AIS did a lot more condo inspections in Frisco TX and McKinney last year, and this trend continues in 2018. The word is out about the benefits of living in these Northeast Dallas suburbs. The job opportunities, excellent schools and community amenities are bringing people to this community from all over the USA. As a result, we expect to conduct even more Frisco home inspections this year.
For the past 5 years, this area has experienced a tremendous housing boom. Most of the condos we inspect in the Frisco area have been built in the last 10 years. This gives homebuyers all the advantages of modern design, construction methods, building materials and systems.
And there are plenty of good values in condo resales. Many of the 8-15 year old condominiums and garden homes have been recently updated with new granite countertops, modern kitchen and bathroom fixtures, new eco-friendly paint and floor coverings. As these dwellings come on the market, there are frequently multiple bidders — creating an intense auction-like competition among buyers.
Looking at Frisco TX condos or townhomes?
Call AIS Inspector Mike Martin (972) 342-9183
New Condo Inspection – Frisco TX
People buying a brand new Frisco condo don’t always appreciate the benefits of an inspection. And who can blame them? Not surprisingly, they are excited about buying and moving into their new home, getting new furniture and getting settled into a new community. The new owners get the condo inspected because the lender requires it, not realizing how useful this can be.
There are several downsides to new housing. The most obvious is that no one has ever lived there before. So the home has not been tested under real-world conditions. Yes, there have been some nominal structural, electrical and plumbing inspections by the municipal authorities. But these are rather limited and only test for minimal compliance with building codes.
Here’s something else to think about. Frisco area developers are under tremendous pressure to finish quickly to meet deadlines and maximize profits. In some cases, new condos and garden homes are sold on spec with ambitious delivery dates. This kind of environment can lead to mistakes and troublesome shortcuts, some of which are not visible to the unsuspecting buyer.
If you’re going to be the first occupants of a new residence, you’ll want to be sure your home or condo inspector does a thorough job. Call AIS today (972) 342-9183
Inspecting Frisco Townhomes and Garden Homes
The great thing about having performed so many Frisco condo inspections is we know what to look for. We know the kinds of things that may have been done wrong with the initial design and implementation, maintenance or upgrades by the building management, and DIY work by the occupants. Here are a few of the most common deficiencies and potential problems we find:
Poor HVAC system maintenance. We don’t find many design issues in modern buildings, but some of the older systems employ antiquated technology and have poor SEER ratings. So they use more energy and don’t do as good a job of heating and cooling. In condo inspections for Frisco and McKinney clients, we often run across HVAC units with cracked drip pans or clogged drain lines. But the most frequent issue we find is clogged air filters, some of which appear not to have been replaced for many months!
Ill-fitting or substandard windows and doors. These can be caused by poor quality doors or windows, settling, severe wear and tear, or occupants painting operable windows shut. Depending on the severity, these cause problems ranging from minor drafts and increased energy costs – to safety hazards (preventing egress in the event of a fire or other emergency).
Undersized electric panels and service. This is usually only an issue in older buildings that were built before we all acquired the need for lots of power-hungry systems and appliances. But we do see some overloaded electrical panels, circuit breakers and outlets during older condo inspections in Frisco, Richardson and McKinney.
Missing or inoperable smoke or carbon monoxide detectors. The building codes have gotten a lot stricter about these recently. New condos and townhouses are nearly always up to code. The same goes for most other dwellings that have changed hands in the past five years. The condo inspector will have flagged any deficiencies, causing the owner to install compliant devices.
These are the most prevalent issues. As you might expect, our Frisco inspectors have a longer list – and high tech equipment – they use to find other potential problems.
AIS Home and Condo Inspectors – Frisco TX
We have been conducting residential property inspections in North Dallas for more than 30 years. All of our personnel are licensed by the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC), and additionally are certified by the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI). Our inspectors also have specialized training and certification in Swimming Pool and Wood Destroying Insect inspection.
Let us apply our experience, professional training and modern equipment to your condo inspection. The purchase or sale of a home is one of the most important financial transactions you make; and the relatively small cost of our evaluation is a solid investment. AIS is known best for the ability to schedule condo inspections promptly and thoroughly. This gives our clients the information they need to make critical purchase decisions and negotiate the best possible price.
If you are thinking about buying or selling a condo in Frisco Texas, call AIS today to schedule an inspection.
Mike Martin (972) 342-9183