Buying a new house in Houston (professionals, money, builder)

[SkyeAnjel]

If you skip the realtor, you will likely get less incentives and no representation. The sales people work for the builder and it is in the builders best interest to make the most money they can.

You can also save money by skipping the inspection. I'm sure the builders agent will tell you it is not necessary because they do their own inspections...
You get what you pay for.

[scammed1]

Originally Posted by SkyeAnjel

If you skip the realtor, you will likely get less incentives and no representation. The sales people work for the builder and it is in the builders best interest to make the most money they can.

You can also save money by skipping the inspection. I'm sure the builders agent will tell you it is not necessary because they do their own inspections...
You get what you pay for.

In my opinion, the best money you will spend will be on an inspection with a top inspector. Do not think new=no problems.
Do your homework googling defective homes, new homes problems etc.
There are several consumer sites directly related to this issue.
I would also add know what your contract says, every word of it.
I am sure you will have mandatory binding arbitration in it.

[SkyeAnjel]

I agree. I would absolutely have my own inspections done and I would be represented by a realtor who is working for my best interests.

[Beto]

Realtors only receive 3 %; a realtor may be able to help you with negotiating a fair price that you and the builder can agree on. Many factors come in to play but it never hurts to ask.

[truelies]

For buying a new house, I just wondering what a Realtor will do. They just want us to buy it as quick as possible.

A realtor like to sell the house in higher price, the builder also want it. You need to face two people to negotiate the price. Do you believe a realtor will lower the price for you?

I think what the realtor do is help you find houses of your demand, you need to know the house price by yourself. Is that right?

[truelies]

If any realtors can negotiate 20% off the initial price(or upgrade), please PM me. I found it's difficult to do this. Normally they only give me 3% down.

Originally Posted by Rick4Life

Are you looking in Telfair? I believe that is the only community building in Sugar Land city limits. It just depends on the quality of a home you want. You can negotiate sometimes up to $50,000 off the builder with poor products... which in the end when you try to resell the home you'll realize that you paid just what the house was worth... they only marked up the price and tricked you into thinking you got a huge discount. Go with the highest quality product you can get for your money.

[Houston-Sugar Land]

I have a friend that asked the builder for the Realtor commission and the builder did not pass it to him. My friend was able to get some perks but the Realtor's commission was paid to the Broker at the time of closing and not to the buyer. Some builders will not pass the "realtor's commission" because they realize that the Realtors will bring them lot more business than one client "driving by".

[Team RoJack]

Hello,

It is important to remember that when it comes to Real Estate, everything is negotiable. In regards to dealing with Builders, the commission for agents are truly set aside. Yes, I'm a Realtor, but I've also served on a HOA as a Board Member for a community which had 3 seats held by the builders/developers. The new home sales people work for the builder/seller and always put the builder interest first.

Good luck!

[truelies]

Thank you. From you experience, how much percent can I negotiate down the builder's price in Houston?

Originally Posted by Team RoJack

Hello,

It is important to remember that when it comes to Real Estate, everything is negotiable. In regards to dealing with Builders, the commission for agents are truly set aside. Yes, I'm a Realtor, but I've also served on a HOA as a Board Member for a community which had 3 seats held by the builders/developers. The new home sales people work for the builder/seller and always put the builder interest first.

Good luck!

[Beto]

Originally Posted by Wysiwyg

thats what I got skipping the realtor. you have to ask the builder rep what would be the advantage if you skip the realtor. trigger her untrained sales skills to spill all the possible discounts

Good Luck.