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Site Condo VS Pud

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Jessica Rehandorf

Freshman Member
Joined
Jul 12, 2006
Professional Status
Licensed Appraiser
State
Michigan
Hi,

Please help. I need to know the differences between a site condo and pud. Or is a site condo a pud?

Thanks!
 
The definition of a PUD from FNMA standards is an association with dues. This could be just for the road maintenance. A PUD could have rights to common areas controlled by the association such as a playground, docks or a beach. Typically a PUD in my area owns the land around the home and is not common area. A condominium owner does not own the land, unless there is an exclusive land area use designated by the master deed/unit deed.
 
PUD zoning is often used by developers to allow for multiple property and zoning types within a single, larger tract of land. They'll have R-1, R-2, R-3, Local Business, Office use etc. all within the original project.

They receive approval for PUD zoning and within that defined area, they build condos, attached housing, apartments, larger custom homes, etc. in different areas of the project and they usually aren't required to apply for zoning changes within the PUD to accommodate these varying properties.

Condominium is a legal form of ownership where all of the land is generally owned by the association and individuals own "units" within the condo complex.

Fannie Mae, in their infinite wisdom, or typical lack thereof, has created their own definition of PUD that means any property tha pays mandatory association dues. This could mean simply a group of 4 or 5 homes that pays dues for shared driveway maintenance or a common lake maintenance agreement.

A "site condo" is most likely a freestanding condo (not attached to other units) and is a single unit located on condo association land.

You can also have PUD freestanding units where the land is owned by the building owner and the owners pay a monthly/quarterly fee for all exterior maintenance, very similar to and often confused with condos.

You might have to get a copy of the deed to make a determinition. I've had to make this argument with LO and underwriters on many occasions because the property owner was "certain" that they lived in a condo complex but in reality it was a PUD and they owned the land.
 
Hi Jessica --

Welocme to the forum!

The distinction is usually found in the legal description, and the type of ownership described.

PUDs have a lot and block legal, with ownership of the land; condos will generally have a building and unit legal description, often with a parking space or garage. The practical distinction is that with condos, only the interior space from the painted walls inward is owned by the homeowner; the structure and land are owned by the condominium association. With PUD ownership, the land and structure are owned by the homeowner, with only the common areas owned by the HOA.

In some cases, a condo project can have SFR detached units; also, I've seen lot and block townhome projects with the word "condo" in the legal description. In these cases, the ownership is condo.

Another thing to consider -- with condos, the net interior floor area is the correct GLA; in lot and block PUDs, the GLA includes the exterior walls. This can result in a 5-10% net/gross difference between condos and PUDs.

Good Luck!
 
A condo complex can reside within a PUD. Remember PUD means Planned Unit Development. The definition of a PUD typical includes residential and commercial space. Break open your text books and they should describe it in detail.
 
In Michigan, PUD is a zoning classification (some times a special use within a zoning class). Site Condo is a method of land division. Not all States appear to utilize Site Condo development, so some of the responses concerning SITE condo's are not accurate to our situation here in Michigan.

The PUD zoning usually is utilized with neighborhoods that have been created through the State Subdivision Plat Act. (Platted sub vs site condo). But can be a site condo development too.

PUDs have associations.
Site Condos have associations.
Platted subs CAN have associations without being a PUD.

I learned early on, that if you have a site condo or a platted sub with a HOA and dues, you need a detailed explanation for the UWs explaining why you have these and that it's not a PUD.

Be sure to check with the municipality, to determine what you have.
 
In Michigan, PUD is a zoning classification (some times a special use within a zoning class). Site Condo is a method of land division. Not all States appear to utilize Site Condo development, so some of the responses concerning SITE condo's are not accurate to our situation here in Michigan.

The PUD zoning usually is utilized with neighborhoods that have been created through the State Subdivision Plat Act. (Platted sub vs site condo). But can be a site condo development too.

PUDs have associations.
Site Condos have associations.
Platted subs CAN have associations without being a PUD.

I learned early on, that if you have a site condo or a platted sub with a HOA and dues, you need a detailed explanation for the UWs explaining why you have these and that it's not a PUD.

Be sure to check with the municipality, to determine what you have.

Well put Glen.
But trust me, someone out there from some other state will tell you we are wrong.
 
In Michigan, PUD is a zoning classification (some times a special use within a zoning class). Site Condo is a method of land division. Not all States appear to utilize Site Condo development, so some of the responses concerning SITE condo's are not accurate to our situation here in Michigan.

The PUD zoning usually is utilized with neighborhoods that have been created through the State Subdivision Plat Act. (Platted sub vs site condo). But can be a site condo development too.

PUDs have associations.
Site Condos have associations.
Platted subs CAN have associations without being a PUD.

I learned early on, that if you have a site condo or a platted sub with a HOA and dues, you need a detailed explanation for the UWs explaining why you have these and that it's not a PUD.

Be sure to check with the municipality, to determine what you have.


You are right on the money. Very few would have gotten it right. Guess that is why you made certified. :clapping:
 
Richard, Doug,

Thanks for the comments.:flowers: Fortunately, some of what I've learned in 16 successful years of selling as a Realtor and broker has helped.

Doug, are you the same Doug Trites I knew in the 1960's growing up in Milford??
 
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