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Article #353: New Construction Inspections

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Within the real estate industry, there is interior doors, cupboards or closet
some ongoing debate about whether new doors.
homes should have home inspections or If you look at this list, which is
not. This debate goes on in the minds of certainly not inclusive, most of the
many buyers who want to save any cash significant things found are still
they can. And the new home builder is, routine and easy for the builder, or his
obviously, all for waiving a home crew with their tools, to remedy. On the
inspection. So, often, the decision as to other side of the coin, if the average
whether the house is inspected or not, homeowner has to fix some of these issues
comes down to what is recommended by the after closing, it is a really big hassle
buyer's realtor. As a realtor, who has that will require lots of elbow grease
found myself in that position more than and needlessly spending dollars out of
once, I am going to give you my opinion pocket. Since those buyers are my
on this matter. clients, and I want them to be happy with
It is my experience that, almost never, their purchase and to refer my name to
are issues found at new homes that are their friends and family, it is my goal
"deal killers." However, that does not to see to it that all of the significant
mean that numerous problems have not been problems have been discovered and
found. Usually, the problems at newer resolved prior to closing. Let's face it,
homes are of the punch list variety -- it is only fair that all of the
where the home inspector's list is given significant costs should be paid by the
to the builder and the crew or sub builder -- whose role in the transaction
contractors complete their project. Here was to properly build a home and supply
are examples of common new construction my clients with a house that was ready to
issues found by home inspectors in my move into.
market: significant standing water in the Sometimes, mistakenly so, a client who
crawl space because drainage concerns does not want to pay for an inspection,
were not addressed; crawl space vents hopes that the municipal code inspectors
that are below grade; concrete poured up have covered the bases. That is seldom
over the wood trim on the home; furnace the case because those components and
ducts that are not hooked into the systems the code inspector looks for are
system; condensate drains from the basic and these people seldom actually
furnace and TPR drains from the water get inside crawl spaces, attics and areas
heater that are routed under the home; a home inspector routinely views. I have
missing flashing or loose and improperly written a previous article on this
nailed shingles; the pressure test cap fallacy of the code inspector being a
left on the main sewer vent; sinks or substitute for a home inspection.
toilets with drains that are not plumbed Another thought is that the builder's
into the system; gutters with inadequate home warranty can replace the need for a
slope; doors and windows that do not home inspection. In my experience that is
operate; missing or unsafe handrails at a big risk, and not a wise gamble, and I
steps and guardrails on high decks; will be writing another article on that
appliances not wired or plumbed in; in the near future. For now, it should be
propane appliances not converted to gas, clear from my comments here, that I
so they operate like flame throwers; gas always recommend that my clients, whether
fireplaces not hooked to the gas; they are buying a new or an old home,
whirlpool tubs not wired into the system; should pay a few extra dollars and have
dryer ducts that empty under the home; an independent home inspection by a state
missing or failed GFCI outlets, grounding licensed structural pest inspector who is
problems and other electrical issues; also a competent residential home
missing door stops and out of adjustment inspector.






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