Just because you are purchasing a new construction home, doesn't mean that it doesn't have problems that an inspector may find. Some of these new homes are built so fast, that things are missed or just not done up to code.
Do you need proof of this? Read the contracts and see for yourself. A lot of these contracts are starting to put restrictions on inspections, because these inspections are costing the builders money! I recently saw a contract that said that the inspection had to be done within 3 days of an accepted offer and could only be done between the hours of 2-4. I'm sorry. I've never seen an inspector get done with any home, much less a 4,000 square foot home, in 2 hours.
This tells me that the builder is trying to hide something and knows, that if an inspection is done, that it will cost him money. This doesn't mean that you can't change the contract to say 10 days and no time restrictions. It just means that he is hoping you will agree to and you will just decide not to get one.
So be careful, and read the contracts with your new construction home very carefully, or you may get a nasty surprise when you find something wrong.
Todd Clark - broker
Kastings & Associates
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8738
Todd@IFoundYourNewHome.com
http://www.ifoundyournewhome.com/
Todd Clark and the Friendly Home Team
Knipe Realty
Todd@IFoundYourNewHome.com
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739
I am a licensed Realtor who specializes in Washington County, Oregon and also work in both Clackamas and Multnomah Counties including the cities of Aloha, Beaverton, Canby, Clackamas, Gladstone, Gresham, Happy Valley, Hillsboro, Milwaukie, Oregon City, Sherwood and Tigard.
All information contained in these posts are copyrighted and cannot be used without prior written approval authorization from the author me Todd Clark. If you are looking for an outstanding agent please give me a call I would love to help you with all your real estate needs.
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Hi Todd,
Right you are! I just finished a home inspection (I always try to go) on a new home for an out of town buyer, who is arriving tomorrow for the closing. Inspection turned up lots of minor things....most notable was 6 inches of insulation missing throughout in the attic (no one wants to be in the attic for very long in North Carolina in August). Buyer client is real happy it was discovered, yet it is one of those things you take for granted that in a new house, it would be correct.
Dick Beals
Specializing in new home sales, I thank you for posting this article. Builders should welcome home inspections (although we have had building inspections) and mine do.
Dick - It is always good to get that inspection done! It is amazing what they will skip if you agree to purchase before the house is done. I've seen homes sold where if you sign the agreement that you are not allowed to exit the contract and then these builders cut corner after corner to save money!
Julie - I wish more work like your builders than the ones I've been running in to that are affraid of them. That usually tells me enough about their construction to tell my clients to run the other way.
Linda - Thanks for the "Phase Inspectors" I knew what I was thinking of, but I couldn't come up with it, when writting the post!
Howdy Todd
Thank you for a very fine post with very good info in it.
Your so right about a New Home needs a Inspection just as much as an older home does.
Have a good one
AMEN TO THIS! Just because it's a new construction doesn't mean it's SOUND or that it was built well!
I have seen new construction homes with such crooked floors it would make an 1890's farmhouse look level. In fact, I've seen more level floors in old farm houses than in that new house! And that's just the flaw you could SEE as an amateur - I'm married to a builder but I'm no inspector or building expert by any means.
GET an INSPECTION!
No, you can't depend on the county or local inspectors! The new construction home I was talking about was issued a CO (certificate of occupancy) and my husband was just amazed. He said the home should have been advertised as "Beautiful lot; bulldozer needed".
James - It is just blind trust that a new home won't have problems!
Karen - I love it "Beautiful lot, bulldozer needed" - I heard one story from another agent that his clients bought a home started to put their dishes in the cuboards when then came crashing down when the cuboards just fell off the wall!