Condos are more complicated investments than single family homes; multiple owners share responsibility for rooftops, decks, plumbing and electric wiring. Over the past decade, the Federal Housing Administration has required entire buildings to be certified before buyers could get a loan for a unit. The requirement was prompted by defaults that piled up during the financial crisis. Starting in October, the FHA is loosening qualifications for loans for prospective buyers of individual condos. That will add risk but could help with a national housing crisis.

Click the audio player above to hear the full story.