Condominium Inspections

Living in a condo seems easier compared to a single-family home because outside maintenance is covered by the home-owners association (HOA). Before buying a condo unit, schedule an appointment for a professional property inspection. You should always keep in mind that condos are individually owned so the condition and quality of the condo is dependent on the seller. If the seller kept the condo unit well-maintained, then you are in luck, but if the seller disregarded needed maintenance and repairs, a home inspection will reveal that before you purchase the condo.

The HOA is usually only responsible for outside maintenance unless stated in the bylaws.  Make sure you obtain a copy of the condo bylaws. Ninety-nine percent of the time, the electrical system, HVAC system and ventilation, plumbing, anything inside the walls of the condo is the owner’s responsibility. Even though you may be purchasing a condo, a home inspection is still needed to inspect the condo. A new heating and cooling system are expensive so that expense; mold is hazardous to your health, and expensive to remove; plumbing issues can and do lead to other problems if left unchecked; possible mold removal, replacement of pipes, flooring, baseboards, drywall, etc. There are many things that need to be inspected before buying a condo that buyers are not aware of, like the balcony, common areas, the building, roof, elevators, walkways, railing, stairs, soil, parking lot, and other common areas. In addition to determining the safety of the building, a home inspection will also clue you in on whether the HOA has been keeping up with the overall maintenance of the property. Make sure your HOA fees will be used for what is allocated in the bylaws. Condo living in Central Florida is a great alternative to the traditional single-family homes and townhouses, but before buying into the building invest in a license professional condominium inspection.