New Construction or Resale Home?

SW Florida Home buyers have many options

As we enter the traditional SW Florida real estate season, those thinking about purchasing a home in now are fortunate to have great choices available for both resale homes and new construction homes. With all the options from which to choose, working with an experienced local realtor who knows the market well is especially important.

Sometimes buyers don’t think they need a Realtor when buying new construction, but the reality is that there are many advantages to having a Realtor on your side and no reasons to go it alone. Here are some top reasons to work with a Realtor when purchasing a new construction home.

No. 1: Realtors Know the Best Time to Buy

Realtors have the inside scoop regardless of whether you are buying an existing home or looking at new construction homes. They know the area’s real estate market inside and out and can help you get the best deal possible.

One thing your new construction Realtor can help you determine is the best time to buy. Many of the nation’s largest builders are publicly traded companies. They answer to shareholders and need to meet sales goals. This is why your Realtor might tell you that the best time to buy a new construction home is toward the end of the quarter. As the quarter comes to a close, builders might be more aggressive with sales and discounts and might be more open to negotiations in order to meet sales goals.

Additionally, your Realtor might tell you that December is a good month to buy a new construction home, since many builders have their fiscal year end in December. As a result, many builders are highly motivated to make sales at year end and might be willing to negotiate.

No. 2: A Realtor Can Help You Find the Best Home Builders

Because Realtors have a wealth of experience in the local home market, they can put this knowledge to work for you in finding a builder you can trust. They know about quality of workmanship, warranties, track records for resolving issues and more.

Your new construction Realtor can give you a clear understanding of the process and what’s down the road when making a purchase.

No. 3: A Realtor Can Advocate and Stand Up for You

Some buyers believe you don’t need a Realtor when buying new construction. Their thinking is that avoiding a Realtor will save them money on the transaction. This isn’t true, as working with a new construction Realtor can actually help you save money.

When you don’t work with a Realtor, you are letting the builder’s agent represent you. The builder’s representative won’t be working in your best interest. This means you are not their top priority, as they are working for the builder. Having representation from a new construction Realtor means that an experienced professional has your back. A new construction Realtor can advocate and stand up for you throughout the entire transaction.

You need a new construction Realtor who knows how to ask the right questions. To find an experienced agent who can advocate for you, you need to ask a few questions, too. Consider asking a potential Realtor:

•      What are the benefits of buying new construction over an existing home?
•      Do you know of any lenders who specialize in new construction mortgages?
•      What is your experience selling new construction homes?
•      How familiar are you with the new construction purchase process?

No. 4: A Realtor Can Negotiate on Your Behalf

A new home can be expensive, especially if you’re opting for new construction. In many cases, builders advertise the base price of their homes. This is often for the most basic model of the home. It’s likely not the home you see when you tour the model. Models usually include many upgrades.

However, one of the benefits of buying new construction is customization. You can make a new construction home your own. One of the benefits of working with a new construction Realtor is that they can negotiate the customizations with the builder on your behalf. This can help ensure you get a fair price for your upgrades and alterations to the floor plan.

An experienced new construction Realtor can go into these negotiations prepared to get you the best price possible, saving you money in the long run.

No. 5: A Realtor Can Help with Inspections and Contract Contingencies

You know you need an inspection when you buy an existing home, but did you know an inspection is an important part of buying new construction?

An experienced new construction Realtor can recommend the right inspections for a new home. For example, if the new construction home has a septic system, it might be smart to make the purchase contract contingent on an inspection of the septic system. This might prevent plumbing issues down the road.

There are many other scenarios in which a new construction Realtor can help with the new home buying process. They know which inspections are necessary on a new construction home and can make sure all are performed before closing.

Whether you decide on a resale home or new construction, there are lots of benefits that come with working with an experienced Realtor.

If you are looking for a home in Naples, Marco Island or Lee County, I will work to help you navigate the home buying process and be there for you every step of the way. Let me help you find your piece of paradise in SW Florida!