Is Buying A Condo In Florida A Good Investment? Pros & Cons

A condo - short for condominium - can often be an excellent investment for both first-time homebuyers and people who may be looking to downsize. Condos are larger than apartments but are often smaller than a single-family home. While they have a lot to offer, condos might not be the right choice for every home buyer.

In Florida, there are a lot of pros to buying a condo - such as affordability, lower maintenance costs, and great amenities like a pool and clubhouse. There are also some disadvantages, like higher homeowners’ association (HOA) fees and a potentially lower appreciation in value. If you are debating about buying a Florida condo - either as a primary residence or a winter home - a Tampa Realtor can help you make the best financial decision based on your unique circumstances.

At Eaton Realty, we represent both buyers and sellers in Hillsborough County real estate transactions. We know that single-family homes aren’t the best option for everyone, which is why we listen carefully to our clients and help them choose a condo, townhouse, or other property based on their needs. Reach out today to talk to a member of our real estate team.

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Advantages of Buying a Condo in Florida

When you purchase a condominium, you are buying a unit within a larger building. You will have your own individual space, but be part of a bigger community with shared expenses for communal spaces. If you’re thinking about buying a condo, there are many good financial reasons to do so - as outlined below.

Affordability

Condos are often more affordable than single-family homes. According to sales data from 2023, the median price of a condo or townhouse in Florida was $324,990. By comparison, the median price of a single-family home in the state was $409,243. If you are buying your first home, looking for a vacation property, or simply want to downsize, the lower initial cost can be a great reason to buy a condo instead of a house.

Fewer Maintenance Obligations

One of the best benefits of owning a condo rather than a house is that you are only personally responsible for maintenance inside your unit. The property manager manages all of the common areas - including the roof, walls, and any green spaces. You won’t have to pay someone monthly to do the landscaping or fix the roof. Instead, all owners in the community pool their money through HOA fees to pay for maintenance and repairs.

Great Amenities

In Florida, having a pool and outdoor living areas is important - but taking care of these features can be burdensome (and expensive!). With a condo, you can access great amenities like a pool, a gym, a clubhouse, tennis or pickleball courts, playgrounds, and more. Trash pick up, internet and cable, and other utilities might also be included in your HOA fees.

Potential for Short-Term Rental

If you are buying an investment property in Florida, a condo is a popular choice for vacation rentals. Of course, in the Tampa region, there are restrictions on where you can list properties on Airbnb and similar sites. The condo building itself might also have restrictions on short-term rentals, so you will want to check that before buying. However, because condos are often a popular choice for vacationers, they could be a great way to earn some passive income while making a smart investment.

Drawbacks of Buying a Condo in Florida

While it is possible to buy a condo for less money than a single-family home, there are other factors that you should consider before making an offer. In particular, the wisdom of an investment in a condo should be weighed against new laws that make HOA fees more expensive.

HOA Fees

While condos come with many amenities, residents pay for them through HOA fees that can often be steep. In Florida, a condominium association’s annual budget must include both operating expenses as well as reserves for capital expenditures and deferred maintenance. Each homeowner pays fees every month to cover these expenses - which can get costly.

Higher fees are particularly true in light of amendments to Florida law enacted in the wake of the collapse of Champlain Towers South. This law requires condominium associations to have a structural integrity reserve study completed every 10 years and to have sufficient reserves to pay for the maintenance of the structural components of the building (including walls, roof, floors, foundation, plumbing, electrical systems, and windows).

Depending on the condominium association, this can mean that HOA fees eat into any cost savings associated with the lower purchase price of a condo. Higher fees can make a condo a less attractive investment, depending on the age and needs of the building.

Appreciation Over Time

You can get a good deal on a condo in Florida. However, unless you buy in a hot market for condos like Miami, the value of the condo might not increase as much as it would for a single home. In 2024, the median sales price of condos in Florida dropped by 1.3% from a pandemic-level peak.

This decrease in the sale price of condos can be attributed to three factors: rising insurance costs, increased mortgage interest rates, and increased condo maintenance fees to deal with long-term structural issues. While insurance costs and interest rates affect all homeowners, the condo maintenance law uniquely impacts condominiums.

Of course, this price decline is coming on the heels of the COVID-19 pandemic, when people rushed to buy homes in Florida - driving up prices significantly. The market for condos in Florida has not cratered, and may even return to an upswing once delayed maintenance costs are accounted for by condominium associations. Ultimately, you will need to take a close look at the condo building and the fees before deciding if it’s a good investment.

Potentially Inept Property Management

While not having to do major maintenance on things like the roof and exterior walls is a benefit of owning a condo, you will have to put your trust in the property management company running the association. If the property manager isn’t on top of maintenance - or chooses contractors who don’t do a good job - then it could cost you more in the long run.

Should You Buy a Condo in Florida?

The decision to invest in a condo isn’t as clear-cut as it might have been in the past, with new laws requiring greater reserves to deal with structural issues. While these regulations protect Florida condo residents, they do put a much greater financial burden on owners. You should carefully consider the cost of HOA fees and contributions to reserves when deciding whether or not it makes financial sense to buy a condo in Florida.

The experienced Tampa real estate agents of Eaton Realty understand the ins and outs of condo ownership and can help you make the best possible decision for your situation. We can help you explore the pros and cons of condos, townhouses, and single-family homes in Hillsborough County - and find a property that is right for you. Learn more by filling out our online contact form, or call us at 813-672-8022 to talk to a real estate team member.

The information disclosed above does not constitute legal or financial advice. Use this information at your discretion and consult a legal or financial professional for further guidance.