When people buy a new home, they sometimes let their guard down and focus on the “extras” that come along with it, instead of the basics and necessities. They focus on features such as crown molding, marble countertops and lofted ceilings. And they don’t pay nearly enough attention to the structure or the foundation. Did you know that approximately 15 percent of new homes have at least two major issues wrong with them? That means one out of six homes has a serious defect. So, if you’re going to buy a new home, there are some basics to follow. First of all, never negotiate with the builder’s representative on your own. The builder’s rep is there to work against you and get as much money out of you as possible. Also, don’t sign a contract with a builder that doesn’t allow a home inspection. You should have at least three inspections when building a new home. So, you can’t afford to do business with a builder that doesn’t allow a home inspector to check it out. No one builds a hospital, school or commercial site without having several inspections. It’s a government requirement. And make sure you get those problems fixed before you close on your home. The likelihood that you’ll get a builder to fix problems after the closing is slim to none.