repairs. Discussions about rising insurance costs. Mention of pending litigation. My specialist flagged minutes that mentioned a “potential roof replacement discussion.” That led me to ask about the reserve study, which was underfunded. I walked away from that building and saved myself a special assessment.

Finally, your agent should help you understand what you’re buying. Condos own interior airspace and share exterior responsibility. Townhouses often own the land beneath them and only share walls and common amenities. This affects insurance, maintenance costs, and financing. A specialist explains these differences without confusion.

Finding the right realtor takes extra work, but it’s worth every phone call. The person holding the door open isn’t protecting you. The person reviewing reserve studies and reading board minutes is.

There’s so much more to learn about buying condos and townhouses. Our website is filled with articles on HOA documents, reserve funds, and working with specialist agents. Head over and explore—because the right agent keeps you from paying for their education.

References

Homes.com. (2026, January 7). *How to find a real estate agent for a condo purchase*. https://www.homes.com/learn/how-to-find-a-real-estate-agent-for-a-condo-purchase/

FastExpert. (2021, November 10). *Where can I find a real estate agent who works with condos?* https://www.fastexpert.com/advice/i-m-looking-to-buy-a-condo-338

Realtor.com. (2024, December 31). *Find real estate agents and brokers in your area*. https://www.realtor.com/realestateagents

Zillow. (2025, September 15). *How to choose the right real estate agent*. https://www.zillow.com/learn/choose-right-real-estate-agent/

Nigeria MLS Properties. (n.d.). *Verified & trusted Nigerian realtors*. https://nigeriamlsproperties.com/verified-nigeria-realtors