Buying a condominium is like a combination of buying a house, and renting an apartment. Condos are usually a smaller section of a larger building or campus that is owned by a company. When buying a condo you are not responsible for everything, except what is within your condominium space. A proper condominium inspection focuses on what you, the buyer, are in charge of. Things like roofing, lobbies, elevators, and landscaping are items that should be taken care of by the association that owns the building. A condo owner is essentially responsible for everything within the walls of their purchased space. When purchasing your condo be sure to discuss with the condominium/building association where your responsibilities begin and end when it comes to your condo.
There are several professional tests that can be run when you go through and inspect your condo before purchasing. Things such as testing for high levels of Carbon Monoxide, Termites, and Radon (a major contributor to indoor air pollution) are suggested to be performed by a professional. You may also hire a professional contractor to walk through the condominium with you and give their opinion as to the quality of the space you intent to purchase. However, it is a good idea to make an initial walkthrough on your own with a checklist of things to look for. Afterwards, you may choose to bring in a professional with a wider base of knowledge.
Each room will have specific things that need to be checked during your condominium inspection. In the kitchen, bathrooms, and any other rooms with running water it is important to make a thorough and complete inspection of the plumbing as to avoid unnecessary spending later on. Checking the water pressure in sinks, and making sure the taps do not leak will save you money on water bills. In the event they are leaking, ask the association that owns the building if they are aware of the problem, and ask if it will be fixed. The bathroom especially has many areas that need special attention. Take time to make sure the toilet flushes, that it has a properly attached seat, and take a look at the tank to inspect what style of valve is installed, and if it is also working properly. Also inspect the showerheads, and draining time of all the sinks. If the water takes some time to disappear there maybe be an issue with the piping that needs to be addressed. Also check the caulking in the tub, if it is not properly sealed the tub could be growing mold.
In every room go through and check all the electrical sockets. If the condo is not furnished bring along a small electric item to plug in. Make sure all the switches are working, as well as the dimmer, if you have one. Testing for the feed into cable and phone jacks must be done by a professional, but still look for them. Consider their location, and if there are enough. If you are walking through with someone from the association that owns the building ask them if you can take a look at the circuit breakers.
Along with the large tests, you should also inspect some of the smaller details of the room during your condominium inspection. Things such as the cupboards. Is there enough space? Do the hinges work, or is something coming loose? Check the strength of the shelving and, if you are with a professional, check the location of the studs in the wall as well as their structural strength should you choose to add more. Inspect the edges of the flooring for loose carpeting or floorboards, as well as the molding along the top and base of the walls. Ants, Termites, and others pests will often lodge into the cracks in molding and walls. The windows are also important to look at. Make sure they have working locks, if they close correctly, and all the way. Inefficient windows are main causes of heat leakage which will cost a fortune come the colder months. The same inspection for the windows should be repeated on all the doors. If the doors have locks, make sure they work. Be sure the doors are properly installed and fit into the frame without any trouble.
Once you work your way into the kitchen, in addition to checking the plumbing, inspect all the appliances. Make sure the condo has the appliances you would want, if they are correctly installed, and in good working order. If any of the appliances run on gas, make sure the pilot lights are feeding gas, are lit, and will stay lit. Pay special attention to the refrigerator. Inspect the level of control you have over the temperature, the amount of space, as well as general upkeep on the appliance. Refrigerators, when old or worn down, can start to leak water which leads to electrical problems as well as mold.
The last thing during your personal condominium inspection is to make sure that the condo has all the small details you would want. Ask about parking, if the building is entry-controlled and has an intercom, and any other personal amenities you desire in your living space. Many condominium associations build complexes that also come with things like laundry rooms, gyms, and social gathering places. Be sure to ask about all of them with inspecting the condominium.
On top of your own personal inspection, it is often recommended that you get a professional condominium inspection. There are two most common types of inspections: Interior Only and Complex Overview. The first will be a more thorough look at many of the things you inspected yourself. Focusing on health/safety, testing for functionality, and making sure the appliances are not nearing the end of their design life. Depending on the size of the space an interior only inspection will cost around 0 and last for about two hours. The complex overview includes all that is covered during an interior only inspection, but it also includes an evaluation of the roofing, siding, building structure, and other items that are not the responsibility of the condo buyer, but may affect their stay once the condominium is purchased. A complex inspection generally costs 0 and can last anywhere from two hours to four hours depending on the size of the space.
Purchasing a condo can be a much cheaper alternative to buying a home, as long as you know what to look for during a condominium inspection. Many checklists can be found online if you want to do the inspection yourself, or many building contractors will also offer a professional inspection. Afterwards, you can make an educated decision on your purpose, and have peace of mind that you will be safe physically and financially.
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