The first and most important tip for new construction home buyers is to hire a broker or a real estate agent. Contract with an agent before you start shopping because many communities will require that agent to be with you during the first showings. A real estate agent is beneficial for throughout the new construction home buying process in many ways. The sales manager works for the builders, not the buyer. In order to get the best deals on upgrades and customizations you'll need an experienced agent by your side throughout the process to negotiate. You'll save money working with an agent!
When buying new construction it's important to keep in mind that you can negotiate with builders on certain upgrades and custom additions. This is another reason why working with an agent is important! An agent can help you negotiate and make decisions on upgrades early in the process. If you find yourself going back and forth on pricing, remember that builders want to sell QUICK. Use an agent to help you get upgrades in for reduced costs in order to speed up the process and close the deal.
Before choosing the builder for your new construction home, it's recommended to research and compare various builders. Take a look at builders who are featured in your desired communities and visit their previously constructed homes within those communities. Another great way to research and compare is to read what local real estate agents write, review or post about builders on their website or blog. You can even call some local
You may have an idea of the area or town you'd like to move into but many times there are multiple neighborhoods and communities within that area to choose from. Start researching by taking a look at the online listings for new home construction in the state you are interested in. You will see a list of new communities with new construction homes and start to get an idea of the areas and opportunities out there. You can even go to the communities and walk around to talk to current homeowners and take a look at the neighborhood. Some questions for you to investigate during your neighborhood research process are:
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It's recommended to hire an individual home inspection professional of your own, along with the builder's inspector, at the end of your project. In your contract, make sure you add that the closing is contingent on a final home inspection by a professional of your choice. An agent will be able to help you find the right person and work with the builder to add this to your contract. Hiring your own professional inspector will ensure that your inspection is thorough and you are protected. Also, make sure your agent works with the builder to add in after move-in warranties to cover any defects in craftmanship.
Work with Glass House and SAVE a ton of cash when buying a new construction home in Virginia, Maryland or DC. We offer the largest real estate rebate in the industry, giving our clients 1.5% cash back upon closing. That means that not only will you save on discounts and deals when we negotiate with your chosen builder but we also give you 1.5% back for working with us! Why leave that money on the table? Talk to us today!