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