Do You Need a Realtor When Buying from a San Antonio Builder?

The Cathy Naiser Group Real Estate Podcast

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Today, let's talk about buying a home from a builder. This is an exciting opportunity. With a brand new home, you pick out your own colors and tiles. Some buyers think they can get a better deal from the builder if there's no real estate agent involved, but it's actually important to work with a Realtor in order to protect your own interests.

Builders know that 70% of homes sold have real estate agents attached to them. Builders are grateful for Realtors in the community that attract buyers. In fact, when you work with a Realtor, some builders offer incentives that you wouldn't get if you bought directly from the builder.

No matter how friendly the builder agent is, they are out to protect the building company. A Realtor will represent your best interests and get you the best deal possible. Your Realtor may know a better building company for your needs, get you more incentives, or point out better houses for you to buy.

I can't tell you how many times I've gone on a real estate listing and the seller had bought the home from a builder, but the builder withheld important information that causes the home to sit on the market. Don't let this happen to you. Builders are not concerned with resale value. Ultimately, they want you to buy their product.

Our job as Realtors is to help you understand the contract and negotiate the best deal. We'll tell you if the house will have difficulties on the resale end. Many builders have move up programs where they work in tandem with another real estate agent to help sell the property and help you buy another.

When builders have a relationship with a real estate agent, they will often recommend that agent to you. Although these programs can be great, one thing to keep in mind is that the real estate may have an agreement with the builder and that agent might not be as objective as another agent. In some cases, real estate agents that partner with the builder are more loyal to the builder than they are to you.

As you can see, it's important to work with a Realtor you trust when buying from a builder. If you have any questions, give me a call or send me an email. I would be happy to help you!