Before buying a condo in Juno Beach, Jupiter or Palm Beach Gardens, review the building's financial, structural and legal records as carefully as you inspect the unit. At minimum, read the declaration and rules, current budget and financial statement, milestone inspection summary if applicable, Structural Integrity Reserve Study, recent meeting minutes, assessment information, insurance documents and any disclosed litigation.
Which documents must a Florida resale buyer receive?
Florida's 2026 condominium resale law gives a buyer under contract the right to receive a current package at the seller's expense. Under Florida Statute 718.503, that package includes:
- The declaration of condominium, articles of incorporation, bylaws and rules;
- The association's annual financial statement and annual budget;
- The milestone inspection summary, when applicable;
- The most recent Structural Integrity Reserve Study, or a statement that one has not been completed;
- An applicable turnover inspection report; and
- The association's question-and-answer document and governance form.
The statute also provides review and cancellation rights tied to contract execution and receipt of required documents. For a resale, the statutory period is generally seven days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays, but the exact trigger and deadline depend on the transaction documents. Have your real estate attorney confirm the date rather than calculating it casually.
What is the difference between a milestone inspection and a SIRS?
They answer different questions. The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation explains that a milestone inspection is a structural examination of an aging building. It looks for substantial structural deterioration and may require a second phase if the first inspection finds a serious concern.
A Structural Integrity Reserve Study, commonly called a SIRS, is a budget-planning tool. It evaluates major building components, existing reserves and the funding needed for future repairs and replacements. DBPR says residential condominium buildings with three or more habitable stories generally require a SIRS at least every 10 years.
A clean structural report does not automatically mean the association has enough money reserved. Likewise, a well-funded reserve account does not replace an engineering review. Read the two documents together using DBPR's inspection guidance.
What should you look for in the budget and minutes?
Start by comparing the SIRS funding plan with the adopted budget and actual reserve balances. Then read recent board and owner meeting minutes for discussions about repairs, loans, insurance, contract disputes and possible assessments.
Ask direct questions:
- Is a special assessment approved, proposed or being discussed?
- Has the association borrowed money or opened a line of credit?
- Are major repairs complete, contracted, delayed or still unfunded?
- Is there pending litigation involving the association, contractor or management company?
- Have insurance coverage or deductibles changed?
Meeting minutes, insurance policies, contracts, accounting records, SIRS reports and structural inspection reports are among the records Florida law requires associations to maintain. The state's condominium FAQ describes these official records.
Can the building affect your mortgage approval?
Yes. A lender may review the condominium project as well as your personal finances. Structural repairs, insurance gaps, litigation, delinquent assessments or incomplete documents may raise questions during underwriting. Ask the lender to start the project review early, even if you already have a personal preapproval.
Cash buyers should complete the same building review. Removing the lender does not remove the association's obligations or the buyer's exposure to future costs.
Does countywide market data tell you whether a condo is safe to buy?
No. Palm Beach County sales and inventory figures can help you understand the broader market, but condo risk is building-specific. Two properties in the same town can have very different reserves, insurance, repair plans, rental rules and assessments.
We help buyers compare both the unit and the association before making a final decision. Learn more about our buyer services.
Contact Ron Gozza and The Gozza Group or call (561) 618-2026 to discuss a condo in Juno Beach, Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens or the surrounding market.
Sources reviewed November 9, 2026: Florida Statutes and Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. This article provides general information and is not legal, lending or insurance advice.