What Happens in a Downtown Minneapolis Condo Inspection?
So you just bought a new condo and now you have decided to hire a Downtown Minneapolis condo inspector to check it out for you. But what really happens during a condo inspection? What exactly does a Downtown Minneapolis condo inspector do?
A typical condo inspection takes between two to three hours. Sometimes, it may take longer, depending on the size of the condo. A Downtown Minneapolis condo inspector includes in the examination all the major components of the condo, such as roofing, structural, exterior, and interior finishes, electrical, heating/air conditioning, insulation, plumbing, and related systems.
What a condo Inspection ISN’T
A Downtown Minneapolis condo inspector has all the technical skills and knowledge to perform a more or less accurate visual assessment of a condo. However, you should be careful to know that most professional Downtown Minneapolis condo inspectors are not allowed to make appraisals or exact quotations for repairs. Some trade organizations prohibit this as it is considered a biased practice. On the other hand, appraisals are usually left to real estate agents who have the necessary training and background, so unless your Downtown Minneapolis condo inspector is also trained in that regard, it is best not to accept his word on this at face value. Another thing that Downtown Minneapolis condo inspectors cannot do is to see if a building conforms with the local building code. This job is usually left to agents who work for the government in ensuring that a building is up to the community’s building code.
The Downtown Minneapolis condo inspector’s report should not be used as a guarantee. Nor should it be used to provide you with a warranty, although some condo buyers can use the information they get there to negotiate with their seller to include repair costs, warranties, and the like in the contract.
Some Downtown Minneapolis condo inspectors will include water analysis and septic inspections in their usual rounds. However, these two are not actually part of a standard inspection. At best, the report that Downtown Minneapolis condo inspectors make regarding these components are only persuasive and should not be used as a replacement for a standard septic inspection performed by a professional. You can access several laboratories that provide water sample vials that may be collected and filled by you and submitted to the lab for analysis.
Air conditioners are typically not inspected, except if it the summer season, which is typically between May to September. Pools and spas are likewise not included as inspection items. Neither wood burning appliances such as fireplaces and wood stoves, although a Downtown Minneapolis condo inspector may include those in his report. Usually, however, a WETT inspector or a Wood Energy Technology Transfer examiner check those named areas. Some fire insurance companies actually provide discounts for WETT inspected and approved properties, so it might be better if you just leave those areas for the WETT specialist than to a Downtown Minneapolis condo inspector.
Knowing what to expect and what not to expect from a Downtown Minneapolis condo inspector will help you make an informed decision. It will also help you learn about the value of your condo, as well as the cost for future upkeep.
There is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling or investing in Downtown Minneapolis Condos or Minneapolis Lofts. For complete information about the Downtown Minneapolis Condo market including current Minneapolis condos for sale, values, and more please visit the most complete website online dedicated to everything Downtown Minneapolis Condos at www.LivingInDowntownMinneapolis.com. Contact me, Mike Weiland with Edina Realty with any of your condo or mortgage related questions today. Call 612-735-6834 or email mike@mikeweiland.com.
P.S. To find the best deals on Downtown Minneapolis condos as well as insider information about privately available condos, click here!
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