When is a home inspection necessary?

As a real estate attorney serving the Brownstone neighborhoods of Brooklyn, I often get calls from buyers who ask if it’s necessary to have the property inspected. There is no stock answer, as we’ll first need to determine:

• Whether you’re buying an apartment or a building. If you’re buying an entire building, hiring a property inspector is a must, regardless of size.

• If you’re buying a coop or condo, you will want to first ask these questions in order to determine whether a home inspection is worth investing in:

How many units are in the building? If you’re buying an apartment in a 3 unit building and will be responsible for 1/3 of the upkeep, inspect.

If you’re buying in a 92 unit building and your inspector won’t be given access to the roof, heating, electrical or elevator systems, all you’re getting is an inspection of the interior of your apt, which may not be the best use of your money.

Have there been any major renovations, or are there known problems such as persistent leaks? If so, an inspection is warranted. If you’re buying a renovated apartment, the inspector may be able to advise you on whether permits have been filed and what the implications are if they have not. And they may be able to give you an opinion as to the relative craftsmanship of the work that has been completed.

Will you be doing any repairs or alterations? If repairs are required or you’re thinking of doing alterations, a home inspector may be able to advise you on feasibility and cost.

Before hiring any property inspector, be sure to check their references thoroughly and only hire someone who has specific experience in the neighborhood you’re purchasing in.

If you’re buying residential property in Bushwick, Fort Greene, Bedford Stuyvesant or Park Slope, it’s best to have an experienced, local real estate attorney on your team. If you have additional questions about home inspections or other concerns regarding the purchase of a home, give me a call at 212-962-200 or click here to contact me via email.

Kurt Roth, residential real estate lawyer