Perhaps the original poster should not house-hunt based on a favorable or unfavorable reputation for construction.
After all, it is probably only one of perhaps a dozen categories to be weighed in settling on a house to buy. After all, there is neighborhood, transportation, architecture,viewshed, house size, lot characteristics, etc., etc. Frankly, I’d rather meet and quietly evaluate the immediate neighbors. Check out their dogs, kids, vehicles, opinions of the neighborhood, etc. They will be a bigger determinant of your happiness than construction quality.
Besides, below or above-average construction should be factored into the price already by the marketplace. A house with crappy construction should be priced accordingly. An inspection should reveal them and become a bargaining chip. Maybe the buyer should be willing to live with possible future plumbing problems if the price is knocked down by $10 or so. Everything is a trade-off.
