Ask Phyllis!

New Construction

Dear Phyllis,
   We just had our offer accepted for a new home in Agua Dulce.  As the home is brand new, do you still think we need to hire an inspector to check it out?     
Joe R.

Dear Joe,
Congratulations on your new home. Yes, you should hire an inspector to fully inspect the home. I also recommend that you contact a company that specializes in septic systems and inspections and ask if they recommend that you have the septic inspected (assuming it is new; if it is old, you should definitely have it inspected).

Just because a home is new does not mean everything was properly installed and functioning. Having your home inspected prior to moving in will enable you to avoid unpleasant surprises; it will be more convenient to have repairs made prior to your moving in.

Check your purchase contract as the builder should provide you with a new home warranty which covers heating and air conditioning, plumbing and electrical systems for workmanship and materials. Windows, siding, drywall, paint, trim and stucco are also covered.

The duration of protection varies but, typically, these builder warranties cover repairs for one to two years while major structural defects that affect the safety of the home are covered for up to 10 years. Typically these warranties do not cover appliances, although most should come with their own manufacturer’s warranty.

While the majority of our housing stock is not brand new, I have still been involved in sales of new construction and each new home had issues discovered by the home inspector. Unless you are buying a tear down, a buyer of any real estate should always conduct an inspection. The buyer’s approval of the inspection should be a contingency, meaning that if the buyer does not approve the inspection, the buyer has the right to have their earnest money escrow deposit fully refunded.

  Phyllis Harb