Ten Reasons a Home Buyer Needs A Realtor When Buying a New Home

1.     Choosing the Right Home Builder: Realtors help buyers distinguish between builders by looking at factors such as the price range they work in, the type of home they construct (production, semi-custom, custom, multi-family), the materials used, the builder's reputation for quality, how easy they are to work with, and, most importantly, their financial stability.

2.     Choosing the Right Community, Floor Plan, and Homesite: Realtors help buyers select the best floor plan, community, and lot based on their individual needs. Some floor plans and communities may be hard to resell, and certain lots should be avoided due to poor lot orientation.

3.     Selecting Options: A Realtor assists a buyer in choosing options that increase the home's value now and in the future. Additionally, Realtors negotiate better prices on highly marked-up options.

4.     Representation: The sales representative at the model home might appear to be there to help you. However, a builder's sales representative works for the builder and advocates for the builder’s best interests. Realtors are licensed professionals bound by law and ethical standards, whereas builder sales representatives might not be subject to the same regulations.

5.     Buying Process: A Realtor can guide a buyer through the buying, building, mortgage, warranty, and after-sale service process by explaining what to expect. The building, mortgage, and warranty steps can be very confusing for someone experiencing new construction for the first time.

6.     A Go-Between: Realtors serve as intermediaries between the buyer and the builder when issues arise with construction, mortgage, or warranty. Realtors manage problems caused by the buyer’s lack of understanding.

7.     Negotiation: Yes, a new home buyer can negotiate, but are they able to do it effectively? Realtors make it look easy because they are trained to ask the right questions that a new home prospect might not know to ask.

8.     Inspections: Realtors recognize the importance of scheduling inspections before, during, and after construction is completed. The Realtor is not a substitute for the home buyer but helps in negotiating any problems that might result from an inspection.

9.     Realtors understand builder contracts and know what to look for: Since no two builder contracts are the same, a home buyer should consult a Realtor for guidance. Because Realtors are not attorneys, they will involve a licensed attorney for legal advice if the contract is unclear. 

10. Commission: Reputable builders include this expense in their budget. Many builders offer bonuses and incentives to agents beyond the standard commission because they recognize the important role Realtors play in a real estate transaction.

About the Author

Bob Hafer has been a leader in the housing industry for 50 years. His extensive experience gives him unmatched insight into the complexities and rewards of buying and selling homes. His background includes success in consulting, management, administration, sales, marketing, merchandising, research, and sales training for both new home salespeople and Realtors. Contact Bob at www.newhomessalesauthor.com, email him at bob@newhomessalesauthor.com, or call him at 972-795-5926.