Should you use a realtor when purchasing a house from a builder in a master planned community?

Since you posted this question in Adults 55+, I am going to assume you are in that age bracket too. So one of the most important reasons to definitely use a REALTOR is that it is possible, as with many of my Clients that you are downsizing at that stage of life and have possibly lived in your home for many, many years. SO much has changed in Real Estate, the laws, the HOAs, mortgages, title policies, trusts, etc. etc! You may not remember what is was like if it has been many years since you have bought or sold, but it is very different now and almost completely digital and not a lot of paperwork, which is nice. If you are 55+, you might also want to use a Realtor (like me!) who has the Senior's Real Estate Specialist designation and works frequently with folks in that age group. They will be able to share with you the many options for that lifestyle niche. I like a great website called 55Places.com, it gives you the ability to search multiple states and most of the 55+ designated Communities are shown there with photos, amenities offered, etc. It is great for research, then narrow it down to location you like and call your Agent.
Thank you for asking questions, it is the best way to educate yourself before you start the process of Listing your home and buying another at any age!

Margo Duke, Realtor, ABR, SRES
BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS REAL ESTATE - GARY GREENE
Cypress, TX 77433
(281) 763-8099
Margo.Duke@garygreene.com

ALWAYS use an agent experienced in selling new construction for many reasons. The first one being the new home sales counselors in the model homes work for the builder. The new home sales counselor represents the builder NOT you because he/she is an employee of the builder. An agent experienced in selling new construction will end up saving YOU money, not costing you money. The agents commission is built into the price of every new build. I could go on and on with the reasons why you need an experienced agent to negotiate on your behalf with the builder!

A Realtor can help you get discounts, in the other hand the builder's unlicensed Agent most of the times will not give you the discounts, because that's ho they get their commission.

Good morning!

You DEFINITELY should use a REALTOR when buying a home from a builder, whether it be a master planned community or not! Any time you are purchasing real estate you should have a REALTOR to represent you! Your REALTOR will be looking out for your best interests in the transaction, while the builder and their sales rep is only looking out for the builders best interests! You deserve to have someone on your side, especially when its one of the largest, if not THE largest, purchase you will ever make! I'm happy to help you and be your advocate if you so desire! If you have any questions about Real Estate, please don't hesitate to give me a call, any time!

Have a wonderful day!

Melissa Blizzard
United Real Estate
281-796-5242

Hi!

I would absolutely recommend using a realtor during your negotiation with a Builder for new construction. I've personally worked with a lot of different Builders with Buyer clients of mine (and on the flip side, sold homes in which the Seller purchased new construction going directly through the Builder and lost money on the sell). A couple of things to consider:
1) Is the neighborhood a brand new development, an extension of a newer/recent development, or a neighborhood where the Builder is nearing completion and there are a mix of resale and new construction? The answer to this is extremely important when looking at list price and formulating a purchase price, considering most importantly, the appraisal.
2) Builders aren't necessarily selling what they used in some communities and can't keep up in others. You handle the transaction differently if you're looking at an inventory / spec home vs. to be built home - and on to be built homes, be careful with cost of "upgrades."
3) Is your purchase contingent on selling your current home or financing approval? This makes a difference and you'll want to be informed of the specifics of the Builder's contingency contract.
4) You should be advised how the earnest money works on new construction, the new construction/Builder contract, inspection period, working with the Builder's Lender, etc. Builders are not going to divulge all this information. The sales associate is simply looking to get you contracted on a house and push their in house lender. Most importantly, the sales associate WORKS FOR THE BUILDER, NOT YOU AND YOUR BEST INTERESTS.

Please feel free to reach out with further questions as space is limited to reply in the forum. I'm always happy to help. I'd gladly share my experience I have with various Builders and my thoughts on the communities you are interested in.

Darby Grimmett / KW / darby@darbygrimmett.com / 936-827-9217

Hello,

I agreed with my colleague agents. Having Realtor or real estate agent on your side makes a huge difference in buying an inventory home or building a new one in master planned communities.

Cost NOTHING to you as a buyer.

Let me know share my own personal experience, 10+ years back when we build our home in master planned community and didn't have an agent on our side from the beginning thinking we have may to pay the commission and signing the contract may rise issue if it won;t workout at the end, etc... hire an agent at the very end of the process, still made a difference but we realized later that if we would have him from the beginning would have help in building processes well and few things that we missed timelines on upgrades (no big deals) by lack of knowledge and expertise in the area and most importantly negotiated on our behalf. So long story short....save yourself a time, spare yourself from the stress and call an realtor today, if still haven't.

Why find one???...call me, I am here to help.

Ekta Patel
346-291-3582
ekta.patel@cbunited.com

Hello!

I completely agree with my colleague's comments above and would like to add some additional points as to why using a realtor when purchasing a new home is imperative. These include:

* only members of the Houston Association of Realtors (HAR) have access to sales price data for all homes listed in HAR. Your realtor can tell you down to the $, the price for which similar new homes have sold as well as any seller contributions. Armed with actual data, you and your realtor are in a better position to negotiate a lower price. Knowledge is power. With sale price data, the playing field is a bit more level.
* if you are building, your realtor can make recommendations regarding selections both with the builder and at the design center. Some choices provide more resale value than others. For instance, building your home so that either a gas or electric dryer can be utilized is always the best choice.
* while you are enjoying the experience of purchasing/building your new home, your realtor is focused on your best interest from a left brain perspective. An example of this is a recent transaction on an inventory home in which I participated. I noted that the spec sheet said the home has surround sound. Turns out, it was only in the family room. I was able to negotiate blinds for my client at no additional cost. On this same house, the spec sheet called for tile in the study. The builder was about to lay carpet. I brought the discrepancy to the builders attention and now my client has beautiful wood look tile in his study.

I am sure I have forgotten some other salient points as to why it is vitally important to have an advocate. I encourage others to chime in.

Best of luck to you and please let me know if I can provide any assistance.

At YOUR service!
Cathie Bortz
Realtor
Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate - Gary Greene
281.744.4879

It is highyly recommended that you work with a Realtor in your transaction.

The sales representative represent the builder, you are their customer not client. You need a realtor to represent you and prioritize your interests. The misconception of most buyers, if we are not represented, we will get a discount at sale price is wrong. Realtors can negotiate the price you might get discounts on price and will synchronize with other professionals like lender, inspector etc and will get you the best deals. On top of everything you do not have to pay realtor, we are paid at closing by seller/builder.

You can give me a call for a free consultation. I can give you some tips that can save your money and your interest in the transaction.

Thanks and Regards,

Cagdas Acar
Msc PSA CPE VLB
www.har.com/cagdasacar
acarster@gmail.com
832-283-1091

Hi,

Absolutely!
Seeking representation in a real estate purchase does not cost you anything, but can save you a lot of money and a lot of issues down the road.
A buyer's agent works in FOR YOU, your benefit and ensures that your best interest is met.
An agent will negotiate on your behalf, will guide you through the contract, the transaction, building process, inspections, closing and beyond. With a house being one of the biggest purchases of most people's lives, I would never recommend doing it alone.

If issues arise, agents know how to handle them.

The sales representative who works in the model home represents the builder's interests, not yours. You need someone on your side.

Thank you,
Yvonne Chauvin- REALTOR®
Master Certified Negotiations Expert
Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate Gary Greene
YvonneChauvin@yvonnechauvin.com
Cell: 281-686-0143