[chiuey]

Posted before about this but it got blocked or something for some reason. Just wondering if anyone knows anything about the Tevare community in Summerlin made by KB homes. It's extremely new, I think they started building it one year ago.

[Jukesgrrl]

I don't know about Las Vegas but in Arizona KB Homes has the reputation of building sub-par housing. They keep their prices on the lower end by cutting a lot of corners. Here's an obvious example: Where I live most of the homes have tile roofs (if they're not flat). Then you'll come across one development that has shingle roofs. Those are the KB Homes. Go inside and you'll see lots of other features that to anyone who knows anything about construction, or even buying home fixtures, the selections are low-grade.

I live in a Pulte Home, much better than KB but still not the top of the heap. In the first ten years the house existed, I had to have every inch of it repainted (exterior and interior). I had to replace every appliance, every faucet, most of the light fixtures, the carpeting, the AC compressor, and I had to have repairs to the furnace (which is hardly ever used) and the garage door. Now the house is fifteen years old and the toilets both had to go as well as the ceiling fans and the rest of the light fixtures (including in the closets). I can't imagine what I'd have been dealing with in a KB home. Windows, all flooring, and roof, too, I'd expect.

Perhaps KB has a division of better-quality homes and the development you speak of is part of it. Tevare appears to have tile roofs but make sure it's real tile and not a tile-looking "product." Go and look closely and I suspect you will be able to tell a lot if you can see past the shiny surfaces of new houses. Sure the carpet looks new, but what grade of padding is under it, for example. Look at the bathroom faucets. Are they the ones that cost $29.99 at Home Depot? If so, the builder paid $9.99 for them, if that. After all, they bought tens of thousands of them. Are the cabinets real wood or particle board with a picture of wood on the exterior? Do the laminate floors click when you walk on them? Etc., etc.

[Tek_Freek]

And if there are houses under construction look at them without sheet rock on the walls. Check the quality of the plumbing, wiring, thickness of insulation, grade of wood, etc.

If you are not comfortable doing this contact an independent inspector and have them accompany you. Take notes or video the visit. They should give you a written report, but having video or pictures of what is in it will be helpful.

The cost of the inspection is a drop in the bucket compared to what you'll pay for the house.

I have an inspector we used twice. Very, very thorough and he will take the time to clearly explain everything he finds. PM me if you want his contact info.