5 Secrets to Buying A New Home
1) The Model Homes Are Decorated By Professional Designers With The Singular Goal Of Making You Spend More Money.
Many Of The Finishes And Gorgeous Features Are Not Standard In The Purchase Price. These Designers Do An Absolutely Outstanding Job Of Making These Spaces Feel Airy And Comfortable. However, Falling In Love With The Model Homes Beautiful Additions Could Cost You Lots Of Money And Stress If You Aren’t Careful And Pay Close Attention To Things Like Room Dimensions And Upgraded Model Options. The Builders Oftentimes Will Use Scaled Furniture Like Using A Full Or Double Sized Mattress Vs Traditional King Or Queens Sizes To Make The Rooms Look And Feel Much Bigger Than They Really Are. It Is Also Easy To Get Swept Away In Making Your Home Look Like The Models Until You Realize It Costs $5000 Additional To Tile Living Room And Your King Size Bed Doesn’t Fit.
2) Secret Number Two Is A Big One…DONT BE FOOLED:
The Sales Agent For The Builder Solely Represents The Builder. It Isn’t Their Job To Make Sure You Are Getting A Good Deal. They Are There To Sell You A Home From The Seller They Represent. The Builders Oftentimes Will Make You Feel As If You Dont Need A Real Estate Broker To Represent You In The Transaction. The TRUTH Is That Having A Broker Represent Your Best Interests Is FREE And You End Up With A Professionally Licensed Realtor Acting As Your Ally And Advisor.
3) Builders Want You To Think That They Dont Negotiate.
They Want It To Appear As If They Are Getting You The Best Deal Up Front And That Their Homes Are In High Demand. Which In Many Cases May Be True. However, Their Competition Can Also Provide You With Negating Leverage. In Addition To Using The Pricing Of Their Competitors, You Can Negotiate Things Like Homesites And Additional Upgrades Or Closing Costs Should You Reach Point At Which The Builder Will Not Lower The Price Any Further. This Alone Can Save You Thousands Of Dollars.
4) Not Having An Real Estate Agent Will Save You Money.
THIS IS NOT TRUE !! As A Matter Of Fact, Most Builders Calculate Commission Under Their Marketing Costs And The Builders Do Not Consider The The Representation Of Buyer By A Licensed Realtor As Part Of The Overall Margin On The Homes. In Other Words, They Will Sell You The Home At The Same Price Whether You Have An Agent Or Not. So If You Get The Home For A Great Price And Have Professional Representation At No Additional Expense To You, It Should Be A No Brainer.. Use Your Leverage!!
5) Its All A Wonderful Spectacular Show.
I Love Homes, I Have Been To Thousands. Mansions To Double-Wide Trailers. Even The Most Beautiful Resale Home Can Be Forgotten Once Entering The Builders Sales Floor/Model. Make No Mistake About It. It Is A Sales Floor. There Are Sparkly Vases And Nicely Framed Pictures. There Is The Smell Of Baked Cookies And The Welcome Of Refreshments Such As Water Or Soda. The Rooms Are All Tidy And There Is No Dusting Or Vacuuming Needing To Be Done. WOW!! Then You Are Wisked Away On A Wonderful Golf-Cart Ride Throughout The Community To See The Row Of Newly Built Houses And Then Onto The Community Clubhouse. Its A Whirlwind Of Fun To Look At The New Homes, But Staying Grounded Upfront Will Help Ensure You Are Happy With Your Purchase.
So Keep Your Feet On The Ground And Also Seek Help From An Advisor Who Has Done This Before. A Broker Who Loves The Show But Who Can Make Sure To Guide You Through The Smoke and Mirrors.