Your unit deserves its own inspection.

Condo inspections explained

Why condos and townhouses still need inspections.

Many condo buyers assume that because the association manages the building's exterior, roof, and common areas, there's nothing left to inspect. That assumption is costly. The systems inside your unit — the furnace, water heater, electrical panel, plumbing fixtures, appliances, windows, and interior surfaces — are your responsibility from the day you close. A condo inspection evaluates every component you'll own and maintain, giving you a clear picture of condition and remaining useful life before you commit.

Gio has inspected condos and townhouses across Metro Detroit — from high-rise units in Southfield and Troy to garden-level condos in Sterling Heights and Royal Oak. Each layout and construction era presents its own considerations, and Gio adjusts his approach accordingly.

What a condo inspection covers

• HVAC system: Evaluating the furnace, air conditioning, thermostat, and ductwork accessible within the unit
• Water heater: Checking age, condition, venting, and safety components
• Electrical panel: Examining the breaker panel, outlet function, GFCI protection in kitchens and bathrooms
• Plumbing: Testing fixtures, checking supply and drain performance, looking for signs of leaks beneath sinks and behind access panels
• Kitchen appliances: Testing operation of built-in appliances that convey with the sale
• Windows and sliding doors: Checking seals, operation, locking mechanisms, and condensation between panes
• Interior surfaces: Evaluating walls, ceilings, and floors for moisture staining, cracking, or signs of deferred maintenance
• Balcony and patio: Inspecting railings, surface condition, drainage, and structural attachment where accessible

What falls outside a condo inspection

The roof, building exterior, common hallways, elevators, parking structures, and shared mechanical systems are the association's responsibility — not yours. Gio focuses exclusively on the components within and directly serving your unit. If he observes anything in common areas that concerns him on the way in, he'll mention it, but the formal inspection scope is limited to what you'll own.

Gio also recommends reviewing the association's reserve study and recent meeting minutes before purchasing. These documents reveal upcoming special assessments, deferred building maintenance, and the financial health of the association — factors that no physical inspection can evaluate but that significantly affect your investment.