Condo Inspection Plantation, FL | Villas, Townhomes, Condos

Attached living in Plantation

Villas, Townhomes and Garden Condos in Plantation

Jacaranda alone includes dozens of named subdivisions, and Lauderdale West mixes condos, villas and detached homes in one 55+ community. What you own can change from one association to the next.

Local field sheetPlantation, FL

Sheet · Condo Inspection

A drained, canal-laced city planned in the 1940s and incorporated in 1953: older ranch and canal homes east of University Drive, Jacaranda's condos, townhomes and villas west of it, and rural Plantation Acres on the western side.

County: Broward County, FL
Building code zone: High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ)
From our office: 6.0 miles from 3610 N 65th Ave, Hollywood
Typical homes: 1950s to 1970s ranch and canal homes in the east, planned communities in the center, acreage to the west
Roofs: Shingle and tile, often under big shade trees, with flat sections on older additions
Condos: Garden condos, villas and townhomes in Jacaranda, plus 55+ Lauderdale West. No oceanfront towers
Water: Inland, so less salt air. Drainage runs on canals and pump stations. Flood zones vary by address
Septic and wells: Many Plantation Acres listings show septic tanks, and some show wells
ZIP codes: 33317 · 33322 · 33323 · 33324 · 33325

Neighborhoods we cover

Plantation Isles
Plantation Gardens
Plantation Manors
Plantation Hills
Plantation Park East
Country Club Estates
Mirror Lake
Jacaranda
Lauderdale West
Plantation Acres
Melaleuca Isles
Plantation Preserve

Read the documents before the roof
In a villa or townhome, the association may or may not handle the roof, exterior walls or shutters. The documents decide, and they vary within Jacaranda. We inspect what you will be responsible for and flag the rest for you to ask about.
One-story units and the water above
With no neighbor overhead in a single-story Lauderdale West villa, a ceiling stain usually points to the roof, the attic or an A/C line. Shared walls still matter. We scan with a moisture meter and tell you what the pattern suggests.
Low-rise buildings and inspection rules
Florida's milestone law covers condo buildings of three or more habitable stories, so many low-rises here may or may not fall under it. Broward's safety inspection program has its own test, from 25 years of age, with exemptions for small buildings. Ask the association which applies, and for the report.

Inside the unit

Seven Things We Check in a Plantation Condo or Villa

Scroll down, or tap a pin, and the drawing moves through the unit from the panel to the outdoor space.

Electrical panel & outlets
Unit panel, breakers, GFCI protection, outlets, switches and smoke alarms. Units from the 1970s and 1980s may have dated panels worth noting.
Breakers · GFCI
Water heater
Tank age, install and drain pan, plus any leaks. In a closet next to a shared wall, a failure can reach your neighbor as well as your floor.
Age · drain pan
Air conditioning
Air handler, condensate drain and the condenser serving your unit, run and tested. Ground-level condensers in common areas can sit under leaves and shade.
Air handler · condenser
Plumbing & leaks
Supply lines, shutoffs, drains and fixtures, metered wherever a leak seems likely. Polybutylene can appear in buildings plumbed from the late 1970s to the mid-1990s.
Leak under sink
Ceilings & shared walls
We look for stains and moisture on ceilings and shared walls, from the roof above a villa or a unit upstairs in a garden building.
Stain from above
Windows & sliding doors
Operation, locks and seals on windows and sliders, and impact ratings where we can verify them. Older units may have original sliders that drag or leak.
Impact-rated
Balcony & railing
Visible condition of the balcony, patio or screen enclosure, railing and doors. Cracks or rust staining go on the list for the association and its engineer.
Visible condition

Home inspector testing kitchen appliances during an inspection

Inside the unit

Attached living

In a Plantation Condo, the Line Between You and the Association Moves

In Jacaranda, Lauderdale West and other Plantation communities, the association generally handles shared elements and the unit owner handles what is inside. The exact line depends on the documents. A tired A/C or a failed water heater usually lands on you from the day you close, however tidy the grounds look.

The inspection follows what you would actually pay to fix: panel, plumbing, A/C, water heater, appliances, windows and outdoor space. We also look for water arriving from above or beside the unit. Plan on about two hours for most units. Gate or association access can be arranged through your agent.

Panel, plumbing, A/C, water heater and appliances
Windows, sliders and outdoor space
A 4-point or mold check can join the visit

What the documents give you
Know which repairs would be yours before you sign, especially on a villa or townhome.
Your A/C, your expense
Air handlers and condensers usually fall to the owner, so we run them and note their age.
HO-6 paperwork
If your carrier wants a 4-point on an older Plantation unit, it can happen on the same trip.
Facts for your offer
Photos and plain findings give you and your agent something concrete to negotiate with.

