When you enter a Model Home Office you'll see a small sign posted. It will say something like this:
That sign should say:
Buying your New Home without representation can be risky at best and disasterous at worst.
There's the very real scenario of the buyer who lost her deposit because her home didn't sell by a specific date. She mistakenly thought the $12K she put up on deposit was "refundable" if her home did not sell. Instead, she was "suprised" by the Builder's Agent - informing her that she would "forfiet" the $12K because she had signed the contract which stated this. It seems the Builder's Agent glossed over this little item. If she had been represented by a competent Realtor. Her "Representative" would have informed her of the issue - and she would not have been "surprised". She probably wouldn't have entered into the contract in the first place. If she had been represented by a really "Excellent" Realtor, negoiation with the Builder might have waived the clause completely.
Your Realtor may negoiate a better deal for you with either added incentives or a price reduction. I have done both for my clients. I've also made sure the buyer's deposit was refunded when they backed away from a signed contract, saving that ($5K) deposit which was used later to secure another New Home from a different Builder. All's well that ends well.
Earth fissure issues, soils reports, airport flight patterns and a myrid of other issues are often "minimized" or conveniently omitted by the Builder's Agent. Some factors can turn your "Brand New - Razzel Dazzel - Home" into an "albatross".
Be especially wary of builders who do not use proper foundation construction (post-tension slab) in any areas which have "expansive soils". You'll receive a "soils report" from the builder - be sure to read it and have your realtor interpret it. Be wary of conditions where plantings close to your foundation will "void" your home warranty. This is usually a "red flag" about substandard soils conditions.
Because all Builder purchase contracts are heavily weighted in favor of the Builder - reputation is important. Ask your Realtor to advise you on the reputation of your Builder or investigate it for you.
Don't be caught up in the emotion of buying that "New Home" without the protection of "Your Realtor"s Representation".
If you sign a builder's contract without a Realtor you won't "save money" or "pay less" for the home - but you may put yourself at substantially more risk.
Make sure your Realtor accompanies you on the FIRST VISIT to the New Home Site and REGISTERS with the site. It's the "Smart Way" to buy your "New Built" home.
My contact information is:
480-423-9954 - office
800-844-9121 - toll free
480-818-3017 - cell
It's also wise to consider a builder's reputation, workmanship and resale value when buying your new home. I have some Builders I recommend and some I warn away from. Contact me for the details.