Building a Home? Let a Real Estate Agent Help You Get The Best Deal

You're new in the area. You have no idea what the good schools are, in fact you may not even know the names of the local counties.

This is where hiring a buyer's agent to help you find your new home builder and new home community can be of tremendous value. At the first conference with your real estate agent, you will let them know your "dream scenario"; we want a community pool, we want a school that our kids can walk on sidewalks to, we want a gated community. Real estate agents not only help with resales, but maybe you didn't know that they will help you to find the best new home builder and new home community for you.

Top real estate agents, like myself, know the area, we know and have sold homes in some of the brand new communities that are not built out yet, we know the amenities, and we have seen first hand the quality of many of the area's local builders. Why waste time trying to visit every new home community when a real estate agent can help you narrow down the list to several top locations that you should consider.

When you visit a model home with your real estate agent, builders take notice, it is clear that you mean business and have a professional on your side available to help you make the right choices. Having a real estate agent on your advocate actually makes it easier for the builder in many ways, quicker selection and selection of quality upgrades that will add to the long term value of your home. From the consumer's point of view being able to ask a professional advice about the builder's prices, cost of add-ons, and special contractual clauses is very helpful.

If you are working with a buyer's agent and buying a new home, it is very important that when you go to a model home on your own that you let the builder know up-front that you are working with a real estate agent and supply the agent's name or business card. The model home staff will record this information on a card and keep it on file so that if they need to, they have a way to contact your agent as well as to know who they would like to thank for a referral for view their models. It is part of professional courtesy and it is important to know that this must be done at first contact.

Many agents will offer to take you to the selected models and specific builders that you have pre-discussed. Take them up on the offer! Seeing your potential new home through the eyes of a seasoned profession will help you to understand the value or lack there of that your builder is incorporating into their product.

Real estate agents don't just help with resales, they are an invaluable information and comparison resource while you evaluate new home builders as well.