Thinking of buying a new home? A recent inspection might make you reconsider.
While it is commonly assumed that older homes require more attention, TikToker and home inspector Andrew Matson has demonstrated that even newly built homes can have significant issues.
Andrew shares his property assessments on TikTok, where he has amassed over 45,000 followers.
In a video he recently uploaded, Andrew examined a $1.6 million home. Despite its appealing exterior, being only two years old, Andrew uncovered numerous defects.
The inspection revealed a loose pipe at the house’s front and corroding window frames.
Further examination showed that some window caulking was already deteriorating.
Inside, Andrew found a patio door that wouldn’t lock and a non-functional doorbell.
In summary, the home, built in 2022, required several repairs.
@andrew.matson7 Let’s inspect this 1.6 million dollar home together! #homeinspection #realestate #realty #houses #construction #informative #educational #bluecollar #business #inspection #engineer #mansion
In just 48 hours, Andrew’s video has been viewed over 195,000 times, sparking a range of reactions.
“This is definitely what happens when you have contractors who care more about making a quick buck over the quality of their homes,” one viewer commented.
Another shared: “My mom was going to buy a brand new $650K house, she got a home inspector and he gave her a 170 page report of all the problems he found.”
“Wow I’m no longer jealous of these homes when I pass by them in the area,” another user reflected.
Some labeled the home as a ‘joke’ due to its hefty $1.6 million price and its flaws.
Echoing this sentiment, another person remarked, “1.6 million? Quality and craftsmanship are gone nowadays.”
Unfortunately, the decline in quality of new build homes is a familiar issue in the US.
Some attribute this decline to the use of lower quality materials and workmanship.
Henry Petroski, in a 2014 New York Times op-ed, noted: “Newer homes have been clad outside in shingles that have deteriorated and inside with imported drywall, which, as it breaks down, releases fumes that sicken the occupants.”
He continued: “Workmanship has declined in parallel. There continue to be expert craftsmen – carpenters, roofers, painters – who work with precision and pride, but they are increasingly being pushed out by cheaper labor with inferior skills.”
What are your thoughts?