HOME CONSTRUCTION
The details of home construction methods, special installations, price and quality of materials are not generally
within the scope of the real estate licensee’s role. There are, however, some general areas with which the
licensee should be familiar. Responses to some of the following questions will vary from community to
community or even within any given community:
1. What styles of architecture are common in your community and how are they best identified?
2. What are the approximate per square foot costs of homes of varying quality within your community?
3. Can you identify the different types and styles of windows with respect to location, function, materials and
operating mechanisms?
4. What kinds of floor materials are available? What is the cost differential? What are the qualities of
durability and comparative costs of installation and maintenance?
5. What are the materials most commonly used on the exterior surface of a house and what are the relative
costs of installation, upkeep and market acceptance?
6. What are the different types of heating/cooling systems for a home and their relative costs of installation
and operation?
7. What are current insulation standards for windows, roof, walls, and underfloor areas? What types of
materials are commonly used?
8. What can be done to prevent termites, dry rot and other fungus and insect infestations?
9. What are the most desirable roof pitches and roofing materials? Can you distinguish a hip roof from a
gable roof? What types of roofing materials are permitted in the community such as requirements for fire-
retardant roofs?
10. What window coverings and window systems are available to prevent excess sun infiltration or water
intrusion?
11. What are some common concerns about floor plans and specific rooms, i.e. separate dining or family
rooms?
12. What kinds of materials are approved for use in the water and plumbing systems, i.e., pvc, copper,
galvanized?
13. What kinds of materials are approved for use in electrical systems? What are some common devices that
protect against overloading the system?
14. What is the condition of the soil on which the house is built? Is structural integrity jeopardized by filled
ground? Slide conditions? Expansive soil? Drainage?
15. What restrictions, if any, run with the property?