Thinking of New Construction? Yes, You Should Have An Agent

The allure of new construction – a brand new home, finishes you picked out, and the peace of mind that you won’t have to do any upgrades in the foreseeable future. While the reward is great, the construction process can be overwhelming and cumbersome for most buyers. And one of the biggest mistakes buyers make is not having their own agent representing their side of the transaction.

While the builder’s agent will be happy to assist you through the new construction process, here are 5 reasons why you should have your own agent:

1. The interests of the builder. When an agent represents a builder with multiple properties (such as a subdivision), the builder’s interests are going to weigh heavy on that agent. The builder is the source for a large amount of business and keeping the builder happy will naturally be a top priority for the builder’s agent. Your interests may become secondary.

2. Negotiating extras. It is not uncommon for the price of new construction to be firm. Reducing the sales price can set a precedent that the builder wants to avoid and can affect future home values when conducting appraisals. What is often negotiable, however, are extras and upgrades. For example, your agent can help negotiate upgraded finishes, adding air conditioning or having the builder contribute towards closing costs.

3. Overseeing the process. Your agent can help in overseeing the process, which includes construction timelines, selecting finishes, doing walkthroughs and scheduling a final home inspection when everything is complete. Your agent will also advocate for you if construction is behind schedule or if changes need to be made.

4. Allowances. Builder’s typically offer the buyer allowances for their finishes. For example, with the purchase price might be an allowance of $6,000 for countertops. Is this amount appropriate? What will that afford? Your agent can help in negotiating allowance amounts and progress to know where you stand with the budget.

5. Builder reputation. Not all builders are the same, and your local agent can assist you in finding the right builder and filtering out those with subpar reputations.

Bottom line: New construction is a great option for many buyers, and there are some wonderful subdivisions in Salem and the surrounding areas. But if you’re thinking of new construction, don’t go in it alone. Find an agent that can help you through the entire process and who will protect your interests.

Local Subdivisions of Interest:
Fairview Addition (Salem) Edwards Addition (Monmouth) Bella Cresta (Salem) Bailey Ridge (Salem) Rainier Estates (Salem) Eagle View (Salem) Verona Heights (Salem) Hassler Farms (Sublimity)