Purchasing new construction

Partnering with the right agent is crucial when shopping for new construction, and is here to help you navigate through your options in the Big Lake area.

People that buy brand new homes in a development aren't happy when the homes that sell after theirs fetch a lesser price. Knowing this, the builder or developer often won't bend on price. (You'll appreciate this behavior after you've bought a home in a development of new construction!) Regardless, depending on the market and the status of the project, there's sometimes room for negotiation.

Consider a property has been on the market a while and the builder has a lot sunk into it, then you have some room. The same goes for show or model homes that have been sitting for a while. However, if a home was recently completed, don't count on being able to get a deal.

You can always ask for assistance in other ways when purchasing new construction. For example, closing costs are one way for you to save without lowering the price of the house. The same goes for amenities - ask for things an allowance for window treatments, a garage door opener, a sprinkler system or landscaping, or an extended home warranty.That can go the other way around, too. If upgrades are already in the contract, try to get the builder to remove them - you might be able to install them later yourself at a savings anyway.

Realize that just because a home is brand new, it doesn't mean that it is immune from needing repairs. Be sure to get a home inspection before purchase so that issues are handled and also negotiate a home warranty. Then, about 10 or 11 months after purchase it's worth it to pay for an inspection and get anything else repaired before the warranty expires.