What a Brooklyn Condominium Inspection Should Include

Make certain to have a Condominium Inspection Brooklyn from Olympian Home Services. It is imperative to ensure that you know exactly what you are getting with your purchase before signing on the dotted line. Visually your condominium might look like great, but you need to look beneath the surface and check out the important systems such as plumbing, heating, water heater, flooring or garage doors to name a few things.  That is just what we have been doing for our Brooklyn condo inspection clients for the past twenty years.

Not only is it important to know that everything is as it should be on the interior of the condo, but it is also essential to know about the exterior as well. The exterior aspect of Condominium inspection Brooklyn by Olympian Home Services includes the roof, siding or walls, landscaping, walkways and any amenities that are part of the condominium complex such as a pool or tennis court like you may find in more suburban areas.  Getting your condo inspection from Olympian Home Services, you will rest assured that these items are also included, where applicable.

An interior Condominium Inspection Brooklyn should include:

• All plumbing in the kitchen, bathrooms, the hot water heater and the locating of the main water shut-off valves. These are all checked for prior or current leaks and any corrosion.

• Heating and air conditioning are checked to ensure they are in working order and that thermostats are working and mounted properly.

• The hot water heater is checked to ensure that the temperature relief valve is in place and in some states, safety strapping in case of earthquakes (however not applicable for a Brooklyn condominium inspection.

• Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are checked for compliance and whether they are in working order.

• Fireplaces are checked for safety screens, working damper doors and evidence of back draft.

• Appliances are checked to see if they are present, serviceable and in working order.

• Electrical system is checked to ensure overload protection is provided to breakers and that it meets standard safety requirements. Individual electrical outlets are checked for wiring configuration and voltage loss.

• Washer and dryer hookups are inspected to ensure they appear to be in working condition and meet plumbing requirements.

• Bathrooms are inspected to ensure workability as well as to note evidence of current or past leaks and condition of pipes, tiling, grout or showers.

• Doors, windows or any skylights are inspected for serviceability and to determine whether the window panes are properly sealed.

• Flooring, carpeting or other surfaces such as counters are inspected for any damage or problem areas.

• Garage and garage door openers (if applicable) should be inspected to look for possible leaks from the exterior as well as the serviceability of the opener.

• Attic access (where applicable) is inspected for any safety hazards, evidence of fire damage, insulation and other potentially problematic areas.

• New units that have never been lived in undergo a meticulous examination to make certain that everything is in new condition – a close look at the installation and workmanship practices utilized is carefully covered in our Brooklyn condominium inspection.

An exterior Condominium Inspection Brooklyn should include the following:

• Any fencing or gates that surround the condo unit (if applicable) should be inspected for corrosion or serviceability.

• Landscaping and sprinklers that are inside your fenced area and that are your responsibility.

• Driveways and walkways within your unit parameters should be inspected to ensure there are no safety hazards or problem areas.

• Windows will be inspected to detect leaks and defective manufacturer or installation practices.

• Gutters and downspouts are inspected for serviceability.

• Siding on the unit or building is inspected for cracks, settlement issues, breaches of the elements.

• Doorbells and intercoms are checked for workability.

• Foundations are inspected to ensure there are no problems.

• Grading and drainage are inspected to ensure there are no problem areas.

• Balconies, decks or patios are inspected for any repairs required.

• Roofing is inspected to determine if there are any missing or deteriorating areas of tile, shingle or whatever type of roofing is installed.

As a condominium owner, you are responsible for everything within your particular Brooklyn condo unit however you are also part of a whole community of owners who are within your condominium complex or building. You will certainly have monthly maintenance fees for the upkeep of the common elements of the building and or community. These amenities can include the pool, tennis court, gym or other recreational services offered. While these are all benefits of your communal living, they can also provide added risks and expenses that you as an owner will be partly responsible for by means of special assessments or again, increased maintenance fees.

A careful Brooklyn condo inspection includes the grounds, pool area, recreational equipment and other amenities simply because it is important to ascertain whether or not the management has kept up the necessary maintenance of the property and or building. If you eyeballing a high rise building, note if there is a doorman, janitorial services or other property management fees that you might be responsible for.

The importance of a Brooklyn condo inspection, or frankly a condo inspection, before you commit to a property is that it will educate you as to whether or not there are any potential problem areas in the particular condominium management as well as with regard to the unit itself. It is also essential to know if there are any lawsuits pending that might be potential financial risks to you or your lender so make certain your attorney covers the financials of the building or development / community.

Here are some commonly overlooked Condominium Inspection Brooklyn preliminary questions to ask or observe:

1. Does the pool furniture appear clean and well taken care of?
2. Are there locks on the pool area, tennis courts or other community areas that will ensure that
   only homeowners are able to use the areas?
3. Are the plants, shrubs and grass well maintained and inviting to look at?
4. Is trash collection in individual bins or a community one?
5. Are there any “extra” fees that you might be surprised with?
6. If there are problems with an elevator not working, who do you call?
7. What exactly does your monthly homeowner’s association fee include?

Condominium living has many benefits that include owning a piece of paradise that you can call your own, but along with it comes communal living that may or may not be ideal. It is always important to ask questions to ensure that you know exactly what you are buying before you take that big step. To schedule your Condominium inspection Brooklyn or for an in depth consultation please do not hesitate to give us a call – The Olympian Home Services Team.