New construction: Things to think about

You're on my favorite subject, selling new homes.  I love selling new homes.  I don't make the mistake of second guessing the builder, that's the municipal code inspector's job.  However, I do know the better quality builders in my geographical area and can tell my buyers the difference.

New home builders in our area are leading sales. 

Janet,

Great advice! I would like to take your idea and go a little further.

I am a home inspector and see first hand how many new homes are constructed these days. It is a production, let's get done, mentality with contractors now. Quality is often not a consideration. New home buyers are often starry eyed and thinking its a new home, there couldn't be anything wrong. Besides I have a one year builders warranty.

In Connecticut where I do inspections home builders and contractors are not licensed. They simply pay an annual fee to the State to register their contracting business. Unlike a license this system puts no real accountability on the individual company owner. If he gets into trouble, he folds the business and starts a new one under a new name. The contractor is not tracked individually as with a licensee.

My company conducts new construction progress inspections. This service is almost impossible to sell to new home buyers. One reason being they believe the home is being inspected by the local municipality. Not say this isn't true, but what a building official does and what we do are quite different.

I believe you are right on the money with new construction home buyers educating themselves. I of course believe hiring an outside inspector is a great idea that will pay for itself. No matter how educated the buyers are, there is no substitute for an experienced, knowledgeable professional.

Jim