SIX REASONS WHY YOU NEED A BROKER TO GET THE HOME YOU REALLY WANT
By Danielle Hoffmann
Buying a new construction home is a thrilling event. But it’s unfortunately not as trouble free as we’d like to hope, if you don’t have the right representative by your side. Below, we’ll dive into the many reasons you need a professional buyer’s agent representing you in the sale.
1. HIRING THE RIGHT BUILDER
The most important part of hiring an agent is having a professional’s perspective to finding a builder that meets your needs. You get to benefit from your agent’s network of vendors, lenders, and home builders. They have the industry expertise to connect you with a builder that matches your wish list, and more than likely, have already had experience with the builder with a past client. Or, if they haven’t worked with a builder you want to use directly, they can gather person-to-person recommendations from other agents to know the expected experience with said builder. They will help you find one, that not only delivers exactly what their clients want, but in a timely fashion.
2. THE RIGHT LOT IN THE RIGHT NEIGHBORHOOD
In the excitement of the new construction process, we tend to overlook important one of the most features of a property—the lot! It’s important to have a professional to ensure you make a selection that will best serve you. Your preferred builder might have several developments from which you can choose. In addition lot size and placement can impact everything from fence placement to room for fido to roam. Equally as important in lot choice are resale implications. These are important things your agent will be able to help walk you through, so your decisions work in your favor in the long term, as well as now.
3. UPGRADES AND PLAN MODIFICATIONS
Not only will your agent be able to ensure you get the upgrades and modifications that will best suit your lifestyle, but will also help you make decisions that will increase the value of your home in the long term (and with your overall budget in mind). They are working for your best interest long term, and with an agent’s guidance, you can be sure to make changes that end up benefiting you.
4. HANDLING CONTRACTS AND PAPERWORK
Your agent will handle the contracts and all of the paperwork, and they will be sure to review it to ensure that it is in your best interest. They will be able to help you break down the best loan types, purchasing processes, and steps to take that benefit you. They are, after all, working for you. They’ll make sure there are no overlooked terms in a builder’s contract that could end up impacting you after you move in, or even during the building process. You want to make sure you have a professional who is experienced with the new construction paperwork and contracts and knows how to make revisions that work in a way that meet your needs.
5. NEGOTIATIONS
It is imperative in the purchasing process to have an agent that is able to represent you and negotiate for you. The building process is so much more than having the builder put in your favorite counters and floors. They will be able to run a comparative market analysis to ensure you are paying a fair market price for the property. They’ll also be able to negotiate terms around building time frame, closings costs, and so many other aspects of a contract that you may otherwise overlook.
6. BUILDER’S AGENT REPRESENTS THEM, NOT YOU
It may seem easy just to pop into an office of a new construction build, or a builder’s office, and use the onsite agent. But keep in mind that this agent works for the builder, not for you. By having a buyer’s agent of your own, you can ensure there is a professional on your side that can walk you through the process and advocate on your behalf if a point of disagreement occurs with the terms of the contract.
Danielle Hoffmann is a Realtor Estate Broker at Nest Realty Asheville. Originally from the UK, she instantly fell in love with the character and charm of Hendersonville, NC. Helping others call this home is her passion.