Top Dream Home Dupes

New building exploded during the housing boom. So did lazy construction practices.

In early 2009 homeowners in Florida, Virginia and Louisiana began noticing odd things. Bathroom mirrors and pipes turned black. Computers and televisions stopped functioning, their circuit boards inexplicably fried. A foul smell plagued some houses. They reported health concerns too, from respiratory problems and bloody noses to insomnia.

In Depth: How To Detect Dream-Home Dupes

Research revealed that their homes were built with imported Chinese drywall, a material that came into use at the start of the housing boom and proliferated in certain Southeastern states when, in 2006 and 2007, damage from severe hurricanes added to demand for new building. The inexpensive and readily available alternative to American drywall contained hydrogen sulfide gas, which ate away at metals and affected air quality.

Recently, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommended that any homes with the toxic walls be completely gutted. As of now, 3,082 complaints in 37 states have been lodged about the effects of the material.

"These states are on the coast [where] ships come in every day," says Alex Fillip, a spokesperson for the CPSC. "They needed resources and thought about where in the world they could get more drywall to keep up with demand."

But it wasn't just in these cases where a rush to build houses impaired quality. As demand for homes shot up between 2001 and 2006, some newly built and remodeled homes alike suffered from the effects of quick construction: subpar building techniques, slapdash repairs and cosmetic improvements that masked deeper problems.

How To Detect And Deal With Problem Homes

1. Don't Confuse Glitz With Quality

Between 2001 and 2007, homes got more expensive, bigger and bolder. In some cases homes were built with features that looked deluxe but weren't practical. Sweeping circular staircases and soaring ceilings may look grand, but they create inefficient spaces to heat and cool. Pay more attention to what's behind the walls and the cost of upkeep than what Patrick Duffy, consultant with MetroIntelligence Real Estate, a research firm, calls an "impress-the-in-laws foyer."

2. Don't Get Mixed Up By the Model

When developers are building a new tract or condominium, they'll demonstrate what a typical home will look like with a fully finished property. These model homes are essential for showing buyers what could be--but don't be fooled into thinking your home will look exactly the same. "When you walk through the model home, you think you're getting the model home," says Duffy. "But it includes upgraded amenities, better-quality carpeting, better flooring and better fixtures than a typical home."

3. Don't Settle For a Passing Grade

New structures must meet building codes, so a basic level of quality is assured. But just because a property is up to code doesn't mean it's structurally perfect. Before closing on a new home, hire a top-notch inspector. He or she can reveal weaknesses that might meet regulations but could cause you headaches down the line.

4. Temporary Fixes for Flippers

Many home remodelers do excellent jobs. But with the rise of home-flipping during the boom, some home sellers with less experience and fewer resources took shortcuts that didn't address the long term. Seeking out these quick fixes is the task of a good inspector, but knowing the history of your home and what improvements it has can also help.

5. Flimsy Facades

Builders and remodelers alike know the value of first impressions--creating "curb appeal" is a priority for anyone trying to sell a house. But buyers should look beyond pretty shrubbery to make sure what they're seeing is what they're getting. "You could have an elevation in the front that looked like rock or brick, but it's really a faux-brick material" says Duffy. "It's incumbent on buyers to ask about that."

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