Buying one of the Las Vegas condominiums for sale has been compared to many things. Some would tell you it’s like buying stock in a condo corporation. Others would compare it to marrying into a family you barely know. Others still would more cynically say it’s like marrying into the Mob.

Now some feel it’s a different kind of animal for two reasons - the condo association and the fees they charge. This is what some say puts condominiums in Las Vegas into a different league when it come to Vegas real estate.

You see, unlike a single family home, when you buy an attached dwelling like a condominium, you get exclusive ownership rights to the interior space within the walls of your specific unit. The condo association is set up to take care of the rest.

In other words you don’t own title to the land. And it’s up to the association to maintain so called common areas, keep up the landscaping, water the grass and fix the roof when it leaks. In essence the fees are a type of forced savings that homeowners don’t have to deal with. This can be advantageous to you the Las Vegas condominium owner, or not.

You see, unfortunately too many homeowners don’t set aside money for future major repairs. Result? When the day comes that the roof needs replaced they have to scramble for the money. So the benefit of these fees is you avoid that panic. Because the funds should be there. At least if the association has set the fees properly.

So you can budget better knowing there won’t be any unpleasant surprises associated with ownership of this type of Las Vegas real estate down the road.

The downside of course is you don’t have a choice in the matter. You have to pay the fees whether or not your child needs emergency surgery that month and you're pinched for money. So you give up some financial flexibility for avoidance of the unexpected.

Of course that’s not to say there may not be special assessments if something unexpected happens. Just ask condo owners in Florida about those after a hurricane goes through.

So if you’re considering Las Vegas condominiums as a housing option you should at least stop to think if this wrinkle is good or bad in your situation.