There are dozens of reasons to use a REALTOR® when building new construction.
- You will not pay any more to have buyer representation; the builder pays the commission from a marketing fee. It will not change the price you pay for the home whether you use a Real Estate Agent or not so why wouldn't you want someone to represent you. You are basically getting, at no extra cost, someone who will watch out for you at every turn and will be there to support you every step of the way.
- The use of a REALTOR® can save you time, money and frustration when looking for and negotiating a new home. At the beginning of the process a REALTOR® can talk to you about your needs, desires and budget and set out the communities and builders that will work for. Then a good realtor will offer to bring you the information on all these builders mainly floor plans, prices, etc. This saves you from driving around going into neighborhoods and builders that may be not right for you and ending up on multiple sales peoples calling lists.
- Once you have narrowed it down to a few different neighborhoods and builders your realtor can schedule showings privately if possible on some spec homes they have available. Once again hopefully making it easier to see which builder is going to be one that you would want to negotiate and avoid dealing with to many sales tactics and repeat calls.
- Your REALTOR® will also be able to inform you on the general condition of the neighborhood. How many phases is it? Are pre-owned homes selling? If so for how much? How much longer will construction be going on? Have foreclosures been a problem in the area?Once you decide to move forward and negotiate with a builder a good REALTOR® can really give you a leg up in negotiating. The name of the game for many builders is upgrades. They will get you in with what seems to be a good price for a good size house, but then of course as soon as you ask about all the nice things in the model home you soon find out the cost goes up quick.
- A REALTOR® can help you prioritize your upgrades and give advice on which ones could be better for resale and which ones could be left to be upgraded down the road. An experienced REALTOR® also can know about the pricing and margins involved in the upgrades and can help you right an initial first offer that is aggressive but not insulting and make sure that you get everything you need at the price you want.
- MYTH: The Builder will discount the price if I don’t have a REALTOR®.
- FACT: In most cases, the agent is paid through the seller’s fees. With regards to new construction, the builder has already anticipated this cost. If you go to a builder without the guidance and assistance of a REALTOR®, you’re paying for realty services without reaping the benefits. Why would you put yourself at such a disadvantage? And although most think that a REALTOR® will cost them money, for a homebuyer, these services are free if you use a REALTOR® Broker at The Realty Corner.
- MYTH: Buying directly from the builder will be hassle-free.
- FACT: There will be many things to consider when purchasing a new construction. As you walk into a model home everything may seem straight-forward. However, getting your home built most often will not be as clear. You’ll benefit from REALTOR® services: to decipher through builder’s jargon, contract language, and even help show you how your option choices can add value to your home. (Read on through “Myths About REALTORS®”)
MYTHS ABOUT REALTORS®
- MYTH: REALTOR® services will not help me in purchasing a new home.
- FACT: The builder has to develop every parcel of land it owns in order to make a return on its investment. This may mean trying to sell you a lot that may not be suitable for your needs or one that’s difficult to resell. A REALTOR® walks the lot with you, goes through the house, and can recommend ideas to you that can help in making the decision on which lot and which house will be the best for your needs. A REALTOR® is the best sounding board you can have while going through the home-building process. The Realty Corner’s REALTOR® Brokers are trained and specialize in helping your through the entire home building process. We customize our services to fit your needs, from foundation to final walk-through.
- MYTH: The sales agent at the model home works for me.
- FACT: Although they may be warm and friendly, the sales agent you meet when touring a model home works for the builder, not you. Their interest is in getting the most profit on the houses they sell. You need to have a REALTOR® who you know is working for you. Your REALTOR® will have your interests at heart when helping your make decisions on your new home purchase. And REALTOR® services at The Realty Corner are free to you, the buyer.
So when you walk into a builders model and the builder says are you working with a Realtor, you should answer yes.
http://www.therealtycorner.com/NewConstruction
