The hardwood floor in the dining room wasn't level. A door to the bedroom closet was hanging so unevenly it wouldn't close. Older houses not perfect Many who own older houses have to worry, too. Engineer Pete Verna, who inspects many new houses for builders, says old houses don't always have foundation piers beneath load-bearing columns. That can lead to structural problems and dips in the floor, he said.
New houses tend to be safer than old ones, many builders contend.
Studies have found that you're less likely to die from a fire if you live in a new house because you're apt to have better wiring, a safer heating system and more effective smoke detectors. In a new house, you're also less likely to run into potentially dangerous substances like asbestos, formaldehyde and lead paint. What's more, a new house may help you save on utility bills because today's heating and air-conditioning systems tend to be more efficient. New regulations also benefit those who buy newer houses. By 1985, North Carolina had required all counties to enforce the building code.