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Buying New? Don't Dive in Alone.
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Some builders have their own mortgage company and push buyers to use it.
Maxine Schwartzman, an agent with Long & Foster in Bethesda, said it's a good idea to shop around for a mortgage instead of quickly settling on the builder's lender.
"What you have to tell the builder is 'I'll use your lender if you will match the best offer,' " she said.
Schwartzman said some buyers make the mistake of assuming that because a house is new, it doesn't need an inspection.
New homes are often more flawed than ones for resale, she said, because many problems in existing homes have already been addressed.
Phillip Carls, a local housing inspector, recommended three inspections: one right after the foundation is installed, another before the drywall goes up and a final one.
He said he often finds plenty of flaws in the final inspection.
"We find anywhere from five to eight legal-pad pages of things not done or not done correctly," he said.
Some are simple, he said, but others can be more complex, such as a major leak or a clogged sewer.
"People think a new house doesn't need an inspection, but it definitely does," he said.
