Do I Need a Home Inspection On a Condo

Many people think that because they are buying a condo downtown that they won't need to do a home inspection.

This could be a costly mistake on their part.

We always encourage a home buyer (whether it is a new build in Gahanna, a historic home in German Village, or a condo in Downtown Columbus) to get a home inspection. It is important to get a home inspection on your new condominium for a variety of reasons

• Most people when looking for a new home will spend more time imagining how they will decorate their new home and figuring out if their furniture will fit than checking all the appliances, electrical outlets, walls, and so forth

• There are items that the condo association or HOA will be liable for but there are also items that you will be responsible for and you will want to know that those items are in good working order (or have a heads up if something will need to be replaced so you can budget for that).

• You will want to know if the issues that the condo association are responsible for are in good shape (leaky overhangs, rotting decks, insect damage, poor drainage, etc). Yes, they association is responsible for taking care of certain issues but they may not do it in the time frame you are comfortable with or they may levy a special harassment to rectify issues. 

Even if you consider yourself "handy" or "in the know" it is a wise idea to consult with an expert. Home inspectors do what they do every day and know what to look for. If you aren't sure which home inspector to use consult with your Realtor. They will have a list of inspectors for you to choose from and can guide you towards an inspector with plenty of experience with the type of home you are buying.

Related:
What does a home inspector do?