Why you should use a Realtor when Buying a New Home Construction

February 8, 2021

Why you should use a Realtor when Buying a New Home Construction

Why you should use a Realtor when Buying a New Home Construction? Families considering buying a new home in one of Las Vegas’s many expanding master-planned communities might wonder if it’s important to have a real estate agent help find a model that suits them and help them through the process.

After all, the models are there for the looking, and the builders’ agents can walk buyers through the process. What’s the value of engaging a real estate agent? What might be the downside?

Purchasing new home construction is usually more complicated and intimidating than buying a resale home. It is important with a new-home purchase that a buyer hire a real estate agent to represent them in this process. A buyer also needs to have a real estate agent who represents them and looks after their best interests.

In general, builders’ model homes are staffed by agents who work directly for and represent the builder. But make no mistake: You need your own real estate agent from the get-go. Even if it seems like plug and play to sign up with the builder’s on-site agent, you’re going to want someone representing your side of the deal.

Keep in mind the builders will require that the real estate agent accompany and register you on your very first visit to the builder’s model home or community. Otherwise, if you visit a new home community and register without your agent, I will no longer be able to assist you in the process. It must be on the very first visit.

1. It doesn’t cost the buyer anything, and
2. It provides an expert on your side to deal with the expert on the builder’s side. “Would you defend yourself in court and not use a lawyer?”

Agents’ commissions come from the builders, and they rarely if ever discount the price of the house just because no agent is in the picture.

So, the service is free, at least to the buyer and it doesn’t fall to the buyer’s side if it isn’t used.

When buying new home construction, here’s what I can do to help you with that you might miss out on if you stick with the builder’s agent:

Negotiating extras: Want upgraded counters or appliances in that new home? Your agent can help you with all those extra perks, amenities, and upgrades.
Right Community: Help you find the house and community that fits your circumstances and interests, including costs, commute time, schools, price, features and things you want to avoid, which can save time and heartache.
Recommending financing: A builder typically will have a “preferred” lender that it will try to steer you to, but your real estate agent can help make sure that you’re getting the mortgage that works best for your situation. Shopping around is always wise, and you don’t want the builder’s agent pressuring you into using their suggested professional unless it’s right for you.
Overseeing a home inspection: Tempted to forgo a home inspection in new construction? Don’t do it, the number and severity of new-home defects often rival resale home problems. The builder’s agent is unlikely to push for or offer up an inspection, so it’s up to you and your real estate agent to make it happen.
Walk-Through’s: Add an experienced eye during the walk-through so things that are unfinished or not done right are corrected before the move-in.
Mediate issues: It doesn’t hurt to have someone on your side who knows the builder and vice-versa if problems arise.

Having an expert on your side is also more likely ensures that you will ask the right question and seek the right information. People seldom buy homes, so they’re not as familiar with what information might be important or even critical.

Builder list prices:

Surprise — builders don’t like to reduce their prices. If they do, it sets a precedence for future home sales. Builders are more likely to pay for closing costs or offer design center incentives than to drop their prices.

Builders are not like regular sellers. They are not emotionally attached to the property. They make decisions based on what is best for their bottom line.

Research the builder:

Not all builders are created equal. Do your homework, and get to know the builders, their reputation and what they offer. To get an understanding of the builder and what they offer, visit other communities the builder has built in, try to speak with past buyers and look for online reviews.

Buying New Construction Homes in Summerlin – Part 1