Problems with the condo association can also lead to horror stories. For instance, they might enforce very strict rules that limit what you can do with your own unit. Or they might increase the monthly fees drastically without proper notice or justification. In some cases, the condo association may be mismanaging the funds, which can lead to problems with maintenance and upkeep of the common areas.
False or exaggerated descriptions by the seller or realtor can be a big problem. They might say the condo has a great view when in fact it's blocked by a new building soon to be constructed. Also, issues with neighbors can be a horror. If there are noisy or unruly neighbors, it can make living in the condo miserable. This might not be obvious during the purchase process.
One horror story is when a couple bought a condo without thoroughly checking the building's financial situation. Later, they found out there were huge unpaid maintenance bills. As a result, they had to pay a large sum unexpectedly just to keep the basic services running in the condo.
One condo horror story could be about a neighbor who constantly makes noise at all hours. They blast music late into the night or have parties that go on until the early morning, making it impossible for others to sleep. Another might be a condo with serious pest problems. Mice or roaches running around everywhere, and the management not taking proper steps to get rid of them. There could also be horror stories related to faulty plumbing. Leaking pipes that cause water damage to people's units, and the condo association is slow to fix it, leading to mold growth and more damage to the property.
Well, some might be about strange noises at night. Maybe there are tales of doors opening and closing on their own, which can be really spooky. It could also be that some residents have had issues with unwanted 'guests' like rodents or bugs that just won't go away, making living there a nightmare.
One common horror story is hidden damages. Buyers might find out after purchase that there are major structural issues like a rotten foundation that were not disclosed. Another is title problems. There could be liens on the property that the buyer wasn't aware of, causing legal headaches. Also, some buyers have faced eviction issues of previous tenants who refuse to leave, leading to long and costly legal battles to get possession of the property.
Jealousy and control often play a big role. In a remarriage, if one partner is overly jealous, it can create a really toxic environment. For instance, a man constantly checking his wife's phone and not allowing her to have male friends. Also, differences in expectations regarding family roles can be a nightmare. If one person expects a traditional family setup and the other doesn't, it leads to constant arguing.
Data inaccuracies are common. For example, wrong information getting into the system and messing up reports.
One common problem is vehicle cleanliness. People often find cars that are not clean at all.
High and unexpected maintenance fees are common. For example, people think they're just paying for the purchase but then get hit with huge annual fees.
Miscommunication is often at the root of these horror stories. The homeowners might not clearly communicate their vision to the contractors, or the contractors might not fully understand the scope of work. For instance, if a homeowner wants a modern - looking kitchen but doesn't explain exactly what that means in terms of design elements, the end result could be a disaster. Also, contractors might not keep the homeowners informed about the progress, leading to surprises and frustrations.
Poor sealing is another issue. Deckrete that isn't sealed well can let in water, which can lead to all sorts of problems like crumbling and mold growth. This can make the deck look bad and also be a safety concern as the structure weakens. And then there's the problem of color change. Sometimes the color of the deckrete doesn't hold up as expected, which can be really disappointing for those who were aiming for a certain look for their deck.