Written by Sara Feaster, RE/MAX NEXUS
Nothing feels nicer than walking into a brand-new home. Clean walls, fresh paint, nothing broken or out-of-date. You tell yourself: “The home is going to be new, gorgeous, and flawless. What could possibly go wrong? I’ll surely get a discount from the builder if I don’t bring an Realtor . . . I can handle this one on my own.”
Sara Feaster, RE/MAX NEXUS
So, why should you consider bringing your own agent before meeting with a new construction builder
Typically, Realtor fees are included in the price of the home, so Builders expect you to come with an Realtor, and they want to keep a good rapport with that Agent. When it comes to built-in realtor fees, fees are never reduced in such a way that make the home less expensive in the end: selling one home for less would lower the value of all the Builder’s homes.
When you don’t have a Realtor, savings that may seem apparent in the beginning, are often missed out on later when it comes time to negotiate details or make concessions without an advocate. Often, there are incentives offered to savvy Buyers of new construction with an Agent advocate that amount to significantly more than what can be saved up front by not bringing a Realtor.
During the entire new construction buying process, the Builder’s on-site sales rep selling you a home is working for the Builder. While they owe you honesty for questions that you ask, they do not owe you full disclosure, confidentiality, or loyalty. Their goal is to represent their company well, to sell you a home, and to save their company as much money and time as possible in the process. As the Buyer it is solely up to you to look out for your best interest and to ask the important questions.
As your Realtor, I only work for you. I am in your corner throughout the entire process. You are not my customer, you are my client! As such, I owe you fiduciary duties: confidentiality, diligence, and respect.
Experience Matters
As a full-time real-estate professional, I know what to expect and what to watch out for. Does the refrigerator come with the house? Will the builder install blinds throughout the house? What about planting a privacy hedge between this home and the road?
I have been able to prevent closing dates from being moved back at extremely inopportune times. I frequently assist clients by taking photos of the home at different stages and keeping them updated throughout the construction process.
I will recommend a reputable home inspector to walk through your future home before closing to make sure everything looks good, rather than the County inspector who works with the builder.
I have been able to spot and correct mistakes made during construction: missing windows, wrong paint colors, damages to shingles, concrete, or drywall, holes in the backyard, drainage or privacy issues, etc.—making sure things were going as they should before it was too late to correct it. I take the time to get to know my clients and their needs, which in the long run, saves a lot of time driving around town looking at homes and neighborhoods that may not suite your needs or your budget.
The bottom line is this: Buying a home is a huge commitment. When you can have an experienced Realtor devoted to your best interests, negotiating for you at no cost to you, why not jump at the chance? I would love to help make purchasing your new home a more pleasant, less stressful experience!
Sara Feaster
RE/MAX NEXUS
303-350-0039
