The Top 7 Construction Defects and.....

....How Not To Be A Sucker.

By now, I hope that anyone who buys a new condo understands that "new" doesn't mean "perfect". Every freshly minted building has problems that can range from buckling floors to cooling systems that sound like a Fresh Direct truck parked outside your window.

The types and frequency of defects have been pretty constant over the past decade and tend to cluster in 7 different categories:

1. Exterior Leaks
2. Windows that don't work
3. Sloppily installed or defective wood floors
4. Missing fireproofing
5. Bad ventilation
6. Heating and cooling problems
7. Inferior substitutions

Since most of us are not contractors and could not spot some of the above issues with out naked eye I strongly suggest that you hire a contractor to inspect the property prior to closing. The developer is going to be much more motivated to address issues in the apartment before closing as opposed to after you have handed him his money.