You're ready to build a new home, just the way you want it.
You'd love to think your new home will be built perfectly from start to finish.
Or if you're buying a move-in ready new construction home that there wouldn't have been any issues along the way.
After all, on the surface the home looks about as perfect as it can, doesn't it? All the latest color schemes, gleaming hardwoods, soft close drawers and shiny counters, what's not to like?
But the surface look can be deceptive.
What if something major went wrong during the building of that new home?
Is there any obligation of the builder to tell you what happened?
If you're in Ohio, new construction homes are one of several exemptions for completing the Ohio Residential Property Disclosure form. For MOST resale homes, the seller has some idea of the history of the home and is obligated to disclose significant events that harmed the house.
A burst pipe that flooded the basement? On the form.
Significant erosion problems? On the form.
Cracked foundation? On the form.
And the list goes on through page after page of potentially significant condition issues for a home.
The builder doesn't have to fill out that form. They didn't live in the house and they built it according to spec, and it was cleared by the county inspectors, so that house is good to go.
But.....
There could be some construction issues that aren't visible.
True story. Buyer contracts for a half million dollar home. Not long before completing the house the plumber makes a significant mistake. A mistake that isn't caught until the waterfall that starts in the 2nd floor bathroom flows through the ceiling and walls, down through the custom kitchen and then on to the finished lower level. The damage is extensive and not cheap to fix, Mix in concerns about potential mold issues and the buyer ejects from the contract.
What can the builder do with that home?
Fix it and sell it to another buyer.
Will they have to tell the next buyer about the previous water damage? Remember that form they DO NOT have to fill out?
So if they do the repair properly, there's never a future issue and the new buyer will be none the wiser.
But what if they missed something in the repair?
And the inspector (assuming the inspector is called back and made aware of the issue) doesn't see anything wrong either?
And the buyer assumes they don't need a home inspection because "The home's brand new! What could be wrong?".
Caveat emptor, the buyer's new home might have a serious problem that may not appear until long after they've moved in.
So food for thought when buying new construction. MOST new homes are going to be built without a significant issue, but SOME do. Do your due diligenence and protect yourself.
Questions about new construction homes in Greater Cincinnati? Give Bill a call at 513-520-5035 or email Liz@LizSpear.com.
Serving Greater Cincinnati home buyers and sellers,
Bill & Liz aka BLiz
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