Final walk through

You should fire your attorney for giving you that advice

pkutina, I don't think you need a home inspector, but I would definitely do a thorough walk-through. Warranties are fine for appliances, but it's still a better idea to figure out if there are any problems sooner rather than later. More importantly, there's all sorts of stuff that doesn't come with warranties - flooring, plumbing, insulation, electricity, windows, structural integrity, etc. It's really in your best interest to make sure there are no major defects prior to closing. If you feel overwhelmed by this, bring someone else along (ideally a friend who's well versed in these issues), but make sure you're given an appropriate amount of time (they sometimes try to rush you, which is unacceptable in my book). If you really feel lost, a professional inspector might be worth it, but I'd want him/her to get a look at major common areas in the building, as well as any functional areas (boiler, trash, A/C, ventilation, etc.). I urge you to take advantage of this either way, though - I can't stress how much of a headache you could have if you neglect the opportunity and come across major defects after-the-fact. Good luck, and let us know how it turns out!

And yes, I would get a new attorney if you can - that's just plain bad advice.

I used to think a home inspector was not necessary for a condo or coop in Manhattan. I have some working knowledge with construction/mechanical systems( I built my own vacation home/renovated another).

That said I think in some instances it can be money well spent and I would hire one for myself in some circumstances.

Keith (Broker)

Just think through the warranty thing. Even if there were a warranty of some kind on the construction, do you think you are in a better position to resolve it BEFORE you turn over all your money or AFTER you turn over your money? When is the contractor more motivated to actually respond to you? I think you can answer the question without help.

That being said, I would include every single niggling speck of wrong things on a punch list. Assume that whatever you do not include will never be corrected by anyone other than you.

I say get an inspector. The guy I used noticed things that I just didn't see -- including things in plain sight. For example, the bleedin' floorboards were warped in one area...how did I not notice that? (Well, basically because I'm not used to looking for it, and was instead staring at the shiny appliances like an idiot.) Plus he tested outlets that weren't grounded, plumbing that was loose, etc. The cost of repairing all of that on my own dime (as I certainly would have ended up doing if we had closed with those things outstanding) would have far exceeded the cost of the inspector.

I was somewhat hesitant to get one -- I'm a fairly handy guy, and figured I could test things out on my own. But he definitely saw things I would have missed.

To above posters-- any recs for an inspector for new construc condo. thanks

I would get an inspector and, a new attorney. Purchasing a home is a huge deal, and I am sure you are paying a huge amount of money for your condo. New construction can be very shoddy and the relatively small expense now may be worth the protection of your rights and peace of mind. The danger here is not what you know, but in what you don't know -- and unless you are an expert, only a qualified inspector will be able to see what you don't.

Get an inspector. There is another thread devoted to this on SE.