If you stick with an independant contractor who doesn't sub all the phases out, you'll do okay most of the time. Houses should last longer because of all the codes in place. I tear a lot of old houses up, and construction is generally poorer back then.
Yep you're old school houses are your best because it was built from Old School person. There wasn't any kind of fancy equipment back in those days! Sure it's nice to see a huge house built in less than 3 months. But like I said above lot of mistakes can happen and not to mention it's a mistake it's done they don't do anything about it but just cover it! Back in my time 70s and 80s everything was done perfectly. And way before that was totally different.
Older homes are much superior. They have actual wood and brick, whereas these new houses are just plywood. They’d burn down in 5 minutes flat. I have yet to buy a house, but these new ones worry me.
mindyschocolate they burn down so fast because the wood has more glue in it than wood the glue burns like fuel another reason for all the problems is that the land these are built on is what is left of the prime location they are the left over no one would build on in the 70s non of these homes will be there 30 years from now they will be trashed and the value will drop because you will start having foreclosed homes because of too many repairs or mold issues so the whole neighborhood starts going down and when your just 10 feet away or 5 feet away no trees just house after house that what your left with. Sadly no one can afford a home in the city. New looks so much better than the high cost for a small house. Granite and stainless steel sell the house. If they would just used drywall screws and not a nematic nailer the pop out drywall would not happen or the floors .
gtb2009b That's what I noticed too, that the good land was cherry picked decades ago, then large farms were broken into subdivisions. Now the low lying, filled in swamp land is being used in Florida.
Also, they tear down ALL the trees in the area and then plant new trees, which take years to grow full size. WTF? Why not leave some of the good, healthy trees in place? It's more eco-friendly isn't it, and it should be cheaper too because you are removing fewer trees ... less labor!
This has been going on for over 15 years. I use to work building these new homes and they are built on the cheap by un trained people and inspected by inspectors who get money for signing off on the paperwork without checking the homes.
Benjamin Esposti I witnessed alot of that happening in North Carolina, Georgia, and Delaware. The South is seeing a construction boom right now, subdivision developments popping up everywhere and the Forests and wildlife are paying the price. Sad.
SMART! Brick is THE ONLY way to go. Earthquake prone areas are the exception, but for everywhere else BRICK only!!!! People are naive, and think wood is just as sturdy. it is not.
Some builders are. If this is one of your most expensive investments or purchases , then why wouldn't you do your research and make sure you're not getting a house built in a week!! Those houses are not worth maybe half what they paid. They use whatever materials, don't send back warped beams. They use cheapest labor can find. Half the houses can turn into low income housing. Those horses are not built well. Those neighborhoods are really a scam. Investors come in and purchase land, cram as many homes on the property they can, find the cheapest labor and materials that look good at first. Offer upgrades to make the buyer feel involved and in control of build. It's a joke.
I had the opportunity to get a practically new house for only $267,000 with 6 BR, 3.5 bath, .23acre, brand new stainless appliances, 3 car garage, and granite. Also had a community pool, playground, trail, and clubhouse for $360/year. Best deal ever, right??? After doing careful research I realize that these were cookie cutter lunchbox houses with the beautiful stone veneer in the front and every lot looked the same with only a variation of three different designs. The neighborhood looked like something from a Sci-fi thriller with zero personality with giant houses on small lots. They were thrown up and built in less than 6 months. I chose an older home nearby made by a builder who is still in business and rated top in the USA. People thought I made a bad choice to turn down the new giant house with more rooms for $45,000 less. They need to watch videos like this.
LynRuiz And for all you know the other house could have been fine and you indeed did spend $45k more than you needed to. Newer homes are also more energy efficient than older homes. If you worked in Insurance you would know to stay away from older homes, they can be a nightmare of problems you haven't encountered yet because no matter what inspection you have you can never have the inside of the walls inspected prior to purchase like you can with a new home. The builder in this particular segment is well known to be bad, go with a reputable builder and you will be fine. Good luck with your utility bills.
Liz Myers I got lucky and found a tiny hidden subdivision within walking distance to the other place. The extra money hurt us but we got more than double lot size and full privacy in each direction. Our water bill has decreased somehow and our electric is prob about $80 more plus a winter gas bill. The huge McMansion “deal” lunchbox houses are already falling apart at the joints with many showing sealing and moisture issues and warped windows. Mine was built in 1995 and those were 2005-2009 phase. We pass through and check out open houses. They are massive and have tons of wasted space and zero design substance.
Liz Myers it’s still far cheaper to improve energy efficiency and replace windows with the double paned ones than the massive foundation/leakage/warped siding/mold, etc the new ones have.
We are currently starting the home shopping phase, and thought DR. Horton was good until we visited a couple of communities. The older 4-5 years old and up have began to deteriorate within the entire communities. Shame on you D.R. Horton!
it's too bad that they don't empower the viewers with data about WHY the concrete cracked (lack of rebar? soil too expansive for simple slab on grade concrete?) WHY the vinyl siding warped (the buying process and what defects to watch out for), WHY there is mold (unintelligent roof penetration plan / poor craftsmanship ). The mainstream media will never empower you appreciably.
I had my first house built in 2001 and stopped by every day to take pics of everything and to also see any problems before they got covered up. Was the smartest think to do. That way I had pics later of all the wiring,plumbing,etc. So when I remodeled or chanced something I knew what was there. Doing this I caught couple things wrong. I had good cement work,good framers,but bad roofers,and drywallers. I also did the blue tape this lady did and freaked out my contractor. Had part of the roof replaced( laid crooked.) Sump pump was in wrong place(but caught it before the lower level floor was poured).also moved a ceiling light before it was installed. I would be skeptical of buying a new build without being there during the build. Doing this saved me a lot of money later. Had one thing warranted moisture on seem of poured wall. They wanted to tell me how they were going to fix it from the inside. In the end they fix it my way (the right way)and then even did a little more extra.Why becouse they new I knew my stuff and I didn't play around. Most my neighbors had problems that were warrantied,but could hardly get them to come out. I didn't have that problem( knowledge is power)and pictures is evidence.lol
My dear late husband turned our 1960's cedar kit cottage into a little beauty. He had it raised with new foundation and infrastructure. I am snug as a bug in a rug in my tiny dream house.
If I can afford a $400,000 house I hire an inspector to overlook the building process and make sure it build right. With that kind of money I make sure that built to last for years.
