We cannot stress enough that a home inspection is always a good idea, even if the house is brand new. In the case of one buyer purchasing a brand new home, forgoing an inspection proved very costly.

The buyer knew that the builder had a good reputation, researched his references, and talked to her neighbors before closing the deal. She assumed that because the house had just been built, there would be no flaws - or if there were flaws, they would be covered under warranty.

Unfortunately, her warranty only covered the structure, and not the land it was built on. Because the house was built in a subdivision, the condition of the land was the developers' responsibility, and they had neglected it.

Now her back yard is a swamp, breeding mosquitoes, frogs, and other unsavory forms of life. Sitting outside is near impossible, and it's only a matter of time before the improper drainage and grading cause her foundation to weaken and crack. She will have to invest thousands of dollars into re-grading the lot and fortifying the foundation of the house to prevent mold and damage.

Moral of the Story
Buyer beware: you are purchasing more than a house - the land it rests on is equally important!