7 Responses

1. John Wise  •  January 17, 2010 @11:35 am
   

   Ryan, As a builder, I have mixed feelings about using a home inspector for a new home. Anything they find is going to be cosmetic since previous inspections from the city will usually catch anything major. I’ve never used a home inspector for my previous purchases and never will because they obviously have to find “something” or they can’t justify charging you $300. I don’t think that is fair to the seller, whether they are a builder or not. On the other hand, once again as a builder, if the HI finds a few things and I address them , then it makes me feel like the onus is on the inspector should anything come up in the following year. Also, since we as builders offer a home warranty for one year anyway, we’re obligated to address most issues, so what’s the point of someone ponying up the money.? I believe in caveat de emptor. There is no such thing as no risk, especially when you make a large purchase like a home.

2. Ryan Hukill  •  January 17, 2010 @11:48 am
   

   John, believe me, I totally understand why builders don’t like buyers bringing in a home inspector, and there are plenty of less-than-virtuous ones out there who will do what you’ve described, simply to justify their fee. However, I believe a good HI is worth their weight in gold if they give the buyer peace of mind.

   Also, as you mentioned, they take the liability upon themselves and off of you, the builder, to some degree. 99% of the time, they won’t find anything of substance on a new home, but in a case like the one I mentioned here, where the buyer has a specific concern, they need to realize that nobody’s on their side unless they hire someone to look out for them. While the builder warranties most issues, there is still some risk.

   Additionally, if the buyer has a Realtor, that Realtor should advise them up front that ‘what we’re looking for here are major defects, not cosmetic imperfections.’ Setting the expectation up front can usually (not always) help avoid the petty nit-picking.

   Thanks for giving your input here. I think it’s important for the consumer to understand both sides of this.

3. John Wise  •  January 17, 2010 @11:55 am
   

   you bet

4. Ed Alvord  •  January 17, 2010 @11:58 am
   

   I too always recommend HI for my New Home buyer peace of mind, as a minimum! Last one I did came up with some items just “over looked” such as attic piping and venting not being secured properly. A few windows not caulked properly (unfinished). Nothing seemingly “major” but could have been tragically ended with Carbon emmissions escaping if not caught. As we all know when it comes to home repair, the small repairs, become “major” problems if left unattended too! For all concerned, I believe in New Home inspections. You need a trustworthy and honest HI of course!

5. Ryan Hukill  •  January 17, 2010 @12:12 pm
   

   Thanks for your input, Ed. That’s a good example of what a new home buyer could potentially experience. I believe that 99% of the time, nothing substantial is found, so it’s on the buyers’ shoulders to decide how big of a concern it is for them.

6. Irina Netchaev  •  January 18, 2010 @8:18 pm
   

   Hey Ryan, love your video… yes… we ABSOLUTELY recommend our buyer to get a home inspector as well as a sewer line inspector. Inspectors will not find everything wrong with the house, but will give a buyer a pretty good idea of the overall condition of the home. Buying a home is a huge investment and that’s the least buyers can do to get some peace of mind.
   Irina Netchaev´s last blog ..A New San Marino Foreclosure on the Real Estate Market

7. Ryan Hukill  •  January 18, 2010 @8:43 pm
   

   Irina, thanks for your input. You bring up a good point.. buyers shouldn’t expect that a home inspector is going to insure them against any/all possible problems or defects, and in some cases it may be a good idea to hire a specialist to inspect certain things like sewer lines, wells, septic systems, etc.

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