How long do Well Maintained Condos Last

Question

Hello Experts,

I am looking at buying a 25 year old Condo. This condo is very well maintained by the HOA and all the internal fixtures are well maitained and replaced by newer ones. 
HOA has adequate reserves to maintain the place.

Questions I have are: 
a) If the maintenance is done very well by the HOA, how long do the Condos last? 
b) And what happens if Condos reach end of their life (if any such thing exists. I assume they would but will it be in my life time?)

Thanks in advance, to all experts that provide very insightful answers,
Gash

Laura Rose · Answer

I have a beach-front condo built in 1974 and it is an extremely well-maintained condo with a strong assoc and reserves.  Ask to see the annual meeting notes, 5 year plan, budgets for past few years, etc and you should get a good idea.  Expect to have some special assessments every once in a while with a building this age - not for new roof etc which is foreseen but things like changes to code (i.e. retro-fitting to add sprinklers in every unit) and things like that.  I must say my building is one of the best on the beach at over 30 years old and I am confident it will stay this way for many more years to come - can't say that with some newer ones.

Gash Nag · Answer

Thanks Mitch. That's good to know. This is a 1985 build Condo.

-Gash

Mitch Kronowit · Answer

Our condo in San Diego was built in 1988. Except for the crappy polybutylene plumbing, everything else is in great shape. There are many homes over a century old. Naturally, it takes a great deal of maintenance and upkeep to make something last that long, but I don't see why a well cared for condo would be much different.