Hire Your Own Agent When Buying New Construction

In many areas of the country, work on new construction continues or has restarted, and many buyers are considering the purchase of a brand new home. And why not? Suppose new construction fits your needs and your budget. In that case, it's terrific to have a home where you can enjoy the opportunity to take a blank slate and make it your own, choosing options such as wall colors, carpets, cabinets, and – in some cases – overall design.

Buying a brand new home is exciting, but it's important to remember that the agent you encounter at a new development sales site works for the SELLER, not the buyer. That agent will have the seller's best interest in mind and will do his/her best to get the seller's highest price.

So what does that mean for the buyer? Quite simply, it means the buyer should show up at new construction sales offices with their own agent in tow!

Reasons for bringing an agent to new construction viewings

A seller's agent represents the seller. A buyer's agent represents the buyer. That means having an agent present at any new construction walk-throughs and negotiations is paramount to the buyer's best interests.

• Negotiations – When you bring someone to represent you, they'll be able to negotiate the best value for YOU. Many individuals are hesitant to barter on price; your agent is experienced at doing so and won't hesitate to talk about costs with the seller's representative.
• Help with financing – Most times, builders have their own preferred financing source and will recommend that person or company to you for your mortgage needs. However, that person may have limited programs to offer, and their products may not work best for you. Your realtor can help you shop around for the best mortgage and rates to fit your needs.
• Extras – Again, as negotiations go, your realtor can also help you get some extras such as upgrades and amenities. The possibilities are endless when you're starting from scratch, and it doesn't hurt to ask for a little something extra. Make a reasonable list of wants and wishes and let your agent do the talking.
• Home inspection – Often, a builder of new construction won't suggest a home inspection before settlement. After all, what could be wrong with a brand new house? The answer is "plenty". Your agent is there to make an inspection happen and help you find any problems or defects.

Of course, all of this doesn't mean that the builder's agent is out to cheat you or to grab your money and run. The builder's agent is a valuable asset as well and can be a wealth of knowledge about other things involved in new construction and about the community in general.

Ideally, both agents working together will get you the best possible outcome on your new construction deal.

So, next time you're ready to hop in the car and head to a new construction sales office, call your buyer's agent first. He/she can assist you from that first look until you reach the settlement table, assuring that your new home will indeed be the one of your dreams.