So often I hear “We don’t need a home inspection, we are buying a NEW home.” When I suggest a professional inspection, I am often met with resistance…. but should you get a new home inspected when you purchase from a new home builder? The answer is absolutely yes.
Below is a list of the most commonly observed issues found by home inspectors when inspecting newly completed construction:
- 3/4 of the homes inspected have missing or insufficient insulation.
- 2/3 have cabinetry issues.
- 3/4 have improper paint issues.
- 1/2 fail the air conditioner differential test.
- MOST (with “Jacuzzi” or “jetted” bathtubs installed) have improperly supported tubs.
- 2/3 of the homes have exterior sealing / finishing issues.
- 1/2 of the homes have improperly sealed doors and windows.
- 1/3 of the homes (with Low-E windows) have reversed Low-E windows.
Finding (and correcting) issues like these up front is certainly better than finding them later and having to deal with correcting them after the fact – and SO MUCH better than finding them down the road when you decide to sell the home… I can’t tell you how many times items like these come up on a home inspection during a sale and the homeowner tells me “That’s how the builder gave it to me… it’s always been that way….”. That doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t have to correct it for the next owner. Plus some of these issues can cost you a lot over time – such as insufficient insulation or reversed Low-E windows (I have had this come up in an inspection 20 years later… so the homeowner paid a lot more for energy than they needed to for 20+ years! And then to add insult to injury, they had to pay to correct the issues for the next owner.
It’s important to have someone on your side whether you are selling or buying a home, regardless of the age of the home. I can help guide you through the process, every step of the way. With 35 years of experience and involvement in literally thousands of successful transactions, I am uniquely prepared to assist you with your real estate needs. Please call or email me today!
Laura Harbison, ABR, AHWD, BPOR, BS, CDPE, CRS, DRB, GRI, PSA, RSPS, SRES
Broker/Owner REALTY EXECUTIVES SOUTHERN NEVADA PROPERTIES
License Numbers B.0026537LLC PM.0164922.BKR