Hi to all HI !!
My name is Victor Rivera Jr.
Quality Home Detective LLC ,
in Berea,Ohio 44017
My question for anyone that can help me is, how do you go by and inspect a condo ? :roll: any help, Thx
Victor when I do an inspection on acondo and the Condo Corp. looks after the exterior I shorten my report down to interior only review and ajust my contract so it is clear that it is only an interior review of the property.I check only the items that the owner would be responsible for.Heating, A/C,electrical, plumbing,built in appliances, foundation ,structure and the rest of the interior.In most cases when buying a condo you are only buying from the drywall in rest is the responsiblity of the condo corp to repair.As for the foundation and structure they will be part of the condo corps responsiblty but I check them any way noting any problems.
Good idea to also check the roof and foundation. Because the client will pay monthly association fees and those pay for repairs of the roof, foundation, etc. The client should have all the facts so he/she can make an informed decision.
I treat them the same as single home inspections. Any exterior problems can lead to interior problems.
How do you get access to the roof? Who do you ask? Do you tell the client before the inspection date to make sure that they have access to the roof? Do you go around the building looking for the super to get access? What if the person in charge won’t let you on the roof?
You get to the roof like any home inspection, throw a ladder, climb it, inspect, come down ladder. Now I’m talking roofs on one or two story buildings, not the multi story kind. There I would just inspect interior including appliances, HVAC, electric, plumbing, and any other thing I could find. If there is a way to gain access to the roof, I would certainly look up the super and ask. If he declines, then I don’t go simple!
Depending on the structure and covenants of the HOA, you may have to defer the roof inspection and well as the exterior. What I would suggest is that you note that you were not able to visually inspect the roof for reasons X, Y, and Z.
I did a 1-bedroom condo inspection in a high rise in San Francisco several months ago and all I could inspect was the interior, bathroom, and the kitchen. I deferred everything I could not visually inspect.
The only reason for that inspection was for the buyer to qualify for the loan. The price for the penthouse condo was $850k, but it had a beautiful view of the Bay Bridge.
Hi to all HI !!!
Let me start by saying how very sorry i’m by not returning to the post, after i post the thread. I’ve a very ill mother-inlaw out of town, i just got back home today. I want to thank you all that reply to the post.
thank verry, verry much!
Quality Home Detective, LLC
Victor Rivera Jr
349 Laurel Dr
Berea , Ohio 44017Ditto.
I inspected a condo today with a questionable section of roof above my client’s unit. He needs to know that when it rains it may leak unless he gets the HOA to get it fixed pronto.
Its OK Victor,… it will eventually end up of subject anyways! HA!
Hope your Mother-In-Law is feeling better!
Thanks Peter D.
You should also recommended to clients to ask for (and read) the minutes of the most recent HOA meetings if available (some HOAs are really petty about giving these out). It shows the client a lot including: how complaints are handled, how quickly action is taken, common issues/problems in the building/complex, and tabled agenda items that may mean major assessments if revisited.
Clients nearly always find them VERY helpful and really appreciate the advice.
What I say: “Because this is a report on a condominium inspection, we do not normally inspect or report on the condition of the roof, the foundation, grading and drainage, or components beyond the unit, which are typically the responsibility of the home owners’ association.” However, if I happen to SEE rot, etc. outside, I’ll report it. But the exterior doesn’t get scrutiny.