Knowing someone there to get a true sense of how it’s operated is the best. I’d want to see its financial statements, as they must be profitable to create rainy day reserves. Also understand where major replacement items are along the useful life curve (Pilings, bulkheads, dock planks, anything ashore?) and how they’ll be funded. Insurance is worth understanding, as they may not even be able to get any. I knew a marina that assessed every member an annual amount (a few thousand), that allowed them to build a separate reserve to replace the entire dock system every five years, in the event of a hurricane.

 

monthly fees/costs

policy on renting out if/when you are going to be away

Those are the main items from when I looked into. I have friends that bought one and they like it. To me it makes sense to buy one overall

 

As Don said
"policy on renting out if/when you are going to be away "

For me (I don't have a pen) this is crucial.
Where I am, people exchange pens. Some one sails south and some one sails north and they use each other's pen.
Also the ability to rent out or sub-let is a biggy.

gary

 

Most of the dockominiums I’ve visited over the years will rent vacant slip space to transients. I’d think it was fair for all owners to evenly split all transient fees, to avoid the dockmaster playing favorites, or being accused of it. Subletting is a different story, but I wouldn’t be surprised if most don’t allow it.