Typically, you have to submit a written complaint to the builder or contractor, who then has a certain amount of time to inspect the property and make repairs - usually up to 90 days. Unfortunately, these laws, designed to protect builders, says Janet Ahmad, president of Home Owners for Better Building, don't obligate the builder to fix your problem (after an inspection, they may tell you that the fault is unrelated to their construction).

Know what to look for as you build toward the reality of your dream home

Building a home from scratch can be an exciting but daunting endeavor, not to mention fraught with hidden expenses. It all begins with a plan, of course, determined by your lifestyle, aesthetic preferences, the features of the building site and your budget. If a pricey custom house plan is a little beyond your reach, fear not ─ you can get close-to-custom by shopping ready-made home plans. A variety of books, magazines and online retailers offer thousands of plan styles and options, which is great news but also a possible detour back to an overwhelmed state.

The Multiple Listing Service (MLS) is a great tool for getting an overview of what’s available in your area, but there are plenty of things and MLS Listing won’t tell you. The MLS Listing will rattle off all the positive features of the house: the number of bedrooms, the garage space and how much yard you have.

It’s like a scene from a reality television show.