Inspecting Your New Home - 17 Areas You Must Inspect Before Taking Possession

Congratulations! You've made your decision; you've chosen your new home and your builder. So what needs to happen next? Once you have a firm contract and you have selected the features that will go into your new home, it is time for the builder to turn your dream into reality.

You will undoubtedly want to visit the building site from time to time during construction to check the progress of your home. Professional builders welcome your participation and enthusiasm; however, for safety reasons you should not enter the actual construction site unless by special appointment-an unauthorized site visit may also contravene the local labour code with respect to construction safety and the builder's liability.

Questions or concerns arising from a site visit or a drive-by should be addressed directly to the builder. The tradespeople on the site each have their own area of expertise and will not be able to discuss your home's progress with you. Nor are they able to make changes without the approval of the builder.

Before you take possession of your new home, the builder will invite you to "walk through" the house to conduct a pre-occupancy inspection. Three to five days before closing is best-when construction is substantially complete but there is still time for the builder to remedy any minor imperfections. Anything that is not to your satisfaction should be noted for a pre-delivery inspection report. Minor items such as scratches and incomplete paint work will be rectified before your move-in day. Other items will be corrected after you are settled.

The following checklist will help you to inspect your new home.

Exterior

• Grading-should be sloping gently away from the house.
• Sod-was it rolled when laid?
• Wood, vinyl or aluminum siding-should be even and nailed securely to the walls.
• Brick-should be evenly laid and clean, with weep holes intact.
• Caulking-check around windows, doors, garage door, electrical outlets and fixtures.
• Paint and stains-inspect for even coverage and proper colour.
• Trim, shutters, fascia and soffit-must be proper colour, of good quality and securely fastened.
• Shingles-are they clean, of proper colour and with no lifting corners?
• Garage-should feature non-combustible materials on the wall adjoining the house (for instance, gypsum board with sealed joints); the garage door should open and close properly.

Interior

• Basement-should be clean; no cracks in the walls; a floor drain in the lowest part; "healthy" looking wooden joists (a minimum of splitting); instructions and warranty cards for equipment (furnace, heater, HRV, etc.)
• Doors-must be well-fitted and well-hung; secure locks for outside doors and door stops.
• Windows-must open smoothly; lockable.
• Walls-should be smooth and even; no cracks, visible seams or nail-pops; right colour; even paint coverage; no gaps at electrical switches and plugs.
• Floors-minimum of squeaks and "spring"; smooth seams on carpet and other floor covering; even grouting between ceramic tiles.
• Plumbing fixtures-no chips or scratches; faucets operating properly; caulking around counter tops and fixtures.
• Upgrades and options-correct materials and quality; proper installation; right colours.
• General state of cleanliness-no construction debris; clean heating ducts; etc.

You might want to hire a private building inspector or engineer to conduct the inspection for you. Look in the phone book under Building Inspection Services.

Visit EquityGazette.com - The Equity Gazette weekly edition of articles about real estate investment and investment property for those interested in real estate investing or even just buying a home.

---

How To Get The Best Rental Accommodation In The Area By Using Your Capital

My report is for you to use your power to... Read More

Selling Houses: Design Psychology Works!

I've taught the concepts of Design Psychology for many years,... Read More

Investing in Real Estate Vehicle for Wealth Building

Real estate is one of the best vehicles of building... Read More

Market Reaching its Peak

I do not profess to "Know" what the real estate... Read More

Selling Houses: Psychological Effects of Landscaping

Buyers think they care more about the inside of the... Read More

Real Estate: A Strong Investment

Description: Even in uncertain economic times like these, history shows... Read More

Tax Assessment/Appraisal: How Do I Know What My Home is Worth?

If you are in the home buying or selling market,... Read More

Where is the Sophisticated Property Investor Putting his Money?

The Traditional FavouritesOver the last five to ten years, UK... Read More

Flipping Houses for Gold: Three Tips to Help You Find the Perfect Fixer

Many real estate investors enjoy "flipping houses," or buying and... Read More

The 5 Biggest Mistakes Made When Getting A Business Appraised

Most business owners will, at some point, want or need... Read More

10 Frequently Asked Short Sale Questions

1. What happens to the seller's credit rating when they... Read More

3 Mistakes to Absolutely Avoid in a 1031/TIC Exchange

We've all made bad decisions in the past. Don't you... Read More

Investment Property Part I: How Not to Become a Slumlord

After riding the ups and downs of the stock market... Read More

10 Things You Shouldnt Do When Youre Buying a Home

Home Buying Don'tsYour home buying process is well underway. The... Read More

Burn, Baby, Burn!

Luxury homes are lots of fun to inspect. Sure, the... Read More

Dramatic Profits From Preconstruction Real Estate Investing

The preconstruction process is an innovative real estate investment opportunity... Read More

Basic Real Estate Valuation

Given the current interest (dare I say hysteria) associated with... Read More

Rental Property Management - Ten Questions

Why hire rental property management? Because doing it all yourself... Read More

Secrets of Making Money from Real Estate - Part 2

Leverage: With real estate, people and companies will lend you... Read More

Types of Listings with Agents

There are several different types of listing contracts. Few of... Read More

Dealing With Dual Real Estate Agents

Historically, real estate agents have represented the seller of a... Read More

What Does It Take To Be A Donald Trump in Real Estate?

Since you are a business oriented person, you might be... Read More

Planning for Real Estate with Estate Planning

One of the most important considerations you will need to... Read More

Achieving Positive Cash Flow from Your Real Estate Investments

Even if you're counting on rising property values to eventually... Read More

Grab Your Dream UK Home On The Cheap - Property Auctions

Did you know that every year thousands of UK properties... Read More

Real Estate Values or Just Bad Habits

There are several small businesses that retain hundred year old... Read More

Buyers Closing Cost

Buyers, borrower, closing costs can be divided into two categories.... Read More

Easing Your Way Into Homeownership: A Guide To Low Down Payment Mortgage Programs

There's no question about it: Buying a first home is... Read More

Investing In Real Estate Investors

With the never-ending changes in our Real Estate Markets real... Read More

Back To The Future - Big Changes Are Coming, Get Ready Now

The comments below are quoted from a recent speech by... Read More

Real Estate Investing ? Finding Cheap Houses

Real estate investing expertise can certainly accommodate the luxury home... Read More

Golf and Waterfront Living: Live, Play, Relax

With today's planned lifestyle communities, golf and boating enthusiasts have... Read More

Greed Can Cost You Your Shirt!

The proper action when things are going well is to... Read More