You’re thinking it may be time to buy a new home. You may have a home to sell or this may be your first home. You feel overwhelmed because the market is crazy hot and you don’t know where to start. After browsing on Houzz, Pinterest and watching HGTV, you really want to build a new home but wonder if you can afford it. So many questions and you don’t know who to call! We have a team of experienced agents that know how to help you build. The right team of partners that can advise you with the most important information to answer your most pressing questions. Not only that, we know how to navigate the nuances of the new build process while balancing your unique needs and objectives. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions when considering the option of building a new home.
5 Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I save money by not using a buyer's agent?
No. This is a myth. The cost of a buyer's agent's fees are already built into the overall cost of the home. There is no discount if you don't use your own agent to represent you. It is important to keep in mind that the representative that greets you when you enter the model home is there to represent the builder. We have great relationships with many of them in our market, but they represent the builder’s interest NOT yours!
2. Do I need a Buyer's Agent?
Top 5 Reasons you need a Buyers Agent
Help you hire the right builder.
Not all builders have the best reputation in Columbus, but some will go above and beyond for you. We can recommend builders that have a reputation for completing their homes on time and delivering a quality product.
Find the right lot, location & neighborhood.
Picking out the best lot, the right community for your lifestyle, the neighborhood features & amenities you want – we can help out with all of these things. We will always be thinking about your investment and potential resale value when we are advising you.
Recommend appropriate upgrades & floor plans
Without proper guidance, you could easily spend a lot of money on things that don’t matter when it comes time to sell. When selecting floor plans, it's important to know that some will be easier to sell than others--this is the kind of advice that you'll be grateful for in the years to come.
Help you understand all paperwork
Typically, a builders standard contract is written in a highly protective manner that favors the builder. We will hire a real estate attorney who will review the contract and affiliated documents and may add addenda to the contract that will guard against complications should something go wrong. This attorney review is at no cost to you.
Negotiate on your behalf
When buying new construction, it is imperative that you have a buyer’s agent. Someone who is in your corner representing your best interests. A strong negotiator understands the true value of all aspects of the deal. One thing we can promise--we will try to get you the best deal possible.
3. How do I obtain financing?
One of the first things we will recommend is that you connect with one of our trusted lenders who will carefully review your credit history and financial data and will help you ascertain what monthly payment (factoring in mortgage payment, taxes, HOA fees, and insurance) you are most comfortable with. The builder will likely have a lender that may have a great loan product to offer you as well. After you have selected the home you wish to buy, we recommend that you obtain 3 quotes from different lenders and compare the rates, terms & conditions and make your selection at that time.
4. What if I have a home to sell?
It can be a complicated process. We will help you determine the value and appropriate timing of listing your home on the market. Some builders require that your home is sold before they will sign a contract with you and other builders are willing to permit a contingent contract to move forward and begin the construction process. It may be necessary for you to find a temporary place to live between the time your home sales and when you get keys to your new home, but hopefully not. Our team of agents has extensive experience with navigating the sale of an existing home and new construction. Our goal is to make it as stress-free and seamless as possible for you.
5. What do I do next?
Now that you have answers to your most frequently asked questions, the next step is to secure your own buyer's agent. As the #1 Remax team in the state of Ohio, we are qualified to help you with what may be one of the most important decisions you'll ever make and certainly one of the biggest investments of your life. WARNING: Be careful not to go to model homes on your own before you have registered with your agent. Most builders will not allow you to have your own representation unless your agent is with you on the first visit. Don't lose out on your chance to have a professional to represent your interests. Let's connect soon-reach out to us anytime!
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