That's the thing, they can't afford to buy these houses. Pre Foreclosures are up by 43% over this time last year. This story is the echos of 2006 when McMansions were being slapped together to meet demand.
tonykeo83 I was wondering about that. I bought a 10 year old house last year and had a private inspector come out- it was required. No problems with my house!
Yep, companies who mass produce homes in less than six months, I almost bought a new construction home but changed my mind when I was told wouldn't be able to watch them work on the foundation.
If I ever want a new home I'm getting a custom home that is designed by an architect, built by a well reviewed construction firm, and it wouldn't be in a subdivision.
Same. I work as a contractor myself for a family real estate business, and I know these manufactured houses are not at all good. I also learned that I could easily buy some land, and have a house built for an amazing price as well. It would be exactly how I need it, the right size, and no HOA on my back as well. But I'd definitely use brick and mortar rather than wood and drywall.
I purchased a new construction home in 2003 and had an inspector check the work during every phase (framing, electrical, HVAC, insulation, drywall, etc) and it was probably the best money I ever spent. My home had zero defects.
My house was built in 2000 and we had an inspector there throughout all stages of the construction. If they found any problems, there were like three or four that weren't too serious, and they fixed them before the constitution was finished. Almost 20 years later we have never had any problems with our house. Didn't even need to use the one year warranty.
When I was painting houses one family found a local carpenter and paid him to stop by for a couple of minutes after he got off work to check out the work done on their house that day. Every morning there would be a list of stuff they had done wrong that they had to redo. Sometimes we would add stuff to the list when they were gone. Every morning you could hear them complaining about that list.
what i cant stand is when people say they are homeowners when they really dont own the home the bank does! you dont own the home until you have it paid off completely!
A developer down the street from me is building million dollar "carriage homes" (3400sq/ft twin homes) on a literal landfill surrounded by limestone. The area is already a 10 year flood plain riddled with sinkholes due to the limestone. The first set of homes were completed in late 2016 - the sidewalks and streets are already shifting and cracking. Everyone (besides the hired realtors and gullible buyers) are concerned of how the houses will hold up. Large scale ballon construction developments are a big issue in my area, and it's only getting worse.
That's what I'm seeing in central Florida, low-lying areas filled in and leveled off. They don't even bother to build up a mound for drainage away from the homes.
Thanks for your testimony how you pulled out. My family was just looking at these homes in Buckeye last weekend the weekend before Memorial day and talk to our realtor about these houses very seriously but I decided to come to RUclips to see the layout on the models I like which I never seen die to this video I immediately showed my hubby this video and was WOW! I HAVE TO SHOW HIM THIS VIDEO HE WAS LIKE WE ARE NOT GOING THEIR AT ALL HE W AS SO GLAD I RAN INTO THIS VIDEO AND SO IM I SO HECK NO WE ARE NOT COMING AND IM GLAD YOU GOT YOUR DEPOST BACK.
Damn I’m in the process of putting a deposit for a DR Horton Home in Stafford,VA. I think I’m knocking on a few doors tomorrow to talk with some folks. 👀 hopefully DR Horton changed since these vids came out
I am glad I found this video. I have a D. R by the house am renting . I was hope to buy a house in the subdivision next year but after seeing this video. I will stay away from that company.
Yup this is exactly why I'm buying a house from the 70's, we had an inspection and appraisal done. The inspector found not one major issue with the home. It appraised for far more then what we're paying! The only things needed to do is cosmetic. My husband and I are doing those things ourself. Well people these days want new flashy things and look what it gets you smdh
Fila Kri Same here the former home owner painted the outside of our home lime green🤣🤣🤣 so tragic. It's wood which I am not a fan of so we've decided to reside. But, that is all that's needed which is a easy cosmetic fix. Done by a reputable company. Oh and paint the walls which we're doing our selves.
I bought a 70s home, the home is solid but be prepared the pipes are copper and it not gona last much longer. And the wiring is old and needs updated. If on slab like mine they came in and removed a 4x4 area in my dining room foundation to get to pipe that had rusted and was crumbling away he used camera and made a video of all my pipes under slab he said in about 5 more years it will all be crumbling. 6000.00 for just that water line to be replaved.
Ugh those aren't nice homes. Those are prepackaged cookie cutter pieces of junk with no soul, love, or thought put into them. Build your own home with a private contractor. Don't go with these cookie cutter mass producers.
Some people do not have money to buy anything but cookie cutter homes. Not all cookie cutter homes are poorly constructed. They need to do some homework first.
Donna Brown the bad builders should be put on blast via some type of warning list with verified issues so they can’t continue to sell shoddy houses to families.
This is so true in many cities. The fact that the builder is allowed to have a legal document already in place should be outlawed immediately. I won't mention names but you don't get what you paid for is a symbol of bad construction due to the lack of union workers who know their craft. We now have homes built by day labor's who can barely use a hammer let alone mix concrete. This will not end until we once again value the craftsmen who train for years before being certified. My sympathy to those who now are victims of shoddy workmanship and are forced to pay the piper.
On most of these large subdivisions built by a larger general contractor such as DR Horton in the larger cities, they are mostly built by union contractors and workers. With the exception of union plumbers and electricians the rest of union trades are a joke.
My house is 33 years old,the rest of my neighborhood was built about 20 years ago and those houses are falling down around themselves meanwhile ours is standing strong. I'll never buy a house built after the mid 90's.
Makes me very glad that my childhood homes were built by my dad, uncle, family and neighbors. The only thing that caused us problems was the structure... After a RV ran into the front of the house...
If you mention the problem over & over, cause it still hasn't been fixed, then your a considered a complainer. When I bought a new condo, their was a water leak in my roof. It wasn't a problem for the 1st 2 months, cause we had no rain. The contractor said, why didn't mention that when you moved in? I said, cause I didn't know about it until it rained.😫
This is bologna. People want a quality, well-built, safe home, and they should get what they are supposed to be paying for. What ever happened to home inspectors?? They should sue these builders for a new home, and I do not normally promote suing, but if they are not going to be more responsible, they need to pay for that choice.
My two year old Home is in the same condition. My husband and I pointed it out to our builder and nothing happened. Our home is in the State of VA but my husband is a soldier on Active Duty. Something needs to be done.
