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New Home Buyers are Intimidated by New Home Builders! That is a Fact!

By
Real Estate Agent with Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate 303829;0225082372

QUESTION:  Why do new home owners settle for poor workmanship in new construction?

This post inspired by a detailed post by Jay Markanich with photos of "finished carpentry" that is more typical than many new home buyers know.  SEE:  This Must Be Considered "Finished Carpentry" On Some New Construction

PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT BY USING THE SERVICES OF AN EXPERIENCED NEW HOME BUYER'S AGENT
and a HOME INSPECTOR.

Fact:  Only a very small percentage of new home buyers use the services of a private home inspector

Fact:  Only a very small percentage of new home buyers use the services of an experienced new home Buyer's Agent for new construction.

Fact:  New home buyers are intimidated by new home builders.

Fact:  Most new home buyers do not understand how grading affects rain run-off on a lot.

Fact:  Few new home buyers are able to "visualize" finished construction from floor plans.

Fact:  Many new home buyers will buy the same model as the builder's model home.

Fact:  Most new home buyers' focus in on the floor plans and features in a home.

Fact:  Most new home buyers "trust" the new home builder to deliver quality construction.

Fact:  New home builders' representatives are sales persons, not agents for buyers.

Fact:  New home builders' representatives give misleading information to new home buyers.

Fact:  Most new home buyers do not understand grading on a lot by the grading plans.

Fact:  The county inspectors inspect for safety and code compliance, not quality or appearance in "finished carpentry".

Fact:  New home builders generally give about 48 hours notice of the date for pre-drywall installation, preventing many new home buyers from scheduling a pre-drywall inspection.

Fact:  New home builders' usually require that their sales persons NOT have active real estate licenses, relieving them of compliance with real estate license laws.

Fact:  New home buyers usually believe that the pre-settlement walk-through is the time to identify defects.

Fact:  Finished carpentry defects noted in the pre-settlement walk-through will too often be "repaired" with putty and not replaced with proper trim materials.

Fact:  Buyers' home inspectors are NOT usually permitted to attend the pre-settlement walk-through demonstration.

Fact:  Many construction defects can be corrected if discovered in a pre-drywall inspection.

Fact:  Many construction defects cannot be easily corrected if not discovered until after settlement.

Fact:  Many new home builders use outside contractors to service home repairs after settlement..

Fact:  New home buyers who rely on "county inspectors" are neglecting about 90% of construction.

Fact:  Construction defects will often be discovered by buyers home inspectors when the home is resold.

Fact:  Construction defects discovered by a home inspector when the home is resold will be the responsibility of the owner/seller, not the original builder.

Fact:  The time to discover construction defects is BEFORE they are covered up, not after.

Fact:  An experienced new home buyer's agent helps home buyers understand the construction process.

Fact:  A home inspector will help new home buyer and builders "catch" defects when repair is easiest.

Fact:  Buyers PROTECT THEIR INVESTMENT when they use the services of an experienced new home buyer's agent AND a qualified home inspector.

 

                New Home Construction

 

Courtesy, Lenn Harley, Broker, Homefinders.com, serving home buyers in Maryland and Northern Virginia.

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Lenn      search     

Lenn Harley, Broker, Realtor, Homefinders.com, 800-711-7988

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Comments(12)

Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty
Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County

This makes a great case for using a prof real estate agent and home inspector for new construction.  I am not sure why people have the idea the new construction is equivalent to new, without defect. I feel a re-post coming on here!

Aug 19, 2012 09:30 PM
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

Gary.  Go for it.  New does NOT mean defect free.

Aug 19, 2012 09:31 PM
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Good morning, Lenn.... your list applies to big builders like toll and pulte, so I won't challenge many of the points you've made... I agree with most in reference to those big builders.... the only point I challenge is that most buyer agents DO NOT KNOW HOW TO READ A SITE PLAN AND HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THE TOPO LINES REPRESENT WHEN THEY ARE SOLID VERSUS BROKEN.....they have never heard of cut and fill.....  I think you can count on one hand the number who can explain grade.

