Buying House Directly from Builder?

[Army_Guy]

Originally Posted by reubenray

Our agent did tell us that we would have to pay her fee instead of the builder/seller. We have no problem with that (at least my wife does not). Our agent is a friend of our family that we are moving closer to.

Now the issue will be to buy something sight unseen. The builder has two houses available, but they will not last the week. We are over 700 miles away. My brother offered to go look, but they are in the middle of a major winter event right now.

That first line sounds like BS. When I was a homebuilder, some buyers used agents and others did not. Maybe it's different from state to state but I distinctly remember the sales people telling me the money paid to the agent comes from the builder, not the buyer. Sounds like she's trying to pull some BS on you. The commission is reduced but I also believe the work is reduced. Plus it's a great way for an agent to make connects with the builder to sell multiple homes in the same community.

The sales office can likely send you videos. I know all the sales people I worked with had absolutely no problem with that. They want to sell and make money.

[reubenray]

Originally Posted by Army_Guy

That first line sounds like BS. When I was a homebuilder, some buyers used agents and others did not. Maybe it's different from state to state but I distinctly remember the sales people telling me the money paid to the agent comes from the builder, not the buyer. Sounds like she's trying to pull some BS on you. The commission is reduced but I also believe the work is reduced. Plus it's a great way for an agent to make connects with the builder to sell multiple homes in the same community.

The sales office can likely send you videos. I know all the sales people I worked with had absolutely no problem with that. They want to sell and make money.

We talked with our agent this morning. When she was in touch with the builder a while back she was told they don't normally deal with an agent and that we would have to pay her. We have no problem with that and we asked her how much and she said normally 3%, but we both got the feeling she may reduce it. She was to contact the builder again to get a copy of the contract and how much earnest money it would take to lock this in. She completely understand how everything disappears quickly with the market right now.

[MikeJaquish]

Originally Posted by Army_Guy

That first line sounds like BS. When I was a homebuilder, some buyers used agents and others did not. Maybe it's different from state to state but I distinctly remember the sales people telling me the money paid to the agent comes from the builder, not the buyer. Sounds like she's trying to pull some BS on you. The commission is reduced but I also believe the work is reduced. Plus it's a great way for an agent to make connects with the builder to sell multiple homes in the same community.

The sales office can likely send you videos. I know all the sales people I worked with had absolutely no problem with that. They want to sell and make money.

I believe "the first line," 100%.


Some small builders just don't work with agents.

[reubenray]

My agent and the builder are working together to get this deal done. The only thing preventing us from signing the contract now is pictures. The weather there is so bad no one can drive there to get the pictures. I know what their other homes look like, but I want to see the lay of the land.