I would recommend contacting the JAG/ legal office at a military base in VA related to your husband's branch of service. You can just Google the base and locate the nbr on their website. You can also try contacting JAG/legal in the state that your living in. I would also consider contacting your congressman, 60 minutes, local TV stations and the developer. I recommend getting a notebook and with down the date, time,name of the person you're speaking to, the nbr that you called ( if you're transferred notate the nbr) and what was discussed. Do this every!!!! time!!Good luck.
Be very diligent when buying these new homes. Drive thru some of these places, pay attention to what materials are used, how long they sit outside in the rain, take a day to watch one being built. I do work for a very large home builder (I dont have anything to do with how the homes are built) I've watched what happens, personally I wouldnt buy a house built within the last 30 years.
I love the ideas of knocking on some doors around the neighborhood, I'd never consider doing that til now!! We plan on building and after seeing all these issues and reading all these reviews I'm terrified
This highlights a problem in our culture too. People feel like the must buy a house or else they’re not living the American dream, even if they can’t afford it. In the old days, people built houses only if they could afford it and therefore, great care and attention to detail was made. Nowadays these houses are like ‘fast fashion.’ - make it affordable, but poorly made.
I know someone who discovered serious structural issues after moving in that the builder tried to conceal with drywall. It didn't even take a keen eye to discover something was seriously off with the framing.
I paid for a full day home inspection before I wrote the final check for my new construction home. Well spent money. I’d like to see arbitration clauses made illegal everywhere.
National Association of homebuilders the CEO was lying on national television?? Why would anyone in South Carolina buy a newly built home? No laws to protect them!
This is why I will NEVER ever buy a home in a "community" built by these builders. If you want to own a house buy a good old brick home built before this mass manufactured home stuff.
@@Commentator541 Becoming an "owner/builder" is no light task, and most folks don't have the time to oversee projects like a home, nor do they have the know how....who to call, when to call...when to schedule/reschedule...delivery of product, etc...
I live north of Pittsburgh and when my husband and i came to look at our house for the first time; first place we went was the basement,we were looking at the walls, foundation, roof, and u name it, it took us a month to finally sign papers,and for those it took us a couple hours, they realtor seem very drained and ready to run 😂,my home prior owner was 89 years old, he built this house in 1965 and I love how strong and well build is, with original hardwood floors,windows customized,I just love it
The inspectors passing these homes were likely the inspectors that work for the building company. It's better to have 2 inspections done before buying a house that isn't affiliated with the builder.
I own a home built in the 1830s out of brick, mortar, stone, lathe and plaster. I don't have any of these problems and I rarely have to make repairs. My husband and I work on homes. We are skilled artisan/craftsmen. My main work is restoring older homes but when I lived in Indianapolis for 4 years, we did a lot of work on newly constructed overpriced McMansions in subdivisions. You have to be out of your mind to buy one of those shit shacks. Spit and toilet paper. Working in restoration, you find out they are made out of the exact same materials with the same shoddy construction- down to the cheap fake brass light fixtures- as the newly built "Affordable housing" Section 8 style apartment complexes they stack up welfare cases in. And the reason why that lady had those thousands of nails popping out was that it was built with nails and not screws. These sheetrock walls and ceilings shouldn't be built with nails. It will fall apart. Drywall is held together with screws. Also, these companies need to stop hiring illegal aliens and drug addicted morons. Hire an independent craftsman. Small business all the way. Get referrals and read reviews.
Wait!!!, inspectors approved the jobs? Isn't the city inspectors suppose to approve the work beginning with the foundation?....and every step of the process/codes? Hhmmm.
this is not a new problem in America been going on for years I'm a plumber and that's where the most problems that come with the biggest price tags begin to this day quest water pipes are bursting all over the US and the homeowners eat the repair cost as well as the damage cost as Americans we need to see that actual craftsmen and experienced people in the trades are building inspectors and not a pencil jockey and set higher standards for the materials were building with to solve these common issues
Justin Reed Yes! We need a push for more young people to go into the trades. ..plumbing, electrical work, etc. Too much shoddy work being done by unskilled people.
Wow! Dr. Horton offered to buy that house back. I wonder if the homeowner accepted? That house must have had so many problems. Dr. Horton didn't want to be exposed more than this video had already exposed
And it does not stop. My wife and I recently cancelling our contracts due to construction issue. Several hairline crack on the slab (being the major one)... Guess who's the builder. Ding! Ding! Ding! You guessed it. DR Horton. Do not buy 9904 Timberwolf Lane in McKinney, TX. Unless you have some money to shell out for major repairs. #DoNotBuyDRHorton
Although I'm glad you got out, hairline cracks in concrete are normal and unavoidable. It's important to have robust waterproofing and drainage so it doesn't become an issue.
There may not be a perfect home and sure everyone expects things to wear out, etc. BUT not be built with inferior supplies and just plain built shoddy. There should be an agency that jerks the licenses to do anymore building or anymore construction from these type companies and keep them from building or constructing anything else at all. I do NOT understand how these people live with themselves knowing they are doing this to people and the home of their dreams turning into the home of their nightmares.
I would like to know why the housing inspector did not see this while on the site? This sounds like someone did not do their jobs before this became an major issue!
My house was built in the early 1900s and it's solid as a rock. I need some new windows and want to refinish the hardwood floors, but other than that it's really sturdy. I'll never buy one of these prefabricated pieces of overpriced junk.
Make sure you hire an inspector. Even for new construction. As a Realtor, I see a lot of first time buyers not wanting to spend a few hundred on an inspection, even when it may find and prevent these problems.
I am an electrician and I can tell just by looking at these homes they showed us that they aren’t built as life time homes. They are built as a selling home .
So the only way you’re going to get a good house, you do it your self. I know really good contractor in California and he built one of the best homes I’ve ever seen in my life
I did. Older land is the best, and it was taken first for that reason. It’s very suspicious today to get an affordable brand new home with a billion bells and whistles, they are just looking for suckers. Every owner is one, but at least an older home has a reason for repairs and new parts and you get the location that will never go out of style and will always hold value.
Jerry Howard is full of it. On site construction quality has gone way way way down in the last 30 years because consumers want homes built fast and cheaply. I used worked for architects and engineers for years and we never constructed crap like what was shown. Consumers are better off either learning to build their own homes or buying prefabricated homes, which are much better quality then homes built on site.
