1.) Negotiations:
Leave it to the pros! A good agent will do a ton of research on the community you want to buy in and should alredy have a good releationship with the builder. We know how far the builders can be pushed, where they will flex and how to get the best deal possible. We know which builders will do the best job and which ones will give you the most bang for your buck. The best part is all of this is FREE for you! The builders pay all of the realtors fees so you have a professional in your corner, looking out for you and it costs you nothing. There is a misconception that if you walk into a builder without an agent you will get a better deal. That is FALSE! We have had builders on the show many times and they always tell us the same thing...They love working with realtors and there is absolutely no benefit to not using one!
2.) Closing cost.
A lot of the builders will offer a certain amount of money towards the closing costs, which is nice. The thing to remember is that often they roll both standard buyer AND standard seller closing costs into one piece and leave the buyer to pay them. This could end up costing you thousands of dollars more than you planned for and at times bust your budget. Let us help navigate this for you and make sure you know exactly what you are getting into before you commit to building your dream home.
3.) Inspections.
Get your clean bill of health before it's too late! Most people that we talk to are ok with getting a home inspection for a pre-existing home but when they buy a new home that assume that with it being brand new everything will be ok, right? Wrong! The city ʺinspectionsʺ are laughable and usually takes them almost not time to do and the appraiser is not there to note any serious issues such as an under preforming AC or missing insulation. They don't have the tools needed to get the job done effectively. GET A HOME INSPECTION, it will more than pay for itself. You will sometimes be shocked at the things that are missed by the builder, city inspector, etc..
4.) Pricing your upgrades.
Pick the ones that make sense! There are a ton of upgrades the builders offer, which ones do you choose? Which ones make sense and are worth installing before you move in and which ones should you do aftewards?
Things to have the builder do: taller baseboards, surround sound, any electrical wiring, any plumbing- extra shower heads, etc, extending the lanai, water softener loops,etc...
Things that will cost less afterwards: Tile, wood floors, coach lights and most lighting packages, privacy fences, outdoor living spaces- fire pit, bbq area/summer kitchen, etc
5.) Community Fees:
Not always a bad thing! If you have a family and want to have your kids make a lot of friends, CDD communities can be awesome. Don't be scared away from the verbiage, talk with your realtor and have them explain the pros and cons of living in one of these communities.