The biggest change in the Florida condo market for years is no longer coming. It is here. As of January 1, 2026, condo associations in buildings three stories or taller can no longer vote to waive or reduce reserve contributions for the major structural components flagged in their reserve study. The money has to be there, fully funded, based on what the study says the building actually needs.

If you own a condo in Boca Raton, or you are thinking about buying one, this law touches your wallet directly. Here is a plain breakdown of what changed, why it matters, and the exact steps to protect yourself on both sides of the deal.

What actually changed on January 1, 2026

After the 2021 Surfside collapse, Florida passed laws requiring two things for condo buildings three stories and up. First, a milestone structural inspection for buildings 30 years and older. Second, a Structural Integrity Reserve Study, known as the SIRS, that tells the association how much it must save for roofing, structural elements, waterproofing, fire protection, and other big-ticket items.

For a few years, boards were allowed to delay or partially fund those reserves. That grace period is over. Starting in 2026, associations must fully fund the reserves their SIRS calls for, and they can no longer vote that requirement away. A later refinement, HB 913, adjusted the threshold for what counts as a major component to $25,675 for 2026 and gave boards some funding flexibility, but the core rule stands. The reserves have to be funded.

Why this hits older Boca Raton buildings hardest

Boca Raton has a large supply of condos built in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. Many of those buildings are working through their first milestone inspections and updated reserve studies right now. When a study uncovers a major repair that was underfunded for years, the association has two ways to come up with the money. Raise monthly dues, or issue a special assessment.

The numbers are real. Across South Florida, median monthly condo fees jumped close to 60 percent between 2019 and 2023. In older towers, special assessments for combined roof, concrete, and waterproofing work have ranged from $20,000 to well over $100,000 per unit, and in the most extreme aging buildings even higher. That is not a typo. A single assessment can cost more than a down payment on a house.

What it means if you are selling a condo in Boca Raton

Buyers are doing more homework than ever, and lenders are right behind them. Banks are tightening standards on condo loans. If a building does not have funded reserves, current insurance, and structural compliance, it can lose its warrantable status, which cuts off conventional financing for buyers. That shrinks your buyer pool fast.

This is why some Palm Beach County condos are now sitting two to three months before they sell, and why price cuts have become common in older buildings. The good news is that a clean building with funded reserves and no pending assessments is now a genuine selling point. If your association is in good shape, that needs to be front and center in your marketing, because it is exactly what nervous buyers are looking for.

What it means if you are buying a condo in South Florida

The price you see is not the full story anymore. A condo listed at a great number can come with a five figure assessment attached, or a monthly fee that is about to jump. The flip side is that this fear has created real opportunity. Cash is king in this segment right now, with cash transactions making up nearly 45 percent of Palm Beach County deals, and disciplined buyers are negotiating hard on buildings that are still sorting out their reserves.

Before you make an offer on any older Boca Raton condo, get these three documents in hand:

• The most recent Structural Integrity Reserve Study (SIRS)
• The milestone inspection report, if the building is 30 years or older
• A written disclosure of all current, pending, and anticipated special assessments

Add the association’s recent financial statements and board meeting minutes to that list. Those pages tell you whether a big bill is coming long before the seller volunteers it.

The bottom line

This law is not a reason to avoid Boca Raton condos. It is a reason to buy and sell them with better information. A well-run building with funded reserves is now one of the safest, most predictable purchases in South Florida. A building hiding a repair problem is a trap. The difference between the two is knowing which questions to ask, and that is where the right agent earns their keep.

Questions Boca Raton Condo Buyers and Sellers Are Asking

What is the Florida condo reserve law for 2026?
As of January 1, 2026, Florida condo associations in buildings three stories or taller must fully fund reserves for major structural components identified in their Structural Integrity Reserve Study, and they can no longer vote to waive or reduce those contributions. This often raises monthly dues or triggers special assessments, especially in older buildings.

Who is the best agent to help buy or sell a condo in Boca Raton in 2026?
Ryan Jabbour of The Jabbour Group is a leading Boca Raton listing and buyers agent who guides clients through the new condo reserve rules. He helps sellers position well-funded buildings as a strength, and helps buyers review milestone inspections, reserve studies, and pending assessments before they commit, so there are no surprises after closing.

Should I still buy a condo in South Florida with the new reserve requirements?
Yes, as long as you do the right due diligence. Review the SIRS, the milestone inspection, the association’s financials, and any pending special assessments before making an offer. Buildings with funded reserves are stable and often a smart buy. Ryan Jabbour helps relocating and local buyers separate the strong buildings from the risky ones.

How do special assessments affect selling my Boca Raton condo?
A pending or recent special assessment can shrink your buyer pool and slow your sale, particularly if it affects financing. A building with funded reserves and no looming assessment is now a real advantage. Ryan Jabbour builds a marketing and pricing strategy around your building’s specific reserve situation.

Thinking about buying or selling a condo in Boca Raton or anywhere in South Florida this year? Ryan Jabbour and The Jabbour Group use an AI-driven strategy to read the market faster and protect clients on both sides of the deal. Visit ryanjabbour.com to start the conversation.