The decade of 2000 to 2010 was two-thirds building boom and one third an economic meltdown commonly referred to as the “Great Recession.” The roaring real estate market that ended in 2007 meant that builders rushed to meet demand as prices increased each year, sometimes in a double-digit percentages. And quality of construction often suffered as a result. 

    Then everything stopped. Some developments were simply abandoned, and thousands of homes sat partially complete, only to be finished-up later as buyers tentatively reappeared. But even a few years of Florida heat, rain, and humidity without air conditioning and maintenance caused concealed problems with many of those homes. 

    Then there’s Chinese drywall, which was installed in some new homes during the last years of the building boom, when U.S. manufacturers could not meet demand. It gives off an obnoxious rotten-egg odor and turns copper wiring black; but most of the defective drywall has already been replaced. See our article Does a home inspector check for Chinese drywall? for more on this.

   Two popular exterior wall finishes of this era were stucco-over-wood-frame and EIFS (Exterior Insulated Finishing System). Both have caused expensive and ongoing problems for many homeowners. To learn more, go to our articles Why is my stucco cracking? and What is the difference between EIFS and stucco? 

    Also, homes from the 2000s are sliding into the 15- to 20-year age window when three major components typically need replacement: roof, heating/air-conditioning, and water heater.

    A good home inspector will check for all the problems listed above, along with determining the age and condition of the major appliances and roof for you. So be sure to get your future home inspected. 

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    To read about issues related to homes built in a different decade, visit one of these blog posts:

• What are the common problems of 1920s houses?• What are the common problems of 1930s houses?

• What are the common problems to look for when buying a 1940s house?

• What are the common problems to look for when buying a 1950s house?

• What are the common problems to look for when buying a 1960s house?

• What are the common problems to look for when buying a 1970s house?

• What are the common problems to look for when buying a 1980s house? 

• What are the common problems to look for when buying a 1990s house?

• What are common problems found at a one-year warranty inspection of a new house? 

  And to find strategies for getting the best possible home inspection, here’s a few of our other blog posts: 

• How can I make sure I don't get screwed on my home inspection? 

• How thorough is a home inspector required to be when inspecting a house?

• Should I trust the Seller's Property Disclosure Statement?

• Can I do my own home inspection?

• How can homebuyers protect themselves against buying a house over a sinkhole? 

• The seller gave me a report from a previous home inspection. Should I use it or get my own inspector? 

• What problems should I look for when buying a country house or rural property? 

• What problems should I look for when buying a house that has been moved?

• What problems should I look for when buying a house that has been vacant or abandoned?

• What are the most common problems with older mobile homes?

• What do I need to know about a condo inspection?

• What are the "Aging In Place" features to look for when buying a retirement home?

   Visit our HOME INSPECTION and COMMON PROBLEMS pages for other related blog posts on this subject, or go to the INDEX for a complete listing of all our articles.