New Builder Homes Don't Need Inspections!

That is what alot of people seem to think anyway, when they are looking at builder homes! But it's not always true.

Your looking at a brand new home, just built, your first thought is "I don't need a home inspection done, it's brand new!" If it's new it must be in a good condition with no problems right? This is not true. Just because the home is brand new does not mean there isn't anything wrong with it. A new home can be just as much of a problem as an older home can be. Just because it hasnt been tested, lived in, or have years of wear and tear, it can still be filled with problems.

There are builders out there who do poor quality work and some that try to cut corners to give themselves a break. Having a house inspector come out to evaluate the home and letting the builder know you are having one come out, will let them know that if there are any problems that they are hoping aren't noticed will be by the inspector, maybe they will take care of it and not cut so many corners. I have seen this done first hand. I have walked through brand new homes, saw corners being cut just to get the house done because it was in the process of being sold.

Hiring an inspector to come out, before you buy could be a great help to prevent a loss on the investment at hand. YoHowever, a house inspector can be quite expensive depending on the time involved. They can cost a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars sometimes more! If you end up buying the house, it would be worth it in the long run, then again if your not quite sure or really cannot afford to hire an inspector, there are some things you can look for to see check the overall quality. This way you can find out if hiring an inspector is going to be worth it. Hopefully the list below will help you to determine if hiring an inspector is worth it!

1. Check the structure, make sure no walls are bowing out, or not square in the corners. Watch the floor for flexible areas, make sure it is solid. Try slightly jumping see if you feel softness on the floor.

2. Make sure there is no water damage. Look at the gutters and drains, do they empty away from the house or straight to the ground? Does the ground slope away from the house?

3. Make sure the roof is propertly done, the shingles are done correctly.

4. Check the house for quality work in the tile, the paint, hardwood floors, the moldings, things of that nature.

5. Check fixtures, especially in the kitchen and bathrooms. Make sure the sinks, toilets and tubs are secure and work properly and that the water pressure is good. A good way to check it is turn on the faucets let them run a second then flush the toilet at the sametime. Then watch the pressure in the faucets.

6. Make sure the electric is good, that all the numbers and locations of receptacles are sufficient enough for the needs of the house.

7. Check the plumbing and water heater. Make sure the pipes are copper. Is water heater gas or electric (gas is more efficient than electric for the water heater).

8. Check the heating and air conditioning. Are there any rooms without registers, how many registers are there? Where is heater located and what type is it? Is there central air?

9. Check the insulation as well. Usually can check it good through the attic, check to make sure it is proper type for the area you live in, meaning the climate you live in, colder climates require thicker insulation.

10. Does the home have any fireplaces? Are there screens or doors if so? Is there a combustion vent, dampers, log lighters?

If these things seem to be good and pass your inspection and you really like the home, then it's time to get that inspector out and really go through the house with a fine tooth comb! Remember this is a big investment for you, so you want to make sure your getting your money's worth! Of course if you have any issues with any of the things to look for, depending if it's alot or a little, might want to keep looking. These are just some ideas of what to watch and look for when buying a home. Doesn't mean you will find anything wrong, but you can never be to careful when it comes to your investments. Happy House Hunting!