You Can’t Stop Me From Bringing My Home Inspector.

I’m working with a client to buy a new construction home from one of the big local builders. We found an inventory home with a quick close date, and got him a fabulous deal on the house since he could close by the end of the month on it.

To make sure the house is sound, I always recommend getting a home inspection, even on new construction houses. I’ve seen enough little slips on those new homes to know that having a home inspection before the final punchlist walkthrough with the builder is always a good idea.

So we called out Dave, my trusty home inspector, who went out there last week to inspect the house. The builder won’t allow us to conduct our home inspection at the walkthrough, so we had to send him out there early. I understand that - having a home inspection performed at the same time that the builder is trying to explain the house to the new homeowner would be intrusive, disruptive.

So we sent Dave out early, and are trying to arrange a meeting with Dave and my Buyer half an hour prior to the walkthrough, so that we can review, in the house, with Dave, his findings. And the builder says they won’t allow it - and they won’t allow my home inspector to be present at the walkthrough, even though the house has already been inspected.

This is what I call horsepoo.

I think my client should have whatever professional at his side that he wants when he signs off on the condition of the house with the builder. We’re not traipsing an army of people through the house. With all the Builder protection built into their contract that they force you to use when you buy from them, I think one little home inspector shouldn’t be a big deal.

Beside, I’m pretty sure they can’t stop us from standing outside the house a half hour before the walkthrough, despite their objections. It may be the sheer amount of cold medicine that I’m currently ingesting, but I’m tired of new home builders and the huge amount of stuff that they do to protect themselves at the expense of the Buyer. Even in a market where they’re cutting prices drastically, you still can only buy the houses on their terms - terms that would be unthinkable and insane if it were a resale home situation.

So Dave is coming, and we’re meeting a half hour before the walkthrough, and that’s that. My Buyer wants Dave to be there, so he’s coming. Such a simple thing causing all this fight; I’m just protecting the interests of my Buyer. Would we be arguing if he wanted to review closing documents with an attorney prior to closing? Mr. Builder, are you going to tell my Buyer that he can’t do that?