July 13, 2023
Are you thinking of buying a condominium? Do not miss these six examinations that may reveal dangers.
A condo is clearly not the same as one-family homes. There’s usually more than condominium association costs, shared walls and elevators that divide an apartment from a house as well as what happens prior to you even get to your settlement table.
“Purchasing a condo versus a single-family home definitely creates some different items to address.
What makes a condo inspection distinct from different homeowner inspection and why it’s essential to know the distinctions before you sign on the” dotted line.
1. Roof checks
It is better to make sure that the inspector has done so. “Inspectors often only inspect the interior of a condo,” says broker Keith Thompson of Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Carolinas Realty in Charlotte, NC. “This is because the homeowners’ association is responsible for the exterior of the building.”
Don’t let the inspection not conduct a roof inspection. If they find weather-related damage, for instance it may fall on the homeowners association (HOA) to fix and may also raise assessments to cover the costs of repairs.
2. A radar for radon
The colorless gas, which is odorless and colorless can be a nightmare for your health and health, which is why it’s all the reason you should get an radon test prior to purchasing an apartment.
“Some projects have concrete imported from other countries that emits radon gas,” Willis explains. Willis. “Because high-rises can be more ‘sealed,’ gas like radon is unable to escape, which can cause real health problems.”
Willis always suggests that clients get their apartment or condo checked for radon gas, particularly new construction properties.
3. Minutes Please
It’s back to that HOA Meetings have minutes that are accessible to homeowners everywhere. You can get them minutes, a real estate agent working with Partners Trust Real Estate Brokerage & Acquisitions in edmonton.
“The HOA minutes are your most important tool for understanding the workings and condition of the building,” she adds. “Make sure you have the entire year’s worth of minutes from meetings. It isn’t a good idea to purchase into only to find out the building had a serious failure in the building that could require an assessment prior to your move into.”
4. Knock on the wood
Or tile. Or drywall. In any case, examining walls as well as ceilings and floors is crucial in condo inspection in Edmonton because these areas are typically shared with neighbours or common areas in an apartment.
“Do pay attention to flooring and soundproofing,” suggests Bud Clark, a real estate agent working with Willis Allen Real Estate in San Diego. “If the condo has hardwood flooring, have your home inspector ensure adequate soundproofing, as hardwood flooring is a known sound conductor, particularly from neighboring units above.”
5. Seek out the HVAC
The HVAC unit may not need to be found in every condominium, but that’s an additional reason to ensure it is inspected by a certified HVAC inspector.
“This seems like a no-brainer, but in condos sometimes the HVACs can be on the roof or require preapproval or access instructions from the HOA,” the expert says. “It is recommended to obtain this information early so that inspections don’t get delayed. The HVAC is usually the most expensive item to fix.”
If it is deemed to be a violation the assessment is hefty, it could be issued to the property owners which includes you.
6. Get a lift
A majority of houses with greater than 2 stories include an elevator. Like the roof or HVAC shared by neighbors in the event that it needs repairs that both you and the neighbor could be the ones to take the burden.
“Get your inspector access to the engineering report for the building’s elevator or elevators,” recommends Williams. “The building could have been built 25 years ago and the elevator only has a 30-year life on it per the report, so you need to be aware that to replace that elevator could cost you in the end.”
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