Your New Construction Home Is Not Perfect. Stop Acting Like It Is

by Billy Shugart

Somewhere along the way, buyers started believing that “new construction” means flawless. It doesn’t.Just because nobody has lived in the house yet does not mean everything was done correctly. These homes are built fast, by dozens of subcontractors, on tight deadlines. Things get missed all the time…that’s exactly why your pre-settlement demonstration and your builder walk-through are important.

And no, this is not the time to walk through the house smiling, taking selfies, and talking about where the couch is going.

This is inspection mode.

So what is a pre-settlement demonstration?
This is your final walk-through with the builder before closing.
Translation?
This is your last real chance to call things out before the house officially becomes YOUR PROBLEM.
You are there to:
Learn how everything works
Make sure the home is actually finished
Find issues before the paperwork is signed

Because once you close, getting things fixed suddenly becomes a much slower conversation.

Funny how that works….

But here’s what buyers miss constantly The little stuff adds up fast, and ironically, those are usually the issues buyers end up dealing with most after closing. Nearly 70% of builder warranty requests during the first year are tied to cosmetic defects, incomplete finishes, or functionality problems that could have been caught during the final walk-through. We are talking about things like skipped paint touch-ups, crooked cabinet hardware, doors that do not latch correctly, windows sticking, trim gaps, scratched flooring, loose faucets, outlet problems, appliances not functioning properly, or HVAC systems not operating the way they should.

None of these sound major individually, but stack enough of them together and suddenly your “brand new dream home” turns into a running to-do list.

And you would be shocked how many buyers never actually test anything. They walk through the house for 15 minutes saying, “Looks good to me,” while the guest bathroom sink barely drains and the microwave feels like it is one strong sneeze away from falling off the wall.

SO YES…Test Everything and I MEAN Everything.

One of the biggest mistakes buyers make is assuming that because a home is brand new, everything automatically works correctly. It does not. A large percentage of post-closing warranty requests come from items buyers never tested during the final walk-through. Turn everything on and make the house prove it works. Run faucets and showers, test appliances, check outlets and light switches, open garage doors, flush toilets, and run the HVAC.

Most importantly stop rushing the walk-through This is truly the part that drives me insane. Buyers spend months researching neighborhoods, floorplans, rates, schools, design centers, countertops, and paint colors…

Then rush through the final walk-through in 20 minutes because they are excited to get the keys.

PLEASE…Slow down.

You are buying one of the biggest investments of your life, not grabbing a coffee on the way to work.

Take your time. Look closely. Ask questions.

A good Realtor knows what to look for because we have seen the issues before. We notice things buyers miss because you are emotionally attached to the house already.

We are looking at:
finishes
workmanship
functionality
incomplete items
builder shortcuts
warranty concerns

And most importantly, we help document everything before closing. Because verbal conversations magically disappear later.

New construction does not mean perfect construction.

Your builder walk-through is not a formality. It is your opportunity to protect yourself before the home officially changes hands. And trust me, finding problems before closing is a whole lot easier than fighting to get them fixed after.

If you are buying new construction around Charlotte and want someone in your corner who will actually advocate for you during the process, let’s talk.

Your New Construction Home Is Not Perfect. Stop Acting Like It Is

by Billy Shugart

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