Buying or selling a condominium in Washington involves more than understanding the unit itself. Condominiums operate within what Washington law refers to as a common interest community (CIC), which includes condominium associations, HOAs, mixed-use developments, and other forms of shared ownership. These communities manage shared property, finances, maintenance, and governance. Because the term condominium refers to a legal form of ownership rather than a building style, condominiums in Washington can look and function very differently.
My foundation in real estate began in property and condominium management, where I supported more than 80 HOAs across the Seattle area, prepared resale certificates, and drafted proposed operating budgets. I later expanded that expertise through two decades of residential sales operations and builder development work, reviewing thousands of reserve studies, CC&Rs, financials, and governance documents. This combination of management, financial, and transactional experience allows me to help buyers and sellers understand how common interest communities truly operate and what to consider when purchasing or selling a condominium.
This page provides a clear overview of how condominium ownership works in Washington and serves as the hub for deeper topics buyers and sellers often need to explore.
A condominium is a legal ownership structure in which owners hold title to their individual unit and share ownership of the building’s common elements. These shared elements may include:
Exterior structures
Roofs and building systems
Hallways and elevators
Parking and garages
Landscaping and amenities
Because these elements are jointly owned, decision-making and maintenance are handled through the association governing the common interest community.
Washington law classifies condominiums, HOAs, mixed-use buildings, and similar developments as common interest communities (CICs). These communities are governed by a unit owners association, often referred to more broadly as a community association or HOA.
A CIC may manage:
Exterior maintenance and building systems
Landscaping and shared grounds
Budgets and financial statements
Reserve funding and capital planning
Insurance and deductible allocation
Rule enforcement and compliance
Vendor contracts
Special assessments
Governance, meetings, and owner voting
Some communities are professionally managed, while others rely on volunteer boards. Understanding how a CIC is structured is essential when evaluating both the financial health of the association and the long-term responsibilities of ownership.
In Washington, especially in Seattle, condominiums take many forms. Understanding what type of condo you are buying or selling is essential because each carries different rules, responsibilities, and financial considerations.
Multi-unit buildings ranging from small complexes to full-service high-rises.
Townhomes in Washington often resemble single-family homes, but their legal ownership structure varies significantly, which affects your maintenance responsibilities, insurance requirements, and whether a community association governs any shared components.
Important: Not all townhomes in Washington are condominium ownership.
A few common frameworks include:
Fee simple townhomes with no shared ownership of land or structures
Fee simple townhomes with recorded joint-use or maintenance agreements, such as shared driveways, party walls, or utilities
Townhomes legally structured as condominium units within a common interest community
Understanding which structure applies is essential, because it determines whether a resale certificate is required, what you will be responsible for maintaining, and how future costs are shared between owners.
These include two homes on a single lot (front home + backyard cottage) that are separated legally through a condominium plat rather than subdividing the land.
Buyers should consider:
How utilities are shared
What exterior components are jointly maintained
How the reserve plan is structured for a two-unit association
Whether the association is professionally managed or self-managed
This structure is becoming increasingly common in Seattle due to zoning changes encouraging infill housing.
Mixed-use condominiums combine residential units with ground-floor retail or commercial space on one condominium map. These projects can introduce unique considerations.
Buyers should evaluate:
Separate or blended budgets
Insurance complexities
Commercial use percentages (affects lending)
Noise, traffic, and hours-of-operation considerations
Allocation of maintenance between residential and commercial components
Lenders may have additional requirements for mixed-use properties.
In a co-op, buyers purchase shares in a corporation that owns the entire building rather than owning their unit outright. Co-ops are less common in Washington but exist in select areas of Seattle.
Important distinctions:
HOA dues often include property taxes and building-wide utilities
Rules may be more restrictive
Financing may require specialized lenders
Buyers must be approved by the co-op board
Co-ops function differently from condominiums and should be evaluated carefully.
A PUD consists of individually owned single-family homes that share amenities or common areas through an association. Although not condominiums, PUDs may have similar governance structures.
Typical components:
Shared roads
Open space or parks
Drainage or private infrastructure
Community amenities like playgrounds
PUDs are more common in suburban areas outside Seattle.
These unique waterfront homes are often part of a condominium regime governing docks, moorage, utilities, and shared shoreline components.
Buyers should examine:
Marina rules
Moorage fees and ownership structure
Utility systems
Insurance (specialized coverage needed)
City of Seattle floating home regulations
These properties require specialized review.
Some large developments include multiple sub-associations under a single master association. Owners pay dues to both the sub-association (building-level) and the master association (shared roads, amenities, or infrastructure).
Considerations:
Two sets of dues
Two sets of governing documents
Additional insurance and reserve obligations
More complex governance
Buyers should carefully review both budgets and reserve studies when multiple associations are involved.
Zero lot line condos appear similar to small single-family homes, but the property lines run extremely close to the structure, and the land underneath is often jointly owned through a condominium plat or CIC. These homes may share building components or utility systems even if they look detached.
Key considerations:
Clarify what is common vs. limited common
Review how roofing, siding, and exterior maintenance are handled
Determine whether the structure is part of a condo map or fee simple lot line
These are common in Seattle infill developments.
Airspace condominiums define units by the volume of space they occupy rather than by traditional lot lines. This format is used for a variety of project types, including stacked townhomes, detached cottages, and mixed-use buildings.
Why this matters:
Boundaries are defined by 3D planes
Ownership may not include the land beneath the unit
Shared components may extend beyond what appears obvious
Airspace condos are common in modern infill and urban redevelopment projects.
Lets Get Started
Condominiums require specialized knowledge, and understanding the common interest community behind the unit is essential. With a background that includes condominium management, supporting more than 80 HOAs, preparing resale certificates, drafting operating budgets, and two decades of residential sales operations and builder development experience, I provide the insight needed to navigate Washington condominium transactions with clarity and confidence.
