Quote:
Originally Posted by core_upt
Some advice I can share:
- get a very clear understanding of what is included and what is not. Items not included may be upgrades, which require YOUR discipline to manage, or there could be items such as architectural requirements which you need to know about up front (some builders only build in a rough contingency, but it may not cover all the costs i.e. a corner lot requires additional windows.
- do you trust the area manager? do you believe they have your interest at stake? Some sales people genuinely care about their clients, others not so much. A trusting relationship can help you in setting and meeting your expectations
- who is the builder and how are they rated. Every single home built, regardless of the builder, will have issues. There is virtually nothing else in the world that is built from scratch, by hand, like a house is. Things will go wrong - where will your builder be when they do.
- Realtors can be a great asset for helping you understand your decision. However, a builder MAY have more room to negotiate price if you do not bring a realtor in. A realtors commission is most likely factored into the builders costs, but they may back this out if you do not bring a realtor with you.
- Land cost is 99.99% non-negotiable
- Have you considered a spec home? You are getting a fully warrantied home, brand new, without the wait time and stress of a new build. Builders are generally more willing to negotiate on spec because they have hundred of thousand of dollars tied-up in that house. Having homes sit completed and unsold will motivate the builder to negotiate.
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The bolded part is not accurate or at least not in any developer/builder situation I have come across.
The worst part is when someone asks for a bunch of advice and then walks into a show home, signs the papers and starts negotiating and using the no realtor factor as a bargaining chip - I have never seen it happen.
A Realtor will know what upgrades you should avoid/consider. What can be done for cheaper than the builders quote after the home is complete, what you can get away with changing, etc. The value in using a Realtor on a new build is more obvious when you go to sell that property!