Over 10 years ago before I became a Realtor® in Long Beach, CA, I came across something that utterly shocked me! While home shopping with a friend in a hilly area of west Los Angeles, we came across a neat row of large model homes. There was a lot of foot traffic and activity and it looked very festive with balloons and flags as the home builder was celebrating their last phase.
As we parked across the street and got out of the car, we were immediately handed a florescent green flyer by a resident standing in their front yard. Whoa! It was a very detailed complaint sheet. Just behind him lodged in a picture window was a matching large florescent green poster stating in handwritten letters, "Do Not Buy Ask Us Why!" I then noticed there were similar posters positioned in the windows of a few nearby homes that faced the model units! One person even had a flyer box (the kind agents use) on their front lawn filled with what looked to be the same florescent green complaint sheets! These people were serious!
HELL HATH NO FURY LIKE A HOME BUYER SCORNED!
The list detailed what some of the previous home buyers stated as being egregious and flagrant faulty building and cheap products used by the home builder! This didn't list just a few things, this was a double-sided sheet of paper listing problems that ranged from sparking outlets, entire kitchen islands shaking when the garbage disposal was turned on, to major water leakage from bay windows and even foundational issues!
In addition to that, the home buyers in what I guess was a preemptive strike to keep the home builder from claiming the issues as isolated incidents or standard home settling, used a chart listing addresses with a checkmark next to each problem. I recall seeing more than one issue in which all participating addresses had a checkmark for the same problem. Now thinking back, I can't help but wonder how many of the angry homeowners used a Realtor® and had a professional home inspection performed prior to purchasing? Were they under the misconception that because it was new it didn't need an inspection? Did they also forget that the pretty or handsome home sales consultant working in the air conditioned model home office worked for the home builder and seller? If only they had a Realtor®, a professional property inspection and knew What Questions to Ask A Builder.
EVERYTHING THAT GLITTERS ISN'T GOLD
My friend and I felt slightly guilty when crossing the invisible picket line as we ventured inside the model homes out of curiousity. The interiors of the homes were absolutely gorgeous! There was one beautifully appointed feature after another! But as we toured each room, we couldn't help but to recall that some of those same impressive features were heavily checkmarked on the list.
EYES WIDE OPEN
It was a great lesson to use professional representation when purchasing a home! Do not allow incentives to cloud your judgment on one of the most important decisions of your life. In the home buying process, whether it is for a brand new home or a previously owned home, the buyer does NOT pay a commission or a fee to their Realtor® or agent. The agents on both the b
uying and selling side are paid out of the proceeds of escrow by the home seller/owner or those acting on behalf of the builder. Why not have professional representation? Call a Realtor® when purchasing a previously owned home or before registering with a new home builder or community. Make sure it is an agent who will not leave you on your own, but one who will assist you by being readily available to answer any questions you may have, review documents with you, coordinate inspections and follow up with you throughout the entire process until closing.
If you are interested in purchasing a home new or previously owned, do not hesitate to call me at 310-508-4354! I look forward to working with you!
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First posted new home photos courtesy of Creative Commons
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Excellent point, Andi. They probably didn't have an inspection. Case in point, my buyer just bought an REO in a 5 year-old development. The chimney has problems, which I am sure must be the case in many other units. The inspector and chimney inspector found the problem which, actually, could be a fire hazard.
Hey Jane! I seem to keep receipts for years, oh how I wish I had kept that list! I'm glad the fire hazard was discovered before a tragedy happened!
This why you should always GET A HOME INSPECTION. Had they got an home inspection Andi,they would've discovered the problems with the house. Thanks for writing this blog. Have a great weekend. Great post.
And hopefully this one gets featured because it should be featured. Just hit the suggest button-:). Have a great weekend. Great post.
Great post as usual Andi. New homes should be scrutinized just like any other home. I've seen some that have a lot of wood scraps in the crawl space (helloooooo, termites!), earth to wood contact at the bottom of siding, poor drainage, decks with no flashing, you name it. Just because it's new doesn't mean it's right.
Thanks for the compliment Cynthia! "Just because it's new doesn't mean it's right." EXACTLY!
You nailed it! Just because it's new . . . doesn't mean it doesn't or won't have problems/issues. WOW -- what a story, and good post.
Andi - I always get a home inspection especially with new construction. I can;t tell you how many shady deals go on between city inspectors (Yeah, really. The city doesn't pay that well!) and home builders to look the other way. I've seen violations during construction that were signed off by inspectors such as load bearing studs not touching the footplate (bad stuff folks) among others. Always always ALWAYS get a home inspection but more importantly- HIRE A REALTOR. You still need them especially on new construction.
I know what you're thinking...but I'll have to pay more for the house if I walk in with a Realtor. WRONG. You'll get a better price on the home because Realtors know what the going price is in the neighborhood and also know what can be negotiated. Even if it did cost you more it is worth every penny because of the E&O insurance the Realtor carries and the contract knowledge. If you get into dispute with a builder the judge or arbitration will look and adhere to the "contract". So unless you're a contract lawyer or a Realtor- you are playing with fire.
I like to buy new brand home ..i always get a home inspection.home inspection is really too much expensive...this time i like to buy home without inspection.