How good will it feel to purchase a home that no one else has ever lived in? If you are fortunate enough to have the opportunity, you may have jumped at it. After you sign your purchase agreement, the question of a home inspection could arise.
If you don’t quite understand this question, you aren’t alone. After all, it’s new construction and no one has lived there. Aren’t home inspections only needed to find out what may be wrong with an older, already occupied home? No. Newly constructed homes can also have similar issues, and it would be wise to find out before you close the deal. After all, this may be the largest purchase you ever make, you don’t want to waste your money and face expensive repairs.
What a home inspector may find in a new home
Everything in a newly constructed home may be new, but that means it hasn’t been tested on a daily basis over time as would be the case in an already occupied home. As such, a home inspection could reveal issues you may not discover until after your mortgage loan payments begin and any warranty the builder gave you expires. Some of those issues include the following:
- Problems with the plumbing, such as leaks, reversed hot and cold faucets and improper piping
- Defects in the structure, such as improper grading, cracks in the foundation and poor framing
- Problems with the electrical systems, such as open grounds, improperly wired outlets and missing switch plates
- Issues with grading and drainage that could cause structural and water damage over time
- Issues with the HVAC system, such as loose connections and malfunctioning thermostats
- Leaks in the windows or the roof
- Incomplete projects, such as missing hardware, half-installed fixtures and handrails, and insufficient insulation
As you can see, new construction does not mean the property is free from problems. If your home inspection reveals one or more of these issues, you have time to go back to the builder or developer in order to renegotiate. This possibility is why you will want to include a home inspection contingency in your contract. You deserve a home free from major defects, and identifying them well before you close the deal gives you some options.
Of course, this assumes your contract included the proper contingencies and safeguards to protect your rights and interests. You may greatly benefit from thoroughly reviewing and negotiating this contract with a North Carolina real estate attorney in your corner. Moreover, if any disputes arise after a home inspection reveals defects, having legal representation already familiar with your situation could prove invaluable.