The short answer? No.
The smart answer? It’s a good idea to have one. A great agent will save you time, stress, and money.
Just Because You Can Do It Alone Doesn’t Mean You Should
The home-buying process for new builds can feel overwhelming.
While a builder’s representative is there to guide you through your new construction purchase, it’s important to remember they work for the builder, not you.
Having a licensed real estate professional on your side, someone with market knowledge and experience in the building process, can help you get the best deal on your new house.
Having your own agent can save you time, money, and stress, especially when it comes to navigating contracts and negotiating upgrades.
The Biggest Myth: “The Builder Has Someone for That”
The builder’s sales representative at any new development you visit will likely tell you they’ve got everything handled.
And to some extent, they do.
But it’s important to remember: They represent the builder’s best interest, not yours.
Builder’s agents are real estate salespeople who specialize in selling new construction homes built by the company they work for.
They know the lots, floor plans, upgrade options, and timelines inside and out.
| Tip From The Experts: Builders’ agents aren’t always actively licensed realtors. While they are well-trained in the new construction process, that doesn’t mean they have education on the process for buying and selling existing homes. An actively licensed realtor can also help you optimize the resale value of your new home. |
And while the builder’s representative genuinely wants you to have a good experience (because happy buyers refer friends), their job is ultimately to sell all the lots in the community, keeping the builder’s best interest in mind.
If you don’t know what to look for, it’s easy to miss things in the fine print or get stuck with costs and delays you weren’t prepared for.
When you’re buying a new construction home, the contract isn’t the same one you’d use for a resale.
It’s a custom agreement, written by the builder, that’s designed to protect the builder’s interests.
Builder contracts typically favor the builder over the consumer. And if you want to buy one of their houses, you have to use their contract.
Having an expert in your corner who is working on your behalf can make a big difference.
We know the ins and outs of builder contracts, upgrades, and timelines.
We’re here to protect your interests and look out for you every step of the way.
Why You Should Have Your Own Realtor
Having an experienced realtor who has sold lots of new construction isn’t just helpful, it’s a smart move.
Here’s why:
1. You get full support from start to finish.
You’re not just hiring someone to unlock doors. You’re hiring a project manager, upgrade strategist, and contract negotiator all in one.
We’re with you through the entire process: finding the right builder, the first visit, contract review, design center choices, walkthroughs, home inspections, and closing.
And if you are moving from out of state, we can:
- Visit the site for you
- Send updates
- Take photos, videos, and aerial footage
- Do virtual walkthroughs
2. We help ask the right questions.
These aren’t questions you’ll see on Zillow. But they matter.
Are there any manholes, drains, or utility boxes that will be placed on this lot?
Who is the superintendent in charge of quality control?
Will this lot require additional grading or site prep?
Has a soil test been done on this lot? If so, can we see the results?
Those are just some examples.
Free Resource: 100-Point New Construction Checklist
3. We help you make smarter upgrade choices.
There are endless options when it comes to upgrades. It’s easy for those additional costs to add up.
Think about it this way: the builder’s agent wants you to choose every upgrade and build a home for the highest price because it earns the builder more money.
We’re here to help you budget wisely and filter through the noise.
We’ll help you make informed decisions on the upgrades that make the most sense for your lifestyle and add long-term resale value.
| Tip From The Experts: Always focus on structural upgrades first. Invest in upgrades like taller ceilings, larger windows, an extra garage bay, and lower-level rough-ins before you choose upgraded countertops, flooring, and light fixtures. |
4. We help negotiate on your behalf.
While builders don’t often drop the sales price, we can help you negotiate upgrades, closing credits, or other incentives.
Sometimes we can get the price dropped, it just depends on the situation!
The sale price can sometimes be a long way from the base price, and we can be a valuable resource here.
We use our expertise and experience to help you make smarter choices and get better deals.
We review the contract terms and help you navigate the fine print.
5. We help when things go sideways.
Mistakes happen, and builders aren’t perfect.
If something gets installed wrong, gets overlooked, or is delayed, we’re here to step in.
