We’ve had a huge increase in Frisco-area home inspections this year. Thousands of people have moved to this North Dallas community from other towns in Texas and out of state. The great employment environment, excellent schools and amazing array of residential real estate available make Collin and Denton Counties a real magnet.
Most of the Frisco houses we inspect are less than 20 years old, and a fairly high percentage of these are new construction. Homebuyers are getting smarter, and those building a new house realize that having it inspected can ensure that the home meets all code requirements and is built as designed. We’re pleased to say that most of Frisco’s real estate developers do a great job, and we usually don’t find significant issues with these new houses.
Buying a Frisco TX house or condo? Call AIS to schedule an inspection – Mike Martin (972) 342-9183
Recent Frisco House Inspection
Here are a few photos of a relatively modern (built in 1992) house we inspected in Frisco this month. The 2-story residence is typical of others in the Plantation subdivision, and appeared to have been well maintained with no obvious defects. North Dallas is known for roof damage (hail and wind), foundation settling and drainage issues; but we found none of these issues while inspecting this home. We gave it a clean bill of health.
Our comprehensive house inspection did identify some minor deflection cracks in the concrete slab foundation and brick exterior, and we suggested some (optional) cosmetic improvements. There was also some concrete rebar showing alongside the foundation, and we recommended this be covered. Unlike many Frisco houses which are built on completely flat lots, this one had a yard with a nice slope away from the home – great for drainage.
We were also satisfied with the examinations of the home’s HVAC systems, interior walls and tile work. Our Frisco house inspector noted some minor cracks in the walls and ceilings, but these were not indicative of a structural problem. The spindles on the main stairway were farther apart than permitted by current building codes, and we recommended that corrective measures be taken to improve safety. Heating and cooling systems are a common source of problems in many homes, but we found no HVAC issues during this house inspection.
Frisco TX Real Estate and Housing Growth
Founded in 1902, Frisco Texas was originally a North Dallas farming community, During the ‘90s, the city grew to become a bedroom community for people working in the DFW Metroplex, and this led to a rapid growth in residential real estate including single family homes and apartment buildings. In 2003 the National Arbor Day Foundation named Frisco “Tree City USA”, reflecting the numerous oaks surrounding the stately homes and municipal buildings.
Recently the Plano area – including the suburbs of McKinney, Prosper and The Colony – has experienced explosive real estate sales and home construction growth. The influx of people taking advantage of our favorable climate, low taxes and attractive property values has been great for our Frisco house inspection business. Savvy buyers know they need to schedule inspectors early in the process, and we’re glad to do these on short notice. In the past month we’ve inspected several Plano-area homes – from executive mansions and estates down to modest single-family houses and condos.
Examining New Houses in Frisco Texas
Most people never think of having their new home inspected. The soon-to-be homeowners are excited about moving into their new dwelling, and more concerned about choosing furniture and finishes than obtaining a thorough new home inspection. They selected a reputable builder and assume the local building inspectors, water district and septic system regulators will ensure their home meets all applicable requirements and will perform well for years. Well, it doesn’t always work out that way.
Most Frisco-area developers use architect-designed house plans that have proven to work in our North Dallas climate and terrain. So that’s a good start; but issues can arise when the home is actually built on your lot. In many of our Frisco TX house inspections we see the home sited without regard to the terrain or prevailing wind direction. In the worst cases, the house is placed in the lowest spot on the lot, making it virtually impossible to get adequate drainage.
And in most construction projects there are a lot of adaptations made that cause “as-built” homes to differ significantly from the architect’s design and blueprints. In a typical Frisco house inspection we find cases where the builder has departed from the original specifications to accommodate last minute requests from the homeowner – or to save time or reduce cost. Frequently these deviations do not cause any problems; but you’ll never know without having your new home inspected.
If you are buying or selling a house in Frisco TX, call AIS to schedule a thorough inspection. Mike Martin (972) 342-9183