Who handles what

Your Plantation Unit vs. the Association's Share

Get the line clear before you close, since it is not the same from one community to the next.

Included in your condo inspection

Electrical panel, outlets, GFCI protection and smoke alarms
Plumbing fixtures, supply lines, shutoffs and drains
Water heater and its drain pan
A/C air handler, condensate drain and the unit's condenser
Windows, sliding doors, locks and seals
Visible balcony and railing condition
Ceilings and shared walls for leaks from other units
Kitchen appliances, cabinets, doors and finishes

Usually handled by the association

Roof and building structure
Exterior walls, foundation and parking garage
Elevators, hallways, pools and other common areas
Milestone structural inspections and structural integrity reserve studies (SIRS)
Building-wide plumbing, electrical and fire systems

Before you buy, ask the association for the latest milestone inspection, reserve study and any planned special assessments.

Simple from start to finish

How a Plantation Condo Inspection Runs

Arrange access
We set the time with your agent and, where needed, the gate or association office.
Go through the unit
Peter tests the panel, plumbing, A/C, water heater, appliances, windows and sliders.
Check for outside water
Ceilings and shared walls get a moisture meter, since water may come from the roof or next door.
Photos and findings in 24 hours
You have the report with time to use it before your inspection period ends.

Peter Lemos, certified home inspector in South Florida

Your inspector

Peter Lemos, Certified Master Inspector®

Locally owned in Hollywood, FL and serving South Florida since 2008. Peter holds InterNACHI certifications in wind mitigation, 4-point and mold inspection, and clients rate Global Home Inspectors 5 stars on Google.

Meet Peter

2008Since

4.9★Google

3Counties

24hReports

Client notes · Google reviews

What South Florida Homeowners Say

4.9 Based on 82 Google reviews

“I called Global Home Inspectors to conduct a 4 point inspection and wind mitigation inspection. Peter arrived on time and was very professional. He started the inspection process immediately and took pictures. I received my report the same day and I am very pleased with the service. …”

Monique M.4-point & wind mitigation

“From start to finish, Peter was prompt, professional, and incredibly thorough. He took the time to explain every detail, answer our questions, and provide a clear and comprehensive report.”

Kendry A.Home inspection

“He was able to come out and complete the inspection within 24 hours and send me the report the same day. Most companies would have taken a week to come out and another week to send the report.”

R. Mast4-point inspection

“After a few upgrades to our home, we needed to provide our insurance company with an updated 4 point & wind mitigation inspection. I’m so glad I went with Peter because he was fantastic! He arrived on time, was a great communicator, and sent the reports very quickly. …”

Mari H.4-point & wind mitigation

“Peter visited my place as scheduled and came prepared with a good understanding of my house's historical record. … I received the report 20 minutes right after his leave. Super fast! … p.s. the drone is really cool; used to take a full view of the roof.”

NeilInsurance inspection

“Mr. Lemos is very responsive, attentive, customer friendly. Working with him and mutual customer was an absolute breath of fresh air. …”

Angela C.Insurance agent, State Farm

Read all 82 reviews on Google Leave a review See all client reviews

Good questions

Condo and Villa Inspection FAQs for Plantation, FL

What buyers of attached homes in Plantation ask. Not here? Call (954) 297-0317.

Do you inspect villas in Lauderdale West?

Yes. Lauderdale West is a 55+ community in Plantation with condos, villas and detached homes, built from the 1960s into about 1991 according to community directories. We inspect the unit and point out age-related items, such as older panels and plumbing.

Does one Jacaranda association cover everything?

Do not assume so. Jacaranda is a large planned area of Plantation with dozens of named subdivisions, including condos, townhomes, villas and single-family homes. Each may have its own documents and duties, so ask your agent which association applies to your unit.

Why inspect if the association maintains the outside?

Because the A/C, water heater, electrical, plumbing fixtures and appliances are usually yours. In some Plantation villas and townhomes, more of the exterior may fall on you as well, so read the documents.

Does the milestone law apply to my low-rise building?

It covers condo and co-op buildings of three or more habitable stories, by December 31 of the year they reach 30 years, then every 10 years, with an inspection by a licensed architect or engineer. A one- or two-story building falls outside it, so ask the association.

What about Broward's building safety program?

It is a separate program under BORA Policy 05-05, starting at 25 years of age and repeating every 10 years. One- to four-family dwellings of three stories or fewer and minor structures under 3,500 square feet are exempt. Ask for the latest report before you buy.