A long strata report is not evidence of a bad building. A short report is not evidence of a good one. The task is to find the decisions hidden in the records.
Read recent minutes in date order and track recurring references to water, cracking, lifts, façades, roofs, basements, fire systems and insurance. Compare planned work with the available funds, current levies and any special levies. Low levies can be attractive, but they can also defer cost to the next owner.
Check insurance claims, disputes, by-laws and whether parking, storage or courtyards form part of the lot, common property or an exclusive-use right.
A useful review ends with understood issues, estimated costs, questions for the appropriate advisers and a clear view of what changes the price or decision.