If a buyer prefers to purchase a condo or a townhouse instead of a single-family house, an inspection is still highly recommended. This type of inspection is slightly different from the usual home inspection for a free-standing residential building. It is essential to have an inspection to avoid overlooking these important factors:
- ELEVATORS
- Your safety should be prioritized, especially if you plan to get a condo on a higher floor. It is essential to have your inspector check for the elevator’s inspection reports, engineering, and maintenance history. You would not want to have bought a safe home but be stuck in an unsafe elevator.
- HVAC SYSTEMS
- Usually, the HVAC system is managed by the Homeowner Association which means that you would need permission to have it inspected. Your inspector needs to have access to it to ensure a thorough inspection and to avoid overlooking possible issues.
- SHARED FLOORS/WALLS/CEILINGS
- You need to have all shared areas checked before you go through with the sale. An agreement between your HOA and neighbors about the repair should take place for issues found. All issues in the shared areas need to be addressed before moving in.
- THE ROOF
- For a free-standing residential building, it is natural that a home inspector would need to check its roof. For condos or townhomes, the roof is a shared area that is not part of your responsibility as a home buyer. It is still recommended to have your roof checked for damage and have your HOA take care of repairs. The roof is part of the building where you live, and you would not want to have roof issues affect your home’s safety and functionality.
- HOA MEETING MINUTES
- Having a copy of the Homeowners Association’s minutes from their meetings will help you investigate if there were common issues reported that you need to be aware of and how they were addressed. Feedback from the residents who attended the previous sessions will also give you a sense of the property’s current condition.
Since buying a home is a big investment, checking these things before finally purchasing will give you peace of mind and ensure that you made the right choice.
