NEW Home Buyer Beware!

New home buyer BEWARE!!
Get involved with your Realtor before stepping foot in a builder’s model

Working with a Realtor to purchase a new build home may seem unnecessary, however, there are many pitfalls that only an experienced agent can anticipate and help you avoid before you make the deadly mistake of plunking down a “deposit” then finding unexpected surprises.

The call came to me from a man who is buying a new build condominium and has many questions and concerns. He wants me to represent him and help him through the process. Unfortunately, he has already signed a purchase contract and now realizes he needs more information. The builder will not permit agent involvement after the fact.

Builder sales reps are very adept at convincing their prospects to sign a contract. “We have 2 other people looking at this lot and they are coming back tomorrow” is just one of the motivational tools employed. The sales rep is paid to get your signature and deposit on a contract. They do it daily and most are very good at it.

Recently another client signed without my involvement and called to inform me after the fact. Same scenario, the builder rep disallows my involvement at this point. My client later discovered the home to be in flood zone ($40 extra monthly for insurance) and other issues.

One of my new build clients is said to me “the dumbest thing I ever said was ‘we don’t need a Realtor….’” Fortunately this client did involve me prior to contract. These words were told to me after the closing. My assistance was valuable in resolving several key issues and helping my client avoid other pitfalls along the process of building their new home.

If you think of dropping by a builder’s model home, call me first. At the very least, if you sign anything or register your name in any way, also include my name as your Realtor on the documents. Better yet, call and involve me from the start.