(Photo by Thom Bradley from Burst)

While the majority of properties in the Springfield and Burke areas are single-family homes, the Northern Virginia area does have its fair share of condo buildings. Recent events in Surfside, Florida have many wondering if any local condo buildings could be at risk, what sort of condo inspections they may face, and if there are any specific things they should be looking out for when deciding on purchasing in a local condo building. 

Structural failures like the recent catastrophe are quite rare, but owners or prospective owners should take the opportunity to consider building safety when making purchasing decisions. And if you were thinking of getting only an interior condo inspection instead of a full building inspection, you may want to think again!

Obviously, there are too many unknowns for there to be any direct correlation to local inspections and the Surfside collapse, but recent events have given cause for local governments to consider updates to their building codes and for prospective buyers to look into building maintenance.

Virginia’s Current Requirements 

Currently, there are no requirements to proactively or regularly inspect building structure, though all plans for high-rise development undergo multiple reviews from all relevant disciplines, especially structural, to help ensure long-term safety. 

In Virginia, building owners are not required to have condo inspections on structural integrity after buildings get a certificate of occupancy when construction is complete. They are only inspected if there is a change in occupancy or alterations that require inspection.

Virginia’s building code does, however, require multiple layers of condo inspections, reviews, and monitoring, particularly related to building structure and integrity, that initially take place during building construction. The condo inspections are performed by professionally licensed architects, engineers, municipal inspectors, special inspectors, senior engineers, certified technical experts, certified laboratories, and certified testing agencies. Once these inspections have been passed, the building will receive a certificate of occupancy.

Building owners are then required to have periodic condo inspections of certain systems, such as elevators, fire protection, and fire alarm systems. 

Should a change in occupancy or other alterations necessitate a new inspection, as part of this inspection process, the statewide building code contains provisions for identifying and correcting unsafe buildings and structures. If a building is identified during an inspection as being structurally unstable or unsafe, the state says there are provisions to handle that situation.

Condo Maintenance 

Condo owners and their directors generally control their own maintenance and assessment levels. While low fees might sound like a great feature when buying a condo, keep in mind that this could mean that you’ll be on the hook for special maintenance assessments in the future if there is insufficient funding to perform needed repairs. 

Condos with insufficient money in the reserve are likely to defer important building maintenance, so you’ll want to look into the building’s finances as much as possible before purchasing as well, if building management and condition are important to you. As with any maintenance, even like a single-family home, the longer you wait to fix issues that arise, the more significant and costly it can get.

Condo Inspections in NoVa

Some prospective buyers feel that a condo inspection is unnecessary since their homeowner’s association (HOA) will cover many issues. But don’t fall for this misconception! 

While Northern Virginia doesn’t typically get the sort of weather that buildings in Florida might face, like tropical storms and hurricanes, it can happen. And stresses to what these structures can withstand are worth considering when thinking about buying into one. 

An inspector can help identify issues before you make a commitment. There are two types of condo inspections: interior and full.  Interior-only inspections were usually reserved for high-rise condominiums, because this type of real estate has too many inaccessible areas for an inspector to contribute much, but guidance on that may be changing.

Due to recent events, many prospective condo owners now believe that a full assessment is typically in their best interest. They can use this information along with HOA documentation to make a more informed decision about a property’s value and health.

During a full condo inspection, the inspector will not only assess your unit, but also include crawl spaces and attics that attach directly to your unit. They will also look into basements, garages, common-use zones, and the roof if possible because although these common areas may not always directly affect your property, you can still end up paying for them through special assessments.

Checklist for a Full Condo Inspections

• Inspection of all interior issues
• Check shared walls for damage
• Inspect HVAC systems (interior and exterior if both exist)
• Do a visual inspection of roof (gain roof access if possible)
• Check siding for wear or damage
• Look for water infiltration and other water damage
• Spot poor maintenance and repairs from previous issues
• Damage/disrepair to handrails/staircases
• Wear and tear on parking lots and walkways
• Damage to patios or shared decks
• Damaged flooring in common hallways and lobby
• Radon testing (particularly important for high-rise condos)

Don’t let recent catastrophic events scare you away from living in a well-maintained and safe condo building. Just do your research and insist on condo inspections! LIST WITH ELIZABETH® would love to show you some of the well-kept condos in our area. Contact us today!