122 PORTLAND RELOCATION GUIDE – SUMMER | FALL 2016
Before you go to settlement on your purchase of a newly constructed
home, you and your builder will do a walk-through to conduct a final
inspection. This walk-through provides an opportunity to spot items
which may need to be corrected or adjusted (known as a “punch
list”), learn about the way your new home works and ask questions
about anything you don’t understand.
OPERATION OF HOME COMPONENTS
When you buy a new appliance or piece of equipment, such as
a printer or a washing machine, you usually have to read the
instructions before you understand how to use all of the features.
With a new house, you will receive a stack of instruction booklets
all at once. It helps if someone takes the time to show you how to
operate all of the kitchen appliances, heating and cooling systems,
water heater and other features.
MAINTENANCE RESPONSIBILITIES
Part of your walk-through will be learning about maintenance and
upkeep responsibilities. Most new homes come with a one-year
warranty on workmanship and materials. However, such warranties
do not cover problems that develop because of failure to perform
required maintenance. Many builders provide a booklet explaining
common upkeep responsibilities of new home owners and how to
perform them.
BUILDER VISITS DURING THE YEAR
Many builders schedule two visits during the first year — one near
the beginning and the other near the end — to make necessary
adjustments and to perform work of a non-emergency nature, such
as a nail pop in your drywall. Don’t expect a builder to rush out
immediately for a problem such as a nail pop in your drywall.
YOUR INSPECTION CHECKLIST
Create a checklist when inspecting the house. The list should include
everything that needs attention, and you and your builder should
agree to a timetable for repairs. Builders prefer to remedy problems
before you move in because it is easier to work in an empty house.
It is important that you be thorough and observant during the
walk-through. Examine all surfaces of counters, fixtures, floors and
walls for possible damage carefully. Ask a lot of questions during the
walk-through and take notes on the answers. It is important to view
the walk-through as a positive learning experience that will enhance
the enjoyment of your new home.
For a list of licensed new home builders from the Home Builders
Association of Metro Portland, visit www.hbapdx.org.
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WALK-THROUGH
for your new construction home
Square shopping centers and full-service
medical facilities minutes from Tigard. The
Cascade Mountains, Oregon’s famed beaches
and the Columbia Gorge are all easily accessible
as day trips.
Tigard’s historic and walkable downtown offers
unique shopping, eating and drinking establishments, superior transit connections and access
to the Fanno Creek Trail. The area is undergoing a transformation into a local destination.
The city, in partnership with downtown and
business stakeholders, has leveraged private and
public resources to revitalize its downtown with
public art, LED street lights and multiple trail
connections, creating a walkable destination for
residents and visitors alike.
The City’s “open door” policy encourages citizens
to attend weekly city council meetings and observe
the four-member council and the mayor make
important decisions. Local government and school
leaders, citizen groups, businesses and individuals work hard to build upon Tigard’s significant
community attributes. The city promotes citizen
participation through Neighborhood Networks
that represent the community’s 14 geographic
areas. The networks encourage citizens to become
part of the decision-making process.
In November 2014, the City Council adopted
a new Strategic Plan, which envisions Tigard
becoming the most walkable community in the
Pacific Northwest where people of all ages and
abilities enjoy health and interconnected lives.
The plan will steer the city’s planning and development for the next 20 years, as Tigard continues
to plan for changes in the metro Portland area.
