Do Not Go New Home Shopping Without a Realtor

After a long break, new home sales finally are on the rise.

This is great news for Arizona, as the construction industry helps fuel growth in our local economy. With renewed confidence in the real estate market, and limited resale inventory, many buyers are once again shopping for new homes.

Thinking of buying new? Wait.

Did you know there is no additional fee to the buyer to use a Realtor when buying a new home? Further, there is no discount to the buyer if the purchase of a new home is made without Realtor representation. None. The builder typically pays the Realtor’s fees through a separate marketing budget. In other words, the builder is giving you representation for free—if you choose.

Of course, there is a catch. Your Realtor must accompany you on your first visit to the models. It clearly is stated on the model showroom door, so you won’t forget. If you walk through that door alone and start touring the models, you are on your own.

Here are a few very important reasons why you should use a Realtor when buying new (other than the obvious reason—it’s free).

1. Your Realtor will be your representative and advocate. A Realtor is trained to help you through the entire new home building process, from negotiating the contract (yes, it can be negotiated), to monitoring the transaction right through closing. Your Realtor will help watch out for your financial interest.
2. It is the builder’s motivation to sell each lot in the subdivision, even the least desirable lots. It is the Realtor’s objective to help the buyer choose a lot that has minimal drawbacks and that will be best for resale. During our recent recession, homes on non-desirable lots had a much, much harder time selling. Allow your Realtor to help you weigh the pros and cons of the lots available and make a sound investment.
3. A Realtor can help you walk through the model and recommend ideas and options to help you design a home that is best suited to your needs and good for resale. When getting ready to resell their homes, many of my clients have regretted the design choices they made when they chose their options.
4. A Realtor can help you enhance your new home investment. How should you best spend builder incentives to create the greatest value for your home? What is more important to upgrade—cabinets or countertops? Tile or appliances?
5. Your Realtor also will be there to represent you during your building inspections. Experienced Realtors have been on many building sites, and may help you see issues you may miss.
6. Your Realtor is working for you. The salesperson at the new model office is working for the builder—who do you think has your best interest at heart?

My wife and I live in a Blandford home, which we built and customized. I have advocated for my clients through the new-build process in subdivisions from here to Laveen, and to Desert Ridge and back. I have even worked with T.W. Lewis and local developer Amberwood Homes on special investment projects. Even if you have already started with a builder, I am happy to answer any new-build questions you may have. But please… don’t go shopping alone.

John Karadsheh is the Designated Broker for KOR Properties. He has been a Multi-Million Dollar producing agent for more than 13 years, and is an Accredited Buyers Representative (ABR) and Certified Residential Specialist (CRS). In 2014, John was voted the No. 1 Real Estate Agent in Arizona by Ranking Arizona. You can reach John at (480) 568-8684, or visit his website at KORproperties.com.

KOR Properties is also the creator and one of the founding sponsors of Mesa Food Truck Fridays.