Should we use a realtor when buying new construction?

[BlondieanDagwood]

You can actually get some money back by using an agent. I recently purchased a pre construction home from Pulte. Did all the searching on my own and made sure to tell every sales agent I came in contact with that I was using an agent during each visit. Then just before we proceeded with the purchase agreement I asked the builder if they would allow me to take a 50% split of the buyers agent commission in the form of a credit at closing. Pulte agreed, however just needed the real estate agents details for the contract and confirmation from the agent. I then started calling all the real estate agents on google and asked if they would agree to split the commission 50/50 with me if I let them into the deal now. A few did not know what I was talking about, and one from Allen Tate wanted to do a 75/25 split with me (no way!) Eventually I found one agent who knew exactly what I was talking about. He agreed to it straight away, made me sign an exclusive agreement with him that actually had the terms listed on his agreement that he will share 50% of the commission with me. Then Pulte added in a clause into the Purchase agreement that the buyers agent commission was being split 50/50 with me in the form of a credit at closing. It was win win because I get a couple of thousand dollarreduction to closing costs in the form of a credit, and the agent gets a couple of thousand for doing nothing other than answering his phone that day I was calling all the agents. I remember the excitement in his voice when he asked what the purchase price of the house was. I heard the Kaching go off in his head - hahaha. I will put him to work once we hit the pre-drywall stages though.

[CarnivalGal]

Hiring a Realtor would be helpful. But even more important is to get an inspection. In our area, about 30% of new construction homes have major defects that come up on inspection.

[Sherifftruman]

Definitely have an agent. When the crap hits the fan, they can put more pressure on them than you can as they might bring more buyers in the future and you’re not likely to buy a whole lot of houses. Plus, this is their job. They do it every day and know how to deal with the builder.

Also, for sure get an inspection. Here’s two shots from the roof of a house I did yesterday. One where they left off a ton of ridge shingles and another where they used nails through the roof covering to secure the scaffold they used for the siding. Usually they will at least put roof cement on them but they forgot this time so there’s are about a dozen hooks in the roof that will not start showing any signs for a couple years usually.