Property Inspections

A number of municipalities require a mandatory city inspection prior to offering a  home for sale.  Each city sets its own requirements. The following Twin Cities municipalities currently have Time of Sale Housing Inspection Ordinances. See the links to lists of common repairs for many cities compiled by Structure Tech Home Inspections, an outstanding independent evaluator.

Time of Sale Housing Inspection Ordinances

CITY TYPE OF PROPERTY WHO TO CONTACT Bloomington Single Family, Two Family & Multiple Family (condominiums, townhouses, mobile homes) Bloomington Homeowners: See the list of Common Hazards for Bloomington Independent Evaluator Brooklyn Park Single Family, Two Family, Townhouses, Condominiums, and any other residential dwellings CITY:  763-488-6379 Crystal Single Family, Two Family & Multiple Family (condominiums, townhouses, mobile homes) CITY: 763-531-1000 Golden Valley All properties, Residential and  Commercial CITY: 763-591-8030 Hopkins All one to four-unit dwellings, including condominiums and townhouses Hopkins Homeowners: See the list of Common TISH Repairs for Hopkins Independent Evaluator Maplewood All Dwellings Independent Evaluator Minneapolis Single Family, Two Family, Townhouses and first-time condominium conversions CLICK HERE to look up any evaluation performed on or after 2/26/07 Minneaplis Homeowners: See the list of Common TISH Repairs for Minneapolis Independent Evaluator New Hope All Dwellings CITY: 763-531-5127 Osseo All one to four unit dwellings, including condominiums and townhouses CITY: 763-425-2624 Richfield All Dwellings CITY: 612-861-9882 Robbinsdale Single Family Two Family, Three Family, Townhouses, Condominiums Robbinsdale Homeowners: See the list of Common POS Repairs for Robbinsdale Independent Evaluator St. Louis Park Single Family, Two Family, Townhouses and Condominiums CITY: 952-924-2588 St. Paul Single Family, Two Family, Townhouses, Condominiums and Co-ops Independent Evaluator South St. Paul Single Family, Two Family, Multiple Family and mobile homes South Saint Paul Homeowners: See the list of Common TOS Repairs for South Saint Paul Independent Evaluator

Private Home Inspection

Regardless of whether a city inspection is required in your city, most buyers make their offer to purchase a property contingent upon a complete private home inspection. With this contingency the buyer hires a professional home inspector to take an in-depth, unbiased look at the home before finalizing the purchase agreement.

A professional home inspection will:

• Evaluate the structure, construction and mechanical systems
• Identify items that need to be repaired or replaced
• Help the buyer know what to expect in terms of maintenance and repairs by assessing the useful life of the major systems, equipment, structure and finishes
• Provide an education on home ownership for first-time homebuyers
• Click here for a detailed list of what to expect a buyer's inspection to include