New Home Buyers - Who Represents You?
Buying a new home is different than buying a resale although
most of the rules are the similar. New home sales
representatives work for the builder. If you buy a new home
through the builder's sales rep you will have no one
representing your interests. Most states do not require builder
sales persons to be licensed real estate agents. Who is on your
side?
1)Why Buyers Agents - The home buying process is full of
traps for the unwary, inexperienced, and even the experienced
home buyer. A good Buyers Agent can help you stay on course and
avoid the problems. Understand that not all real estate agents
are equal, spend some time interviewing agents. Interview 2 or 3
agents expect a strong presentation of their qualifications,
experience, and written guarantees of performance. Today's best
Agents are internet savvy, have a team approach and use an
interactive computer presentation of the facts.
2)Know What Can You Afford - Your Buyers Agent will
insist that you to be pre-approved for a mortgage (not
pre-qualified) before starting the home search. They will direct
you to 2-3 bankers/mortgage companies that they are confident
can follow through and close your loan will little or no
hassles. You will find that builders usually have the own
mortgage contacts some have their own mortgage companies.
3)What Builder is Best For You - Your Buyer agent will
help you determine your specific needs and preferences before
shopping for a builder. What area meets your needs for schools,
distance to work, church, and shopping? Now you and your buyer
agent can look for subdivisions or custom builders in that area
who will best address your needs. Take your time, shop around.
Inspect model homes, pick-up brochures with floor plans and
pricing become educated before making your choice. With your
Buyer Agent interview builder sales representatives.
4)Select Your Community - What amenities are available,
pool, tennis, golf, club house, gated community? Is there a
homeowners association if so you must have a copy of the
covenants and restrictions these tell you what the community
rules are regarding what you can and can not do with your own
property. Your buyer agent can help you check local land use
regulations and what is planned on the vacant land nearby you
may end up with a 24 hour gas station behind your new home.
5)Contract and Negotiations - This is the maze your Buyer
Agent will help you navigate. There is always room to negotiate
with builders it may not show as a dollar amount off the price.
They have homes built as spec, premium lots (remember all lots
cost the builder the same), homes that are more efficient to
build than others, specials on upgrades and options, special
discounts from vendors and suppliers. Builder incentives on
using their mortgage company, title company, upgrades and
credits.
6)Inspectors and Inspections - The top Buyer Agents will
guide you to hire a licensed structural engineer to inspect the
major structure of your new home before the drywall is hung. A
licensed home inspector can inspect the home for systems and
operation. The best builders offer planned inspections of your
home with you during various construction stages i.e. site
inspection, pre drywall, pre closing punch list.
7)Closing Date - A Buyers agent will follow up on the
construction process home builders are known for not meeting the
closing dead lines. Weather, subcontractor delays,
supplier/vendor deliveries behind schedule, field supervision,
and holidays all can add up to days, weeks and months of delay.
Insist in your contract that you receive a 30 day notice of the
closing date so you and your family are not stuck in a hotel
waiting for settlement.