do i need a a real estate agent when i buy a new house from a builder

[Clocker]

if i am buying a house from a large builder do i need a real estate agent? i wouldnt think so but maybe i am wrong

what are your thoughts

 

[imported_Mike]

I wouldn't think so

 

[SonnyDaze]

Originally posted by: Clocker
if i am buying a house from a large builder do i need a real estate agent? i wouldnt think so but maybe i am wrong

what are your thoughts

I bought a new construction home from a builder and they provided their own realtor and lawyers. I still hired my own inspector even though they offered one.

 

[Ameesh]

you need an inspector but not an agent unless you have no idea how to negotiate

 

[fallensight]

You never 'need' a realestate agent. They are only there to help you find one. If you can talk directly with the seller, why pay the middle man?

 

[Clocker]

yeah that is what i thougt. however i will definitely look into hiring a building inspector. i suppose even new houses can be built like crap.

 

[andrewWynn]

You can get an agent to represent you when buying a new home.

The benefit is that the agent gets a commission from the builder (2-4%).
Some agents will split this with you.

In my deal, I bought a 250k home. Agent got about 10k in commission. He gave me 4k.

This is a little know secret but it's out there. Just ask the agent or shop around.

 

[olds]

I didn't when I bought one. I had no problems after the fact.

 

[JS80]

get a buying agent that will rebate you most of the commission.

 

[richardycc]

too late for him, if he saw the house without an agent, bringing in an agent now is too late, that agent won't get sh*t from the builder.

 

[spacejamz]

we didn't use an agent when we our new house from the builder back in 2003...

the builders applied the $6000 that would have been the buying agent's commision and applied it to our closing costs...(we had the option of getting $6000 in upgrades or using it towards closing)...

 

[spacejamz]

Originally posted by: Ameesh
you need an inspector but not an agent unless you have no idea how to negotiate

maybe it depends on the area and the lender, but we did not need an inspection when we closed on our house (possibly because it was new construction) Our mortgage is through my credit union.

We did hire an inspector since we really had no idea of what to check for before we moved in. He checked out the HVAC units, plumbing, roofing, levelness of the house, and a bunch of other stuff...definitely worth the $200 we paid for it...the inspection rate is usually based on the square footage of the house...

 

[DieselUV]

Originally posted by: fallensight
You never 'need' a realestate agent. They are only there to help you find one. If you can talk directly with the seller, why pay the middle man?

buyer still pays the same amount regardless. unless the builder is willing to reduce the price by the commission amount.

 

[Rage187]

nope, the builder paid my closing costs.

 

[AUMM]

Originally posted by: DieselUV

Originally posted by: fallensight
You never 'need' a realestate agent. They are only there to help you find one. If you can talk directly with the seller, why pay the middle man?

buyer still pays the same amount regardless. unless the builder is willing to reduce the price by the commission amount.

They are usually willing to give a portion of the commission amount back to the buyer

 

[soccerballtux]

No, but you need to hire an inspector (and a top notch one; don't skimp on cost) to make sure the house has been build properly. DO NOT SIGN OFF until he has given you the go ahead. Consequences of not doing so could involve having to pay for $xx,000 in repairs in 5 years when you learn that the builder made [grave construction mistake] and you didn't know about it.

 

[trmiv]

Good info in here, I have to remember this when we buy a house in a few months.

Is it typically a better deal for a first time buyer to buy a new house? It seems like you can get a lot of incentives from the builder buying a new house.

 

[theGlove]

yes get a real estate agent.

I will not hurt you at all because you pay him nothing. The seller does.
Also, you might actually get money out of it when you get an agent that'll give you part of his commission.

 

[Double Trouble]

Originally posted by: theGlove
yes get a real estate agent.

I will not hurt you at all because you pay him nothing. The seller does.
Also, you might actually get money out of it when you get an agent that'll give you part of his commission.

Ding ding ding, we have a winnner
You don't pay for the agent, the seller does. It costs you nothing, why would you not involve a pro to check things out for you if it costs you nothing? Unless you're an expert, get a buyer agent (not a dual agent), and hire a good inspector. A good inspector can help save you LOTS of money if they find and report issues before you buy the house and get trapped.