Two things you should keep in mind before you buy a newly built home.

Have you fallen in love with a model home? Who hasn’t? These homes look beyond beautiful, but if you’re planning to buy one, you need to be careful. The buying process for new-construction homes is very different from the normal resale market, so there are a few things you should know upfront.

Despite the differences from the traditional market, it’s critical you still work with a real estate agent. As agents, we work for new-construction buyers all the time. You have to keep in mind that the sales representative showing you around those model homes represents the builder.

“Hiring an agent doesn’t cost you anything.”

You want to have someone in your corner as well, and many agents like myself specialize in new construction. Hiring an agent doesn’t cost you anything; the builder will cover their fees. In fact, it might save you money since you’d probably pay more without the proper representation.

The second thing you should know is the costs can be deceiving for new construction. The sign might say the homes are priced at $500,000, but when you look at models, they all cost $600,000. Those ads refer to the cheapest model possible, with no upgrades. You also have tons of options, like changing around rooms or choosing the exact counters and floors you want, but those will likely add to your final price tag.

If you have any questions or concerns, please call or email us. We’d be happy to help!