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New homes are often marketed as easier, lower-stress purchases, but minor defects can still become real frustrations for buyers.
Photo Credit: TikTok
A home inspector doing a new-build inspection was thrown a curveball when the buyer said their father-in-law, who is a superintendent for a large builder in the area, wanted to participate. 
Instead of objecting, the inspector welcomed the additional set of knowledgeable eyes, and the inspection ended up being an example of how even brand-new homes can come with issues worth catching before move-in.
In a TikTok post, an Alabama home inspector posting under the handle Inspector Jordan (@inspector.jordan) said he arrived at the property and was told by the buyer that his wife’s father — “a superintendent for a builder in the area” — wanted to join the inspection.
“You got the right inspector for this job,” the TikToker said in the video. “Tell him that we’re excited for him to be here and we can do this report together. Let’s have some fun!” 
His findings included several small but noticeable issues, such as missing light bulbs, nails starting to pull away, and loose filler pieces around the attic opening. He also flagged several gaps between finishes and walls, some of which were filled by poorly done caulking.
Other items included “a rusty piece of metal just leaning right up against the house,” leftover mortar, and a gap around a light fixture that prompted the comment, “There is the entrance for the bugs.”
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Jordan also pointed out that not everything he saw was a problem. He was particularly impressed by the ductwork and insulation in the attic. 
“This attic is truly a work of art,” he said. “I mean, this is textbook.”
He specifically noted that the ductwork was above the insulation and that the insulation itself “looks really good up here.”
New homes are often marketed as easier, lower-stress purchases, but minor defects can still become real frustrations for buyers if they are missed before the final handoff.
A gap or loose wood around attic access may not sound especially serious on its own, yet details like that can affect energy efficiency, pest prevention, durability, and even safety. Scrap metal, leftover mortar, and other unfinished loose ends are not just untidy — they can also point to careless workmanship that could cause bigger problems down the line.
The video also pushes back on the idea that inspections are only useful when something is clearly wrong. Even with a builder-connected family member present, Jordan still found several issues to document while also pointing out quality work, giving the buyer greater confidence in their purchase. 
For buyers concerned about what can slip through the cracks, these stories show how seemingly small oversights can turn into bigger problems. They cover homeowners dealing with inspector mistakes, builder omissions, developer damage, regulatory loopholes, and repair disputes.
• One buyer discovered an inspector’s $12,000 mistake after a missing heat pump downgraded the home.
• A new homeowner learned a significant detail about the property had been hidden by the builder.
• At a new-home site, a developer buried the tree flare, leaving the homeowner devastated.
• In the U.K., critics say schemes designed to protect nature were being intentionally misused.
• After hurricane damage, one community found its HOA refused to repair despite mounting concerns.
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© 2025 THE COOL DOWN COMPANY. All Rights Reserved. Do not sell or share my personal information. Reach us at hello@thecooldown.com.

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