And if it’s too late to fix the mistake, we’re here to negotiate a discount or free upgrade on your behalf so you don’t feel taken advantage of.
From timeline changes to surprise upgrade costs, we know the common pitfalls of new construction and can help you manage them.
You don’t have to do it alone!
Won’t I Save Money If I Don’t Use A Realtor?
Nope. Builders already budget for your agent’s commission.
If you don’t use an agent, the builder just keeps that money. If you do use one, the builder pays commissions.
The realtor’s commission is already factored into the price and doesn’t get added to the price of the home.
You’re not getting a discount by going without an agent, nor are you being charged extra for using an agent.
What to Ask a Realtor When Buying New Construction
We’ve spent time talking about all the reasons why a new construction buyer should have their own real estate agent.
But let’s talk about finding the right realtor.
Not all realtors have new build experience.
You don’t just want a knowledgeable agent. You want someone who has experience with the new construction process.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions before committing to a realtor.
Related: Questions to Ask When Buying New Construction
At the end of the day, they’re helping you build your future home.
The agent works for you, so interview multiple people for the job.
1. Have you helped buyers with new construction before? How often?
A good realtor will be familiar with how builders operate, their contracts, upgrade options, and construction timelines.
Look to see if they’ve worked with multiple reputable builders in your area.
For example, my team and I currently have 6 new build homes under construction with 4 builders.
We work with all the big builders in St. Louis, and we always have clients building new construction. We are well-versed in the process, and we’re the first ones to hear about new releases when builders have promotions.
2. What do you do differently when working with new build clients compared to resale clients?
You know that buying new construction is a very different beast from buying a resale home.
Your agent’s strategies should also be different.
Ask your agent about their:
- Relationships with builders and contractors
- Contract review
- Upgrade advice
- Construction walk-throughs
- Advocacy during delays or issues
3. How familiar are you with builders in St. Louis?
A well-connected agent can help you compare builders, spot red flags, and sometimes even get inside info or incentives.
A good real estate agent will be familiar with local builders and their reputations.
Each builder has a different process for building, working with buyers, and the quality of craftsmanship they build.
Make sure you work with an agent who knows the ins and outs of how local builders operate.
4. What do you do if there’s a construction delay or something is installed incorrectly?
Mistakes happen.
You want an agent who knows how to handle conflicts professionally and has your back throughout the entire new home purchase process.
5. Can you help me understand and compare upgrade options and potential resale value?
Your realtor should help you spend wisely.
Look for someone who can explain what upgrades give you the most value and which are usually not worth it.
Free Resource: 100-Point New Construction Checklist
6. Do you attend the walkthroughs and construction meetings with your clients?
This one can be a big deal if you’re buying from out of state.
Your agent will be your eyes and ears in St. Louis when you’re not here.
You want someone who can negotiate for you, take videos & pictures, and relay important, reliable information.
7. Can you explain the builder’s real estate contract and point out what I should watch out for?
New construction contracts tend to lean towards the builder’s interests, so you want someone who knows what to look for and makes sure you get a great deal.
This can be especially important if you’re a first-time homebuyer with no experience in new home sales.
Hire Experienced Agents To Help You Build
Ready to get started on your brand-new home?
Let’s make it happen. Reach out today.
New home construction is exciting, but the process isn’t simple.
Let our team be your advocate from the model home tour to the final walkthrough.
We help you:
- Compare builders
- Avoid hidden costs
- Ask the right questions
- Get the best incentives
Buying new construction is exciting, but it’s also complex.
We make sure you’re not navigating the local market on your own.
We know how real estate transactions work, from the purchase contract to financing options, and we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
While the builder’s agent is focused on the builder’s interests, we’re laser-focused on yours.
We’ll connect you with trusted mortgage lenders, explain how real estate commissions work, and keep a close eye on market conditions so you don’t overpay.
Whether you’re early in your home search, comparing neighborhoods by zip code, or looking at specific housing developments, we help you get the best possible deal on your new build home.
We’ll walk you through every step of the process, help you compare local builders, and make sure you’re asking the right questions.
Let’s build your dream home the smart way.