Aug 19, 2012 09:35 PM
Clint Mckie
Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM
Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Lenn,

Jay has pointed out what we in he inspection industry have been saying for years and years.

Get a home inspection, even on a new home. There are so many defect's in a new home. Not covered by the county or state inspector.

Have a great day in Virginia.

Best, Clint McKie

Aug 19, 2012 09:44 PM
Dick and Dixie Sells
Sells Real Estate, LLC - Trinity, FL
Realtors, Tampa Bay Florida Homes For Sale

Many buyers think the builders on site rep are working to help them...not so. Buyers, Walk in with your buyers agent. Here if you do not register your agent on the FIRST VISIT, some of the builders have problems with working with your buyers agent. Unfortunate but true in our market.  Right now we are working with 4 new contruction home buyers. We always suggest - strongly- that a inspector with knowledge of contruction works with our buyers at all stages of the process. Years ago, caught one error where the garage was off by 3 ft short when they poured the slab!!!! Great post, Lenn.

Aug 19, 2012 09:49 PM
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

Barbara.  Agreed.  I make a clear distinction between "experienced new home buyer's agent" and agent.  Sadly, any agent can sell a new home by simply introducing the buyer to the builder.  In fact, most builders prefer that the agent, any agent, simply introduce a buyer and then not be involved.  That leaves the buyer to the mercy of the builder. 

Not all builders are created equal.  I've sold enough new homes to know the builders who do a good job with the "details" and those who do not.  Buyers can benefit from this experience.   Sadly, most folks looking for a new home simply tour model homes and make their own uninformed decisions based on what they are told by the builders' reps.

Clint.  Agreed.  Far more than than average new home buyer would suspect.

 

Aug 19, 2012 09:57 PM
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

Dick and Dixie.  Thanks.  I have actually heard builders' reps say to buyers, "I represent YOU".  Now, I'm not stupid and do not confront builder's agents in front of buyers.  However, you can bet your boots that I give buyers the proper perspective on the new home builders' rep in private.

A garage 3 ft. short??  HA!  I had a home inspector identify a garage that wasn't even strapped to the main structure and the walls could be moved by a "push".  That was Lennar in Ashburn VA

 

 

Aug 19, 2012 10:01 PM
Charles Buell
Charles Buell Inspections Inc. - Seattle, WA
Seattle Home Inspector

Lenn, a pretty sad endictment---but unfortunately all too true in too many cases.  Many builders count on the ignorance of the buying public.  What is that old saying?  Let the buyer beware? :)

Aug 19, 2012 11:02 PM
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

Charles.  That is a truism that few new home buyers understand.

Aug 19, 2012 11:31 PM
Brenda Mullen
RE/MAX Associates - San Antonio, TX
Your San Antonio TX Real Estate Agent!!

If a construction defect is found by the owner before resell, don't the owners have recourse with the builders warranty?  Just a question :)!

Other than that, I always suggest a buyer get a home inspection done when they buy new.  Many times, they don't want to spend the "extra" money since the builders "cover" the inspeciton.  

That being said, I am working with two very saavy buyers who WILL be hiring their own inspectors :)!  

Great post and suggested! 

Aug 20, 2012 04:43 AM
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

Brenda.  Depends on where the property is located and the warranty offered by the builder.  In MD and VA, unless a builder buys an insurance/warranty for 5, 10, 20 years, etc., the states require only a one year warranty.  Systems and appliances are covered by the manufacturers for 5, 2 years, not the builders.

Buyers absolutely need their own inspections.  Home inspectors have found very serious defects in some homes I've sold.  A good new home inspection is worth every penny.

Hopefully your new home buyers will have the pre-drywall inspection at a minimum.  The cosmetic defects of a pre-settlement inspection are insignificant compared to some of the defects that will be covered up by drywall.

Aug 20, 2012 06:16 AM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

That there is a whale of a list!  You seem to know what you're talking about! 

New construction inspections are critically important.  I had a pre-drywall today in Fredericksburg for a single young lady.  Good thing she had one!

Aug 20, 2012 10:11 AM