Never use corporate builders. They care about profits and shareholders, not you. Just buy the land and hire a good contractor. Corporate builders also overcharge for everything. My first home was a new construction from a corporate builder. I chose all base fixtures because for a fancy kitchen faucet, they wanted like $800. They're under $200 at Home Depot. For a fancy dining room light, they wanted $400. The same light I found at Home Depot for $70.
I could very well be wrong...but I'm betting modt of these problem homes are in HOA neighborhoods and the contractors are the only ones "approved" by the the developer in charge of the hoa.
I just bought my first home. A brand new house in a brand new subdivision. Had a private home inspector check the place out before I bought, but videos like this make me worry. What will happen in the next 1-5 years?
It's so sad to consider that the pyramids built around 2500 BC are still ok but a fellow human's new home is falling apart. How can a tomb be built better than a home?
This has been happening since the the 2000s (That I’m aware of) my parents bought a new house, but this house had so many problems. Neighbors were experiencing leaking roofs, the electrical work is horrible (many outlets don’t even work), garages weren’t built correctly, air conditioning in a few houses weren’t even complete. Luckily the whole neighborhood did a lawsuit for the faulty construction.
I had an 1852 that was built like a beast! Bones were good with huge hand hewn beams in the basement! No dry wall, horse hair plaster. Survived the chimney fire quite well.
apersonwhoknows24 -actually they built plenty of crap homes 100 years ago, but few of those are still standing... Those that have lasted since then were largely of high quality, however.
new homes arent designed to last. theyre built to sell
Great point made.
Bingo
If you stick with an independant contractor who doesn't sub all the phases out, you'll do okay most of the time. Houses should last longer because of all the codes in place. I tear a lot of old houses up, and construction is generally poorer back then.
wyntre sorrow that sucks.
Built as quick as my kid niece builds lego houses.
"Built to sell, not built to last." Words of absolute wisdom and facts.
My old ass house makes me feel good
My 1979 Duke Mobile makes me good after seeing this.
Old is gold
Same here, my house is over 100+, but everything is stable with new windows and interior upgrade.
Ruben Scott my old house has tons of problems, and Im still happy, because is not as bad as this new houses.
Yep you're old school houses are your best because it was built from Old School person. There wasn't any kind of fancy equipment back in those days! Sure it's nice to see a huge house built in less than 3 months. But like I said above lot of mistakes can happen and not to mention it's a mistake it's done they don't do anything about it but just cover it! Back in my time 70s and 80s everything was done perfectly. And way before that was totally different.
DR Horton.
Ok.
I won't forget.
My home was built in 1962. Still have the original stove and oven. Needed new furnace after 50 years.
Fila Kri. Plus, we don't have to worry about the
Chinese Dry Wall Problem
Older homes are much superior. They have actual wood and brick, whereas these new houses are just plywood. They’d burn down in 5 minutes flat. I have yet to buy a house, but these new ones worry me.
mindyschocolate they burn down so fast because the wood has more glue in it than wood the glue burns like fuel another reason for all the problems is that the land these are built on is what is left of the prime location they are the left over no one would build on in the 70s non of these homes will be there 30 years from now they will be trashed and the value will drop because you will start having foreclosed homes because of too many repairs or mold issues so the whole neighborhood starts going down and when your just 10 feet away or 5 feet away no trees just house after house that what your left with. Sadly no one can afford a home in the city. New looks so much better than the high cost for a small house. Granite and stainless steel sell the house. If they would just used drywall screws and not a nematic nailer the pop out drywall would not happen or the floors .
gtb2009b That's what I noticed too, that the good land was cherry picked decades ago, then large farms were broken into subdivisions. Now the low lying, filled in swamp land is being used in Florida.
Mine is made in 1966 and only have had small minor problems.
I always felt these communities were being built to quickly.
Also, they tear down ALL the trees in the area and then plant new trees, which take years to grow full size. WTF? Why not leave some of the good, healthy trees in place? It's more eco-friendly isn't it, and it should be cheaper too because you are removing fewer trees ... less labor!
This has been going on for over 15 years. I use to work building these new homes and they are built on the cheap by un trained people and inspected by inspectors who get money for signing off on the paperwork without checking the homes.
Benjamin Esposti I witnessed alot of that happening in North Carolina, Georgia, and Delaware. The South is seeing a construction boom right now, subdivision developments popping up everywhere and the Forests and wildlife are paying the price. Sad.
fangzea I'm gonna assume you worked for Ryan homes... They're notorious for shotty construction and being as cheap as they can.
Renee Jones I’ve always told my wife that 🤔 now I see the aftermath
At first I wanted a brand new house until I saw foreclosure signs and switched to a 1963 brick house. Extremely happy.
SMART! Brick is THE ONLY way to go. Earthquake prone areas are the exception, but for everywhere else BRICK only!!!! People are naive, and think wood is just as sturdy. it is not.
Tbh I love love the house designs that were used in the 1960's, they were like our modern day house structures but with more character in them
The foreclosures are because the people can’t pay their mortgage not because the house is bad
Change the laws!!!!!! Builders need to be a countable!!!!!!!
Derrick Lopez Right.
Yes, forget that arbitration clause. Homeowners should be allowed to go to court and all this shotty construction would stop
@@karenkramer3760 Right. They will do it right the first time.
Some builders are. If this is one of your most expensive investments or purchases , then why wouldn't you do your research and make sure you're not getting a house built in a week!! Those houses are not worth maybe half what they paid. They use whatever materials, don't send back warped beams. They use cheapest labor can find. Half the houses can turn into low income housing. Those horses are not built well. Those neighborhoods are really a scam. Investors come in and purchase land, cram as many homes on the property they can, find the cheapest labor and materials that look good at first. Offer upgrades to make the buyer feel involved and in control of build. It's a joke.
Many builders are writing the laws.
when they offer custom color schemes but they're all different shades of beige
you forgot the.... GRANITE COUNTERTOPS!!! /s
The other side of the spectrum: If you go to the Outer Banks on the east coast, you'll see buildings in every pastel color of the rainbow.
I hope those builders, contractors, and managers are all held accountable to the point they end up suffering from nightmares and cold sweat.
ray right ??? Forced to close business an can not build anymore.
What builders and contractors? You mean illegals?
