Closer Look Home Inspector | Home Inspector Mankato – 507-721-3820
The Differences Between a House Inspection and a Condo Inspection
A home inspection entails a checkup of the nuts and bolts of your house – the roof, furnace, windows, attic, foundation, etc. Although condos don’t have the same concerns as a house, that doesn’t mean you should forgo the inspection. A condo still represents a major investment. Although you aren’t directly responsible for paying for a new roof with a condo, there are still plenty of costly repairs you should be aware of.
A condo inspection is similar to a home inspection – it’s a visual examination by a certified inspector. Since there are many differences between condos and detached homes, our inspectors specialize in condo inspections to provide our customers the best and thorough inspection possible.
What Your Condo Inspection Will Cover
Your condo inspection will cover the following: heating system, electrical system, plumbing, windows, doors, duct work, vents, walls, ceilings, cupboards and drawers. The condo inspector will also check the common elements, such as the hallways, elevators, security gate and garage to make sure everything is in tip-top shape.
Our home inspector will also offer our ancillary services to our customers while they are there including: FLIR Thermal imaging, Home Energy Audit, Mold Inspection and Termite Inspection.
Who’s Responsible For What?
When it comes to condos, it’s important to find out who is responsible for the most costly repairs. Depending on your condo building, the furnace and central air may be your responsibility or the condo board may cover it as part of the common element. In new condos the heating and cooling is typically the responsibility of the condo board, while in older buildings it’s usually your responsibility. It’s important to find this out ahead of time, as you don’t want to end up on the hook for thousands of dollars in repairs you didn’t anticipate.
3 Don’t Miss Areas
The three main areas of concern for condo buyers should be:
- Plumbing
- Electrical system
- Heating system
As the condo owner, it’s your responsibility to keep these up to code. It’s better to find out ahead of time if you’re going to have to spend $5,000 upgrading the wiring than after you’ve moved in. You may even be able to negotiate a reduction in price or decide to pass on the condo all together.
Peace of Mind For Your Home Investment
Finding and then buying a condo can be a long a detailed process. With loan considerations, home locations, size and style of homes there seems to be a never ending list of things to get done and to be thought through. One step that is sometimes omitted is that of the home inspection. This is a very important step that should not be left out.
Hopefully you’re sold on the importance of a condo inspection. A condo is most likely the single largest financial transaction of your lifetime, so it’s important to do your due diligence. A condo inspection can help you uncover costly repairs before it’s too late. A bidding war shouldn’t be an excuse to skip a condo inspection. A condo inspection provides you with the peace of mind that you’re spending your life savings wisely.
Closer Look Home Inspector | Home Inspector Mankato – 507-721-3820