Buying a condominium is a little different than buying a single-family home—but it’s still one of the largest financial decisions you’ll make in your life, and it’s important to have the right information before you decide to buy.
That’s why you need a quality condo inspection from an experienced inspector.
Interior versus exterior
We often hear about buyers who skip this vital step, only to discover hidden problems down the road. And these problems aren’t limited to the inside, either: Even though one of the big benefits of condo living is the fact that you aren’t responsible for maintaining the exteriors and major systems that serve the entire complex, when something goes wrong with them, you and your fellow owners are responsible for funding the repairs.
Those assessments can be costly, especially when it’s time to replace something significant—the roof, for example.
A condo inspection can give you an idea about the health of those major systems and building components, in addition to alerting you to any issues inside the condo. You might still decide to buy even if you know a big assessment is likely soon, but that knowledge will help you to prepare (and possibly even negotiate a lower price).
Why 4 Seasons?
At 4 Seasons, we take the same care with condo inspections as we do with home inspections. Our company has several Certified Master Inspectors—a designation achieved by only the top 1% of inspectors in the U.S.—and we inspect condos throughout the Puget Sound region. Here’s what our condo inspections include:
- Thermal scanning
- Structural components
- Electrical, plumbing, and heating/cooling systems
- Insulation and ventilation
- All interiors, including stairs and railings
- The crawlspace and attic (if applicable)
- Decks, balconies, patios
We utilize thermal imaging for hard-to-reach spaces, including inside your unit’s walls, and we can perform mold and pest inspections as well.
After each inspection, we provide a detailed electronic report that features color pictures and descriptions—so you know what looks good, where repairs are needed, and what you need to watch over time.
Other condo tips
Even if you get a condo inspection, there are a few other things you can (and should) do to protect yourself before buying. Here’s what we recommend:
- Get the condo board/corporation meeting minutes for the last several years. These should tell you about previous issues and repairs, including costs, etc. It’s a good idea to request documentation on any projects so you know the work was actually done.
- Find out how much is in the condo reserve fund. Is there enough for minor or mid-level repairs, or would you be hit with an assessment the second something goes wrong?
- Ask about current lawsuits. If the board/corporation is involved in any litigation, you need to know about it.
- Review the resale certificate. This describes the unit you’re considering, but also should have important details such as the requirements/restrictions of the owners’ association, your obligations as a member of the association, etc.
Have questions about condos? Need to set up an inspection? Request an inspection here, email us at info@4seasonsinspects.com, or give us a call at one of the numbers above. Our experts are happy to help!