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So I'm going to start looking at condos in the next few months. Are there any things I should be specifically looking at when I walk through a home? Should I be looking in cabinets, inspecting lights to make sure they work, checking for "hidden" damages, etc? I always feel like homes are staged to hide the less desirable portions of the home, so I'm not sure how meticulous to be in my inspection.
So I'm going to start looking at condos in the next few months. Are there any things I should be specifically looking at when I walk through a home? Should I be looking in cabinets, inspecting lights to make sure they work, checking for "hidden" damages, etc? I always feel like homes are staged to hide the less desirable portions of the home, so I'm not sure how meticulous to be in my inspection.
Plumbing, roof, utilities, water pressure, roof, cracks in foundation, a myriad of things. Don't look at the furniture or the decorating, it can be distracting. Is the property clean? well maintained? are the windows in good condition? is the basement damp? moldy?
All of these things and more... but if you don't have any knowledge of what is good or bad about the above, it won't matter. You will need to have a reputable home inspector check the property you decide to buy regardless, and he will go through the house with you and point out what you need to know. In 99% of the states you will need a "disclosure" form from the seller stating to his knowledge what is wrong, right, updated, or what improvements/repairs have been made.
Rely on a responsible buyer's agent with longevity in the business to help you along.
Look at the HVAC unit. Even condos will have their own unit depending on the type of building. That could end up being your biggest expense if you need a new one. An inspector should check out the hvac unit during your home inspection, but I'd also have a hvac person specifically check it out if the inspector says it isn't working properly.
There are some excellent posts on another thread regarding home inspectors. For me, it is worth the cost to have several inspectors/contractors such as for heating, electrical, chimney... as that way you get balanced opinions. There are professional organizations you can check with to find qualified people.
If you are interested in condos, be sure to check out the financial health of the HOA (Financial Inspection) before you do anything as some of them are in a lot trouble these days. Our HOA fees have jumped nearly $200/mo since we bought ours so have an independent person take a close look at their books.
Unless it was something painfully obvious, I really wasn't looking for "damage" when I viewed houses. I left that to the home inspector. We looked at things like layout, updates, size, yard,etc. Things that would determine if we wanted to live in the house, not so much what the condition of the house was.
Unless it was something painfully obvious, I really wasn't looking for "damage" when I viewed houses. I left that to the home inspector. We looked at things like layout, updates, size, yard,etc. Things that would determine if we wanted to live in the house, not so much what the condition of the house was.
That was our view as well. We only looked at single family homes so we did take care in the basements to look for evidence of water or water damage but for the most part focused on if we could actually live in the home and the general condition rather than damage.
So I'm going to start looking at condos in the next few months. Are there any things I should be specifically looking at when I walk through a home? Should I be looking in cabinets, inspecting lights to make sure they work, checking for "hidden" damages, etc? I always feel like homes are staged to hide the less desirable portions of the home, so I'm not sure how meticulous to be in my inspection.
Check outlets and lights. When I bought my home they put in some ceiling lights but had no electric connected to them, put in a few outlets the same way.
Look in cabinets, if they are nicer cabinets maybe check to see if they are really nice cabinets or if they are old crappy ones that had the new faces put on.
Check water pressure, check wood under sinks and vanities to look for evidence of leaks
So I'm going to start looking at condos in the next few months. Are there any things I should be specifically looking at when I walk through a home? Should I be looking in cabinets, inspecting lights to make sure they work, checking for "hidden" damages, etc? I always feel like homes are staged to hide the less desirable portions of the home, so I'm not sure how meticulous to be in my inspection.
Yes, you need to check all of those. But, you will not have the time, or expertise to check everything. I think as a Buyer you need to check important things like room sizes, closet sizes, age and condition of appliances (be sure to document appliance serial #s and anything of value that may disappear), neighbors, noise, crime, HOA and any obvious damage inside and out.
Hire a certified inspector to check plumbing, test heating/AC, roof, windows doors, and all the mechanical items. Do not skimp on an inspector.
Make sure you contract is contingent upon inspections and perform your due diligence during the inspection period.
Look at the roof. are there any damaged shingles or tiles?
Ceilings, any water stains?
Windows, any water stains? If most of the windows have major water stains, might be defective windows.
Look underneath sinks, any water stains?
Abnormal structural cracks.
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