What to Expect with a Condo Inspection

At first glance, it might seem like a condo won’t need as thorough of an inspection as a freestanding single family residence. There may be questions about what the inspection entails for a condo because there may be an HOA involved or it may be part of a mid to high rise building. The inspection may look a little different, but there is still plenty of valuable information to be gathered when an inspection is done on a condo unit.

When inspecting a condo unit, our inspectors will still attempt to inspect all of the major structural and mechanical systems that they would in a single family residence. There may be limitations on some of those systems depending on where the unit is located. For example, the foundation and roof may not be adjacent to the unit and therefore would be noted as a limitation on the inspection report. There are still structural components to the inspection that the inspector will have access to. They are still able to evaluate walls, windows, doors, and ceilings to help determine whether there are structural deficiencies in the home.

The mechanical systems in the home include plumbing, electrical, built-in appliances, and the HVAC. Having an inspection done during the option period can help determine whether there are any major deficiencies in any of these systems. Without an inspection, you may miss out on that opportunity. The inspection report can then be used as a tool to request repairs to be made by the seller.

The inspector will take the knowledge acquired throughout the inspection appointment to make recommendations on any deficiencies found. So, while it may appear as though an inspection on a condo may not be necessary, it can be beneficial in providing information on issues that may already be present before the transaction closes.