Why home inspections matter - Even on New Construction Homes

“It’s a Brand-New Home… What Could Be Wrong?”
A true story about why every buyer should ALWAYS get a home inspection—new or preowned.

As a realtor, one of the funnest (okay… most fun) parts of my job is touring homes with my clients. The funny thing is, every time I walk into a home, I think, “Oh, I want to do this to my house,” or “Wow, I’d love to buy this one for myself!”

Being in this industry, I have learned so much—especially the importance of having a home inspection.

Here’s a quick story:
My client got approved to buy a home—she didn’t think she would qualify, but she did! Once we had the approval, we started the home search. When we found her dream home, it was time to schedule the inspection… and she said what most buyers say:

“Since it's new, do we really need an inspection?”

I completely understood the question—after all, you’d think a new home would be flawless, right? But I’ve seen too much in this business, so I told her the same thing I tell everyone:

👉 Yes. Always. New or preowned—get the inspection.

Thankfully, she trusted me.

🛠 Fast forward to inspection day…

The home looked beautiful on the outside—fresh paint, modern finishes, everything sparkling.
But when our professional inspector got to work, the report told a very different story:

❌ Missing and damaged roof shingles
❌ Cracks and gaps above the windows
❌ Missing weep holes in the brick (these prevent moisture damage—super important!)
❌ The oven breaker kept tripping
❌ Several other safety and structural concerns

My client was shocked.
She said, “I would’ve never even noticed any of this!”
And she’s right—most buyers wouldn’t. Most of these issues are hidden or easy to overlook.

😳 Imagine if we skipped the inspection…

She would have closed on the home.
Moved in.
And months later, she’d be paying out-of-pocket for repairs that should have been caught before closing—while the builder was still responsible.

That’s exactly why inspections matter, even on NEW homes.

New doesn’t mean perfect—it just means newly built.

🕒 So, when does an inspection happen?

If you're buying a preowned home:
The inspection is done during the option period.
After the report, you as the buyer can:

✅ Request repairs
✅ Negotiate price or credit
✅ Or move forward as-is

If you’re buying new construction, we often recommend two inspections:

1️⃣ Pre-drywall (when you can still see inside the walls)
2️⃣ Final inspection before closing

👩‍💼 Why having a realtor by your side matters

This is just ONE step of the home-buying process—but one of the most important.

A great realtor will:
✅ Guide you on timing and deadlines
✅ Protect your contract rights
✅ Connect you with trusted, third-party inspectors
✅ Help you interpret the report
✅ Negotiate repairs or credits on your behalf
✅ Advocate for YOU every step of the way

Buying a home is one of the biggest investments of your life… don’t go through it alone.

🏠 Are you selling a home?

Some sellers even choose to do a pre-listing inspection so there are no surprises when a buyer comes along. It’s not always required, but it can make your home more market-ready and prevent last-minute negotiations.
When we schedule our consultation, we can go over this in more detail.

✅ The Lesson:

Don’t assume. Inspect.
Whether the home is 50 years old or brand new with the plastic still on the appliances—always protect yourself.

💬 Have questions?

Curious about inspections? Not sure where to start? Thinking of buying or selling?

Reach out to schedule a FREE buyer or seller consultation.
I’m here to guide you through every step.

What other questions do you have?


https://erica.texaseliterealestategroup.com/

Erica Salazar 
210-204-3309 Hablo Español