Buying a condominium is like a combination of buying a house, and renting an apartment; so Brooklyn residents better make sure to have a Brooklyn condominium inspection. When buying a condo you are not responsible for everything, except for what is within the confines of your condominium unit. A proper Brooklyn condominium inspection focuses on what you, the buyer, are in charge of. However, things like roofing, lobbies, elevators, and landscaping are items that will be interested in checking, regardless that these items should be taken care of by the building management. A condo owner is essentially responsible for everything within the walls of their space. When purchasing your condo or conducting condo remodeling be sure to discuss with the condominium/building association where your responsibilities begin and end when it comes to your condo; all buildings and developments differ to some degree.
Brooklyn condominium inspection components:
There are several professional tests that can be run when you go through and inspect your condo before purchasing. Things such as testing for high levels of Carbon Monoxide, Termites, and Radon (a major contributor to indoor air pollution and blamed for cancer as well) are suggested to be performed by a professional. You may also hire a professional contractor to walk through the condominium with you to give their opinion as to the quality of the space you intend on purchasing. However, it is a good idea to make an initial walkthrough on your own with a checklist of things to look for. Afterwards, you may choose to bring in a professional with a wider base of knowledge to conduct a Brooklyn condominium inspection on your behalf.
Each room will have specific things that need to be checked during your condominium inspection. In the kitchen, bathrooms, and any other rooms with plumbing, it is important to make a thorough and complete inspection of the for leaks, slow drains and water pressure issues to avoid headaches later on. Checking the water pressure in sinks, and making sure the taps do not leak will save you money on repairs of not only the problem, but the potential damage such items can cause to neighboring units adjacent and beneath yours. In the event that leaks exist, ask that the be made aware of the problem, and ask if it will be properly fixed. The bathroom especially has many areas that need special attention. Take time to make sure the toilet flushes, that it has a properly attached seat, and take a look at the tank to inspect what style of valve is installed, and if it is also working properly. Also inspect the showerheads, and draining time of all the sinks. If the water takes some time to disappear there maybe be an issue with the drain piping that needs to be addressed; perhaps there is a partial clog or perhaps there is a bigger issue such as not being vented. Also check the caulking and grout in the tub, if things are not properly sealed mold could be growing or on its way.
In every room go through and check all the electrical sockets. If the condo is not furnished bring along a small electric item to plug in. Make sure all the switches are working, as well as the dimmer, if in existance. Testing for the feed into cable and phone jacks must be done by a professional, but still look for them to make certain they are in place and at least appear to be ready for service. Also consider their location, and if there are outputs in every room. If you are walking through with a building representative, ask them if you can take a look at the circuit breakers so you can see that they are in place and in working order.
What else should I look at during my preliminary Brooklyn condominium inspection?
Along with the large tests, you should also inspect some of the smaller details of the rooms during your Brooklyn condominium inspection. Things such as the cabinets and countertops. Is there enough space? Do the door hinges work, or is something coming loose? Check the strength of the shelving and quality of the finished items. Inspect the edges of the flooring for loose carpeting, poorly cut tiles or damaged floorboards, as well as the molding along the top and base of the walls. Ants, Termites, and others pests will often lodge into the cracks of moldings and walls. The windows are also important to look at. Make sure they have working locks, if they close correctly, and all the way. Inefficient windows are the main cause of heat loss which can happen during the colder months. The same inspection for the windows should be repeated on all the doors. If the doors have locks, make sure they work. Be sure the doors are properly installed and fit into the frame without any trouble – look for excessive space at the bottom of the door when closed, check the spine for cracks and check the hinges for missing screws.
Once you work your way into the kitchen, in addition to checking the plumbing, inspect all the appliances. Make sure the condominium renovation, if there was one, has the appliances you would want, if they are correctly installed, and in good working order. If any of the appliances run on gas, make sure the pilot lights are feeding gas, and are lit, and will stay lit. Pay special attention to the refrigerator. Inspect the level of control you have over the temperature, the amount of space, as well as general upkeep on the appliance. Refrigerators, when old or worn down, can start to leak water which leads to electrical problems as well as floor damage, damage to the unit beneath yours and potentially mold.
The last thing during your personal Brooklyn condominium inspection is to make sure that the condo has all the small details you would want. Ask about parking, if the building is entry-controlled and has an intercom, and any other personal amenities you would desire in your living space. Many of the new condominium developments also come with things like laundry rooms, gyms, and social gathering rooms. Be sure to ask about all of them when conducting your preliminary inspection of the condominium.
On top of your own personal inspection, it is highly recommended that you get a professional Brooklyn condominium inspection. The two most common types of inspections: Interior Only and Common elements included. The first will be a more thorough look at many of the things you inspected yourself. Focusing on health/safety, testing for functionality, and making sure the appliances are not nearing the end of their design life. Depending on the size of the space a condo inspection will cost around $500 and up, and last for up to about two hours depending upon the size of the space, whether or not it is occupied and whether it is brand new construction or not. The common elements included overview includes all that is covered during the “interior unit only inspection”, but it also includes an evaluation of the roofing, exterior, building structure, and other items that are not 100% the responsibility of the condo buyer, but may affect your maintenance costs in the future. A “common elements included inspection” of the entire building generally can cost more and can last anywhere from two hours to more than ten hours depending on the size of the complex. We at Olympian Home Services, charge one price regardless of how many common elements are accessible and we only conduct “complete” versions of the inspection. We are located in Brooklyn, so all Brooklyn buyers are encouraged to give us a call for a free consultation to answer your questions about having a Brooklyn condominium inspection.
Purchasing a condo can be a much cheaper alternative to buying a home, as long as you know what to look for during a Brooklyn condominium inspection. Many checklists can be found online if you want to do the preliminary inspection yourself;
here is one I just found that is not specific to condos or buyers, but it is a good start:
Home Inspection Checklist
Planning on putting your house on the market? Then use this tip sheet / checklist as you tackle your own “do-it-yourself” organizing projects.BASIC INFORMATIONcheck the existing condition of all systems and equipment look …
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