Comparing Arlington Condos: Fees, Reserves and the Resale Package

How do I compare two condos in Arlington?

Look past the price. Compare the monthly condo fee, what the fee covers, how much the association has saved for big repairs, and the resale certificate the seller gets from the association.

The Mike Webb Team (Mike and Claudia Webb, RE/MAX Allegiance) helps homeowners in Arlington, Northern Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, DC get their homes ready to sell and sold.

With a condo, you buy the unit and share the rest of the building with your neighbors. Your monthly cost depends on the association, not only on your loan. Two units with similar prices can have very different fees, savings and rules. There are also more condos to choose from than a year ago. The Northern Virginia Association of REALTORS® (NVAR) reported that active condo listings in its region were up 44.8% in August 2026 compared with August 2025, while detached listings were down 8.5%. More choices means more comparing.

Every building is different. A fee may pay for trash, common-area upkeep, building insurance, an elevator or a pool. Some buildings include water or heat and some do not. Ask for the list in writing, then add the fee to your loan payment, taxes and utilities so you compare the full monthly cost, not just the price.

Here is an example with made-up numbers, for math only. Freddie Mac's weekly survey put the average 30-year fixed rate at 7.18% on November 5, 2026. That is a national average, not a quote for you. Suppose you put 10% down on each condo:

• Condo A: $450,000 price, $520 monthly fee. The loan is $405,000. Principal and interest are about $2,744 a month. With the fee, that is about $3,264, before taxes, insurance and utilities.
• Condo B: $465,000 price, $310 monthly fee. The loan is $418,500. Principal and interest are about $2,835 a month. With the fee, that is about $3,145, before taxes, insurance and utilities.

Condo B costs $15,000 more to buy, yet about $119 less each month. Now ask the next question: what does each fee pay for, and how much has each building saved? The lower number is only a bargain if the building is healthy.

Reserves are the association's savings for big repairs, such as a roof, pipes or an elevator. A building with little saved may need to raise fees or charge owners a special assessment when a large repair comes up. A building with healthy savings has more room to pay for repairs as they arrive. Ask how much is in reserves and whether a reserve study has been done.

In Virginia, the seller or the seller's agent must get a resale certificate from the association and give it to the buyer. That duty cannot be waived or changed by agreement. It comes from Code of Virginia section 55.1-2309. The association has 14 days after a written request to deliver it. If it does not arrive in 14 days, the certificate is treated as unavailable.

Under section 55.1-2310, the certificate includes 30 listed items. The ones that matter most when you compare buildings are:

• the amount and schedule of fees, and any unpaid amounts;
• any approved special assessments and capital projects the association has approved;
• the amount in reserves and the current reserve study or a summary of it;
• the current budget, the latest balance sheet and income and expense statement;
• approved board meeting minutes from the last six months;
• unpaid judgments and pending lawsuits that could have a material impact;
• insurance coverage, including what owners may owe toward a deductible;
• rules on renting a unit, parking, signs and running a home business;
• any known project approvals issued by secondary mortgage market agencies.

Read it side by side for each condo you are considering. Some loan types need the building to be approved, so show the certificate to your lender early.

The law gives you some protection. Under section 55.1-2312, if the certificate is delivered before the contract is ratified, you can cancel within the time your contract allows, or within three days of ratification if the contract sets no time. If it arrives after ratification, the same three days run from when you receive it, unless the contract says otherwise. If it was never delivered, you can cancel any time before settlement. Cancelling is without penalty, and your deposit is returned promptly. The cancellation must be in writing, and you carry the burden of showing it was delivered.

If the certificate was issued more than 30 days but less than 12 months before settlement, you can ask for an updated one under section 55.1-2311. It must be delivered within 10 days. A settlement agent can also ask for a financial update, due within three business days. This is general information, not legal advice. Ask your settlement attorney about timing before you sign.

Read Buying an Arlington Condo: 10 Questions to Ask and Months of Supply Explained: Arlington and NoVA.

Is a lower condo fee always better?
No. A low fee can mean little is being saved. Compare what the fee covers and what is in reserves.

Who pays for the resale certificate?
This is handled in the contract and the association's fee rules. We will show you where it is addressed in your contract.

Do I get to read it before I commit?
Ask for it as early as you can, and we will help you read it.

Call or text Claudia at 703-350-3884 or visit claudiawebb.com.

The Mike Webb Team, RE/MAX Allegiance. Arlington, Virginia. Equal Housing Opportunity.