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Old 04-01-2010, 02:08 PM
 
3 posts, read 14,292 times
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Thanks in advance people !! Thinking of buying a new home and want some advice on how much people have been able to negotiate with them (the home builders - weekly, drees, etc ...). Looking for info from people that have been through the process rather than speculation. Typical scenario is they give you a base price, you can buy upgrades, and then there are lot premiums in many cases.

How much were you able to get off of all of their list prices? Did they negotiate on the base price? The lot premium? Or would they only negotiate on upgrades. Currently looking at a Taylor Morrison home in Steiner.

Hoping to get info like: We got $X off what they said their base model price was and $Y off of the lot premium, etc ...

Last edited by homebuyer77; 04-01-2010 at 02:10 PM.. Reason: typos
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Old 04-02-2010, 04:59 AM
 
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We bought a new home and had it built from the ground up. We went in and looked at the base price, added our upgrades and lot and came to a total. Then we offered $30k off of that total and the builder came back with a counter for $25k off the total and we took the deal. They also agreed to pay 3% toward closing costs. We signed our contract almost a year ago now and were in by the end of October last year.
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Old 04-08-2010, 03:41 PM
 
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Thanks TX55, kind of data I was seeking. Are you willing to tell me the price of the home? I'd like to get an idea if it was 25K off of 250K or 500K, etc ....
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Old 04-08-2010, 04:13 PM
 
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It was definitely not 500k....more towards the lower end of your numbers.
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Old 04-08-2010, 04:23 PM
 
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It doesn't really matter what the builder is asking for the house. It really always comes down to the appraisals for the property just before closing. All you have to do is put an appraisal contingency in your contract and the price you pay is what the bank (assuming you're financing) appraises the house for or your contract price, whichever is less. That is the only way to protect yourself when building a house from a big builder in a down market.
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Old 04-08-2010, 04:30 PM
 
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A standard deal is 3.5% off and 25K in upgrades. I wouldn't expect more than that unless it is a spec home, that's where the deals are.
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Old 04-09-2010, 10:05 AM
 
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I'd work with an experienced Realtor that regularly negotiates with the builders. It won't cost you anything and they should be able to help you get the best deal.
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Old 04-09-2010, 11:33 AM
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by woodinvilleguy View Post
I'd work with an experienced Realtor that regularly negotiates with the builders. It won't cost you anything and they should be able to help you get the best deal.
I wouldn't do that!

We went through a realtor for our last home, a new, semi custom built. We ended up paying rack rate, what incentive is there for him to negoiate the price down? His commission is a % of the selling price.

Also, don't let them pull this on you---we paid seperately for upgrades, not rolled over into the mortgage. They tried to put the upgrades onto the base price of the house, which increases their commission. It also increases your taxes. We had to fight them for that. IMO, if you're working with a builder, don't get a real estate salesperson involved, they just muddy the waters. They want their commission, of course, and to #ell with whatever benefits you in the process.

Here's another caveat---most newly built homes are overpriced for the area. Try to negoiate the price down as much as you can. Whatever you do, do NOT go with builder financing. Usually the house is overpriced, and you can't find financing elsewhere. Oh, geez, here, we can help, let us recommend our lender and their appriaser. How 'bout that? It appraised out and the lender approves you! Just sign here, congratulations, you're now upside down! Instead get 1-3 independent appraisals, then tender your offer based on the appraisal. They will deal!

Make sure everything you do is independent of the builder, including appraisers, lender, inspectors, etc. Don't be afraid to lose the deal, there's more where that came from. You're in the driver's seat as long as you choose to be!
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Old 04-09-2010, 12:12 PM
 
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Originally Posted by MaryleeII View Post
I wouldn't do that!

We went through a realtor for our last home, a new, semi custom built. We ended up paying rack rate, what incentive is there for him to negoiate the price down? His commission is a % of the selling price.

well we had a totally different experience with our agent. A good agent will work to get the best price/deal for you because they want you to refer them to your friends. A good agent is also ethical.
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Old 04-09-2010, 12:21 PM
 
10,114 posts, read 19,404,215 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by woodinvilleguy View Post
well we had a totally different experience with our agent. A good agent will work to get the best price/deal for you because they want you to refer them to your friends. A good agent is also ethical.

A good agent is a revenue producing agent. He's not only earning comission for himself, he splits it with his firm. More money, more leads, more job security. Wake up and smell the coffee, they aren't working for you, they work for themselves, same as everyone!
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