I had the opportunity to get a practically new house for only $267,000 with 6 BR, 3.5 bath, .23acre, brand new stainless appliances, 3 car garage, and granite. Also had a community pool, playground, trail, and clubhouse for $360/year. Best deal ever, right??? After doing careful research I realize that these were cookie cutter lunchbox houses with the beautiful stone veneer in the front and every lot looked the same with only a variation of three different designs. The neighborhood looked like something from a Sci-fi thriller with zero personality with giant houses on small lots. They were thrown up and built in less than 6 months. I chose an older home nearby made by a builder who is still in business and rated top in the USA. People thought I made a bad choice to turn down the new giant house with more rooms for $45,000 less. They need to watch videos like this.
LynRuiz And for all you know the other house could have been fine and you indeed did spend $45k more than you needed to. Newer homes are also more energy efficient than older homes. If you worked in Insurance you would know to stay away from older homes, they can be a nightmare of problems you haven't encountered yet because no matter what inspection you have you can never have the inside of the walls inspected prior to purchase like you can with a new home. The builder in this particular segment is well known to be bad, go with a reputable builder and you will be fine. Good luck with your utility bills.
Liz Myers I got lucky and found a tiny hidden subdivision within walking distance to the other place. The extra money hurt us but we got more than double lot size and full privacy in each direction. Our water bill has decreased somehow and our electric is prob about $80 more plus a winter gas bill. The huge McMansion “deal” lunchbox houses are already falling apart at the joints with many showing sealing and moisture issues and warped windows. Mine was built in 1995 and those were 2005-2009 phase. We pass through and check out open houses. They are massive and have tons of wasted space and zero design substance.
Liz Myers it’s still far cheaper to improve energy efficiency and replace windows with the double paned ones than the massive foundation/leakage/warped siding/mold, etc the new ones have.
Yea your kinda Stupid for that one lol
johny cashflow quite the opposite.
Shame on you DR Horton😡
Greed is the fastest and most powerful way for anyone to go to hell. It's not sham it is evil.
They are just as bad in Colorado
DR Horton's Edward is just fine in Georgia.
America Homesmith is no better
They build homes under a few different names, I wouldnt trust any new house.
D.R. Horton homes-do NOT BUY!!!!
@Andrea Allen what about LGI homes
Pass on Lennar Home builders also, please watch my review!
How about Ryan Homes?
Nexus Nation That’s great to hear, I was planning to buy from Ryan homes in Pennsylvania.
LMAO complaints about EVERY Company. If I based by buying choice on comments I see on youtube I wouldn't be able to buy a house
We are currently starting the home shopping phase, and thought DR. Horton was good until we visited a couple of communities. The older 4-5 years old and up have began to deteriorate within the entire communities. Shame on you D.R. Horton!
Valerie Foster wow us too I'm glad I saw this before deciding to buy
This is the type of journalism I enjoy! ABC is making a positive difference with this story!
Yes, this needs to happen more often
it's too bad that they don't empower the viewers with data about WHY the concrete cracked (lack of rebar? soil too expansive for simple slab on grade concrete?) WHY the vinyl siding warped (the buying process and what defects to watch out for), WHY there is mold (unintelligent roof penetration plan / poor craftsmanship ).
The mainstream media will never empower you appreciably.
And here we are 5 years later a DR Horton are still known as one of worst builders
If only Toyota made homes.
For real!
They do, In Japan
Then they’d rot because Toyota’s rust like hell especially the older ones.
They'd last forever!
Nice!
I had my first house built in 2001 and stopped by every day to take pics of everything and to also see any problems before they got covered up. Was the smartest think to do. That way I had pics later of all the wiring,plumbing,etc. So when I remodeled or chanced something I knew what was there. Doing this I caught couple things wrong. I had good cement work,good framers,but bad roofers,and drywallers. I also did the blue tape this lady did and freaked out my contractor. Had part of the roof replaced( laid crooked.) Sump pump was in wrong place(but caught it before the lower level floor was poured).also moved a ceiling light before it was installed. I would be skeptical of buying a new build without being there during the build. Doing this saved me a lot of money later. Had one thing warranted moisture on seem of poured wall. They wanted to tell me how they were going to fix it from the inside. In the end they fix it my way (the right way)and then even did a little more extra.Why becouse they new I knew my stuff and I didn't play around. Most my neighbors had problems that were warrantied,but could hardly get them to come out. I didn't have that problem( knowledge is power)and pictures is evidence.lol
You're a damn genius
Alright now 😂🤣😆
Good for you! Smart!
Smart! Very smart!!
My dear late husband turned our 1960's cedar kit cottage into a little beauty. He had it raised with new foundation and infrastructure. I am snug as a bug in a rug in my tiny dream house.
Oh god, my anxiety in purchasing a new home went up!
This is real journalism
I want to see more of this
If I can afford a $400,000 house I hire an inspector to overlook the building process and make sure it build right. With that kind of money I make sure that built to last for years.
That's the thing, they can't afford to buy these houses. Pre Foreclosures are up by 43% over this time last year. This story is the echos of 2006 when McMansions were being slapped together to meet demand.
But 400k is not even expensive anymore.
Yes. Hire your own inspector. Because realtors always have their own people but never forget they only want to make a sale asap
tonykeo83 I was wondering about that. I bought a 10 year old house last year and had a private inspector come out- it was required. No problems with my house!
Isn't it? It's creepy, but not enough people are talking about it. I'm gonna hunker down and get my backup plan ready.
Yep, companies who mass produce homes in less than six months, I almost bought a new construction home but changed my mind when I was told wouldn't be able to watch them work on the foundation.
If I ever want a new home I'm getting a custom home that is designed by an architect, built by a well reviewed construction firm, and it wouldn't be in a subdivision.
And made out of bricks and mortar instead of wood and drywall.
Says the person with a 20% down payment, and money for architect and lot.
Ditto.
BitsyTheNinja ok
Same. I work as a contractor myself for a family real estate business, and I know these manufactured houses are not at all good. I also learned that I could easily buy some land, and have a house built for an amazing price as well. It would be exactly how I need it, the right size, and no HOA on my back as well. But I'd definitely use brick and mortar rather than wood and drywall.
I purchased a new construction home in 2003 and had an inspector check the work during every phase (framing, electrical, HVAC, insulation, drywall, etc) and it was probably the best money I ever spent. My home had zero defects.
