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New homes need home inspections too

By Doug Francis

Infrared camera reveals the heat coils Doug Francis Vienna real estate

My toes appear to be the coldest spot

Your new house may be built by the best custom builder in Vienna and it may be your second or third house, but know that it is still important to include in your purchase contract the option to have a home inspector take a look at your new house a couple of weeks before going to closing.

It’s important. Really.

In an ideal world, you should have the home inspector show up at least twice; once at the pre-drywall meeting and then a week or so before closing.

With the typical new home in Vienna pricing out over $1.3 million, spending a thousand dollars for another set of eyes is money well spent. Yes, the Fairfax County inspectors will have stopped by but they are really busy and don’t have an hour or two to look at everything. To them it is just another house. Items like framing, wiring, HVAC, insulation, ventilation and plumbing are things that can best be seen pre-drywall.

Get it?

Most new homes here are unique since the builders aren’t building track subdivisions. These are infill designs and, although the materials are standardized, the workmanship can vary because the builder who builds five homes a year will subcontract work out to framers and plumbers who may have different employees each time. And, with a new design each time, framers may be following new layouts that they are unfamiliar building.

Plumbing is the same way. Electrical too.

These jobs still require a skilled tradesman to perform and it is essential that they are done properly from the start. It’s also easier to add or move something before drywall makes it twice as complicated.

Plumbing and electrical work is still done by hand

Heated bathroom tile floor

Coils run under the tile

For example, a recent client’s custom home has a heated floor in the master bath. For three months in the winter this feature will make mornings tolerable.

The system is easy to install when done at the start of your project because they are set below the tiles.

Your home inspector can certainly show you the thermostat, but ask if he or she has an infrared camera or one that shows thermal images. Using that, you will be able to see that all of the coils are working properly.

Kitchen appliances are items that most home buyers care about a lot especially when you have made custom choices for a month or two. Yes, there will be an owner’s manual but it is also important to have the inspector test appliances out. Honestly, I can’t even believe how many times they have turned on a garbage disposal to find a screw clanging around.

Appliances will have warranties but knowing that they are all working properly, draining properly or are hooked up to the right circuit or gas line is good piece of mind.

Their “quality” workmanship is actually low quality

What I am seeing is a wide range of levels of quality. Quality in finish work and in overall design… some builders really are producing higher quality homes than others here in Vienna.

Real estate investors are eager to piggy back on the success they see here, and are aggressively cold calling people like my neighbor who told me today that he had a call this afternoon. As a neighbor, I do get concerned because I don’t want a so-so house getting slapped up.

As a real estate agent, I like to show my clients poor quality for comparison purposes to make a point that this is comparison shopping. I prefer to educate my clients.

Your home inspector will be looking for poor workmanship so that it can be corrected before you sign the deed. So, I do recommend clients include the option for an inspection and then it is up to them to decide if it is worth the effort.

Filed Under: Blog, Home Buyer Tips Tagged With: Custom Homes, Drywall, Home Inspector

About Doug Francis

A seasoned Realtor specializing in unique and new homes around Vienna, Virginia, Doug has seen consumer behavior, negotiations and communication styles change. At his original brokerage, he was the first agent to add an email address. Imagine! Outside real estate, he plays tennis, is a Washington Capitals fan, spends time with Skipper (his dog), and enjoys the restaurant scene in the DCA. He's a Boston University graduate who feels morning coffee is non-negotiable.

Vienna real estate agent Doug Francis

When we bought our house in Vienna, we were thinking about raising the kids, building an addition, and knowing the neighbors. Today, home buyers are attracted to Vienna because of the sense of community, walkability, and small town lifestyle.

So, what’s next after your 25 years? It’s a conversation many of my clients are having with me as they plan to move to the beach, travel, or get closer to grandkids. Helping them see their future, sell their current home, and move ahead with their updated plan has been an interesting new chapter.

My background: I am an active licensed agent in Virginia, have negotiated hundreds of sales contracts, work at TTR Sotheby’s International Realty in McLean, and still sell homes in all price ranges. I donate to the Town of Vienna tree replacement fund, participate in a neighborhood citizens association, and try my best to stay in shape.

Let’s discuss your moving plans: Email doug@dougfrancis.com or call me at (703) 304-6827 .  Cheers!

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About Doug Francis

I am a Realtor with TTR Sotheby's International Realty® just outside Washington D.C. in Northern Virginia. I'm licensed in Virginia with a focus on Vienna, VA real estate since 1991.

That deep knowledge is valuable, especially in today's fast-paced market where advice is critical. Although many of my clients are personally referred, I am available to help you too and am accepting new clients right now.

Feel free to contact me at 703-304-6827 or email me at doug@dougfrancis.com anytime!

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TTR Sotheby's International Realty
6723 Whittier Avenue McLean, VA 22101

Office: 703-319-3344
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