| If you're in the market to buy a new home, you | | | | to using a buyer's agent to help you buy a new |
| probably do like a lot of people do: Drive around | | | | home. Not just any buyer's agent, of course; it's |
| from builder to builder, talking to many different | | | | important to use an agent who specializes in new |
| sales representatives in each of the sales offices. | | | | homes and knows the local builders. Your agent's |
| I know. I've been there, done that, bought the | | | | knowledge of the many builders in your area is |
| t-shirt, and it's no fun. But did you know that | | | | what will give you the edge over the buyer |
| strategy may be costing you money? | | | | walking into the model home or sales office off |
| You actually are missing some golden | | | | the street. |
| opportunities in the negotiation process if you | | | | The reason it's so beneficial to have a buyer's |
| take the "go it alone" approach and hit the | | | | representative on your side is that the home |
| pavement yourself. Sure, you get to fill up your | | | | builders are in competition for your business. If |
| gas tank a few times and get frustrated hearing | | | | you don't know the deals available down the |
| all the different sales pitches from each builder, | | | | street or across town, you won't know to bring |
| but you can live with that. It's the money you | | | | that up in your negotiation. Besides, who really |
| want to save, right? | | | | likes negotiating, anyway? An agent who |
| The problem is that buying directly from the | | | | specializes in new homes and knows those |
| builder with no agent representing you means you | | | | builders will be aware of the buyers' incentives |
| don't have an advocate on your side who knows | | | | they offer and can help negotiate one for you. |
| the market and can potentially bring you better | | | | In addition, when you have a buyer's agent, they |
| prices and terms. If you use the sales agent | | | | have a legal fiduciary duty to advocate on your |
| assigned to you when you show up in the on-site | | | | behalf. A buyer's contract with an agent |
| sales office, they are not acting as your agent | | | | specializing in new home sales ensures that you'll |
| but as the builder's agent. They're job is to | | | | get better advocacy at the negotiating table and |
| represent the builder, not you. | | | | the potential for a sweetheart deal that only an |
| Use a buyer's agent to purchase a new home | | | | agent who brings the builders volume business |
| On the other hand, there is a tremendous benefit | | | | could get. |