Once upon a time in Richmond, Virginia, a young couple, Maya and Chris, found what seemed like the perfect house. It was brand-new—modern fixtures, gleaming floors, and that irresistible new house smell. The builder promised everything was done to code and even handed over a thick folder labeled “Certificate of Occupancy.”

Their real estate agent recommended they hire a third-party home inspector before closing, but Maya waved it off.  “It’s brand new,” she said. “What could possibly be wrong?”

Chris hesitated but agreed. They moved in with confidence and started their life—new kitchen, new baby, new mortgage.  But just two months in, things started happening.

  • The hardwood floors near the back door warped after a heavy rain.

  • Their hot showers turned cold in under five minutes.

  • The dryer vented into the attic instead of outside.

  • And one chilly morning, Chris discovered mold creeping along the corner of the nursery wall.

Turns out, the builder had rushed to meet deadlines and hired subcontractors who cut corners. The municipal inspections had only caught what was visible on a quick walkthrough. A thorough, independent inspection could have flagged the faulty venting, the improperly sealed back door, and the underperforming water heater before they moved in.

The couple spent the next year battling warranty claims, hiring contractors, and draining their savings—not to upgrade their dream house, but to fix what should have been right the first time.

MORAL OF THE STORY:  

Even a brand-new home can hide big problems. Ask your Realtor to help you find a builder with a good warranty program so you are covered if things do happen.  And just to be safe, no matter who the builder is, a third-party inspection is a small price to pay for peace of mind.