When you are purchasing any home, it is important to have a sounding board and your own representation, especially since the representation is at no cost to you. You can hire an real estate agent by simply stating in writing that you want to do so. You can fire an agent by simply stating in writing that you want to fire them. So, the process is not too complicated.

Here is what a good agent will do for you in new construction:

1. Walk the lot with you and inspect possible problems like erosion, lot placement, driveway location of future builds compared to your property, exterior types and colors that will be placed next to you and landscaping issues.
2. Speak to the builder and on-site agent about the home’s construction, specialty materials used, upgrades and standards, model home extras, the builder’s warranty, the builder’s experience, the appliances, heating and air and other depreciable items in the home.
3. Gather information about the homeowner’s association, future plans of common areas, stability of neighborhood, future phases planned with pricing and square footage and any other items of concern.
4. Take you to neighbors to compare their stories of their experience, their overall opinions of living there, traffic concerns, neighbor concerns and any other items.
5. Guide you to check out your buyer due diligence with websites such as felons, sex offenders, the builder’s reputation etc…
6. If a new build that is starting from ground up, the agent will help you get your budget finalized with the builder in writing before the dreaded overage happens and you go way outside of your budget. This is a meticulous process that requires a lot of expertise. Otherwise, you will find that fighting with the builder and your spouse will occur often.
7. Negotiate the best possible deal with the builder that includes a price reduction, closing costs, upgrades and future incentives.
8. Coach you on getting the best financing whether that be with the builder’s preferred lender or someone else.
9. Coach you on getting an inspection process underway because new home inspections and processes are much different than a resale.
10. Work with you throughout the process of questions and building.
11. Do the punch-list with and the builder to make sure that you are closing on a home with future value. This is one of the most stressful times in the process for most buyers. It is very obvious to us on the listing side when someone did not do a strong punch-list in new construction.
12. Attend the walk-through to make sure that the items were done or assist you in a delayed closing to make sure that the builder performs to his duties.
13. Make sure that all of the items for closing are preformed and that you get your home warranty in place correctly.
14. Any other item that may come up during the process.