My house was built in 2000 and we had an inspector there throughout all stages of the construction. If they found any problems, there were like three or four that weren't too serious, and they fixed them before the constitution was finished. Almost 20 years later we have never had any problems with our house. Didn't even need to use the one year warranty.
When I was painting houses one family found a local carpenter and paid him to stop by for a couple of minutes after he got off work to check out the work done on their house that day. Every morning there would be a list of stuff they had done wrong that they had to redo. Sometimes we would add stuff to the list when they were gone. Every morning you could hear them complaining about that list.
That’s what we plan to do hire an inspector to oversee the construction every step of the way
Your were smart to have had that done !
I have never seen siding melt down like that all the materials are coming from overseas
what i cant stand is when people say they are homeowners when they really dont own the home the bank does! you dont own the home until you have it paid off completely!
Courageous journalism bringing these truths to light.
I can’t believe dr horton can get away with waiting the new owners out past the 1 year warranty. They should be held accountable.
A developer down the street from me is building million dollar "carriage homes" (3400sq/ft twin homes) on a literal landfill surrounded by limestone. The area is already a 10 year flood plain riddled with sinkholes due to the limestone. The first set of homes were completed in late 2016 - the sidewalks and streets are already shifting and cracking. Everyone (besides the hired realtors and gullible buyers) are concerned of how the houses will hold up. Large scale ballon construction developments are a big issue in my area, and it's only getting worse.
That's what I'm seeing in central Florida, low-lying areas filled in and leveled off. They don't even bother to build up a mound for drainage away from the homes.
I have a deposit for a house in AZ built by DH HORTON. Thank God I discovered this vid. I’m pulling out of my deposit.
Catt's Box I pulled out of my deposit with DR Horton also. I even cancelled my debit card bc I feared I would have trouble getting it back.
better safe than sorry
Good for you. Maybe if they lose enough business they will figure out they need to change..... or better yet go out of business.
Thanks for your testimony how you pulled out. My family was just looking at these homes in Buckeye last weekend the weekend before Memorial day and talk to our realtor about these houses very seriously but I decided to come to RUclips to see the layout on the models I like which I never seen die to this video I immediately showed my hubby this video and was WOW! I HAVE TO SHOW HIM THIS VIDEO HE WAS LIKE WE ARE NOT GOING THEIR AT ALL HE W AS SO GLAD I RAN INTO THIS VIDEO AND SO IM I SO HECK NO WE ARE NOT COMING AND IM GLAD YOU GOT YOUR DEPOST BACK.
Damn I’m in the process of putting a deposit for a DR Horton Home in Stafford,VA. I think I’m knocking on a few doors tomorrow to talk with some folks. 👀 hopefully DR Horton changed since these vids came out
Thank you ABC for getting involved and holding these builders accountable
Wow... that mess up that the guy who is jerry say and quote " their isn't a suggest thing of a perfect home ". I want to see his house 😑
Tiffani Clause i especially enjoyed the bit about the quality improving. Okay? 🙄
Exactly
I am glad I found this video. I have a D. R by the house am renting . I was hope to buy a house in the subdivision next year but after seeing this video. I will stay away from that company.
stay away. Please Please Please
Yup this is exactly why I'm buying a house from the 70's, we had an inspection and appraisal done. The inspector found not one major issue with the home. It appraised for far more then what we're paying! The only things needed to do is cosmetic. My husband and I are doing those things ourself. Well people these days want new flashy things and look what it gets you smdh
Fila Kri Same here the former home owner painted the outside of our home lime green🤣🤣🤣 so tragic. It's wood which I am not a fan of so we've decided to reside. But, that is all that's needed which is a easy cosmetic fix. Done by a reputable company. Oh and paint the walls which we're doing our selves.
I get an irresistible urge to make a lower offer on houses with bad paint jobs (that are relatively easy and cheap to fix.)
Ever hear of popcorn asbestos ceilings and aluminum wiring that was used in homes from the 70s?
I bought a 70s home, the home is solid but be prepared the pipes are copper and it not gona last much longer. And the wiring is old and needs updated. If on slab like mine they came in and removed a 4x4 area in my dining room foundation to get to pipe that had rusted and was crumbling away he used camera and made a video of all my pipes under slab he said in about 5 more years it will all be crumbling. 6000.00 for just that water line to be replaved.
Ugh those aren't nice homes. Those are prepackaged cookie cutter pieces of junk with no soul, love, or thought put into them. Build your own home with a private contractor. Don't go with these cookie cutter mass producers.
Some people do not have money to buy anything but cookie cutter homes. Not all cookie cutter homes are poorly constructed. They need to do some homework first.
Agreed, not all builders are the same at all. You need to go with a reputable, good builder.
Donna Brown the bad builders should be put on blast via some type of warning list with verified issues so they can’t continue to sell shoddy houses to families.
Liz Myers what about LGI Homes are they bad
a 400K house is cookie cutter piece of junk?? not!! @@
This is so true in many cities. The fact that the builder is allowed to have a legal document already in place should be outlawed immediately. I won't mention names but you don't get what you paid for is a symbol of bad construction due to the lack of union workers who know their craft. We now have homes built by day labor's who can barely use a hammer let alone mix concrete. This will not end until we once again value the craftsmen who train for years before being certified. My sympathy to those who now are victims of shoddy workmanship and are forced to pay the piper.
Sadly - the loss of trained craftsmen.
you only need true craftsmen, you dont need the union part.
On most of these large subdivisions built by a larger general contractor such as DR Horton in the larger cities, they are mostly built by union contractors and workers. With the exception of union plumbers and electricians the rest of union trades are a joke.
Thank you, I’m running away from DR, almost signed a contract.
My house is 33 years old,the rest of my neighborhood was built about 20 years ago and those houses are falling down around themselves meanwhile ours is standing strong. I'll never buy a house built after the mid 90's.
When you price your workers so low that all you attract to the job are non-professional workers you get what you pay for.
So many of these houses are so cheap for the size. Insane.
Makes me very glad that my childhood homes were built by my dad, uncle, family and neighbors. The only thing that caused us problems was the structure... After a RV ran into the front of the house...
I'm so thankful for this yall saved me from makin a mistake
If you mention the problem over & over, cause it still hasn't been fixed, then your a considered a complainer. When I bought a new condo, their was a water leak in my roof. It wasn't a problem for the 1st 2 months, cause we had no rain. The contractor said, why didn't mention that when you moved in? I said, cause I didn't know about it until it rained.😫
Sooooo stupid. I guess we should spray a water hose over our houses to check ourselves. Ughhhhh
Ridiculous...
