Most Common Inspection Problems Uncovered in New Homes

About 14% of new home buyers—or one in seven—forgo a home inspection, a survey finds from Clever Real Estate. Buyers are more likely to hire a home inspector when purchasing an existing home.

But new homes can turn up problems too.

For those who did do an inspection, 65% said they uncovered issues with their newly constructed home. The majority of those problems were minor and did not delay closing. However, about a quarter—24%—of new home buyers say their home did not pass the first inspection. Thirty-two percent said the inspector found minor issues. Thirty percent of buyers said their home passed the first inspection.

“With builders, subcontractors, and vendors operating at full capacity racing to meet deadlines, it shouldn’t be too surprising to learn that some details are missed during the home building process,” the study authors note.

Some of the most common items that pop up on a home inspection are big-ticket items and crucial home components, like the HVAC system. Another common issue that turns up is safety related, such as rickety banisters and loose wiring, the study finds.

HVAC systems 38%
Safety issues     36%
Problems with finishes    35%
Drainage Issues  33%
Structural problems   32%
Leaks or water damage  32%
Foundation problems  31%
 Drafty doors and windows  31%
Roof problems  31%
Non-functioning electrical outlets   25%
Data includes responses from 560 Americans who discovered at least one problem during their new construction home inspection. 
Source: Real Estate Witch New Home Construction Survey, Jan. 12-14, 2022

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