Generally there are two types of condo/townhouse inspections:
Condo/Townhouse Inspection
Similar to a home inspection but we also look at the exterior of the adjacent siding, roofing, attic, crawlspace (if applicable) for major concerns. Most of these items will be under the contractor and maintenance responsibility of the HOA but some owners like to have a very general overview of the exterior of their complex. We are not doing a full home inspection of the entire complex just the components directly adjacent to the exterior of this unit.
Condo “Interior Only” Inspection
Some condo purchasers desire to have just the interior of their condos inspected prior to purchase.
An interior only inspection means that no commonly owned areas of the condominium will be inspected. The inspection will include electrical in the condo, major appliances, plumbing, heating etc. It will not include common walls, structure of the building, etc.
When customers request this type of inspection it is usually because the HOA will cover all the other areas of the structure. These customers mostly want to ensure that they are fully aware of the wear and tear or changes the first owner has left on the condo.
It is good in some applications as a buyer to get the exterior, roof, attic, and crawlspace inspected. If one of these systems fails, you are responsible for a portion of the repair as an owner in the complex. Even if the complex is fairly new, there could be repairs coming down the road. Interior only inspections also don’t discuss homeowner dues, and whether or not the monthly amount being paid is sufficient to cover unexpected expenses. This is outside of our scope.
We strive to satisfy from Tacoma to Arlington areas customer base. If an interior condo inspection is your desire, we’re happy to perform one. But, keep in mind, you might not be getting the full picture if you only want the interior inspected.