Always a new way to scapegoat lol pass the buck
This is bologna. People want a quality, well-built, safe home, and they should get what they are supposed to be paying for. What ever happened to home inspectors?? They should sue these builders for a new home, and I do not normally promote suing, but if they are not going to be more responsible, they need to pay for that choice.
Did you actually watch the video? They signed a mandatory arbitration clause, they can't sue.
They hire their own inspectors.
My home was built in the 1970s. When I move out to buy my own, it will be an older home. Better quality, bigger bedrooms
My two year old Home is in the same condition. My husband and I pointed it out to our builder and nothing happened. Our home is in the State of VA but my husband is a soldier on Active Duty. Something needs to be done.
call and email your congressman and senator. Keep pushing it
I would recommend contacting the JAG/ legal office at a military base in VA related to your husband's branch of service. You can just Google the base and locate the nbr on their website. You can also try contacting JAG/legal in the state that your living in. I would also consider contacting your congressman, 60 minutes, local TV stations and the developer. I recommend getting a notebook and with down the date, time,name of the person you're speaking to, the nbr that you called ( if you're transferred notate the nbr) and what was discussed. Do this every!!!! time!!Good luck.
I just wondered is it DR Horton?
This is why you always get an inspector to inspect the home before you buy it!!
Be very diligent when buying these new homes. Drive thru some of these places, pay attention to what materials are used, how long they sit outside in the rain, take a day to watch one being built.
I do work for a very large home builder (I dont have anything to do with how the homes are built) I've watched what happens, personally I wouldnt buy a house built within the last 30 years.
Never sign an agreement where there is a mandatory arbitration clause. You are essentially waiving your constitutional rights away.
I love the ideas of knocking on some doors around the neighborhood, I'd never consider doing that til now!! We plan on building and after seeing all these issues and reading all these reviews I'm terrified
This highlights a problem in our culture too. People feel like the must buy a house or else they’re not living the American dream, even if they can’t afford it. In the old days, people built houses only if they could afford it and therefore, great care and attention to detail was made. Nowadays these houses are like ‘fast fashion.’ - make it affordable, but poorly made.
My house was built in 1915 and through all its years standing it has never given me any problems like these new homes have.
They say old gold is better than new gold.
People want a safe, sound home up to code. They don't want perfection but your money's worth.
They just don't build homes like they use to. Homes that last 100+ years. Those days are gone.
I know someone who discovered serious structural issues after moving in that the builder tried to conceal with drywall. It didn't even take a keen eye to discover something was seriously off with the framing.
I paid for a full day home inspection before I wrote the final check for my new construction home. Well spent money. I’d like to see arbitration clauses made illegal everywhere.
Awesome job ABC news. We need more of this!!!
National Association of homebuilders the CEO was lying on national television??
Why would anyone in South Carolina buy a newly built home? No laws to protect them!
So that they can live near NC without paying NC taxes.
This is why I will NEVER ever buy a home in a "community" built by these builders. If you want to own a house buy a good old brick home built before this mass manufactured home stuff.
Or hire the builders yourself. IT ACTUALLY COSTS LESS to build a normal sized brick house on a large lot then have to deal with the HOA crap.
@@Commentator541 HOA is bassically a mini communist goverent lol. Those people that want HOas are really brain dead
@@Commentator541 Becoming an "owner/builder" is no light task, and most folks don't have the time to oversee projects like a home, nor do they have the know how....who to call, when to call...when to schedule/reschedule...delivery of product, etc...
And yet to build your own house is practically impossible, even when you work in construction.
I live north of Pittsburgh and when my husband and i came to look at our house for the first time; first place we went was the basement,we were looking at the walls, foundation, roof, and u name it, it took us a month to finally sign papers,and for those it took us a couple hours, they realtor seem very drained and ready to run 😂,my home prior owner was 89 years old, he built this house in 1965 and I love how strong and well build is, with original hardwood floors,windows customized,I just love it
I’d like to know what inspectors are passing these homes🤦♀️
The inspectors passing these homes were likely the inspectors that work for the building company. It's better to have 2 inspections done before buying a house that isn't affiliated with the builder.
@@annietribble3062 inspectors in our area are county and they do NOT work for the builders. Trust me, we are in the trades and know that for a fact.
I own a home built in the 1830s out of brick, mortar, stone, lathe and plaster. I don't have any of these problems and I rarely have to make repairs. My husband and I work on homes. We are skilled artisan/craftsmen. My main work is restoring older homes but when I lived in Indianapolis for 4 years, we did a lot of work on newly constructed overpriced McMansions in subdivisions. You have to be out of your mind to buy one of those shit shacks. Spit and toilet paper. Working in restoration, you find out they are made out of the exact same materials with the same shoddy construction- down to the cheap fake brass light fixtures- as the newly built "Affordable housing" Section 8 style apartment complexes they stack up welfare cases in.
And the reason why that lady had those thousands of nails popping out was that it was built with nails and not screws. These sheetrock walls and ceilings shouldn't be built with nails. It will fall apart. Drywall is held together with screws.
Also, these companies need to stop hiring illegal aliens and drug addicted morons. Hire an independent craftsman. Small business all the way. Get referrals and read reviews.
Aren't you a judgemental pos??!!! 'Welfare cases"'??? Wtf is wrong with you?
This is why I prefer older homes. They've stood the test of time.
Wait!!!, inspectors approved the jobs? Isn't the city inspectors suppose to approve the work beginning with the foundation?....and every step of the process/codes? Hhmmm.
LLJ L They’re crooked too, everyone from the builders to the inspectors are lining each other’s pockets, it’s deplorable.
Serenity Lake field -bought and paid for!
Most of those city employees are way underpaid and will take a quick bribe ever time it’s offered for a little side cash!
city inspectors are a joke everywhere, if your lucky you will get a honest one doing the inspecting.
They lunch with each other so they'll pass the inspection so the city will have growth and increase tax revenue.
this is not a new problem in America been going on for years I'm a plumber and that's where the most problems that come with the biggest price tags begin to this day quest water pipes are bursting all over the US and the homeowners eat the repair cost as well as the damage cost as Americans we need to see that actual craftsmen and experienced people in the trades are building inspectors and not a pencil jockey and set higher standards for the materials were building with to solve these common issues
Justin Reed Yes! We need a push for more young people to go into the trades. ..plumbing, electrical work, etc. Too much shoddy work being done by unskilled people.
