Buying a Condo or Townhome in San Antonio (2026): What Texas Buyers Should Know

By Chris Dudley, San Antonio REALTOR® | Founder, Legacy Realty Group, brokered by Real Broker, LLC | TREC #731381. Updated October 29, 2026.

Condos and townhomes can be a lower-maintenance way to own in San Antonio, whether you are buying your first home, downsizing, or want to be close to work in the Medical Center or near UTSA. Their association documents, financing review and insurance responsibilities deserve property-specific attention. Here is what to check before you sign.

Condo or townhome: what you actually own

Condominium: you own your unit, plus a shared interest in the common elements (roof, exterior walls, grounds, amenities) with the other owners. Maintenance and insurance responsibilities depend on the declaration, governing documents and actual policies; confirm what the association and the unit owner must each cover.
Townhome: usually you own the home and the land under it, often with a small yard, and an HOA may handle some common areas. The legal setup varies: some properties marketed as "townhomes" are legally condominiums. The deed and the governing documents decide, not the listing description.

That difference changes which Texas contract form is used, what insurance you need, and how lenders treat the property.

The Texas condo resale certificate and conditional review periods

Resale condos in Texas are usually bought on the Texas Real Estate Commission's Residential Condominium Contract (Resale), TREC No. 30-18. Under that form, the seller provides a Condominium Resale Certificate from the owners association, prepared at the seller's expense no more than 3 months before it is delivered to you. The certificate must contain at least the information required by Section 82.157 of the Texas Property Code.

Under paragraph 2C(2) of TREC form 30-18, when the buyer has not received the resale certificate and that provision applies, the buyer has seven days after receiving it to give the seller written termination notice; a termination under that paragraph provides for refund of earnest money. Receipt before signing, the selected provisions and any waiver matter. This is not an automatic new seven-day right for every condo purchase. Read the signed contract and ask an attorney to assess separate statutory rights and any disputed deadline. Review dues, assessments, reserves, litigation and use restrictions promptly.

Ask the title company and your agent to identify who pays each association charge under the actual contract, including dues, assessments, transfer fees and reserves; review the amounts before closing.

Buying a townhome that is not a condominium? It is usually bought on the standard one-to-four family contract with an HOA addendum. See buying a home with an HOA for the subdivision information and resale certificate rules.

Financing: FHA and VA approval

FHA insures condo loans for up to 30-year terms in an FHA-approved project, or in a project that qualifies for single-unit approval (at least five units, complete and ready for occupancy, plus owner-occupancy and financial tests), according to HUD. You can look up approved projects with HUD's FHA-approved condo search. VA loans have their own condo eligibility review, so if you plan to use a VA loan, ask your lender to confirm the project before you make an offer. Conventional lenders also review the association's budget, insurance and owner-occupancy.

Insurance and dues

Ask an insurance professional to compare the association's master policy with the coverage you need for the unit, personal property, liability, deductibles and possible loss assessments. Do not assume the master policy covers every part of the unit or every loss. Monthly dues can cover exterior maintenance, insurance, amenities and sometimes water or trash, so compare the full monthly cost (mortgage, taxes, dues and insurance) against a single-family home. See homeowners insurance in San Antonio.

Questions to ask before you write an offer

What do the dues include, and when did they last go up?
How large is the reserve fund, and is a special assessment planned?
Is there any pending litigation involving the association?
Are there leasing limits (important if you may rent it out later)?
Is the project FHA- or VA-approved, if you need that financing?
What does the master insurance policy cover, and what is its deductible?

How Chris Dudley helps

Chris Dudley is a San Antonio real estate sales agent, Texas license #731381, and founder of Legacy Realty Group, brokered by Real Broker, LLC. He works directly with clients as an individual producer. RealTrends Verified lists Chris at No. 21 in San Antonio by transaction sides and No. 69 by sales volume, based on 2025 sales data. He also appears on the separate 2026 San Antonio PT500 list. More about Chris.

Chris helps buyers compare condos and townhomes across the Medical Center and UTSA area, Stone Oak, Alamo Heights, Alamo Ranch and New Braunfels, request the resale certificate early, and organize document and financing questions, and track applicable deadlines under the signed contract. Start with the buyer and seller FAQ.

Frequently asked questions

What is a condo resale certificate in Texas?

A document from the condominium owners association, with at least the information required by Texas Property Code Section 82.157, that the seller provides on a resale. Under TREC contract 30-18 it must be prepared no more than 3 months before delivery.

Can I back out after reading the resale certificate?

Potentially. Paragraph 2C(2) of TREC form 30-18 gives a seven-day period after receipt when the buyer has not received the certificate and that provision applies. Receipt before signing, selected provisions and waivers matter. Written notice is required, and termination under that paragraph provides for refund of earnest money. Have an attorney assess statutory rights or a disputed deadline.

Can I use an FHA loan to buy a condo in San Antonio?

Potentially, if the property meets FHA project or single-unit requirements and the borrower qualifies. Ask the lender to confirm both; the HUD project lookup alone is not a loan approval.

Is a townhome the same as a condo?

Not always. With a townhome you usually own the land under the home; with a condo you own the unit and a shared interest in common elements. Some townhomes are legally condominiums, so check the deed and governing documents.

Talk with Chris

Looking at condos or townhomes in San Antonio? Call Chris Dudley, San Antonio REALTOR®, brokered by Real Broker, LLC, at (210) 838-6099 or email chrisdudleyrealty@gmail.com.

General information, not legal advice. Read the contract, the resale certificate and the association documents for any property you consider.