Another way I judge quality is to talk to people who have actually purchased homes from this builder. Try to look at the oldest homes each developer has built, to determine if he or she has cut corners by using substandard materials. Just because a house is new does not mean it is a quality home for the geographical area you are in. That is why you need a professional inspector to examine a new house, even if it looks rock solid to you. The local building inspector and local building code will also specify what materials can and cannot be used. One buyer told me about a developer who cut corners by using a very low-grade material for insulating new San Diego real estate. The material had a tendency to degenerate after one year. Its ability to insulate the home began to diminish rapidly after that. Luckily, a professional inspector checked the house before the buyer purchased it. The inspector was able to recognize the material. He warned the would-be buyer. The buyer took the issue to the builder, who agreed to put in the highest-grade insulation material instead. If you are getting a home that is not yet built, you must have in the contract that this home is subject to your inspection and that of a professional prior to the closing.

How do you judge the quality of workmanship on a new CA home? Here are a few things to look for as you make your initial tour: Are the floor and the molding around the bottom of the floor flush? Are there spaces between the walls and the floor? Are the walls square and even? Are the floors flat? Are there nails sticking out from areas where items have been fastened to each other? Normally, a model home looks better than the finished product. Always ask the builder to show you a home other than the model home.