Thinking of New Construction?
If so, you’ll need a Realtor© more than ever!
Builder sales reps represent the builder, not you.
- More often than not, builder sales reps do not have a real estate license. As such, they are not bound to the same fiduciary responsibility that is required of a licensed realtor. Translation – your risk level goes up when no one in the transaction is required to represent your best interests.
- All builders have a realtor commission built into their pricing. They will not reduce the sale price just because you don’t have a realtor representing you! Why leave yourself exposed this way?
- Builders frequently offer BTSA (Bonus To Selling Agent) incentives on certain homes to attract Realtors who can bring qualified buyers. If that happens with one of my buyers, I split the BTSA 50/50 with the buyer! BTSAs often run $1,000 or more!
- While builder base prices generally are not negotiable, other parts of the transaction (add-ons, upgrades, etc.) can be very negotiable – you need a good negotiator sitting at the table with you to get the very best deal!
- Are you sure the builder is offering you the best terms available for financing your new home? That’s where a Realtor can potentially save you some money.
- Do you know the builder’s general reputation in that particular market? In that particular neighborhood? Realtors do!
- Are you moving to this area from out of town? If so, who will be your eyes and ears during the construction phase? Your Realtor, of course!
- Are you sure you’ve picked the right neighborhood in terms of schools, travel time to-and-from work, and future plans for that area (commercial development, new highways just over the back fence)? Your Realtor can help you avoid a big mistake!
- While we can’t guarantee this will always happen, in the offhand chance you have to cancel your contract because the builder is cutting corners or not performing to expectations, having a realtor representing you may improve your chances that most or all of your deposits (earnest money, upgrade deposits, etc.) will be returned. Builders usually don’t want a disappointed realtor telling their peers about a bad incident. You may not have that kind of leverage if you’re not represented by a third party in the transaction.
- Remember, all reputable builders actively seek Realtors who represent qualified buyers. More than 70% of new construction is sold with a Realtor at the table representing the buyer. So – why take a risk otherwise?
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