New Construction Checks

When house hunting, you may have your heart set on an existing build or something that’s been around awhile. However, since the real estate market is anything but predictable, you may find yourself purchasing new construction. This comes with its own set of things to be aware of despite the common misconception that buying a brand new home is shiny and perfect. Here are a few things to consider!

Inspection

Brand new means nothing could be wrong, right? Uh… not so much. Never, ever skip an inspection because you might just discover potential issues. Because buying a home is such a huge financial undertaking, springing the extra couple of hundred dollars for a quality inspection could save you thousands down the line. Additionally, double check what the home warranty covers. You might assume a warranty on new construction covers cosmetic issues but it might not. Be sure to read the fine print. 

Test Everything

Any appliance that has a plug, bulb, gas line, or is a permanent fixture needs to be fully tested. It’s hard to imagine but there are cases in which buyers go to use an appliance for the first time and discover that it doesn’t work. Test absolutely everything, even down to the refrigerator ice maker. 

Stay Calm 

Say you buy your home in the hottest part of Summer and when December rolls around, you go to turn your heat on for the first time. There’s a definite chance this might set off your smoke alarm. This is common so try not to worry! Some furnaces are coated in a type of oil that burns off after first use, but this can trigger smoke detectors. It should dissipate within a few minutes and then all will be well. (After you’ve double checked that there isn’t any ACTUAL smoke, of course.) 

Check Your Roof

Or, rather, check your roof *warranty*. IF a roof has any issues and is going to leak, it likely won’t happen until after your first major storm. You should still know what’s covered before then, though. No one wants to be caught in a deluge!

For more tips on what to look out for when you’re buying new construction, visit Realtor.com.