I live in a 20 year old (or so) condo. My attic/loft is livable
space, but is always uncomfortable in the summer. I've been doing my
research on powered attic ventilators, but because of safety issues
felt it would be better to go with the passive approach.

In looking at the venting, I have a ridge vent, and some soffit
venting, but only on the front. When there is soffit vent, it's
stagged sections every 18" or so across the front, not a continuous
soffit vent as I would expect. However, in the back the soffit is
solid, or so it appears. There is no visible venting in that soffit
at all. Some new units in the development were built in the last 2 or
3 years, so I thought I'd see how they did it and make a case to have
the venting installed. SAME THING. In the new units they have
staggered venting in the front soffits, and solid soffits in the rear.

What gives? I thought the idea was to have good venting on both sides
of the attic soffit? Why would a builder do it this way, with solid
in the back and vented in the front?

I've taken temperature measurements, and when it's 80 degrees outside,
its typically 120 degrees in the attic. I can't install gable vents,
because they are brick/block and not permitted to be altered. PAV is
out because of backdrafting, I have a ridge vent - so what are my
options?

Shawn