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Buying A Newly Constructed Home, From The Home Inspectors Perspective

By David Selman

Home Inspector with Selman Home Inspections, Inc. 10299

September 02, 2010 10:09 AM

Buying A Newly Constructed Home, From The Home Inspectors Perspective

Part 1 - Buying A Home From The Home Inspectors Perspective

Considering a newly constructed home? Good idea, for the right buyer. Everyone thinks that buying a newly constructed home will eliminate all of the possible defects that one would expect to find in other homes such as foreclosures and older homes. While it is true that in a general sense, a newly constructed home should have fewer defects that other home choices, even newly constructed homes are not perfect and, it is indeed a prudent decision to hire a professional inspector.

From a Professional Home Inspector perspective, performing a home inspection on a newly constructed home is normally one of the easier types of home inspections to perform. Newly constructed homes normally have met almost all of the newest building codes and safety standards as well as being in the best possible condition. The carpets and other floor coverings are in new condition, the appliances are working, the exterior and interior walls are in new condition and so on.

But, a Professional Home Inspector will still find defects, even in a newly constructed home. New homes are not exempt from deficiencies and builder oversights. Here are a few of the defects professional inspectors find in newly constructed homes:

Free standing oven ranges with missing anti-tip devices
GFCI electrical receptacles at all kitchen countertops including the island
Settlement cracks between different types of exterior veneer finishes (brick & stone)
Damaged or broken window locks, broken glass, damaged or missing screens
Lack of smoke detectors in all sleeping rooms and adjacent hallways
Missing or damaged gas fired appliance vents
Vents that discharge into the attic space (should all vent to the exterior of the structure)
Defects in fire safety between the garage and living space
Damaged shingles
Exposed post tension cable ends on foundations
Poor grading and drainage
Damaged weather striping on doors and windows
Air gaps which allow conditioned air to escape the living area
Insulation covering eave vents

You see, these just a few of the common items that should be corrected and, they are found in new construction, foreclosures and older homes alike. A Professional Home Inspection can document even the smallest defect, and sometimes, those that are related to the safety of your family.

So, does a newly constructed home need a home inspection? You bet it does. Granted, there will typically be fewer defects but, a home inspection is the surest way to document as many defects as possible and, make a newly constructed home all it can be. A Professional Home Inspector is qualified and trained to look for and document defects. Prospective home buyers are often excited about the home and buy based on emotions and other factors. Home inspectors are (or should be) impartial and, are working to protect you, the buyer.

If you decide to purchase a newly constructed home, do some research on the builder. Understand from others who have bought homes from that builder what they like, dislike and what the builder could have done better.

Buying a newly constructed home should be a great experience. But doing your homework and hiring a Professional Home Inspector will prevent much of what causes buyers remorse. In addition, Selman Home Inspection offers these valuable tools to help you evaluate your new construction home purchase:

Recall Notices

Environmental Data Resources

Next from Selman Home Inspections, Part 2 - Buying A Foreclosure From The Home Inspectors Perspective