Jesus fuck, 93 words and not one period or comma. We may have just witnessed a new world record, folks.
It seems to be the new thing I've noticed. I understood every word on this one. Lol But sadly, I've seen a lot worse
This is why it is CRITICAL that you get an house inspector to see all of the key stages of the house being built so this crap doesn't happen.
My old house was built in1958'
Ain't going anywhere soon.
Old but withstood three tornadoes.
Never saw a new do that here.
Wow! Dr. Horton offered to buy that house back. I wonder if the homeowner accepted? That house must have had so many problems. Dr. Horton didn't want to be exposed more than this video had already exposed
And it does not stop. My wife and I recently cancelling our contracts due to construction issue. Several hairline crack on the slab (being the major one)... Guess who's the builder. Ding! Ding! Ding! You guessed it. DR Horton. Do not buy 9904 Timberwolf Lane in McKinney, TX. Unless you have some money to shell out for major repairs. #DoNotBuyDRHorton
Although I'm glad you got out, hairline cracks in concrete are normal and unavoidable. It's important to have robust waterproofing and drainage so it doesn't become an issue.
I would never buy a new house because you can't see the hidden problems. My house was built in 1950 and I am happy with it.
The problem is the corrupt county inspectors that are not inspecting homes but trust the builders, it is a corrupt system.
Ok I'm glad that I've watched this.. Before I buy a home I'll first hire a Forensic Architect!!
There may not be a perfect home and sure everyone expects things to wear out, etc. BUT not be built with inferior supplies and just plain built shoddy. There should be an agency that jerks the licenses to do anymore building or anymore construction from these type companies and keep them from building or constructing anything else at all. I do NOT understand how these people live with themselves knowing they are doing this to people and the home of their dreams turning into the home of their nightmares.
Will be buying a home in the future, thank you ABC for reporting on this.
OMG this is so terrible, people work hard to be able to purchase the house and end up with a nightmare
I would like to know why the housing inspector did not see this while on the site?
This sounds like someone did not do their jobs before this became an major issue!
My house was built in the early 1900s and it's solid as a rock. I need some new windows and want to refinish the hardwood floors, but other than that it's really sturdy. I'll never buy one of these prefabricated pieces of overpriced junk.
Make sure you hire an inspector. Even for new construction. As a Realtor, I see a lot of first time buyers not wanting to spend a few hundred on an inspection, even when it may find and prevent these problems.
I am an electrician and I can tell just by looking at these homes they showed us that they aren’t built as life time homes. They are built as a selling home .
My home is over 40 years old and was built well to last. I will take my older sturdy home over these newer homes any day.
So the only way you’re going to get a good house, you do it your self. I know really good contractor in California and he built one of the best homes I’ve ever seen in my life
They need to hold the inspectors accountable they are fast to sign the doc and get the $100.00 bill
Sold our D.R.Horton home and bought an older 1960 home. Not as energy efficient but it was clearly built better .
I will buy a older home before 1994 and remodel. These homes are trash
1misskey awwww. Mine was build in 1995.
1misskey, you are so right
Home inspectors are not trustworthy. Been there. Alot of times they work with real estate to seal the deal.
I did. Older land is the best, and it was taken first for that reason. It’s very suspicious today to get an affordable brand new home with a billion bells and whistles, they are just looking for suckers. Every owner is one, but at least an older home has a reason for repairs and new parts and you get the location that will never go out of style and will always hold value.
@@rebeccabsomanybooks3558 that happened to me. I lost 4 years and 150,000 and my spine.
Jerry Howard is full of it. On site construction quality has gone way way way down in the last 30 years because consumers want homes built fast and cheaply. I used worked for architects and engineers for years and we never constructed crap like what was shown. Consumers are better off either learning to build their own homes or buying prefabricated homes, which are much better quality then homes built on site.
Never use corporate builders. They care about profits and shareholders, not you. Just buy the land and hire a good contractor. Corporate builders also overcharge for everything. My first home was a new construction from a corporate builder. I chose all base fixtures because for a fancy kitchen faucet, they wanted like $800. They're under $200 at Home Depot. For a fancy dining room light, they wanted $400. The same light I found at Home Depot for $70.
My house was built in 1911 I'm keeping it .
I could very well be wrong...but I'm betting modt of these problem homes are in HOA neighborhoods and the contractors are the only ones "approved" by the the developer in charge of the hoa.
I just bought my first home. A brand new house in a brand new subdivision. Had a private home inspector check the place out before I bought, but videos like this make me worry. What will happen in the next 1-5 years?
What's funny is this makes manufactured homes look really good by comparison.
Build it fast cheap with short cuts for more profit.
Chiva yea dont build a 3000sqft home in 3 months jeesh
It's so sad to consider that the pyramids built around 2500 BC are still ok but a fellow human's new home is falling apart. How can a tomb be built better than a home?
Property Brothers
@@hdnttl8679 Simple answer.... The people who built the pyramids cared.
It’s all about the bones of the home.
Builders like to put in high tech appliances to sway you away from the problematic issues..
glad i have an old home
Oh, these poor people! I can't imagine the anxiety.
I can’t keep my mouth off the floor watching this it’s sad seeing all of these dreams turned into nightmares 😥
This has been happening since the the 2000s (That I’m aware of) my parents bought a new house, but this house had so many problems. Neighbors were experiencing leaking roofs, the electrical work is horrible (many outlets don’t even work), garages weren’t built correctly, air conditioning in a few houses weren’t even complete. Luckily the whole neighborhood did a lawsuit for the faulty construction.
Thank goodness I live in the Victorian home that I do. Made well with the finest construction. They didn't make shitty crap back then.
Good for you! I want a victorian home so bad! We've been looking
I had an 1852 that was built like a beast! Bones were good with huge hand hewn beams in the basement! No dry wall, horse hair plaster. Survived the chimney fire quite well.
apersonwhoknows24 -actually they built plenty of crap homes 100 years ago, but few of those are still standing... Those that have lasted since then were largely of high quality, however.
Hold the builders accountable. Quality over superficial.
There is such a thing called taking care of the customer.