By Barry Stone
Dear Barry,
I'm considering the purchase of a six-unit commercial building and am wondering whether to hire an inspector. What do you recommend? - Audrey
Dear Audrey,
A considerable number of commercial real estate acquisitions occur without the benefit of a professional inspection. Surprisingly, the same people who would never buy a home without a thorough inspection think nothing of buying a shopping center or office building with no more information than a general impression of its physical appearance. For some unapparent reason, building defects and hazardous conditions typically found in residential properties are presumed to be absent from other types of occupancies. As a result, buyers of commercial properties may assume ownership of a Pandora's box of undisclosed deficiencies.
As with single- and multiple-family dwellings, commercial properties are heir to potential defects involving roofs, plumbing, electrical wiring, ground drainage, heating systems, foundations, fire safety standards, and more. Regardless of use, all buildings are prone to defects that warrant professional evaluation prior to purchase. It always pays to know what you are buying before you buy it.
. Questions of a Do It Yourself nature should be submitted to our "