Hi,
We purchased a spec home built in 2001. Brand new home in a sub-division. All the homes including ours, have several cracks in the outdoor walls. Also most people's driveways have cracks as well.
My friend who had carpet, decided to have her floor tiled.
When they pulled up the carpet the concrete floor had many, many cracks through-out the entire home. I know houses settle, but I believe they put these homes up so fast they took several short cuts.
OH, yea. My son likes to play basketball, and on our driveway he can bounce his ball in certain places and it will sound different. Could you explain?
As a matter of fact, our Home Association, said that all residents need to paint there house in the first 3 years...???????
We noticed these cracks, approximately 1 yr. after we moved in.
I think... perhaps that they are hiding the fact that these homes are settleing way too fast due to the quickness of the builder.
Thanks,
Sheila

Settling has nothing to do with the "quickness of the builder", but could have something to do with soil conditions, buried stumps and/or construction debris, and improper design.

Without being able to see the exact location and pattern of the cracks, it is not possible to offer any suggestions as to cause.

The difference in sound in your driveway is undoubtedly due to hollow spots under the pavement, and that could be from construction debris buried there, or from improperly filled soils, or any of several other reasons.